Western Carolina University Academic Programs

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Classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a comprehensive (Masters/L)^[1] university, Western Carolina is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) to award degrees at the bachelor, masters, intermediate, and doctoral (in education) levels. The university holds 21 program accreditations and is a member of more than 30 state and national associations and organizations to which its professional programs are related.^[2]

Contents 1 Academic Structure 2 Accreditations 3 Centers, Institutes, & Affiliates 4 Faculty 5 Academic Programs 6 Off Campus Programs 7 Majors 8 Book Rentals 9 Student Government 10 References 11 Notes

[edit] Academic Structure

The university's academic structure is composed of five undergraduate colleges, the Kimmel School, the Honors College and Graduate School:

[edit] Accreditations

In addition to the institutional accreditation by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the university also holds other special accreditations^[3] by the appropriate accreditating agency, including, but not limited to:

• AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
• American Chemical Society
• American Council for Construction Education (candidacy status)
• American Dietetic Association
• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
• Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs in cooperation with the *Council on Accreditation of the American Health Information Management Association, and the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Professions
• Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
• Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Council on Accreditation of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
• Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
• Council of Applied Masters Programs in Psychology
• Council on Social Work Education
• Foundation on Interior Design Education Research (FIDER)
• National Accreditation Council for Environmental Health Science and Protection
• National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
• National Association of Schools of Music
• National Association of School Psychologists
• National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
• National Council for Teachers of English
• National Kitchen and Bath Association Endorsement
• North American Society for Sport Management/National Association of Sport and Physical Education
• North Carolina Board of Nursing
• North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission
• North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
• Project Management Institute, Inc.
• Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. (Manufacturing Engineering Technology and Electronics Engineering Technology)

[edit] Centers, Institutes, & Affiliates

WCU’s influence is felt throughout the surrounding areas, the state and nation. The university plays a key role in business development in Western North Carolina, the preservation of the Cherokee and mountain cultures, and the advancement of technology and public policy. In addition to their community focus, Western's centers and institutes are also dedicated to scholarly research in a number of disciplines.

[edit] Faculty

The WCU faculty is not only highly qualified educators, they're also award-winning authors, actors, scientists, musicians, and artists. They're also national experts on hurricanes, criminal justice, genetics, and public safety and security management, with over 73 percent of the full-time faculty holding a doctoral degree or the highest degree in their field.

Wester's faculty is dedicated to its students, many faculty members engage in one-on-one research with their students. With an average of 23 students each, there's time to give individual attention.

In recent test scores, a 100-percent pass rates on national tests among School Administration, Recreational Therapy, and Physical Therapy students displays the dedication of the faculty to excellence. In rankings: WCU's Project Management and Entrepreneurship and teacher education programs are rated among the nation’s best. The WCU faculty listed by department or name.

[edit] Academic Programs

Western Carolina has a commitment to the rich traditions of both the Appalachian and Cherokee cultures with the main campus of the university located on the site of an ancient Cherokee Indian village^[4] and adjacent to the Great Smoky and Blue Ridge Mountains. The university's Mountain Heritage Center; Cherokee Center; Craft Revival Project; Cherokee Studies Program and WCU's partnership to preserve the Cherokee language^[5] both reflect that influence — and provides irreplaceable educational resources for the region.

Academic programs are led by a faculty of more than 500 full time faculty members; 73 percent hold doctoral or terminal degrees.^[6] More than 78 percent of the classes have fewer than 30 students, and the student-faculty ratio is approximately 14-to-1. Western Carolina's distinguished faculty includes national award-winning authors, nationally and internationally recognized experts,^[7][8] and winners of Emmy,^[9] O. Henry,^[10] and National Endowment for the Arts^[11] awards. Academic programs span more than 120 specialties,^[12] for undergraduates in addition to over 30 graduate-level programs of study,^[13] including the nation’s highest-ranked entrepreneurship^[14] and project management programs,^[15] national awards-winning teacher education program,^[16] a criminal justice program used as a model for North Carolina’s accreditation program,^[17] and the nation’s first accredited four-year emergency medical care program.^[18] The Forensic Anthropology Program is taught by one of the only 55 board certified forensic anthropologists in the nation^[19] and WCU operates one of only two Body Farms^[20][21] in the United States.

An emphasis on involving undergraduate students in research has drawn national attention to the university. WCU has ranked in the nation's top 10^[22] for three years in a row in the number of papers presented at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research and the undergraduate students from Cullowhee continue to lead the entire University of North Carolina system with their participation. WCU was the first state university in North Carolina to require incoming students to report to campus with networkable computers, and was one of only a five universities nationwide with such requirement when it was adopted in 1998.^[23]

The nationally renowned Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines (PSDS) takes a worldwide view of modern coastal processes and geologic hazards, examines scientific basis for managing developed shorelines and actions that promote long term sustainability of U.S. coastal ecosystems. A fundamental role of PSDS is to serve as a technical and policy resource on a variety of beach, coastal and estuarine management issues. The PSDS fields inquiries from the media, government officials, environmental groups and property owners and provide information, data and strategic advice to local, state and federal government agencies; the scientific community; nonprofit organizations; concerned citizens; and other concerned stakeholders. The PSDS has provided expert assistance to over 100 organizations and agencies including the National Park Service, NOAA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Surfrider Foundation, National Wildlife Federation and Environmental Defense. As a result of its national reputation, effective outreach efforts and extensive media network, PSDS has been featured over 300 national media outlets, including The Weather Channel, Discovery Channel, CNN, NBC Nightly News, 20/20, National Public Radio, the Washington Post, USA Today, Orlando Sentinel, the Miami Herald and the New York Times.^[24] Check out this video that provides an in-depth look at Western's Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines.

As is the sixth largest producer of teachers in North Carolina,^[25] Western's College of Education and Allied Professions was the national winner of the Association of Teacher Educators' Distinguished Program in Teacher Education Award^[26]in 2006. The College is also the 2007 co-winner of the Christa McAuliffe Excellence in Teacher Education Award^[27] presented by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. The Christa McAuliffe Award nationally recognizes outstanding programs in teacher education at AASCU member institutions. Watch this video about WCU’s College of Education and Allied Professions receiving the national Christa McAuliffe Excellence in Teacher Education Award.

The residential Honors College was first of its kind in North Carolina.^[28] The Honors College, a community of high-achieving students, provides an intellectually inviting atmosphere that offers greater academic challenge and enrichment for outstanding students. Accepted students are invited to live in one of two honors residences on campus. Western's Honors College is one of a few in the state to offer a residential option. The college is among a few nationwide to award graduates with a special honors diploma. The college began in 1998 with 77 students and has grown to approximately 1,400. For entering freshman, the Honor's College average weighted GPA is over 4.00. The Honors College is a member of the National Collegiate Honors Council.

In the spring of 2000, WCU was officially designated a National Merit sponsoring university, just the fourth institution of higher education in North Carolina, public or private, to receive that distinction]]^[29] The university grants scholarships to students who qualify as National Merit Finalists. The Western Meritorious Award for Finalists provides a four-year scholarship, which covers the equivalent amount of in-state tuition, fees, room, and board, to National Merit Finalists, who also receive a computer.

The Graduate School is a member of The Council of Graduate Schools (CGS). Quality graduate education and active scholarship constitute the central mission of the Graduate School.

[edit] Off Campus Programs

Western offers a wide array of off campus and study-abroad experiences. Students take advantage of opportunities such as studying the criminal justice and education systems in England, construction management in Ireland, international business law in the Netherlands, hospitality management in China, and language and culture in Mexico.

Closer to home, WCU students in natural resources management and the sciences routinely conduct field work at off-campus field stations^[30][31] in the nearby Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests and in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where WCU students are participating in a vast scientific inventory of all the park’s living organisms. Education, nursing, geography, and other fields offer off-campus internships and opportunities for hands-on learning as well.

[edit] Majors

Accounting B.S.B.A. Certified public accountant, financial officer, account executive, purchasing agent.
Anthropology B.A., B.S. Historian, archaeologist, researcher, archivist, museum curator.
Art B.A., B.F.A. Graphic designer, illustrator, photographer, sculptor, ceramicist, art historian, museum employee.
Art Education B.S.Ed. Art teacher (grades K-12).
Athletic Training B.S. Athletic trainer, physical therapist (with Master's degree).
Biology B.S. Ecologist, wildlife conservationist, agriculturist, lab technician; pre-med.
Birth-Kindergarten B.S. Daycare personnel, kindergarten teacher.
Business Administration and Law B.S.B.A. Bank examiner, credit manager, detective, tax agent, security adviser; pre-law.
Chemistry B.A., B.S. Metallurgist, forensic expert, chemical engineer, quality control supervisor, chemist.
Clinical Laboratory Sciences B.S. Clinical laboratory scientist in hospitals, industry, research, and private labs.
Communication B.S. Writer, broadcaster, specialist in print media, public relations, or electronic news media.
Communication Science and Disorders B.S.Ed. Speech-language pathologist (private practice, healthcare, daycare centers, or schools).
Computer Information Systems B.S.B.A. Information systems manager, database administrator, systems analyst, support staff.
Computer Science B.S. Systems analyst, network administrator, applications and systems developer.
Construction Management B.S. Assistant project manager, superintendent, scheduler, cost engineer, field engineer, office engineer, estimator, and project engineer.
Criminal Justice B.S. Forensic scientist, investigative officer, patrolman, game warden, bailiff, probation officer; pre-law.
Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology B.S. Systems analyst, automation engineer, hardware design engineer], electrical engineer, electrical integrator, software engineer, process engineer, product engineer, satellite systems engineer, technical support, test engineer, engineer, engineering specialist, maintenance engineer.
Electrical Engineering B.S. Electrical engineer.
Elementary Education B.S.Ed. Teacher (grades K-6).
Emergency Management B.S. Homeland Security, FEMA, Dept. of Health & Human Services, Dept. Justice; State, County & Local Gvt.; Not-for-Profit; Private/Commercial/Business sector
Emergency Medical Care B.S. Paramedic, EMS supervisor, regulator, training officer, community college instructor.
Engineering Technology B.S. 3D computer-aided design and animation, engineering technologist, applications engineer, product development and testing engineer, engineering sales and distribution, technical manager, safety engineer, technical illustrator, technical writer, project engineer, automation engineer.
English B.A. Public relations specialist, advertising copywriter, educator, newspaper reporter; pre-law.
English Education B.S.Ed. English teacher (grades 9-12).
Entrepreneurship B.S. Venture capitalist, individual business owner, entrepreneur.
Environmental Health B.S. Environmental toxicologist, industrial hygienist, health safety, quality assurance specialist.
Environmental Science B.S. Could lead to positions in environmental ecology, conservation, environmental chemistry, environmental biology or fisheries science.
Finance B.S.B.A. Controller, financial planner, real estate broker, banker, credit and loan officer.
Geology B.S., B.S.Ed. Environmental geologist/scientist, hydrogeologist, petroleum geologist, science teacher, structural geologist, water quality/restoration specialist.
German B.A. International business executive, civil and foreign service employee, advertising agent, interpreter.
German Education B.S.Ed. German language teacher (grades K-12).
Health Information Administration B.S. Manager or director, insurance company manager, health data analyst.
History B.A., B.S. Educator, museum curator, archivist, historian, or government employee; pre-law.
Hospitality and Tourism B.S. Hotel, lodging, or food service manager; restaurant operator; vendor or supplier.
Humanities B.A. An excellent foundational program, the Humanities degree leads to a number of careers--especially those that are language-related--and also provides academic preparation for various graduate programs.
Interior Design B.S. Color theorist, display designer, interior designer, residential architect.
International Business B.S. International banker, stockbroker, import and export broker, business forecaster.
Management B.S.B.A. Human resource manager, labor relations director, manager.
Marketing B.S.B.A. Account executive, buyer, communications officer, promotion director, analyst, wholesaler.
Mathematics B.S. Statistician, cryptographer, demographer, risk manager, operations research analyst.
Mathematics Education B.S.Ed. Mathematics teacher (grades 9-12).
Middle Grades Education B.S.Ed. Teacher (grades 6-9).
Music B.A. Music industry (retail, customer service, etc.).
Music B.M. Performer, arranger, private lesson teacher, accompanist, recording engineer.
Music Education B.S.Ed. Music teacher (grades K-12), conductor, director.
Natural Resources Management B.S. Hydrologist, conservationist, land use planner, water and forest resources manager.
Nursing B.S.N. Nurse in hospitals, medical centers, home health, community health agencies, nursing homes.
Nutrition and Dietetics B.S. Dietician/nutritionist in a hospital, health department, wellness program, government agency.
Parks and Recreation Management B.S. Recreation specialist, outdoor planner, park manager, park technician, recreation director.
Philosophy and Religion B.A. Business manager, technical writer, government employee; pre-law.
Physical Education B.S.Ed. Physical education teacher and/or coach in schools, camps, YMCAs, and businesses.
Political Science B.A., B.S. Government executive, congressional staff member, budget director; pre-law.
Psychology B.S. Personnel officer, employment counselor, marketing researcher, daycare supervisor.
Recreational Therapy B.S. Therapeutic worker with the aged, impaired, or disadvantaged in healthcare settings.
Science Education (Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics) B.S.Ed. Science teacher (9-12).
Secondary Education B.S.Ed. Teacher (9-12).
Social Sciences B.A., B.S. Library science worker, minister; pre-law.
Social Sciences Education B.S.Ed. Social Sciences teacher (grades 9-12).
Social Work B.S. Social worker in mental or public health, social services, juvenile court.
Sociology B.A., B.S. Probation or parole officer,counselor, sociologist, business manager, social worker.
Spanish B.A. International executive, civil and foreign service employee, translator, interpreter.
Spanish Education B.S.Ed. Spanish language teacher (grades K-12).
Special Education (General) B.S.Ed. Special Education teacher (grades K-12) working with children with learning disabilities or mental retardation.
Special Studies B.A., B.S. Individually designed major leading to various career choices.
Speech and Theatre Arts B.A. Actor, director, designer, technician for stage, television, theme parks, public speaker.
Sport Management B.S. Marketing executive, fitness club manager, ticket manager, athletic trainer, recreation specialist.
Telecommunications Engineering Technology B.S. Applications developer, consultant, customer service representative, LAN administrator, network administrator, network analyst, operations analyst, systems analyst, technical trainer.
Theatre B.A., B.F.A. Actor, director, designer, technician for stage, television, theme parks.

[edit] Book Rentals

One of the major costs of attending college is the cost of textbooks. Western Carolina offers a textbook rental program to help contain the cost of attending college.^[32]

• Book Rental is a system where textbooks for courses numbered 100-499 are furnished to undergraduate students on a rental basis.
• Students pay a flat fee each semester and are entitled to adopt textbooks used in each course for which they are registered.
• Book Rental is located in the WCU Bookstore.

Policies:
New textbook adoptions are for a minimum of 2 full calendar years. The economics of the book rental system depends upon repeated use of the books in inventory. Therefore, within the 2 calendar year adoption period, it is expected that the course(s) utilizing the adopted textbook will be offered at least 2 times. Under this policy, if a new edition is published it cannot be substituted until the full adoption period has been fulfilled.

[edit] Student Government

WCU strongly supports active student participation in campus leadership through groups such as the Student Government Association (SGA), Student Judical Affairs (SJA), Resident Student Association & Residence Hall Council (RHC), Student Media Board, fraternities and sororities, and student advisory councils.

The SGA promotes students’ interests while serving as a liaison between students and the administration. The SGA governs through the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The SGA president is an ex officio member of the WCU Board of Trustees and a member of the Association of Student Governments, which serves the sixteen campuses of the University of North Carolina. The SGA coordinates the disbursement of student activity fees to some sixty campus organizations.

Each year, WCU students receive a copy of the Student Handbook, which lists student organizations and includes the Student Bill of Rights and Code of Conduct.

[edit] References

[edit] Notes

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