Western Carolina University

Transfer Guide

Western Carolina University
Recreational Therapy, BS

Transfer Guide for Associate in Science

2025-2026

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
PSY 150: General Psychology 3 PSY 150: General Psychology UGETC Social/Behavioral Sciences Required Course, General Education
BIO 168: Anatomy and Physiology I 4 BIOL 291: Human Anatomy-Physiology I Elective/Pre-Major Courses Required Course
BIO 169: Anatomy and Physiology II 4 BIOL 292: Human Anatomy-Physiology II Elective/Pre-Major Courses Required Course
SOC 210: Introduction to Sociology 3 SOC 103: Human Society UGETC Social/Behavioral Sciences Suggested Course, General Education
CHM 151: General Chemistry I 4 CHEM 139: General Chemistry I UGETC Natural Sciences Suggested Course, General Education
MAT 152: Statistical Methods I 4 MATH 170: Applied Statistics & MATH 19A: Lower Level Electives Additional General Education Courses Suggested Course, General Education
PHY 151: College Physics I 4 PHYS 130: Introductory Physics I Additional General Education Courses Suggested Course, General Education
BIO 111: General Biology I 4 BIOL 140: Principles of Biology I Additional General Education Courses Suggested Course, General Education
HEA 112: First Aid & CPR 2 HEAL 250: First Aid & Safety Ed 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 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) 3 University Equivalencies UGETC Humanities/Fine Arts General Education
Student Choice/No Preference (Approved Course Options) 8 University Equivalencies UGETC Math General Education
CHM 152: General Chemistry II 4 CHEM 140: General Chemistry II UGETC Natural Sciences General Education
ACA 122: College Transfer Success 1 ELEC 19A: Lower Level Electives Academic Transition Elective
Student Choice/No Preference (Approved Course Options) 4 University Equivalencies Elective/Pre-Major Courses Elective

Additional Information From Western Carolina University:

Recommended to transfer after 1st year to stay on track to graduate. Otherwise, please plan for extra time at WCU.

Applying for Admission

Students are encouraged to apply for the major during the Spring of their sophomore year. Admission to the Bachelor of Science degree requires the completion of the application for new majors. Please visit rt.wcu.edu for the latest application information.

Minimum GPA Requirement: 2.50

Students admitted to the program must earn a grade of C or better in each RTH course in the major and must maintain an overall GPA of 2.50 to remain in the program. Visit rt.wcu.edu to view the eight-semester curriculum guide.

Declaration of a major in Recreational Therapy does not guarantee admission into the program. Students should begin as pre-majors (PREC), preferably in their freshman year. Students must formally apply and be admitted into the program before beginning the professional sequence of courses and/or proceeding into clinical placements. Students are expected to adhere not only to the technical and professional standards of the program but to the academic requirements below. For the most up-to-date information regarding these standards, program suspension, and termination refer to the Recreational Therapy website at rt.wcu.edu.

**CHM 151, PHY 151, BIOL 111, and CHM 152 are suggested courses for students interested in pursuing Physical Therapy.

Remaining Bachelor’s Degree Requirements at University:

University Course Credit
Hours		 University Course Notes
Recreational Therapy Requirements 61
  • PSY 319 - Developmental Psychology: Lifespan Credits: 3
  • PSY 470 - Abnormal Psychology Credits: 3
  • RTH 200 - Foundations of Recreational Therapy Credits: 3
  • RTH 252 - Client Assessment in Recreational Therapy Credits: 3
  • RTH 340 - Recreational Therapy for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Credits: 3
  • RTH 341 - Recreational Therapy for Intellectual Disabilities and Developmental Disabilities - Lab Credits: 1
  • RTH 350 - Recreational Therapy and People with Physical Disabilities Credits: 3
  • RTH 352 - Recreational Therapy Processes and Techniques Credits: 3
  • RTH 353 - Recreational Therapy for People with Physical Disabilities - Lab Credits: 1
  • RTH 360 - Recreational Therapy Services for Older Adults Credits: 3
  • RTH 361 - Recreational Therapy for Older Adults - Lab Credits: 1
  • RTH 380 - Research & Evaluation in Recreational Therapy Credits: 3
  • RTH 395 - Recreational Therapy Professional Preparation Seminar I Credits: 2
  • RTH 405 - Recreational Therapy in Behavioral Health Credits: 3
  • RTH 406 - Recreational Therapy in Behavioral Health - Lab Credits: 1
  • RTH 417 - Administration and Advancement of Recreation Therapy Services Credits: 3
  • RTH 484 - Recreational Therapy Clinical Internship Credits: 12
  • RTH 495 - Recreational Therapy Professional Preparation Seminar II Credits: 2
  • Credits / Units: 3
  • RTH 496 - Research & Evaluation Presentation Seminar Credits: 1

Students should select one course from the following:

  • HPE 235 - Motor Behavior Credits: 3
  • HPE 223 - Applied Kinesiology I - Anatomy, Physiology & Biomechanics Credits: 4
  • HPE 365 - Physical Activity and Aging Credits: 3

Students should select three courses from the following:

  • RTH 301 - Modality Skill: Leisure Education Credits: 1
  • RTH 302 - Modality Skill: Horticulture Credits: 1
  • RTH 303 - Modality Skill: Community Integration Credits: 1
  • RTH 304 - Modality Skills: Adventure-Based Recreational Therapy Credits: 1
  • RTH 305 - Modality Skills: Creative and Expressive Arts Credits: 1
  • RTH 306 - Modality Skills: HeartMath Credits: 1
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).