Western Carolina University

Transfer Guide

Western Carolina University
Philosophy, BA

Transfer Guide for Associate in Arts

2025-2026

Concentration(s): Religion
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:

Foreign Language 111 and 112 course to meet 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
REL 110: World Religions
OR
REL 111: Eastern Religions or REL 112: Western Religions or REL 211: Intro to Old Testament or HIS 117: History of Religions 		3 University Equivalencies Additional General Education Courses Required Course, General Education
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
REL 212: Intro to New Testament 3 PAR 250: Origins of Early Christianity Additional General Education Courses Required 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) 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) 2 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) 14 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.

Remaining Bachelor’s Degree Requirements at University:

University Course Credit
Hours		 University Course Notes
Foundations in Philosophy 6
  • PAR 295 - Self, Society, & the Good Life Credits: 3
  • PAR 304 - Ancient Greek and Roman Thought Credits: 3
Concentration in Religion 6
  • PAR 342 - What is Religion? Credits: 3
  • PAR 356 - Buddhism Credits: 3

OR

  • PAR 357 - Hinduism Credits: 3
Major Electives in Philosophy and Religion 6

The six hours of Major Electives may be satisfied by taking any two other PAR courses at the 200-, 300-, or 400- level. Some upper-level courses in Anthropology, English and History are also acceptable for those with the Religion concentration.

  • ANTH 365 - Religion, Magic, Myth Credits: 3
  • ENGL 390 - The Bible as Literature Credits: 3
  • HIST 421 - Romans, Christians, Barbarians Credits: 3
  • HIST 455 - American Religious History Credits: 3
  • PAR 201 - Philosophy of Sex and Love Credits: 3
  • PAR 230 - Logic: Legal, Scientific & Critical Reasoning Credits: 3
  • PAR 250 - Origins of Early Christianity Credits: 3
  • PAR 251 - Islam, Past and Present Credits: 3
  • PAR 260 - Religion, Gender, Sexuality Credits: 3
  • PAR 307 - Existentialism and Beyond Credits: 3
  • PAR 309 - Philosophy In and Of Film Credits: 3
  • PAR 310 - Philosophy of Art Credits: 3
  • PAR 312 - Philosophy of Religion Credits: 3
  • PAR 313 - Philosophy of Law Credits: 3
  • PAR 315 - Philosophy of Mind Credits: 3
  • PAR 317 - Feminist Thought Credits: 3
  • PAR 319 - Philosophy of Race Credits: 3
  • PAR 320 - Classics Credits: 3, R6
  • PAR 323 - Mysticism Credits: 3
  • PAR 330 - Wilderness: Ethics and Aesthetics in the American Landscape Credits: 3
  • PAR 332 - Biomedical Ethics: Healthcare & Social Justice Credits: 3
  • PAR 333 - Environmental and Animal Ethics Credits: 3
  • PAR 353 - Religion in Film Credits: 3
  • PAR 354 - Suffering: Religion, Literature & the Moral Imagination Credits: 3
  • PAR 356 - Buddhism Credits: 3
  • PAR 357 - Hinduism Credits: 3
  • PAR 365 - Medieval Thought: Faith & Reason from Empire to Enlightenment Credits: 3
  • PAR 366 - Science, Religion & Knowledge Credits: 3
  • PAR 367 - Native American Religions Credits: 3
  • PAR 380 - Independent Study Credits: 1-3, R6
  • PAR 393 - Topics in Philosophy and Religion Credits: 1-3, R6
Special Topics and Capstone Seminars 6

Majors must take an upper-level seminar-either PAR 392 or PAR 393 -and the capstone, PAR 495.

  • PAR 392 - Global Justice: Liberty, Equality & Human Rights Credits: 3

OR

  • PAR 393 - Topics in Philosophy and Religion Credits: 1-3, R6
  • PAR 495 - Seminar in Philosophy and Religion Credits: 3, R9
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).