Admissions Requirements
The following are minimum requirements for regular admission to the graduate program:
- A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university
- An undergraduate background appropriate for graduate study in the proposed field-an applicant may be required to take additional coursework to strengthen the undergraduate background.
- An overall grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 hours of undergraduate work, or a 2.85 on a 4.0 scale cumulatively to qualify for regular admission.
- A satisfactory score on the standardized graduate test for the program selected (e.g., GRE, GMAT).
- Applicants for the Ed.S. and Ed.D. degrees must hold a master's degree in the approved field from a regionally accredited college or university.
- International students must also take and submit official scores from the ETS-administered Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The minimum acceptable score is 550 on the written test or 213 on the computerized version.
Promising applicants who hold a baccalaureate degree but do not meet the formal requirements for regular admission may be granted provisional admission into some degree programs.
Application Fee
A $40 nonrefundable application fee must accompany the application. The fee should be submitted in check or money order form made payable to WCU. The applicants name and social security number should be on the check or money order. Applications will not be processed until the fee has been received.
Application Procedure
- Complete the online application.
- Send official copies of transcripts from all colleges/universities attended to the Graduate School (see Transcript Request Form). The official transcripts must remain in sealed envelopes with the registrar's signature intact. If you are still in school, the most recent transcript is acceptable. However, if admitted, a final transcript confirming the degree awarded must be sent to the graduate school prior to registering for classes at this university. Currently or previously enrolled WCU degree-seeking students do not need to submit transcripts with their application.
- Send required test scores for your chosen program. You may request the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to forward these scores directly to the Graduate School or you may enclose official scores in an unopened, ETS-sealed envelope.
- Send supplemental application materials specific to your program (see
Graduate Program Requirement Chart for specific program requirements). These additional materials may include letters of recommendation, a personal statement, personal interview, etc. More details about supplemental materials may be found by visiting the program sites (click here for a list of program sites).
- Send the nonrefundable $40 application fee made payable to Western Carolina University.
Application Deadlines
With the exception of the programs listed below, most of the graduate programs at WCU do not have specific application deadlines. Applications in other programs are evaluated as they are received and departmental openings are filled on a rolling basis. We recommend that the completed application and all supporting credentials be received by the graduate school not later than six weeks prior to the opening of the term for which admission is desired. Students will not be considered for regular degree-seeking status until a complete application and all supporting materials are received. Plan ahead to make sure test scores, recommendations, and transcripts are requested well in advance of any program deadlines.
The following programs have application deadlines:
Art, MFA March 1
Communication Sciences and Disorders, MS February 15
Counseling, Community, MS February 1
Counseling: School, MAEd February 1
Educational Leadership, EdD February 1
Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner, MSN February 15
Nursing: Nurse Anesthesia Program, MSN June 15
Nursing: Nurse Educator, MSN February 15
Nursing: Post-Graduate Nurse Educator Certificate Program February 15
Nursing: Post-Masters Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate Program February 15
Physical Therapy, MPT February 1
Psychology (Clinical, School, General Experimental), MA February 1
Social Work, MSW February 1
Graduate Assistantships
Teaching, research, and service assistantships are available for a limited number of well-qualified graduate students. Applicants for graduate study who wish to be considered for such assistantships should complete the Application for Graduate Assistantship form and submit it to the Graduate School (see form). Students receiving assistantships will be expected to be registered as full-time students. Continuation of the appointment depends upon satisfactory performance of duties and upon satisfactory academic achievement (3.0 GPA on all graduate coursework attempted). All application materials should be on file with the graduate school by early March (for fall admission). The in-state and/or out-of-state portion of tuition may be waived for some, but not all, of these assistantships.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
A limited number of chancellor's fellowships are available to well-qualified graduate students each fall semester (see application below). The Graduate School also awards a number of study grants each semester (see application below). The Office of Financial Aid can furnish information concerning loans, work-study, and other work opportunities (www.wcu.edu/finaid/).
Information for Nondegree Applicants
Some programs allow students who wish to take one or more graduate courses for self-improvement, teacher licensure, or exploration of graduate degree program offerings to be admitted as nondegree-seeking students. Such students must show evidence that they hold a bachelor's degree by submitting an unofficial transcript from a regionally accredited institution. Persons granted nondegree status who later decide to work toward a degree must petition for regular admission. Nondegree students may request to become degree students by submitting the appropriate Graduate School form and all documents required by the program they wish to enter. Students should be aware that work completed in a special or nondegree status does not necessarily apply toward a degree, nor does being allowed to take courses imply acceptance into a degree program. If a student has taken courses in a special or nondegree status and later is formally admitted as a degree candidate, a maximum of twelve hours of the earlier coursework with grades of B or better may be transferred into a degree program. The student's advisor, department head, and the graduate dean must approve such a transfer.
Evaluation of materials
Once all required application materials have arrived at the graduate school, the review process includes the following steps:
- The application is reviewed by staff in the graduate school to determine if the application is complete and if minimum university requirements (TOEFL, GPA, degree earned, etc.) are met. If the above criteria are satisfied, the application is sent to the program of interest. If the minimum criteria are not met, the student is informed of that decision and no additional evaluation occurs.
- The academic department of your intended study evaluates the application with more scrutiny focusing on undergraduate preparation, GPA, GRE, or GMAT scores, letters of recommendation, etc. Also, your materials are compared with other students seeking admission to that program at that time. Entrance requirements to many graduate programs are higher than the university requirements. The graduate program coordinator then makes a recommendation to the dean of the graduate school to either accept or not accept a student and whether an assistantship should be offered.
- The dean considers the application and departmental recommendation and then sends a letter to the student expressing the outcome of the review process. Usually an offer of financial assistance occurs at a later date.
International Students:
The admissions requirements and application procedures are the same for all students who apply to WCU with the exceptions that international students must show competence in English by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and complete the Summary of Educational Experience and the Statement of Financial Responsibility forms. International transcripts must be evaluated by World Education Services before submission to the graduate school. Additional information for international students can be obtained from the Office of International Programs and Services.
Additional information
Please contact the graduate school for any additional questions.
Research and Graduate Studies
109 University Outreach Center Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC 28723
Telephone: (828) 227-7398 or (800) 369-9854 (within the USA only)
Fax: (828) 227-7480
E-mail: gradsch@email.wcu.edu
www.westerngrad.com
Information for international students about student life on campus, costs, visas, etc. can be obtained from:
Dr. Lois Petrovich-Mwaniki
273 Belk Building
Cullowhee, NC 28723
Telephone: (828) 227-7494
Fax: (828) 227-7080
E-mail: lmwaniki@wcu.edu
