Student Resources

Take the English placement practice test.

• You will need your Falcon ID login credentials (your w# and password).
• Select only the exams that you need to take. If you are taking more than one placement test, you do not need to complete all the tests during one sitting.
• Within two business days of registering, you will receive an email from Scantron with a username and password for accessing the exam. Please note: your placement test registration email may be routed into your spam folder in your email. If you can't find your placement test registration information, please check your spam folder.
• It is in your best interest to take the exam using no outside resources than what is indicated in the exam, as the score will be used to place you in the best class for your academic success. If you get a higher score using unsanctioned assistance, you will be placed in a course that may be too difficult or challenging for you. UWRF is interested in helping you achieve academic success for your future, rather than in your current abilities in this area of study so scoring high is not the best outcome. Scoring accurately will help you the most!

English placement guide for new first year students.

If you scored a:

• 330 or less: Enroll in ENGL 20.
• 340-350: Enroll in both ENGL 99 and ENGL 100.
• 360-490: Enroll in ENGL 100.
• 500-660: Enroll in ENGL 200.
• 670+: Eligible for ENGL 200 test-out process.

• You must first qualify for the test-out option in order to attempt the test-out process.
• The test-out option for English 200 does not involve taking an exam. It involves the successful completion of both a research project and an annotated bibliography.
• The English 200 test-out option is only available during the fall semester.
• The opportunity to attempt the test-out option for English 200 is limited (See Process and Limitations).
• You must follow the English Department’s approved process for the test-out option for English 200.
• The test-out option for English 200 is not required. You may choose instead to take a regular section of English 200.

You must meet or exceed the qualifying English Placement Test score of 670 or you must meet or exceed the qualifying Advanced Placement in Language and Composition test score to qualify for the test-out option for English 200.

Qualified students may bypass attending a traditional section of English 200 through successful completion of a research project and an annotated bibliography assignment. If you “pass” BOTH of these items, you'll receive three credits and a grade of “A” for English 100 and the requirement to take English 200 will be waived. If you “fail” both or either of the projects (including a fail for non-submission or late submission), you will not receive credit for English 100 or English 200 and will be required to take a regular section of English 200 in a subsequent semester.

• If you're planning to take the test-out for English 200, you must make application to the instructor who will be teaching the course no later than the fifth week of the term in which the English 200 test-out section is offered (fall only).
• You must be enrolled for other courses when participating in the test-out option for English 200.
• You may not choose the test-out option for English 200 if you have taken the English 200 course, if you have taken the English 200 course and withdrawn, or if you are currently enrolled in the English 200 course.
• You may not choose the test-out option for English 200 if you have taken higher-level courses than English 200, including 200-level English courses that require English 200 as a pre-requisite, all 300-level English courses and all 400-level English courses.
• You may not take the test-out option for English 200 after they have successfully completed 60 or more course credits.
• You are not allowed to attempt the test-out option for English 200 more than once.

The Creative Writing Club is a place for creative writers to gather and explore writing techniques with prompts, altering writing, and exploring successful authors. This may include going to spoken word or book readings to hear different styles of writing. Club members enjoy writing and strives to get publicized in literary magazines such as UWRF's Prologue.

Prologue is the student literary and art publication. Each issue contains the writing and artwork of UWRF undergraduates, graduate students and recent graduates. Literary submissions range from poems to short stories to creative essays. Original works of art such as drawings, photographs and images of metal and glasswork, are found throughout the publication.

Submission Guidelines:

• Fiction and Creative Non-Fiction
  • 3,000 words or less
  • 12 font double-spaced 1" margins
  • .doc format (no PDFs please)
  • Limit one submission per category
• Art
  • Submit a high-quality image of your piece (for instance, if you are submitting a clay piece, do not submit the physical piece, only a photograph)
  • Up to 3 submissions, any medium.
  • Include a polished,100 word or less description of your piece (medium, artist, inspiration, process, etc.) for publication.
• Poetry
  • 12 font
  • Limit of three short poems (separate documents)
  • .doc format (no PDFs)
• Script and Screenplay
  • 12 pages or less
  • 12 font, double-spaced, 1" margins
  • .doc format (no PDFs please)
  • Limit one submission per category
• Other Genre
  • If you have something in an alternative genre and would like to know if it is suitable, contact uwrfprologue@outlook.com.  (Examples include comics, song lyrics, etc.)
• Submission deadline for the 2024-25 edition will be determined this fall.

The UWRF chapter of Sigma Tau Delta is Kappa Sigma. Sigma Tau Delta is an international honor society for English majors, minors and qualifying non-majors. Kappa Sigma (local chapter) is an academic and service organization that:

• Recognizes high achievement of students in English language and literature.
• Promotes interest in literature and the English language across the campus and River Falls community.
• Fosters the discipline in all aspects, including creative and critical thinking.

Sigma Tau Delta-Kappa Sigma has hosted poets and writers such as Thomas R. Smith, Robert Schuler, Amy Knox Brown and John McNally for the Student Reading Series.

Many members work on the UWRF annual student publication Prologue, as well as raise money for a local charity, and finance a subscription to Studies in the Novel, a literature journal previously not carried by the UWRF Chalmer Davee Library.

Criteria for membership

• Achieve and maintain a minimum B or equivalent average in English classes
• Completed at least three semesters (or five quarters) of college work
• Completed at least nine credits of English classes beyond the general education courses at UWRF

Associate membership is available to currently enrolled students, undergraduates and graduates, who have the requisite academic background, but who are not majoring or minoring in English. Faculty are also eligible for an associate membership.

For more information, email Michelle Parkinson in the English Department.

This event offers the opportunity for UWRF students, faculty and staff to read their original poetry, prose and song lyrics to fellow students, faculty and staff. Art is also exhibited. All students, regardless of their majors, are welcome and encouraged to participate.

Submission Guidelines

• Prose: One submission per person, 1,000 words or fewer or no more than five minutes of speaking time. You may submit an excerpt from a longer piece. Submissions should be in .doc or .docx format. If document cannot be opened, the submission will be eliminated.
• Poetry: One-two poems per person. No more than five minutes of speaking time total. Also includes slam poetry. Submissions should be in .doc or .docx format. If document cannot be opened, the submission will be eliminated.
• Song Lyrics: One song per person. Must be original lyrics. Solo performance, no more than five minutes. Submission should be in .doc or .docx format. If document cannot be opened, the submission will be eliminated.
• Art: One-two submissions per person. Submit a high-quality photograph of your piece via email in .jpg format only. If file cannot be opened, it will not be considered due to 
  time constraints.

Participants may submit one or more genres within the genre limits. Submission deadline TBD.

Questions? Email official.uwrfprologue@gmail.com.

The TESOL Club is open to anyone, but targets TESOL majors, minors and graduate students. Our mission is to be a communication center for TESOL faculty, students and alumni of UWRF and to provide valuable learning experiences for all TESOL and international students as they interact with professionals in the field and with each other.

The Literary Society's focus is to provide a release from academic stress and pressures through activities, bring together students who have similar interests, provide moral support and learn about opportunities in the English field.

Members typically meet twice a month to plan activities such as:

• Attending the Guthrie Theater
• Pizza and movie nights
• Field trips to regional areas of interest
• Get-togethers for heavy or light conversation
• Cookouts at the park or beach
• Literary lunches
• Promoting English-related campus activities

• Kassidy Andreas
• Luthien Bloom
• Sydney Burgess
• Cadence Cadotte
• Jade Christianson
• Jude Cockroft
• Caroline Enochson
• Karlee Groat
• Erica Hoyt
• Max Kobussen
• Megan Lawrence
• Samantha McEathron
• Gianna Mundt
• Nini Salmonson
• Donovan Smith
• Abby Swan

Awarded every year to a junior English major on the basis of achievement and promise in literary scholarship.

Given to a senior English Education major who shows superior promise as an English teacher.

Awarded to an incoming first year English major.

Awarded to an English major, often of an English Liberal Arts major in honor of Dr. Odegard's long-time championing of the liberal arts and the humanities. Awarded to a student who will be a junior or senior with a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA.

Awarded to a sophomore who shows consistent excellence in writing.

Named for two long-time professors in the English Department who devoted themselves to language, language acquisition, and linguistics, this scholarship is awarded to an outstanding sophomore or junior who is an English, English Education, or TESOL major with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Awarded to a student who has attained sophomore or junior status. Student must be enrolled in an English Education degree program, have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, and have demonstrated financial need. The English Department awards this scholarship only in alternate years.

Awarded to students who are majoring in English.

Awarded to a student majoring in English. Student will be chosen based on demonstrated financial need.

Serving Wisconsin teachers since 1913, the Wisconsin Association For Language Teachers is committed to the growth and expansion of language learning and teaching throughout the state of Wisconsin. In addition they offer numerous opportunities for professional development, grants and awards reaching out to language teachers at all levels of instruction.