GWAR Guidelines for Students

All students must fulfill the Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) to be awarded a CSULB degree. A grade of C or better in a Writing Intensive (WI) course fulfills the GWAR.  Undergraduate students must attempt to fulfill the GWAR before filing a request to graduate.

As of April 2025, the GPE has been discontinued. GWAR courses (301A and Portfolio courses) will no longer be required beginning Summer 2025. Courses may still be offered for students who choose to take a GWAR Portfolio course as an elective. For more details about these changes, please visit the GWAR & GPE FAQs or contact a GWAR advisor.

Per order of the Chancellor’s Office:

As of June 2022, GWAR is still required for undergraduates, but it is no longer required for graduate students.

For information, please visit  please visit the GWAR & GPE FAQs. If you have additional concerns or questions, email GWAR eAdvising at GWAR-Advisor@csulb.edu