Western Carolina University

Transfer Guide

Western Carolina University
Parks and Recreation Management, BS

Transfer Guide for Associate in Arts

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
MAT 152: Statistical Methods I 4 MATH 170: Applied Statistics & MATH 19A: Lower Level Electives UGETC Math 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
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) 4 University Equivalencies UGETC Natural Sciences General Education
Student Choice/No Preference (Approved Course Options) 14 University Equivalencies Additional General Education Courses General Education
Student Choice/No Preference (Approved Course Options) 3 University Equivalencies Elective/Pre-Major Courses General Education
ACA 122: College Transfer Success 1 ELEC 19A: Lower Level Electives Academic Transition Elective
Student Choice/No Preference (Approved Course Options) 11 University Equivalencies Elective/Pre-Major Courses Elective

Additional Information From Western Carolina University:

The Parks and Recreation Management Program promotes resourcefulness, independent thinking, the ability to cope with change, and service to society, by preparing leaders in the parks, recreation, and leisure services fields. The program prepares professionals to design, plan, promote, and deliver the physical and social components of the leisure service industry. This includes skills in administration, management, research and evaluation, leadership, and instruction. Graduates will be prepared to manage resources, facilities, and programs, and to lead and instruct for programs in commercial, public, and non-profit settings. Because students may work with minors during their time in the PRM program, all students are required to complete at least one background check.

Remaining Bachelor’s Degree Requirements at University:

University Course Credit
Hours		 University Course Notes
Parks and Recreation Management Requirements 41
  • PRM 250 - Foundations of Parks and Recreation Management Credits: 3
  • PRM 254 - Introduction to Outdoor Pursuits Education Credits: 4
  • PRM 270 - Leadership and Group Dynamics in Recreation Credits: 3
  • PRM 275 - Diversity and Inclusion in PRM Credits: 3
  • PRM 361 - Program Planning and Evaluation in PRM Credits: 4
  • PRM 362 - Sustainable Recreation & Public Land Management Credits: 3
  • PRM 370 - Professional Planning in PRM Credits: 3
  • PRM 383 - Mini-Internship I in PRM Credits: 1
  • PRM 384 - Mini-Internship II in PRM Credits: 1
  • PRM 385 - Mini-Internship III in PRM Credits: 1
  • PRM 430 - Entrepreneurship and Commercial Recreation Credits: 3
  • PRM 461 - Management and Administration of PRM Services Credits: 3
  • PRM 483 - Capstone Internship in PRM I Credits: 3
  • PRM 484 - Capstone Internship in PRM II Credits: 3
  • PRM 495 - Senior Seminar in Parks and Recreation Management Credits: 3
Parks and Recreation Management First Aid Requirement 4

Students should choose one course from the following list OR provide proof of current certification in WFA, Advanced WFA, WFR, OEC, EMT, or WEMT to their advisor.

 

  • HEAL 250 - First Aid and Safety Education Credits: 2
  • PRM 252 - Wilderness First Aid Credits: 2
  • PRM 356 - Outdoor First Aid Credits: 4
  • PRM 357 - Wilderness First Responder Credits: 4
PRM Electives 12

Students should choose 12 credit hours of PRM electives from the list below.

  • PRM 200 - Introduction to Rock Climbing Credits: 2
  • PRM 224 - Survey of Outdoor Adventure Activities Credits: 2-4, R9
  • PRM 255 - Active Recreation and Leisure Credits: 3
  • PRM 293 - Topics in Parks and Recreation Management Credits: 1-3, R6
  • PRM 300 - Intermediate Rock Climbing Credits: 3
  • PRM 310 - Stand Up Paddling Credits: 3
  • PRM 313 - Camp Counseling Credits: 3
  • PRM 314 - Organization and Administration of Camping Agencies Credits: 3
  • PRM 320 - Facilitating Environmental Education Experiences Credits: 3
  • PRM 321 - Introduction to Environmental Interpretation Credits: 3
  • PRM 322 - International Adventure Travel & Global Citizenship Credits: 3
  • PRM 323 - Leisure & The Pursuit of Happiness Credits: 3
  • PRM 333 - Experiential Education Methods Credits: 4
  • PRM 340 - Challenge Course Facilitation Credits: 3
  • PRM 341 - Group Facilitation Techniques Credits: 3
  • PRM 351 - Wilderness Therapy Credits: 3
  • PRM 352 - Whitewater Kayaking Credits: 3
  • PRM 353 - Whitewater Canoeing Credits: 3
  • PRM 354 - Outdoor Living and Expedition Skills Credits: 3
  • PRM 365 - Nature Rx Credits: 3
  • PRM 425 - Advanced Climbing and Rescue Techniques Credits: 4
  • PRM 426 - Advanced Paddling and Rescue Techniques Credits: 4
  • PRM 427 - Wilderness Education Credits: 3-6
  • PRM 434 - High Adventure Travel and Outfitting Credits: 3
  • PRM 435 - Park and Recreation Sites, Facilities, and Programs Credits: 1-6, R8
  • PRM 454 - Expedition Management and Leadership Credits: 4
  • PRM 480 - Independent Study Credits: 3, R6
  • PRM 485 - Internship in Parks and Recreation Management Credits: 3
  • PRM 486 - Field Experience Credits: 1-12
  • PRM 493 - Topics in Parks and Recreation Management Credits: 1-3, R6
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).