English 333, Advanced Composition for Future Teachers (Prerequisites: ENGL 130; ENGL 375 recommended), is "advanced practice in writing and the classroom uses of writing for single- and multiple-subject credential candidates," according to the University Catalog's description. In practice, the students in English 333 write papers for a variety of purposes and audiences, and focus on ways that writing can be used in their own future classrooms. Instructors in English 333 help students learn ways of using writing in the specific contexts of diverse disciplinary and grade-level classrooms.

Because English 333 is a prerequisite for admission to the Chico State credential program, many students wish to know about the possibility of either waiving the course on the basis of previous coursework and/or experience, or gaining equivalency for the course without actually taking it. 

General Policies: The general rules regarding English 333 are as follows:

• If you are a Chico State undergraduate student, you must simply take the course. 
• Please Note: Writing-intensive or writing-proficiency courses within your major will not substitute for English 333. Even English single-subject majors, who take upper-division writing classes as well as Writing Proficiency literature or linguistics courses as part of their degree program, are still required to take English 333.
• If you already hold a BA degree, you may apply to the English Education committee to do an equivalency project (see below). 
• If you have taken an upper-division or graduate writing course, have experience teaching writing, or possess an advanced degree, you may wish to apply for a waiver (see below).
• Applying for a Waiver and/or Equivalency Project. If you wish to apply for a waiver and/or equivalency, submit the appropriate materials (listed in the sections below) to the English Education Adviser. Include a cover letter with the following information:
• Name
• Address
• Phone #
• Email address
• Social Security Number or Student Identification Number
• Credential Program enrolled in/applied for (Traditional, FLEX, Tri-Placement, Internship, etc.)
• Credential Objective (Single Subject Math, Multiple Subject, etc.)
• Deadlines. Applications for waivers and/or equivalency projects must be received by the  deadlines listed below. Applications received after the deadlines will not be read until the next semester. The deadlines are:
• September 15 for consideration during Fall semester
• February 15 for consideration during Spring Semester
• May 1 for consideration over Summer
• Incomplete applications (e.g. missing cover letters or other materials) will not be considered.

Waiving the Course: Occasionally, the course will be waived. Deadlines listed above must be met. The circumstances for waiving the course are subject to the discretion of the English Education Committee, but may include the following:

• The applicant has already passed an upper-division course offered through an English or Composition department with the title "Advanced Composition" or "Advanced Writing." Transcripts must be provided. Lower Division courses with the same title are not accepted. Writing-Intensive/Writing-Proficiency courses--generally taken within the applicant's major field--are not accepted. The only courses at CSU Chico that fulfill the requirement are ENGL 333 and, in some cases, ENGL 431.
• The applicant is a current or past teacher, and can provide evidence of writing ability (examples of academic writing from college courses or publication) as well as appropriate, effective writing instruction (such as class writing assignments, and work written by his or her students in response to those assignments) within his or her discipline and grade level.
• The applicant holds an advanced degree (MA, Ph. D.) and presents transcripts showing degree completion, as well as selected excerpts (1-2 chapters) of a thesis or dissertation, as support for waiving the course.

Equivalency Project: Credential candidates who already hold BA degrees may apply (by the deadlines liested above) to complete an equivalency project in lieu of the course itself; applicants should note, however, that successful completion of such a project will not earn course credits. Candidates wishing to do an equivalency project must:

1. Prepare a brief portfolio of academic writings (~12-16 pages; 3-4 papers) culled from previously completed coursework, along with a cover letter which includes name, address, phone, email, and social security number 
2. Submit portfolio to the English Education Adviser (at the address below, or by dropping it by the English Department office, Taylor 209). The portfolio will be read, and if the writing is considered of suitable quality, the candidate will be assigned the equivalency project. Applicants whose writing is considered unsuitable will be required to take ENGL 333 at their earliest convenience.
3. Purchase the appropriate readings--textbook, course packet, etc.--assigned in the project, read the materials, and keep a word-processed response journal
4. Write an academic paper (5-8 pages) on an assigned topic, using the readings as sources. The topic will usually ask the candidate to discuss the place of writing within his or her discipline and grade level, using both personal experiences and professional sources as support, and will require the candidate to create specific classroom assignments that use student writing to enhance learning
5. Submit paper and response journal to English Education Adviser for evaluation by deadline assigned. This deadline varies, but applicants will generally be asked to complete the equivalency project at least two weeks prior to dead week.

Judith Rodby
Credential Adviser
English Education
Department of English
California State University, Chico
Chico, CA 95929-0830
530-898-5465
jrodby@csuchico.edu