Western Carolina University

Transfer Guide

Western Carolina University
Political Science, BA

Transfer Guide for Associate in Arts

2024-2025

Delivery Method: On-Campus

Program Admission Notes:

Transfer students should apply to Western Carolina University at applynow.wcu.edu. A minimum 2.2 GPA is required for consideration, however, this does not guarantee admission. We recommend that you aim for an average cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above on 12+ hours of college credit for competitiveness with other incoming transfer applicants.

Please note that admission to the institution does not guarantee admission to specific programs, and some programs do require a supplemental application. Check the program website at WCU.edu for supplemental application details and instructions, or reach out to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at 828.227.7317.

Contact:

Advising Center
transferadvising@wcu.edu

Revised: May, 2024

College Level Foreign Language Requirements:

Foreign Language 111 and 112 course to meet pre-requisites for program Foreign Language requirements.

Major-Specific Course Recommendations:

Students are encouraged to build the North Carolina Community College (NCCC) course recommendations below into the associate degree to best prepare for the intended university and major.

Recommended NCCC Course Credit
Hours		 University Equivalent Associate Degree
Requirement Fulfilled		 University Requirement Fulfilled
POL 120: American Government 3 PSC 101: American Govt & Politics UGETC Social/Behavioral Sciences Required Course, General Education
MAT 152: Statistical Methods I 4 MATH 170: Applied Statistics & MATH 19A: Lower Level Electives UGETC Math Suggested Course, General Education
Foreign Lang. 111: Elementary Level I 3 University Equivalencies Additional General Education Courses Suggested Course, General Education
Foreign Lang. 112: Elementary Level II 3 University Equivalencies Additional General Education Courses Suggested Course, General Education

Remaining Associate Degree Requirements:

In addition to major-specific course recommendations above, students should work with a community college advisor to select additional community college courses to fulfill the remaining associate degree requirements identified below.

Recommended NCCC Course Credit
Hours		 University Equivalent Associate Degree
Requirement Fulfilled		 University Requirement Fulfilled
ENG 111: Writing and Inquiry 3 ENGL 101: Writing and Rhetoric English Composition General Education
ENG 112: Writing/Research in the Disc 3 ENGL 202: Writing and Critical Inquiry English Composition General Education
COM 231: Public Speaking 3 COMM 201: Foundations of Communication UGETC Humanities/Fine Arts General Education
Student Choice/No Preference (Approved Course Options) 6 University Equivalencies UGETC Humanities/Fine Arts General Education
Student Choice/No Preference (Approved Course Options) 6 University Equivalencies UGETC Social/Behavioral Sciences General Education
Student Choice/No Preference (Approved Course Options) 4 University Equivalencies UGETC Natural Sciences General Education
Student Choice/No Preference (Approved Course Options) 9 University Equivalencies Additional General Education Courses General Education
ACA 122: College Transfer Success 1 ELEC 19A: Lower Level Electives Academic Transition Elective
Student Choice/No Preference (Approved Course Options) 15 University Equivalencies Elective/Pre-Major Courses Elective

Additional Information From Western Carolina University:

To complete the program requires a second major, minor, or other approved program.

Students must maintain a minimum 2.00 GPA in the major, and no grade below a C (2.00) for any core course in the major will be accepted.  No more than six hours can be applied to cooperative education or internship.

Remaining Bachelor’s Degree Requirements at University:

University Course Credit
Hours		 University Course Notes
Political Science Core 12

Students must earn a “C” or better in each core course

  • PSC 230 - Political Analysis I Credits: 3
  • PSC 240 - Political Theory Credits: 3
  • PSC 499 - Senior Capstone Credits: 3

In addition, students should choose one of the following options:

  • PSC 169 - Global Issues Credits: 3

or

  • INST 200 - Introduction to International Studies Credits: 3
  • Plus three additional hours chosen from any PSC elective (six hours total)
American Politics Requirement 3

Students should choose one of the following:

  • PSC 301 - Congress Credits: 3
  • PSC 308 - American Presidency Credits: 3
  • PSC 312 - Judicial Process Credits: 3
  • PSC 313 - Constitutional Law: Structure and Powers Credits: 3
  • PSC 314 - Southern Politics Credits: 3
  • PSC 315 - Political Parties, Campaigns and Elections Credits: 3
  • PSC 316 - Gender and Politics Credits: 3
  • PSC 318 - Political Communication Credits: 3
  • PSC 322 - Public Administration Credits: 3
  • PSC 323 - The Nonprofit Sector Credits: 3
  • PSC 324 - Political and Organizational Leadership Credits: 3
  • PSC 325 - Public Policy Credits: 3
  • PSC 326 - Natural Resources Policy and Administration Credits: 3
  • PSC 327 - State and Local Government Credits: 3
  • PSC 328 - U.S. Social Policy Credits: 3
  • PSC 494 - Special Topics in American Politics Credits: 3, R6
Comparative Politics/International Relations Requirement 3

Students should choose one of the following:

  • PSC 352 - International Security Credits: 3
  • PSC 353 - International Political Economy Credits: 3
  • PSC 354 - International Environmental Politics Credits: 3
  • PSC 357 - Political Violence Credits: 3
  • PSC 358 - United States Foreign Policy Credits: 3
  • PSC 359 - International Law Credits: 3
  • PSC 361 - On War Credits: 3
  • PSC 370 - Politics of Ethnic Conflict Credits: 3
  • PSC 375 - European Politics Credits: 3
  • PSC 376 - African Politics Credits: 3
  • PSC 377 - Middle East Politics Credits: 3
  • PSC 378 - Asian Politics Credits: 3
  • PSC 379 - Latin American Politics Credits: 3
  • PSC 380 - Politics of Developing Areas Credits: 3
  • PSC 451 - Model United Nations Credits: 3, R6
  • PSC 452 - Model United Nations II Credits: 3
  • PSC 493 - Special Topics in World Politics Credits: 3, R6
Political Science Electives Requirement 6

Any two PSC courses at the 200 level or above
Political Science Engaged Experience 3

Students should choose one of the following:

  • PSC 451 - Model United Nations Credits: 3, R6
  • PSC 452 - Model United Nations II Credits: 3
  • PSC 455 - Civic Engagement Credits: 3
  • PSC 483 - Internship in Political Science Credits: 3
  • PSC 484 - Internship in Political Science Credits: 3
Modern Foreign Languages 6

Take six hours of World Languages 231, 232, or 240.
Second major, minor, or other approved program 18

Credit hours will range based on what is added.
General Electives 30

To complete 120 hours, students may need to take additional General Electives (the number depends on how many Liberal Studies courses also count toward the major).