Western Carolina University

Transfer Guide

Western Carolina University
Music, BA

Transfer Guide for Associate in Arts

2024-2025

Concentration(s): Music Industry Option
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 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
Foreign Lang. 111: Elementary Level I 3 University Equivalencies Additional General Education Courses Required Course, General Education
Foreign Lang. 112: Elementary Level II 3 University Equivalencies Additional General Education Courses Required Course, General Education
BUS 110: Introduction to Business 3 BA 133: Introduction to Business Elective/Pre-Major Courses Required Course
BUS 115: Business Law I 3 LAW 230: Legal & Ethical Envr of Bus Elective/Pre-Major Courses Required Course
BUS 137: Principles of Management 3 MGT 300: Intro to Management Elective/Pre-Major Courses Required Course
MUS 114: Introduction to World Music 3 LS P6: Lib Std: World Cultures 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 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) 5 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) 5 University Equivalencies Elective/Pre-Major Courses Elective

Additional Information From Western Carolina University:

You MUST audition for the WCU School of Music in January in order to be accepted as a music major for the Fall.

If you can take two semesters of music theory, aural skills, class piano, large ensemble, and applied music lessons at your NCCC, completion of the BA degree in 4 years may be possible; if not, expect to finish in your fifth year.

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree is designed for students with broad interests in music and in other academic disciplines. It is a liberal arts degree that combines core musicianship courses—including four semesters of individual lessons in your performance area—with a minor, second major, or an individually approved program in an academic discipline outside of music. The program also requires one year of foreign language study.

To major in music, students must pass an audition in the principal performance area and take a music aptitude examination. Based on the audition and examination, MUS 105, 108, and 118 may be required. These courses do not count toward degree requirements. If a student fails MUS 108 or MUS 118 twice, the student shall be ineligible to continue in a music program.

All music majors must pass a public recital in the last semester of principal applied lessons before a degree will be granted. Courses taken to meet the large ensemble requirement must reflect the applied study area; only one will count per semester. All wind and percussion majors in the BA program must include a minimum of one semester in marching band.

A music industry option is available in place of a minor or second major for students who are interested in a career in the music business. It's a 30-hour core of business courses and an internship that prepares students for various careers in the music industry or to establish their own music business.

Remaining Bachelor’s Degree Requirements at University:

University Course Credit
Hours		 University Course Notes
Music Requirements 48

Take eight hours of Applied Music courses in one of the following combinations:

  • Two semesters (each) of MUS 107 (2, R6) and MUS 207 (2, R6)
  • Two semesters (each) of MUS 106 (1, R3), 206 (1, R3), 306 (1, R3), 406 (1, R3)
  • Any combination of the above as approved by the student’s advisor

Students should take all of the following:

  • MUS 148 - Piano Class I Credits: 1
  • MUS 149 - Piano Class II Credits: 1
  • MUS 208 - Aural Skills II Credits: 1
  • MUS 218 - Music Theory II Credits: 3
  • MUS 248 - Piano Class III Credits: 1
  • MUS 249 - Piano Class IV Credits: 1
  • MUS 303 - The World of Music Credits: 3
  • MUS 305 - Junior Recital Credits: 0
  • MUS 308 - Aural Skills III Credits: 1
  • MUS 309 - Aural Skills IV Credits: 1
  • MUS 318 - Music Theory III Credits: 3
  • MUS 319 - Music Theory IV Credits: 3
  • MUS 329 - Fundamentals of Conducting Credits: 2
  • MUS 358 - Concert Attendance Credits: 0
  • MUS 418 - Music History I Credits: 3
  • MUS 419 - Music History II Credits: 3
  • MUS 474 - Capstone Credits: 1

A minimum of six semesters of large ensembles must be taken for a total of six credit hours, chosen in consultation with the major advisor.

Select six hours of non-performance music electives.  Students who choose the Music Industry Option may substitute MUS 378 and 383.
Music Industry Option Requirements 21
  • MUS 378 - Survey of the Music Industry Credits: 3
  • MUS 489 - Internship Credits: 3, 6, or 9, R9
    • Nine hours required in MUS 489
  • MUS 383 - Post-Production Audio for Film and Television Credits: 3

Music Industry Electives. Choose 6 hours from the following:

  • CIS 251 - Managing Enterprise Information Systems Credits: 3
  • MKT 201 - Principles of Marketing Credits: 3
  • MUS 475 - Arts Management Credits: 3
  • MUS 483 - Practicum in Music Credits: 1-3, R3
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).