Western Carolina University

Transfer Guide

Western Carolina University
Special Education and Inclusive Learning, BSED

Transfer Guide for Associate in Arts in Teacher Prep

2025-2026

Concentration(s): Gifted and Creative (K-12) Concentration, Elementary Education (K-6) Concentration, Adapted Curriculum (K-12) Concentration, Secondary Transition Concentration
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: April, 2025

College Level Foreign Language Requirements:

No foreign language requirement for this program.

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
MAT 141: Mathematical Concepts I 3 MATH 221: Number Sense for Teaching Additional General Education Courses Required Course, General Education
MAT 142: Mathematical Concepts II 3 MATH 321: Reasng Chg,Msrmnt,Chance Data Additional General Education Courses Required Course, General Education
EDU 187: Teaching and Learning for All 4 EDCI 191: Teachers,Schools & Society & EDCI 19A: Lower Level Elective Elective/Pre-Major Courses Required Course
EDU 216: Foundations of Education 3 EDCI 201: Teacher Ldrshp Div Society & ELMG 201: Sem for Teacher Leadershp Elective/Pre-Major Courses Required Course
EDU 279: Literacy Develop and Instruct 4 EDRD 19A: Lower Level Elective Elective/Pre-Major Courses Required Course
EDU 250: Teacher Licensure Preparation 3 EDCI 19A: Lower Level Elective Elective/Pre-Major Courses Required Course
SOC 225: Social Diversity 3 SOC 245: Social Inequality 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
Student Choice/No Preference (Approved Course Options) 9 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) 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) 9 University Equivalencies Additional General Education Courses General Education
ACA 122: College Transfer Success 1 ELEC 19A: Lower Level Electives Academic Transition Elective

Additional Information From Western Carolina University:

Teacher Education Program Requirements

All students who declare a major in an educator preparation must apply and meet all requirements for admission to and continuation in the Teacher Education Program. Students must be admitted into the Teacher Education program prior to taking most courses in the Professional Education Sequence.  EDCI 201 and SPED 240 are the only courses in the Professional Education Sequence that may be taken prior to admission to teacher education.

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.

Special Education and Inclusive Learning Program Requirements

Students can declare a major in Special Education and Inclusive Learning (SEIL) at any time and complete several major courses prior to admission to the Teacher Education Program.  Admission to Teacher Education is required for Special Education and Inclusive Learning majors to enroll in most advanced courses.  Open and restricted courses are indicated on the eight-semester program plan.

SEIL teacher candidates must earn a C or higher in all major and professional education sequence courses as well as maintain a 2.75 GPA overall, in the professional education sequence and in the major.  SEIL teacher candidates who earn a grade of C- or lower in a major or professional education sequence course must repeat the course when it is offered and earn a grade of C or higher.  A teacher candidate whose overall GPA falls below 2.75 will be removed from the Teacher Education Program, must regain a 2.75 GPA, and then reapply for admission to continue in the program.  An SEIL teacher candidate whose overall major and professional sequence GPA falls below 2.75 will not meet graduation requirements.

SEIL teacher candidates must maintain professional behavior in university and field placements which adheres to the North Carolina code of ethics for teachers and the professional dispositions of the College of Education and Allied Professions to remain in the Teacher Education Program and the major.

Total hours for the program: 120-126 (depending on the chosen concentration)

Teacher candidates who complete the Special Education and Inclusive Learning program earn a Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.) degree and are recommended for North Carolina Professional Educator’s licenses in Special Education: General Curriculum (K-6 and K-12) and one additional multi-licensure area depending on their concentration. The options include:

  • Multi-licensure Gifted and Creative (K-12) Concentration
  • Multi-licensure Elementary Education (K-6) Concentration
  • Multi-licensure Adapted Curriculum (K-12) Concentration
  • Secondary Transition Concentration

 

 

Remaining Bachelor’s Degree Requirements at University:

University Course Credit
Hours		 University Course Notes
Professional Education Sequence 27
  • SPED 240 - The Exceptional Child Credits: 3
  • SPED 430 - Classroom Leadership Credits: 3
  • EDEL 390 - Practicum I Credits: 3

Intern I

  • SPED 484 - Inclusive Education Internship I Credits: 1-3
  • SPED 497 - Seminar for Instructional Development Credits: 3

Intern II

  • SPED 490 - Inclusive Education Internship II Credits: 9
  • SPED 495 - Inclusive Education Seminar Credits: 3

Note: You must be fully admitted into the Teacher Education program and have a 2.75 cumulative GPA to enroll in all courses in this Professional Education Sequence except for EDCI 201 and SPED 240.

 
Special Education and Inclusive Learning Major Course Requirements 30
  • EDEL 415 - Language Arts Methods for Grades K-6 Credits: 3
  • EDEL 428 - Mathematics Methods 1 for Grades K-6 Credits: 3
  • EDRD 320 - Foundations of Literacy Development Credits: 3
  • EDRD 420 - Methods of Effective Reading Instruction Credits: 3
  • EDRD 440 - Reading Diagnosis and Instruction for Grades K-6 Credits: 3
  • SPED 310 - Assessment for Instruction Credits: 3
  • SPED 312 - Teaching Elementary Students in Inclusive Education Credits: 3
  • SPED 401 - Exceptional Learners in the General Curriculum Credits: 3
  • SPED 407 - Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Supports in Inclusive Education Credits: 3
  • SPED 423 - Teaching Reading to Individuals with Mild to Moderate Disabilities Credits: 3
Special Education and Inclusive Learning Concentrations 24

Choose ONE of the following concentrations

Concentrations below fulfill requirements for recommendation for additional licensure. Note that all concentrations except the elementary education concentration require a guided elective that must be approved by the program on an individual basis. A total of 120 hours is required to meet degree requirements in these areas. 

Gifted and Creative (K-12) Concentration (15 hours)

Completion of this concentration results in teacher candidate recommendation for North Carolina Professional Educator’s licenses in Gifted and Creative (K-12) and Special Education General Curriculum (K-12). Graduates will have the skills to work with students with disabilities, those who are gifted, and students who are twice exceptional.

  • SPED 400 - Creative Thinking and Problem-Solving Credits: 3
  • SPED 471 - Foundations of Gifted and Creative Education Credits: 3
  • SPED 475 - Methods and Models of Gifted and Creative Education Credits: 3
  • SPED 477 - Curriculum Differentiation for Gifted and Creative Learners Credits: 3
  • Plus 3 hours from methods courses in STEM, Science, Math, Art, or Social Studies from ELED/Middle/Secondary programs.

Elementary Education (K-6) Concentration (24 hours)

Completion of this concentration results in teacher candidate recommendation for North Carolina Professional Educator’s licenses in Elementary Education (K-6) and Special Education: General Curriculum (K-12).

  • EDEL 416 - Science Methods for Grades K-6 Credits: 3
  • EDEL 417 - Social Studies Methods for Grades K-6 Credits: 3
  • EDEL 429 - Mathematics Methods 2 for Grades K-6 Credits: 3
  • EDEL 446 - Digital Literacy Methods for Grades K-6 Credits: 3
  • ENGL 413 - ESL Methods for Content Teachers Credits: 3
  • SPED 413 - Teaching Adolescents in Inclusive Education Credits: 3
  • Language Requirement (6 hours):
    • Students must take 6 hours of World Languages coursework. (Foreign Language 111 & 112 can be used to meet this requirement)

Adapted Curriculum (K-12) Concentration (15 hours)

Completion of this concentration results in teacher candidate recommendation for North Carolina Professional Educator’s licenses in Adapted Curriculum (K-12) and Special Education General Curriculum (K-12). Graduates will have the skills to work with students who have disabilities that are mild to moderate as well as moderate to severe.

  • SPED 241 - Exceptional Learners in the Adapted Curriculum Credits: 3
  • SPED 311 - Positive Behavioral Supports for Students with Severe Disabilities Credits: 3
  • SPED 344 - Assistive Technology for Severe Disabilities Credits: 3
  • SPED 414 - Curriculum and Methods for Students in the Adapted Curriculum Credits: 3
  • Plus 3 hours of methods courses in the other options within special education, social studies, or science courses in elementary, middle, and secondary education programs.

Secondary Transition Concentration (15 hours)

Completion of this concentration results in teacher candidate recommendation for a North Carolina Professional Educator’s license in Special Education: General Curriculum (K-12). Students will also develop concentrated skills in secondary transition. Graduates will have the skills to work with students who have disabilities and focus on secondary special education and community-based services that support students with disabilities across the lifespan.

  • COMM 375 - Communication in Family and Close Relationships Credits: 3
  • SPED 315 - Post-Secondary Education for Students with Intellectual Disabilities Credits: 3
  • SPED 338 - Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS) Credits: 3
  • SPED 413 - Teaching Adolescents in Inclusive Education Credits: 3
  • Plus 3 hours from methods courses offered in the other options within special education, psychology, or social work courses.
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).