Introductory Composition

Welcome to Introductory Composition at Heritage University!

Our mission at Heritage University is to empower a multicultural and inclusive student body through transformational, student-centered learning. As such, all degree-seeking students at Heritage University take Introductory Composition courses designed to develop your college-level research and writing skills. These courses offer innovative learning in traditional academic essays, multimodal composition, media literacy, and visual rhetoric.

Academic Rigor & Cultural Safety Through a Translingual Approach

The Introductory Composition program at Heritage University empowers students for success by promoting academic rigor through a priority for cultural safety. As one of only two universities in the United States that is both an Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and a Native American-Serving Nontribal Institution (NASNTI), our program is guided by one critical premise: Our students bear rich cultural perspectives and diverse experiences that deserve respect and public appreciation. As such, our program adopts a “translingual” approach to student learning and writing – which means that our faculty welcome linguistic diversity as a resource to our work rather a barrier or problem. As such, our classrooms become spaces of hospitality and welcome. By adopting a translingual approach, we promote a qualitatively inclusive practice of academic rigor.

College Preparedness & Placement Services

Students arrive to Heritage University from diverse experiences, histories, and backgrounds. As such, for students to develop their best potential, it is essential that you are properly placed in the course that serves you best. Our Introductory Composition program offers a variety of college-level and college-preparatory courses that provide students with necessary foundations for success:

• ENG 99a (Pre-College Writing Skills I, 3 credits)
• ENG 99b (Pre-College Writing Skills II, 3 credits)
• ENG 101 (English Composition I, 3 credits)
• ENG 102 (English Composition II, 3 credits)
• ENG 101-L (English Composition Studio, 1 credit)
• ENG 102-L (English Composition Studio, 1 credit)

Our professional student advisors are trained to offer placement services by evaluating your history and potential as a reader, writer, and learner.

Directed Self-Placement (DSP)

Students may also opt for Directed Self-Placement, which invites you to complete a survey and select the composition course that you feel fulfills your talents and potential. The results of your survey will be evaluated by the Director of Composition, who will help make sure you are enrolled in the right course that suits your needs. Interested students are encouraged to visit our DSP Survey for more information and assessment dates: