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Apply for Undergraduate Online Programs

Application Deadlines for 2025

Spring 2025 open programs: all business programs, Engineering, Emergency and Disaster Management, Undeclared, and Non-Degree Seeking. All other programs are closed for spring.  Fall 2025 is now open for all programs. Summer 2025 information is below.

Admission to Distance Learning programs is a two stage process. Stage one is acceptance to the university. Stage two is acceptance to the program. Programs will close applications by deadlines or once a program is at capacity. If a program is not listed on the application, that means it is no longer an option for the semester in which you are applying. 

Before you start the application:

  • If you are interested in one of our Graduate Degree Programs, please visit the Graduate School's Application Page for more information.
  • Please check the undergraduate admission requirements to make sure you meet the admission standards. (NOTE: Because all current Undergraduate Distance Learning program offerings require advanced standing and/or specialized credentials, the Distance Learning Application IS NOT designed for entering freshman seeking full-time enrollment.)
  • Make sure to visit the Program page to verify that you meet their admission requirements, too.
  • Check the available terms for your program of choice.

All Semesters

  • Business Administration and Law
  • Criminal Justice
  • Engineering Tech (Hybrid)
  • Finance
  • Management
  • Marketing 
  • Innovation Leadership and Entreprenuership
  • RALC
  • Special Credit
  • Transient
  • Undeclared

Fall and Spring Only

  • Birth-Kindergarten
  • Emergency and Disaster Management (EDM)
  • RN to BSN

Summer Only

  • Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate Nurses (RIBN)

Fall Only

  • Emergency Medical Care

Steps to Apply:

Complete and submit the online application. (If you are a returning student, please make sure to check our Readmission Policy.) Pay the $65 application fee and submit official copies of all required transcripts. The information on this page is only for undergraduate studente - the Graduate School has their own process.  Send transcripts and other application materials to:

Western Carolina University

Office of Admissions 

110 H.F. Robinson 

Cullowhee, NC 28723

If you are sending your transcript via secure electronic transcript service, please send it to admiss@wcu.edu

Transcripts uploaded into the Slate application system are not considered official. Official transcripts must be submitted before Birth to Kindergarten, RN to BSN, Emergency Medical Care, or Emergency and Disaster Management will make a decision on admission (step 2 & 4). Official transcripts are sent electronically or via mail directly from the previous school(s) you attended. 

Please visit our Secondary Application information page, for information on Step 2 of the Admissions process. Distance students complete the secondary step to receive their Intent to Enroll, which takes the place of the enrollment deposit. Distance students do not pay enrollment deposits. 

Once University Admissions has all of your materials (supplemental applications go to the program, not Admissions) they will make a decision and send you a letter notifying you of your university admission decision. This is the end of stage one.

Transcripts uploaded into the Slate application system are not considered official. Official transcripts must be submitted before Birth to Kindergarten, RN to BSN, Emergency Medical Care, or Emergency and Disaster Management will make a decision on admission (step 2 & 4). Official transcripts are sent electronically or via mail directly from the previous school(s) you attended. 

If you are accepted by the university, then your application materials and supplemental application (if required, see above programs requiring supplemental applications) will be reviewed by the program. This can take several days to several weeks, depending on the program and your university admission date. Once a decision is made, you will be notified via email and provided with an Intent to Enroll form. Follow the instructions on the form and return the form as directed.

Review for Intent to Enroll does not start till January for summer/fall, and September for spring terms. Please remember, if you are applying to RN to BSN, Birth to Kindergarten, or EMC (fall only) they have their own deadline and review schedules

After you return your ITE, you will get one final email with all the instructions you need to contact your advisor and prepare to register.
The timeline for completion of the application process varies for most programs. EMC and RN-BSN generally takes 8-10 weeks from the deadline to begin sending out decisions, but it could take longer depending on the number of applicants and available seats. Most other programs take 1-3 weeks from the completion of stage one to making an offer of admission to stage two. Again, this could take longer during peak enrollment periods.

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