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Tri-County Catamount Connection Program

The Catamount Connection Program provides a direct-entry pathway for Tri-County Community College students into Western Carolina University.  This agreement will help provide a seamless transition for Tri-County Community College (TCCC) graduates interested in furthering their education at Western Carolina University.

Alumni Tower

 

Each year, more than 25 qualified students transfer from Tri-County to WCU to pursue degrees in more than 120 majors, minors, and concentrations including education, engineering, criminal justice, forensic science, nursing, biology, chemistry, environmental science, and psychology, just to name a few.

Western Carolina University offers some Distance Education degree completion programs in addition to programs offered on the main campus in Cullowhee. The Biltmore Park Instructional Site in Asheville also allows some undergraduate degree completion programs.

Eligibility Requirements

To participate in the Catamount Navigator Program, students must meet several conditions, including:

  • Be a currently enrolled student at Tri-County Community College in a degree-seeking capacity.
  • Submit Western Carolina University application for admission and records by WCU deadlines.
  • Submit application fee or waiver and fulfill all commitment action steps.
  • Be in good standing at Tri7County Community College and other institutions attended.
  • Demonstrate good citizenship and conduct.
  • Earn and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 at Tri-County Community College and a minimum GPA of 2.20 in their most recent term.
  • Earn an Associate's Degree from Tri-County Community College in a college transfer program or in an applied program for which an articulation agreement exists
  • Enroll at Western Carolina University within one academic year (within the next two regular terms (fall/spring semesters) of completion of the Associate's Degree).
  • Submit the CATAMOUNT CONNECTION APPLICATION FORM

    • This is in addition to applying to WCU

Although the Catamount Connection Program does guarantee admission to WCU for those Tri-County graduates who meet the requirements, it does not guarantee admission into a specific degree program. Some programs of study at WCU have their own programmatic admission criteria, standards, policies, processes and deadlines.


Benefits

  • Those that complete an A.A. or A.S. at TCCC are guaranteed admission to WCU, provided all eligibility requirements above are met.

  • The onset of the NC Promise tuition plan, which reduces the cost of in-state tuition to $500 per semester at WCU has resulted in a significant increase in the number of students transferring to WCU from community colleges.

  • The Program affords Tri-County students access to information about academic programs, faculty, and staff at the WCU Campus who will facilitate their transition to WCU.

  • This program prioritizes the ability to receive admission, financial aid, and orientation communications early in the transition process, which sets Tri-County students up for maximum success at both institutions.


Apply Now

  1. Submit the Catamount Connection Application Form
  2. Submit your appropriate application to WCU:
  3. Visit our transfer information page on what to submit, scholarships, and other resources for transfer students at transfer.wcu.edu

Heather Hill

 

Contact Information

Interested? Contact Us!

Heather Hill
Associate Director of Admissions Regional Engagement
hchill@wcu.edu
828.227.3170

  


  

Haywood Community College

 

Admissions
Tri-County Community College
admissions@tricountycc.edu
828.835.4213

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