George Mason University

• 45 credit hours (to include all transfer credit hours)
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Completion of ENGL100 or ENGL101 or equivalent transferred course or exemption (that is, students who have taken our exemption exam, been exempted via AP or other test score or been exempted because they completed an AA degree from a Virginia Community College) and thus are considered by the university to no longer be in need of taking English 101, are eligible to submit a 302 portfolio.
• Completion of ENGL200-level literature requirements for your major

For e-portfolio option, click here. The portfolio should be submitted in a pocket folder or binder, and the portfolio should contain the following items/elements:

• You are required to show your Mason ID at the time that you submit your portfolio. You may also submit a copy of your Mason ID in your portfolio.
• Cover sheet with name, address, daytime phone number, major/minor, G# and George Mason email address. (Results will only be sent to Mason email addresses)
• Student Agreement Form which is required before portfolio will be reviewed.
• Unofficial George Mason Transcript reflecting all credit hours by semester including all transfer credit hours accepted at George Mason. Unofficial transcripts may be obtained at https://patriotweb.gmu.edu and must include a detailed list of transfer credit hours.
• If you are a new transfer student who has not yet completed credit at Mason: One copy of official transcripts from each undergraduate institution previously attended reflecting all credit hours by semester.
• Descriptive Table of Contents including the title of each piece of the portfolio, class number and title, context in which is was written, explanation of why the piece demonstrates the kind and quality of writing expected in ENGL302. See more information on ENGL302.
• Four Writing Samples which students have the option to revise before submission.

Students who wish to submit an electronic portfolio should follow these portfolio instructions an as well as the following:

Apply for ENGL302 Exemption with Stacey Remick-Simkins.

• Download and complete the Student Agreement Form and Permission to Obtain Transcript form.  Include the hard copy with your CD/DVD.
• Provide your Mason picture ID at the time you submit or submit a hard copy of your picture ID in the portfolio.
• Convert the following e-portfolio documents (Descriptive Table of Contents and four writing samples) to
• PDF format. Only documents in PDF format will be accepted. Save them to a CD/DVD. Make sure the CD includes only e-portfolio documents.
• NOTE: the CD-ROM/DVD will be retained for our records.
• Attach the CD/DVD to the hard copies of the signed Student Agreement Form and hard copy of your unofficial transcript and a cover sheet with contact information and submit them to Stacey Remick-Simkins in Robinson A487.

One long research-based writing sample (8-15 pages of text excluding cover page and bibliography) from an upper-level (numbered 300 and above) in your major or related to your major field of study. This writing sample should demonstrate at minimum the following aspects of writing:

• research-based writing and knowledgable use of documentation styles relevant to the major
• proficiency in the integration, citation, and documentation of sources
• analytical reasoning
• logical coherence
• mastery of standard, edited, American English

Three shorter pieces (4-7 pages), one of which must be from an upper-level course (numbered 300 and above) in your major. These writing samples should demonstrate a variety of these following aspects of writing:

• address a range of audiences and purposes
• mastery of analysis, argumentation, or persuasion
• logical coherence and evidence in support of arguments
• proficiency in the integration, citation, and documentation of sources
• master of standard, edited, American English

General Comments:

• Professional or non-academic writing will not be accepted.
• Group projects will not be accepted.
• Creative writing samples will be not be accepted.
• Papers from ENGL100-level courses will not be accepted.
• No more than two papers from any one course will be accepted.
• No more than one paper from a ENGL200-level literature course will be accepted.
• Papers should be free of comments and grades.

• How long does the portfolio exemption take? A minimum of 6-8 weeks should be allowed for portfolio review. Results are emailed only to George Mason email addresses.
• How am I granted exemption? To be granted exemption, the student must pass both the portfolio and the two-hour essay exam.
• Can anyone receive exemption credit? To apply for exemption credit, a student must be enrolled in a degree program at George Mason. You cannot be completing or have completed ENGL 302.
• What happens if the portfolio receives a pass? The student is required to take a 2-hour essay exam. The exemption process will expire the last day of the semester in which you were notified of eligibility to take the exam. The student should review his or her writing samples before taking the exam, as well as discipline-related online writing guides. Students will have access to the reviewers feedback on the portfolio.  Students who submitted CD/DVD portfolios must have hard copies available for the exam.
• What happens if the portfolio or exam receives a no-pass? The student may not resubmit another portfolio and must register for a section of ENGL302 relevant to the major. The decision of the reviewers is final and not negotiable.
• What does an exemption mean? If you are awarded an exemption, your record will reflect completion of this general education requirement.  You will receive three credit hours.  This policy will change effective June 1, 2010.
• What if exemption is denied? If you do not receive the exemption, this will not be reflected in your transcript.
• Do I pay tuition if I am awarded the exemption? No
• When will the exemption appear on my transcript? Exemption forms are forwarded to the Testing Center in the Office of Admissions where your records are updated. It takes two weeks to one month for the exemption to appear in your transcript. If it does not appear in your transcript within a month after receiving the results, please contact Stacey Remick-Simkins.
• What if I do not have my Mason ID? Your portfolio will not be reviewed until you provide your ID.