Western Carolina University

Transfer Guide

Western Carolina University
Science Education, BSED

Transfer Guide for Associate in Science

2024-2025

Concentration(s): Earth Sciences
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:

No foreign language requirement for this program.

Major-Specific Course Recommendations:

Students are encouraged to build the Community College course recommendations below into the associate degree to best prepare for the intended major.

Recommended CC Course Credit
Hours		 University Equivalent Associate Degree
Requirement Fulfilled		 University Requirement Fulfilled
MAT 172: Precalculus Trigonometry 4 MATH 146: Precalculus II UGETC Math Required Course, General Education
BIO 111: General Biology I 4 BIOL 140: Principles of Biology I UGETC Natural Sciences Required Course, General Education
BIO 112: General Biology II 4 BIOL 141: Principles of Biology II UGETC Natural Sciences Required Course, General Education
MAT 271: Calculus I
OR
MAT 152: Statistical Methods I 		4 University Equivalencies Additional General Education Courses Required Course, General Education
CHM 151: General Chemistry I 4 CHEM 139: General Chemistry I Additional General Education Courses Required Course, General Education
CHM 152: General Chemistry II 4 CHEM 140: General Chemistry II Additional General Education Courses Required Course, General Education
PHY 151: College Physics I 4 PHYS 130: Introductory Physics I Elective/Pre-Major Courses Required Course, General Education
PHY 152: College Physics II 4 PHYS 131: Introductory Physics II Elective/Pre-Major Courses Required Course, General Education
EDU 216: Foundations of Education 3 EDCI 201: Teacher Ldrshp Div Society & ELMG 201: Sem for Teacher Leadershp Elective/Pre-Major Courses Required Course
MAT 171: Precalculus Algebra 4 MATH 130: Precalculus I & MATH 19A: Lower Level Electives UGETC Math 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 CC 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) 3 University Equivalencies UGETC Humanities/Fine Arts General Education
Student Choice/No Preference (Approved Course Options) 6 University Equivalencies UGETC Social/Behavioral Sciences General Education
ACA 122: College Transfer Success 1 ELEC 19A: Lower Level Electives Academic Transition Elective
Student Choice/No Preference (Approved Course Options) 3 University Equivalencies Elective/Pre-Major Courses Elective

Additional Information From Western Carolina University:

Admission to the Science Education Program

Students seeking admission to the Science Education Program must declare their major and meet the requirements for admission to the Teacher Education Program.

**Students should plan to take the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Exam during their EDU 216 semester to fulfill requirements for admission to the Teacher Education Program.

Admission to the Professional Education Sequence

Students in Professional Education must be admitted to the Teacher Education Program and are subject to all of the teacher education requirements.  EDCI 201 and SPED 240 are the only courses in the professional education sequence that may be taken before admission to teacher education.

Continuation in the Science Education Program

To continue in the program, students must meet the continuation requirements of the Teacher Education Program.

Teacher Education Program Admission Criteria

All requirements for admission to teacher education should be met by the end of the semester if the student completes the “Introduction to Teacher Education” requirement (EDCI 201 or, for BK majors only, either BK 250 or completion of the AAS to BS/Early Childhood Program). To meet the minimum requirements for admission, students should have met all the following criteria:

  • Completed at least 30 hours (which can also include transfer hours)
  • Earned a C (2.00) or higher grade in ENGL 101–NOTE: Earning a C (2.00) or higher grade in ENGL 202 is required before beginning Internship 1
  • Earned a C (2.00) or higher in EDCI 201 or, for BK majors only, BK 250 (Not applicable for BK majors that have completed the AAS to BS/Early Childhood Program)
  • Earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75; that minimum GPA must be maintained to remain in the program
  • Achieved the minimum required scores on the SAT, ACT, or Praxis Core (Reading, Writing, Mathematics)
  • Subscribed to Tk20, our electronic portfolio system
  • Completed the Professional Dispositions Contract
  • Completed the background check approved by the WCU Teacher Education program
  • Submitted the application for Admission to Teacher Education on Tk20

Applicants already holding non-teacher education degrees and seeking a teaching license must meet all the above requirements, except they are not required to take the Praxis Core. Applicants with non-teaching degrees from accredited institutions who did not have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 should consult with the Coordinator of Teacher Education Admissions.

Students must have maintained satisfactory conduct and citizenship records in keeping with the ethics of the teaching profession. Applicants with a record of legal offenses may not be eligible for admission to teacher education.

Remaining Bachelor’s Degree Requirements at University:

University Course Credit
Hours		 University Course Notes
Professional Education Sequence 20
  • SPED 240 - The Exceptional Child Credits: 3
  • EDCI 430 - Culturally Relevant Classroom Management Credits: 3
  • EDSE 483 - Secondary/Special Subject Area Internship I Credits: 2-3
  • EDSE 485 - Internship II Credits: 6
  • SCI 491 - Supervised Student Teaching in the Sciences, 9-12 Credits: 3
  • EDSE 495 - Seminar Credits: 3

You must be fully admitted into the Teacher Education Program and have a 2.75 GPA to enroll in all of the above courses (except for EDCI 201 and SPED 240)
Science and Math Requirements in Earth and Science Concentration 30
  • SCI 150 - Introduction to Secondary Science Education Credits: 1
  • SCI 301 - Nature of Science Credits: 3
  • SCI 422 - Principles and Methods of Science Education Credits: 3
  • GEOL 141 - Earth History and Prehistoric Life Credits: 3
  • GEOL 145 - Climate Change and Water Resources Credits: 3
  • GEOL 151 - Earth: Geology, Resources, Hazards, and Environment Credits: 3
  • AST 103 - The Solar System Credits: 3

or

  • AST 104 - Cosmic Evolution Credits: 3
  • GEOL 302 - Geomorphology Credits: 4

or

  • GEOL 305 - Soils and Hydrology Credits: 4
  • Approved GEOL 200 or higher level electives Credits: 4
  • Approved upper-level science electives Credits: 3-4
Capstone 3
  • GEOL 393 - Special Problems in Geology Credits: 1-4, R6

or

  • GEOL 495 - Senior Seminar in Geology Credits: 3
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).