Degree Opportunities at Western Carolina University
Western Carolina University appears in our ranking of the Top 50 Best Most Affordable Master’s in Project Management Online Degrees.
Western Carolina University offers a wealth of undergraduate and graduate programs at its North Carolina Campus, as well as a handful of programs through its distance learning and online programs option. Not only are online programs available at the bachelor’s and graduate degree levels, but the school also offers some of its programs in other formats like post-master’s certificates, post-baccalaureate certificates, and minors. Areas of study available online at Western Carolina University include education, business, human resources, nursing, project management, criminal justice, and sport management. Several of the university’s programs are accredited, and those accreditations extend to the on-campus programs, as well as the distance learning options.
One popular area for online study at Western Carolina University is education, and the school offers several areas of concentration and degree levels. For example, students may earn their Master of Arts in Special Education, Bachelor of Science in Birth-Kindergarten Education, their Master of Education in Comprehensive Education, or their Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Education programs are offered through the university’s College of Arts and Sciences. Course requirements vary in each program, and the time it takes to complete each degree option varies, too. For example, the TESOL Certificate Program requires that students complete 18 credits in classes like Applied Phonetics and Pronunciation Teaching, Linguistic Perspectives, and Integrated TESOL Methods.
Another area of study offered online by the university is business, and students may earn a degree in Business Administration and Law, Entrepreneurship, Project Management, or Innovation Leadership & Entrepreneurship. The Entrepreneurship option is available as a bachelor’s degree or minor, and the Innovation Leadership & Entrepreneurship is available as a master’s degree. Students can also earn their Business Administration and Law degree as a Bachelor of Business Administration or as a minor. Students can even choose specialized business degrees like the Master of Science in Sport Management, the Master of Construction Management, or the Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting.
Students can use their online degree as an opportunity to advance their careers, enter advanced degree programs, and expand their knowledge base. For example, the graduate degree in Construction Management is ideal for anyone who wants to run their own construction business. The degree in Project Management is an excellent choice for anyone interested in advancing their business career. The Sport Management program is a good choice for anyone interested in the way business impacts sports administration.
About Western Carolina University
Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, North Carolina and is a public university with around 11,000 students attending classes at its Cullowhee location, as well as through its online programs. The school is the fifth-oldest university in the state’s university system and was founded in 1889. Students from virtually all states and more than 30 countries attend the school. The rural campus covers 589 acres and was originally founded to provide education to citizens living in Western North Carolina. Originally called Cullowhee Academy, the school would undergo several name changes to titles like Cullowhee Normal & Industrial School and Cullowhee State Normal School. The university’s official colors are purple and gold, and the students play sports in NCAA Division I games as the Catamounts.
Western Carolina University Accreditation Details
Western Carolina University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. Regional accreditation ensures students can transfer to and from the university, as well as qualify for federal student loan assistance. In addition to regional, institutional accreditation, the university also offers several programs with programmatic accreditation from various agencies and organizations. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics has accredited the university’s program in dietetics. The National Association of Schools of Art and Design, Commission on Accreditation has accredited the art department, as well as its art and design programs. The American Physical Therapy Association has accredited the program in physical therapy. The Council for Interior Design Accreditation has accredited the Interior Design program.
Western Carolina University Application Requirements
Admission requirements for first-year students at Western Carolina University include having completed competitive coursework as outlined by the university and having a suitable GPA. Applications will also be graded on SAT or ACT scores, and students may also need to submit to a background check for certain programs. Students interested in distance for learning undergraduate programs will complete a two-stage process with acceptance to the university and then acceptance to the student’s chosen program. Students will first complete the online application and pay a $65 application fee. Students will also send official copies of all requested transcripts. Students will need to submit a supplemental application for programs that include the RN-BSN program, the Emergency Medical Care program, and the Criminal Justice program. Students who want to study online in graduate programs may need to identify a qualified proctor in their geographic region to ensure testing is possible during the program.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Students attending Western Carolina University will pay $3,403.88 for in-state undergraduate tuition and $5,403.88 for out-of-state undergraduate tuition. Some programs may require extra fees like the $75 fee for engineering majors and the $125 fee for fine arts majors. Graduate tuition for most graduate students is $4,974.38 for in-state students and $10,177.88 for out-of-state students. Some programs may charge different fees like the M.S. in Communication Sciences & Disorders, which is $5,574.38 and the Doctorate in Nursing Practices is $7,374.38. Fees for students interested in distance learning will pay $53.88 per credit for undergraduate programs and $246.57 per credit for graduate programs if they live in the state of North Carolina. Out-of-state students will pay $189.02 per credit for undergraduate classes and $756.72 for graduate programs.
The Office of Financial Aid at Western Carolina University handles financial aid awards through the federal government’s student loan program, as well as aid awards that may come in the form of grants and scholarships. A recently created program called North Carolina Promise has allowed the state to reduce tuition rates for certain students as part of the state program. Students should submit their FAFSA form early to ensure the university can determine whether the student is eligible for financial aid before the start of the school year. Students should contact the Financial Aid Department at Western Carolina University if they’re interested in any of the academic degree programs since the university has special forms students will fill out to qualify for institutional scholarships and grants.