FAQs

DSP is not a test! It is an online survey in which you answer a short series of questions in order to help you reflect on your reading and writing experiences. The survey will give you a recommendation for which First Year Composition (FYC) class might suit you, but ultimately it is YOUR decision to select your FYC class at the end of the survey.

All entering first-year, first-time students are required to complete DSP (unless you have already received college credit for First-Year Composition) and must complete DSP before you can enroll in classes at orientation. Students should complete DSP before their registered New Student Orientation date. 

DSP is an online application accessed through a secure website called Canvas. All students log in, and at the conclusion of DSP, select the First-Year Composition (English) course they will take their first semester or year at CSUDH.

DSP can be done in one sitting and will take approximately 10-15 minutes.

DSP is free of charge.

Yes, you can complete DSP at any computer lab on campus. If you need assistance navigating the DSP survey, please contact the Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) and DSP Coordinator, Dr. Siskanna Naynaha, at snaynaha@csudh.edu.

We recommend students complete DSP no later than 2 weeks before orientation. In order to enroll in First-Year Composition (English) at orientation, students must complete DSP first.

Students who have not completed DSP cannot be enrolled in any First-Year Composition classes at orientation.

No, your DSP decision is binding. Because such changes would present enormous challenges for students and the university alike, it will not be possible once you make a course selection for you to change your DSP choice. For this reason, it is best for you weigh your options carefully before you complete the DSP survey. Under exceptional circumstances, students may write to Dr. Siskanna Naynaha (snaynaha@csudh.edu) to appeal to change their DSP choice, but only before the semester begins or within the first week of classes.

If you received credit for First-Year Composition (English) through an English AP exam, an International Baccalaureate course, or a course at another college or university, then you do not need to complete DSP.

You will receive an immediate email notification upon completion of the DSP survey, which will include your FYC course selection. Save this email to present at New Student Orientation.