Background
A student seeking to major in communication is required to have an overall GPA of 2.75. The student must maintain a 2.75 overall GPA to remain a communication major. A student who falls below the required overall GPA will be placed on departmental probation for one semester and given the opportunity to raise their overall GPA.
If a student receives below a C in any required class in the major the student will have to retake the class and do a grade replacement. University policy only permits a student to repeat 15 hours total for grade replacement.
It is not the intent of the faculty to bar anyone from becoming a communication major. The intent of the faculty is to set a reasonable benchmark for the academic performance and standards and practices of the department’s students so that they may reasonably expect to achieve the educational and career goals they seek.
Procedure
There are two steps to becoming a communication major, declaration and admittance to the program. The departmental policy is that a student first declares communication as a major. Upon approval of the department head, the student may proceed to take classes as a declared major. The student will be admitted as a communication major after their first semester in which they earn an overall GPA of 2.75. Declared students who fail to achieve and maintain an overall GPA of 2.75 will be referred to advising for consideration of another major.
Students entering Western Carolina University with an AA or AS degree from an accredited community college are eligible to declare the major upon arrival at the university.
Probation
Students with an overall GPA of less than 2.75 will not be admitted to the program except under extremely unusual and extenuating circumstances. If allowed to declare the major, the student will sign a probationary contract that specifically states the terms of the probation. Probationary students who fail to abide by their probationary contract will be referred to advising for consideration of another major.
Any student who feels their case deserves review or special consideration should contact their academic advisor or the head of the Department of Communication.