Master of Arts – Interdisciplinary Studies Academic Writing Assessment (AWA)

AWA diagnostic assessment

The Academic Writing Assessment (AWA) is a requirement for all new MA-IS Program students. As part of the application process for the MA-IS Program, all applicants must complete an Academic Writing Assessment (AWA) and comply with the results. There are no exceptions to this; all students must complete the assessment.

Success at the graduate level requires reading and writing skills that many MA-IS applicants may not have had an opportunity to develop or practice for several years. To help applicants determine their level of proficiency in this area, we have developed an Academic Writing Assessment (AWA) writing diagnostic assessment. The AWA is designed to help us decide if applicants are well enough prepared to commence graduate studies or whether they need to develop or refine their writing and composition skills before beginning, or while in the early stages of, their studies. We are committed to helping our students succeed, and every effort will be made to ensure that appropriate assistance is provided to those who need to develop or refine their writing and composition skills.

Students will receive an assessment of:

• 85-100% Fully prepared for writing at the graduate level; no writing support required.
• 80-84% Recommended to work with a writing coach for one course.
• 75-79% Recommended to complete MAIS 606 for credit towards the MA-IS program and work with a writing coach for one course.
• 65-69% Required to complete ENGL 255; recommended to work with a writing coach. The AWA must then be retaken.

If a student needs to develop their writing and composition skills further, a writing coach may be assigned to assist the student. Although the writing coach may change occasionally, the role remains to help MAIS Program students bring their writing skills up to the graduate level.

For more information on the writing coaches, we encourage students to visit the Athabasca University Write Site. This site also provides valuable information on various writing resources.