Western Carolina University

Transfer Guide

Western Carolina University
Stage & Screen, 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:

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
HUM 160: Introduction to Film
OR
ENG 235: Survey of Film As Lit 		3 University Equivalencies Additional General Education Courses Suggested Course, General Education
DRA 130: Acting I 3 THEA 19A: Lower Level Elective Elective/Pre-Major Courses Suggested Course
DRA 140: Stagecraft I 3 THEA 19A: Lower Level Elective Elective/Pre-Major Courses Suggested Course

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) 6 University Equivalencies UGETC Humanities/Fine Arts General Education
Student Choice/No Preference (Approved Course Options) 9 University Equivalencies UGETC Social/Behavioral Sciences General Education
Student Choice/No Preference (Approved Course Options) 3 University Equivalencies UGETC Math General Education
Student Choice/No Preference (Approved Course Options) 4 University Equivalencies UGETC Natural Sciences General Education
Student Choice/No Preference (Approved Course Options) 11 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) 8 University Equivalencies Elective/Pre-Major Courses Elective

Additional Information From Western Carolina University:

Admission to the University does not guarantee admission in to the School of Stage and Screen.

*Audition in the Spring before you start WCU in the fall. Please see the School of Stage and Screen website for actual dates.

ALL students interested in studying at WCU's School of Stage and Screen must apply online at: getaccepted.com/wcu.

The Bachelors of Arts in Stage and Screen is for the student with interest and talent in multiple crafts who intends to work in both theatre and film.  Students will have the opportunity to broadly study film production, acting, theatrical design, theatre production, theory, directing, writing, and more.  Unlike the BFA programs offered by the School of Stage and Screen, the BA is significantly less prescriptive and allows for students to have more choice in their course of study.  Entrance into the BA in Stage and Screen is competitive and is by admission/interview only.  Students must maintain at least a 2.50 GPA to graduate with the degree.

This degree is for students who are interested in a variety of aspects of the industry: Theatre, Film, Design/Tech or Stage Management, but don’t wish to limit their studies to one specialized area.

Apply to the School. Complete the application form. This application is only for the school, not for WCU, you must apply to Western Carolina University separately.

  • Submit two letters of reference concerning your prospect for professional study.
  • Submit a head shot (or recent photo).
  • Submit a resume.
  • Submit an essay on "What are your top five favorite plays/films are and the reason for two of them."
  • Optional: monologue, requirements are 1.5-2 min in length (please do not use any monologues from: Good-bye Charles, Our Town, Promedy, Star Spangled Girl, Fantasticks, Funny Girl, or any Shakespeare).

Remaining Bachelor’s Degree Requirements at University:

University Course Credit
Hours		 University Course Notes
Stage & Screen Skills Core 40
  • THEA 111 - Stage and Film Crafts II Credits: 3
  • THEA 122 - Design Basics Credits: 3 (DRA 144 - Intro to Stage Design Credit: 3)
  • THEA 145 - Foundations of Stage and Screen Credits: 3
  • THEA 235 - Stage Management Credits: 3
  • THEA 303 - Script Analysis Credits: 3
  • THEA 400 - History of Theatre Credits: 3 (DRA 211 - Theatre History I Credits: 3 & DRA 212 - Theatre History II Credits: 3)
  • THEA 495 - BA Senior Project Credits: 3
  • THEA 496 - Seminar in Professional Development Credits: 1
  • FTP 155 - Camera Craft Credits: 3
  • FTP 251 - Lighting for Film and Television Credits: 3
  • FTP 340 - Filmmakers on Filmmaking Credits: 3

Students should choose three hours (one course) from the following:

  • FTP 110 - Introduction to Screenwriting Credits: 3
  • THEA 230 - Playwriting Credits: 3

Students should choose six hours (two courses) from the following:

  • THEA 305 - Properties Design Credits: 3
  • THEA 308 - Lighting Design Credits: 3
  • THEA 311 - Costume Design Credits: 3
  • THEA 312 - Scenic Design Credits: 3
  • THEA 350 - Directing I Credits: 3
Production Requirements 8

Students must take four semesters of THEA 270, at one production credit per semester, followed by four semesters of THEA 371 at one production credit per semester.

  • THEA 270 - Theatre Arts Workshops I Credits: 1, R12 (DRA 170 - Play Production I Credits: 3 & DRA 171 - Play Production II Credits: 3)
  • THEA 371 - Theatre Arts Workshops II Credits: 1, R4
Electives Requirements 21

Students should choose 21 credit hours, nine of which should come from the School of Stage and Screen. The remaining credits can come from any class offered by the university.
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).