Western carolina university

Western Carolina University (WCU) is one of the most frequently searched universities in America, according to a recent internet keyword search of American colleges.

WCU is a public university located in Jackson County, North Carolina. The school was established in 1889, and currently serves a highly selective enrollment of more than 11,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students.

WCU is especially focused on community service and civic engagement. The school is also highly acclaimed for its teacher education programs and its first rate forensic research facility.

Since 1972, WCU has been part of the University of North Carolina System, along with the following 16 other 4-year colleges in the state of North Carolina:

Appalachian State University
East Carolina University
Elizabeth City State University
Fayetteville State University
North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University
North Carolina Central University
North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
University of North Carolina at Asheville
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
University of North Carolina at Wilmington
University of North Carolina School of the Arts
Winston-Salem State University

Notable former WCU students include NFL referee Gerald Austin, state Senator Andrew Brock, MLB pitcher Jared Burton, Methodist Bishop Earnest A. Fitzgerald, NBA stars Mel Gibson and Jarvis Hayes, and pro golfer J.T. Poston, to name just a few.

WCU is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Shown above: The Sunrise Walk at WCU

image: Greg Mimbs - fineartamerica.com

Above: An aerial view of the WCU campus

image: wcu.edu

Western Carolina university Q&A

Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about WCU.

1. Where is Western Carolina University?

The WCU main campus is located in Collowhee, about 50 miles west of Asheville. WCU also has learning centers in Asheville and Cherokee.

Here is the official mailing and visiting address of the main campus of WCU:

1 University Way

Cullowhee, North Carolina

28723

Graduate programs are held in the Asheville facility, located at the following address:

WCU

Biltmore Park

28 Schenck Parkway

Asheville, North Carolina

2. What types of degrees are available at Western Carolina University?

WCU offers Bachelors degrees, Masters degrees, and Doctoral degrees in a variety of fields.

3. What undergraduate majors are offered at Western Carolina University?

WCU offers a broad range of undergraduate majors from any of the college's six main undergraduate schools:

The College of Arts and Sciences
The College of Business
The College of Education and Allied Professions
The College of Fine and Performing Arts
The College of Health and Human Sciences
The Kimmel School of Construction Management and Technology

Here is a list of most of the Bachelors degree majors available at WCU:

Accounting
Anthropology
Art & Design
Athletic Training
Biology
Business Administration
Chemistry
Communication Sciences
Computer Science
Construction Management
Criminology
Economics
Engineering Technologies (Construction; Electrical; Industrial; Manufacturing)
English
Entrepreneurship
Finance
Fine Arts
Foreign Languages
Forensic Technologies
Geography
Geosciences
Global Management
Health Professions (Clinical Laboratory Science; Communication Disorders; Emergency Medical Technology; Environmental Health; Medical Records Technology; Nutrition; Sports Medicine; Systems Administration)
History
Hospitality and Tourism
Information Systems Technology
Legal Studies
Marketing
Mathematics
Motion Picture and TV Production
Music
Native American Studies
Nursing
Nutrition
Philosophy
Physical Therapy
Political Science
Psychology
Public Affairs
Religion
Sales
Social Work
Sociology
Teacher Education (Art; Elementary; English; French; German; Junior High; Kindergarten; Mathematics; Music; Physical Education; Preschool; Science; Social Studies; Spanish; Special Ed)
Theater

Above: The clock tower on the main campus of WCU

image: Greg & Chrystal Mimbs - fineartamerica.com

4. What graduate programs are available at Western Carolina University?

Here is a list of some of the graduate programs offered at WCU:

Communication Sciences
Environmental Sciences
Forensic Science
Health Sciences
International Studies
Physical Therapy
Science Education
Social Sciences Education
Social Work

Above: Hunter Library

image: panoramio.com

5. How much does it cost to attend Western Carolina University?

According to the WCU website, the current cost of tuition and fees to attend WCU full time is as follows:

Undergraduate Admissions:

$4,866 for in-state residents

$10,062 for out of state students

Graduate Admissions:

$4,950 for in-state residents

$10,154 for out of state students

(Certain areas of study, such as nursing, may cost more. Visit the school website for details.)

For part time undergraduate students, the cost of tuition and fees is as follows:

$627 per semester hour for in-state residents

$1,926 per semester hour for out of state students

For part time postgraduate students, the cost of tuition and fees is not too much higher than it is for undergraduate students:

$660 per semester hour for in-state residents

$1,961 per semester hour for out of state students

Distance learning courses at WCU range anywhere from about $150 to around $850 per semester hour, depending on whether you are from in-state or out of state, as well as whether you are an undergraduate or a postgraduate student.

Additional fees may include application fees, course fees, technology fees, activities fees, parking fees, and fees for specific majors. Also factor in food, housing, books, and transportation.

Students applying to WCU can and do receive financial aid. Graduate aid is also available, based on funds and academic merit.

Above: The John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center at WCU

image: gundpartnership.com

6. What is the Western Carolina University campus like?

The main campus of WCU is located in a thermal valley, which enjoys a relatively mild climate.

The campus spans 589 rural acres with all the amenities of a small town, including 13 residence halls, a book store, a library, a movie theater, tennis courts, two indoor swimming pools, and many places to eat. Other campus conveniences include a recreation center, a post office, and several student lounges.

The athletic teams at WCU are called the Catamounts. They play for the NCAA - Division 1. The school colors are purple and gold.

Student athletes at WCU can choose from 16 varsity teams, as well as many more club and intramural sports. Varsity sports for men and women at WCU include

Baseball
Basketball
Cross Country
Football
Golf
Soccer
Softball
Tennis
Track & Field
Volleyball

Less serious athletes can try any of a number of intramural sports, such as ballroom dancing, equestrian techniques, fencing, mountain biking, swimming, wrestling, and many others.

Non athletic campus activities at WCU include a radio station, a TV station, several literary magazines, several school newspapers, and one of the largest marching bands in the United States, as well as many sorority and fraternity groups.

Among the nearby points of interest surrounding the main campus are Great Smokey Mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and a Cherokee Indian reservation, as well as many rivers, streams, and forests.

Within a 3-hour drive from the main campus are the cities of Atlanta Georgia, Charlotte North Carolina, Greenville South Carolina, and Knoxville Tennessee.