Admission to WCU is competitive and based on academic record, class rank, and ACT and SAT scores.
Minimum course requirements:
A high school diploma or equivalent, and these courses:
- English, four units
- Social Studies, two units (one in US history)
- Mathematics, four units
(algebra I, geometry or a higher level math, algebra II, and
an advanced math unit beyond algebra II)
- Science, three units (life science, physical science, and laboratory course)
- Language, two units of a language other than English (this applies to applicants in 2004)
Transfer students must have a C average or better on all course work at other colleges and be eligible to return to the one attended most recently. They must meet freshman admission requirements or complete a minimum number of transfer credits in prescribed courses.
To earn a degree from WCU, students must take a minimum of thirty semester hours in upper level coursework, including twelve hours in their major at WCU. The department of the university in which the transfer student enrolls will decide how much credit can apply toward the degree program.
In some cases, transfer students may be expected to pass an examination. Or, they may be asked to complete more advanced work in the discipline. Credit for a degree is not awarded for Continuing Education Units (CEU) or General Equivalency Diploma (GED) tests.
Transfer students who plan to take courses with stated prerequisites are encouraged to audit the prerequisite courses if they have not taken courses in that field in the past five years.
Visit the Transfer Advising site for more information
Western Carolina University strives to ensure that students have access to the highest quality education, taking maximum advantage of the changes in information and communications technologies. Beginning with the Fall 1998 semester, all newly admitted degree-seeking undergraduate students are required to have an appropriate, networkable computer. This requirement also applies to readmitted students beginning with the Fall 2001 semester. The computer requirement includes a software and hardware component.
Read the complete computer requirement
Guidelines for determination of in-state residence status for tuition purposes (PDF)