Academic Engagement and Student Achievement

The Division of Academic Engagement and Student Achievement offers programs and courses that support all undergraduates at WSU. One- to four-credit courses are designed to fit student schedules and can be paired with other University courses or courses in the major for high-impact learning.

UNIV (university-wide) courses are one-, two-, three-, and four-credit elective offerings designed to help students from all majors develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors necessary to succeed in college, engage in high-impact experiences, and graduate career-ready.  UNIV courses fall into four broad categories including academic support and transition, career preparation and exploration, leadership and global citizenship development, and undergraduate research and creative discovery. The curriculum is managed and overseen by the UNIV Curriculum Committee.

In the UNIV curriculum, active and collaborative learning environments develop teamwork and leadership skills while also fostering positive relationships with an inclusive community of peers, faculty, and advising staff. Students' progress in their degree programs is supported by focus on developing critical thinking, analytical, and information skills, as well as by their strong written and oral communications components. Frequent reflective assignments assist students in integrating their college experiences with their developing sense of personal and social responsibility and self-direction.  UNIV courses also prepare students for engagement in high impact practices that support their educational and career goals, including internships and undergraduate research, and creative activities.

The Writing Program’s prefix, WRITE, offers a selection of 1-credit courses designed to support WSU students with the writing they are doing in their classes and in other academic and professional contexts. These courses offer low-risk, high-contact environments in which to learn and practice writing skills that will serve students as they write in their disciplines and in their future careers.

All WRITE courses are designed to be taken concurrently with a writing-intensive course such as English 101/105, a UCORE course such as History 105, or an “M” course (writing in the major). WRITE courses prioritize contextualized practice, so that students learn more about writing based on the writing they’re already doing for other courses, as well as self-regulated learning  models that guide students to determine and pursue their own learning goals.

Finally, the Division of Academic Engagement and Student Achievement supports general education at WSU through the University Common Requirements (UCORE) Program.  Information about UCORE can be found in other parts of the WSU Catalog or online through the UCORE website.