AIG & MAED, Sharon Dole, (828) 227-3282 or dole@email.wcu.edu
Criminal Justice, Aaron Vassey, (828) 227-2163 or pavassey@email.wcu.edu
Emergency & Disaster Mgmt., Aaron Vassey, (828) 227-2163 or pavassey@email.wcu.edu
Birth-Kindergarten, Cathy Grist, (828) 227-2272 or cglitty@email.wcu.edu
Construction Management, Ron Mau, (828) 227-2544 or rmau@email.wcu.edu
Elementary Education, Bob Houghton, (828) 227-2746 or houghton@email.wcu.edu
Emergency Medical Care, Michael Hubble, (828) 227-3516 or mhubble@email.wcu.edu
Engineering Technology, William McDaniel, (828) 227-2517 or mcdaniel@email.wcu.edu
Entrepreneurship-GR, Frank Lockwood, (828) 227- 3390 or lockwood@email.wcu.edu
Entrepreneurship-UG, Bethany Davidson, (828) 227-7185 or bdavidson@email.wcu.edu
Health Information Administration, Irene Mueller, (828) 227-3510 imueller@email.wcu.edu
Human Resources, John Sherlock, (828) 227-3380 or sherlock@email.wcu.edu
Educational Leadership, MSA, Pamela Buskey, (828) 227-3213 or pbuskey@email.wcu.edu
MAT Special Education, Susan Stewart, (828) 227-3286 or sstewart@email.wcu.edu
MSA Principal Add-on, Ann Allen, (828) 227-7415 or alallen@email.wcu.edu
Nurse Administration, Ramona Whichello, 828-670-8810, rwhichello@email.wcu.edu
Nurse Educator, Judy Mallory, (828) 227-3527 or jmallory@email.wcu.edu
Nurse Educator-Grad. Certificate, Linda Comer, (828) 670-8810or lcomer@email.wcu.edu
Nursing, RN to BSN, Sharon Jacques, (828) 670-8810 or jacques@email.wcu.edu
Project Management-GR, Vittal S. Anantatmula, (828) 227-3990 or vittal@wcu.edu
Principal Add-on, Ann Allen, (828) 227-7415 or alallen@email.wcu.edu
Two Year Community College Administration, Ann Alexander, (828) 227-2579 or aalexander@email.wcu.edu
How do I access student services via the internet?
1. Go to the WCU home page: http://www.wcu.edu/
2. Go to the “My CAT” link found to the right on the purple banner
3. Enter your username (Student ID [92#] – no hyphens or dashes)
4. Enter your password - (*Initially, your PIN has been set as 6 digits, first 2 for birth month, next 2 for birth date, and last 2 for last two digits of your birth year. If this doesn’t work, please try as your six digit code - first 2 for birth month, next 2 for last two digits of your birth year and for the last two digits enter 00 (zero, zero). However, if you have changed your PIN, use your new number.
5. Go to the “Personal Services” tab and review your information and resource information.
6. Go to the “Student” tab
How do I locate liberal studies courses?
1. Go the WCU home page: http://www.wcu.edu/
2. Go to “Academics” from the home page
3. Go to “Distance and Online Programs”
4. Go to “ Online Liberal Studies Courses”
How do I find program of study courses?
1. Go to the WCU home page: http://www.wcu.edu/
2. Go to “Academics” from the home page
3. Go to “Distance and Online Programs”
4. Go to “Classes Reserved for Distance Learning Programs”
Where do I find the academic calendar and schedule information?
1. Go to the Registrar's page.
Since I am re-entering WCU and will be under the new catalog requirements, where do I find the undergraduate catalog?
1. Go to the WCU home page: http://www.wcu.edu/
2. Go to “Current Student”
3. Go to “Undergraduate Catalog”
How do I register for WCU courses?
1. Go to the WCU home page: http://www.wcu.edu/
2. Go to the “My CAT” link found to the right on the purple banner
3. Enter your username (Student ID [92#] – no hyphens or dashes)
4. Enter your password - (*Initially, your PIN has been set as 6 digits, first 2 for birth month, next 2 for birth day, and last 2 for last two digits of your birth year. If this doesn’t work, please try as your six digit code - first 2 for birth month, next 2 for last two digits of your birth year and for the last two digits enter 00 (zero, zero). However, if you have changed your PIN, use your new number.
5. Go to the “Personal Services” tab
6. Go to the “Student” tab
7. Go to “Registration” under the Student Services & Financial Aid header or type in “Registration” in the Search box.
8. Click on “Add/Drop Classes”
9. Select a Term using the drop down box.
10. Then scroll down the screen
11. Enter your schedule by entering the 5-digit Course Registration Numbers (CRN#)
The CRN# is a five digit number (i.e. 12250 BK 250 Intro Birth-Kindergarten).
When you finish entering all of your courses, click on the “Submit Registration” button.
A message will be displayed indicating the status of the request.
How do I order my textbook(s)?|
You order your textbooks through the online bookstore. The bookstore has been set up as a secure server site. If you do not wish to pay by credit card, you may contact Pam Bryson at 1-866-272-4102. Your textbooks will be shipped for a minimal fee via UPS and should arrive at your doorstep within 48 hours of your order.
How do I pay your tuition and fees?
The bill payment information may be found by:
1. Go to the “Current Student” tab on http://www.wcu.edu/
2. Click on “Bill + Payment Instructions" (pdf)
Pre-requisite University Experience course (undergraduate & graduate)
What is the University Experience course?
Maybe you’re new to distance education courses, or maybe you’re an experienced online learner. In either case, if you’ve not been enrolled recently at WCU, you’re going to need a lot of specific, and even unique information to be a successful at WCU . You’ll need an orientation, access and login information to navigate your specific course and the university systems.
In order to provide you with this information and fully prepare you to start your courses, the Division of Educational Outreach has developed the University Experience Course, an online learning experience designed to provide the tools you’ll need for success.
This course is designed as an introduction to online learning and the wide range of academic and support services available to you as a returning Western Carolina University student. Through the UE Course Menu you’ll navigate your way through descriptions of available student services, academic services, computer technologies and other topics.
The course is made available before the regular semester begins as a transcripted zero-credit-hour course. Students receive a welcome letter before the semester begins and directions for self-registering for the University Experience Course (either undergraduate level 101 or graduate level 501) from the Division of Educational Outreach. Please note that you must first be registered for the upcoming semester’s classes in order to participate in the University Experience course.
As a former student, you may be exempt:
o If you have taken the UE 101 University Experience and a grade of “S” has been entered on your transcript
o If you are re-enrolling at WCU after being disconnected for less than two semesters
How do I register for the UE course?
Directions for Self-Registration
1. Go to the WCU home page: http://www.wcu.edu/
2. Go to the “My CAT” link found to the right on the purple banner.
3. Enter your username (Student ID [92#] – no hyphens or dashes)
4. Enter your password - (*Initially, your PIN has been set as 6 digits, first 2 for birth month, next 2 for birth day, and last 2 for last two digits of your birth year. If this doesn’t work, please try as your six digit code - first 2 for birth month, next 2 for last two digits of your birth year and for the last two digits enter 00 (zero, zero). However, if you have changed your PIN, use your new number.
5. Go to the “Personal Services” tab.
6. Go to the “Student” tab.
7. Go to “Registration” under the Student Services & Financial Aid header or type in “Registration” in the Search box.
8. Click on “Add/Drop Classes”
9. Select a Term using the drop down box.
10. Then scroll down the screen.
11. Enter Course Registration Numbers (CRN#) provided to you through the Division of Educational Outreach. Undergraduate students will most likely enroll in sections with others in similar programs of study.
The CRN# is a five digit number (i.e. 12250 BK 250 Intro Birth-Kindergarten).
When you finish entering all of your courses, click on the “Submit Registration” button.
A message will be displayed indicating the status of the request.
What is the syllabus for the UE course?
Download a syllabus here.
How do I access the course and other courses?
Directions for accessing the University Experience WebCAT online course after you have self-registered:
1. Go to Western’s main home page at http://www.wcu.edu/
2. Click on My CAT (header portion of the home page)
3. Log in to My CAT.
4. Click on the WebCAT button (top left-hand side of the page).
5. Click on the link for the course
*Remember you will not see a link until the day the class is to begin.
Call the IT Help Desk at 866-928-7487 or email: itshelp@email.wcu.edu for technical assistance. If you have questions about the University Experience course, call 866-928-4723 or 828-227-7397.
What happens if I am on academic suspension?
Academic Suspension for Continuing Students
Academic Suspension from the University will occur as a result of failing to meet the criteria specified while on academic probation.
Students placed on academic suspension are not eligible to enroll in the University for one semester. After a one-semester suspension, students may apply for readmission to the University. If readmitted, students will return on academic probation.
The semester of suspension is intended to provide students with time to carefully consider the reasons for academic difficulty, resolve problems, clarify educational goals, and improve academic skills. If a student attends another institution while on suspension, the student must have a minimum 2.0 GPA on all work attempted since their last enrollment at Western Carolina University. Students are reminded that grades made in transferred courses are not computed in the GPA calculation at Western Carolina University.
Academic Suspension for First Semester Freshmen and New Transfers
First semester freshmen and new transfers who earn a cumulative GPA below a 1.0 at the end of their first semester will be placed on academic suspension and will not be eligible to enroll in the University for one semester. After a one-semester suspension, students may apply for readmission to the University. If readmitted, students will return on academic probation.
The semester of suspension is intended to provide students with time to carefully consider the reasons for academic difficulty, resolve problems, clarify educational goals, and improve academic skills. If a student attends another institution while on suspension, the student must have a minimum 2.0 GPA on all work attempted since their last enrollment at Western Carolina University. Students are reminded that grades made in transferred courses are not computed in the GPA calculation at Western Carolina University.
Appeal Process of Academic Suspension
Appeals for reinstatement without having to serve a specified period of suspension are approved or denied by the Academic and Admission Appeals Board (referred to as “Board”). The Board’s decision is final. The Board’s decision is based upon the student’s letter of appeal which includes the reason for poor academic performance, documentation of extenuating circumstances, and a plan for rectifying the academic performance and raising the GPA to acceptable standards, as well as the student’s previous academic history. Requests for reinstatement must be submitted to the One Stop Student Service Center by the deadline stated in the academic suspension notification letter. A student whose appeal for reinstatement is approved will be designated as “Suspended/Reinstated” on his or her academic record.
Readmission After Suspension
Students who have been out the required amount of time may apply for readmission in the same manner as other former students. See the “Admission of Former Students” in this catalog.
How do I meet the requirements for a learning contract?
Learning Contract Program
First semester freshmen and new transfers will be placed on academic probation if their GPA falls within the range of 1.0 to 1.999 at the end of their first semester. Students placed on academic probation with a cumulative GPA in this range at the end of their first semester must participate in the Learning Contract program during their second semester. Students who do not choose this option are not eligible to continue enrollment in the University for one term. If readmitted after a lapse in enrollment, students are reminded that they will return to WCU under the general guidelines for academic probation.
The Learning Contract Program specifies that these students work closely with an academic advisor. The student and advisor will discuss academic performance issues, set realistic goals, and make the necessary plans to reach those goals. Students will be linked with the campus resources that can help them succeed. Follow-up contacts will occur throughout the semester.
When appropriate, students should use the University’s grade replacement policy to improve their academic standing (excluding the First Year Seminar).
Additionally, these students must make at least a 2.30 GPA during their second semester or bring their cumulative grade point average to good standing (2.0). Failure to achieve these guidelines will result in academic suspension.
Western Carolina University - 2008-2009 Financial Aid Forms
How do I withdraw from a course or the university?
• Discuss your intent with appropriate people in financial aid, tuition assistance or VA Benefits
• Discuss your intent with your program director/adviser
• Inform your instructor of your intent to drop or withdraw
• Contact the OneStop at 828-227-7170
What is the inclement weather policy for distance learners?
If you are participating in a blended distance education course (some classroom attendance is required and the rest of the course is delivered online using WebCat), you will follow the weather policy of the community college or center site.
For example, if you are located in Morganton and attend your class at Western Piedmont Community College and Western Piedmont Community College closes due to weather, your Western Carolina class will not meet.
For online courses, unless the WebCat server goes down due to weather, you should be able to access your course.
Also see the Western Carolina University Weather Policy