Who is my adviser?
How will I register?
What is the tuition rate of distance learning?
How do I pay my bill by credit card (MasterCard or VISA)?
How do I order my textbooks?
What is the On-line Bridge Program?
What is the University Experience Course?
What is the Graduate Experience course?
How am I notified about the University Experience course or the Graduate Experience course start date?
When I need to drop, withdraw or late register for a course, who do I contact?
What is available on Web for Students?
From where can I access Web for Students?
Where and how do I access Web for Students?
How do I access my WebCT online course?
What is the inclement weather policy for distance learners?
How do I withdraw from a class?
Who are some of the regional staff members and what is their contact information?
Undergraduate Programs
Applied Criminology: Carlie Merritt, 828-227-2170
Birth-Kindergarten: Cathy Grist, 828-227-2272
Elementary Education: Jane Perlmutter, 828-227-3354
Engineering Technology: Bill McDaniel, 828-227-2517
Entrepreneurship: Bethany Davidson, 828-227-7185
Emergency Medical Care: Michael Hubble, 828-227-3516
Nursing: Sharon Jacques, 828-670-8810
Emergency and Disaster Management: Carlie Merritt, 828-227-2170
Special Education: Mary Ford, 828-699-5688
Graduate Programs
Alternative Licensure: Janice Holt, 828-227-3310
Construction Management: Ronald Mau, 828-227-2544
Entrepreneurship: Frank Lockwood, 828-227-3390
Gerontology: Marcia Caserio, 828-693-8375
Human Resources: John Sherlock, 828-227-3380
Nurse Educator: Judy Mallory, 828-227-3527
Project Management: Jeanne Dorle, jdorle@email.wcu.edu
School Administration: Lucian Szlizewski, 828-227-2295
Two-Year Community: Mitch Williams, 828-227-2295
How will I register?
Directions for Self-Registration
Personal Identification Number - PIN (which is your birthday 6 digit number or four digits with 00)
- Go to the WCU home page: http://www.wcu.edu/
- Go to the “My CAT” link found to the right on the purple banner
- Enter your username (Student ID or 92 number – no hyphens or dashes)
- Enter your password
[*Initially,your PIN has been set as 6 digits, first 2 for birth month, next 2 for birth day, last 2 digits last two digits of your birth year. However, if you have changed your PIN, use your new number.] - Go to the “Personal Services” tab
- Go to “Registration” under the Student Services & Financial Aid header or type in “Registration” in the Search box
- Click on “Drop/Add Classes
- Select a Term using the drop down box
- Scroll down the screen
- Enter your schedule by entering the 5-digit Course Registration Numbers (CRN#). The CRN# is the five digit number. (i.e. 10677 BK 250 Intro Birth-Kindergarten)
- When you finish entering all your courses, click on the “Submit Registration” button.
- A message will be displayed indicating the status of the request.
Contact your program director/advisor and obtain the CRN#, subject, course number, section number and course title before web-registration.
What is the tuition rate of distance learning?
Distance Education Tuition and Fees
How do I pay my bill by credit card (MasterCard or VISA)?
From the WCU home page, click on "Current Student" OR
- Access this url directly at www.wcu.edu/vos
- Enter your user name and password at the top of the Virtual One Stop page.
- Press the “Log In” Button. This will take you to My Cat page.
- Midway down the page on the left-hand side, find the section marked “My Bills and Balances.” Click on “Make a Tuition Payment.”
- In the left-hand column under “Student Records,” click on “Account Summary and Pay by Credit Card.”
- Select the term for which you’ll pay.
- Review your charges, then click on “Credit Card Payment.”
- Enter your payment amount, credit card information, billing address and zip code in the appropriate spaces. Review, then click “Submit.”
Note: If you have questions regarding your payment, contact the University Cashier’s Office at (828) 227-7334.
How do I order my textbooks?
You order your textbooks through the online bookstore. The bookstore has been set up as a secure server site. If you do not wish to pay by credit card, you may contact Pam Bryson at 1-866-272-4102. Your textbooks will be shipped via UPS and should arrive at your doorstep within 48 hours of your order.
What is the On-line Bridge Program?
In order to meet liberal arts and prerequisite course requirements, the Division of Educational Outreach offers a number of on-line courses each summer. Courses offered in the On-line Bridge Program are open to students on a space available basis. Registration is available on-line. The courses are offered in June and July consistent with the regular summer school schedule. Because they are distance learning courses, they follow the tuition guidelines for distance education. Visit the On-line Bridge Program for more information.
What is the University Experience Course (undergraduate level)?
Maybe you’re new to distance education courses, or maybe you’re an experienced online learner. In either case, you’re going to need a lot of specific information to be a successful online learner. You’ll need an orientation, access and login information to navigate your specific course and the university systems. You’ll need to know how to access library resources, get help with advising, order your textbooks, and much more-all online.
In order to provide you with this information and fully prepare you to start your courses, the Division of Educational Outreach has developed the University Experience Course, an online learning experience designed to provide the tools you’ll need for successful online learning.
This course is designed as an introduction to online learning and the wide range of academic and other services available to you as Western Carolina University students. Through the Course Menu you’ll navigate your way through descriptions of available student services, academic services, computer technology and other topics.
The course is made available before the regular semester begins and the course is a zero-credit- hour course. Students receive a welcome letter before the semester begins and directions for self-registering for the course from the Division of Educational Outreach. Please note that you must be registered for classes to participate in the University Experience course.
What is the Graduate Experience course (graduate level)?
The Graduate Experience WebCat Online Course is offered online before the beginning of each semester (fall, spring, and summer) through WCU's WebCat platform. The session takes approximately an hour a day and allows you to work from the comfort of your own computer. This course is a zero-credit-hour course and needs to be completed before you begin your regular semester classes.
Please note that you must be registered for classes to participate in the Graduate Experience course. Students receive information regarding self-registration for this course from Graduate School and Research Office.
- The course will be discussed in materials given to you as part of your admissions materials or at the recruitment information session.
- A Welcome email and a letter will be sent to you.
- You will be advised of the specific section that best fits your intended major or campus location.
When I need to drop, withdraw or late register for a course, who do I contact?
- Discuss your intent with appropriate people in financial aid, tuition assistance or VA Benefits
- Discuss your intent with your program director/advisor
- Inform your instructor of your intent to drop or withdraw
- Contact the One Stop at 828-227-7170
What is available on Web for Students?
You have the ability to:
- view class schedule
- view grades
- view your institutional course work and degree audit
- view transfer credit
- view and pay your fees
- view and update address information
- view holds
- print enrollment certification
- drop and add courses
- and more!
From where can I access Web for Students?
Web for students may be accessed from any personal computer with an internet connection.
Where and how do I access Web for Students?
*You will not have access to web services until you have been admitted to the university and registered for courses
- Go to the WCU home page: http://www.wcu.edu/
- Click on “Current Students” heading on the main banner
- On the Virtual One Stop page, you will log in to the My CAT portal at the top of the page
- Enter your username (Student ID - no hyphens).
Your Personal Identification Number (PIN) (Your PIN has been set initially as 4 digits: first 2 for birth month, last 2 for birth year). - Enter your password (Personal Identification Number PIN).
- Click on Personal Services and click on the option you need.
- If you encounter problems accessing Web for Students, please contact the IT Services Help desk at (828) 227-7487.
If you have any problems with logging on to your course, call the IT Services Help Desk at 828-227-7487 or 1-866-928-7487 or email: itshelp@email.wcu.edu
How do I access my WebCT online course?
- Login to MyCAT and go directly to your course in WebCat
- No separate login, no separate password
1. Login to MyCAT
2. Click the “My Courses” tab
3. Click the “WebCat” link
4. Click “login”
What is the inclement weather policy for distance learners?
If you are participating in a blended distance education course (some classroom attendance is required and the rest of the course is delivered using WebCat), you would follow the weather policy of the community college or center site.
For example, if you are located in Morganton and attend your class at Western Piedmont Community College and Western Piedmont Community College closes due to weather, your Western Carolina class would not meet.
For online courses, unless the WebCat server goes down due to weather, you should be able to access your course.
Also see the Western Carolina University Weather Policy: http://www.wcu.edu/weather
How do I withdraw from a class?
- To begin the process for withdrawing from a class, you will need to talk to someone in the Advising Center. You may contact someone in the Advising Center by:
- Dialing 828-227-7170 and selecting the Advising Center from the menu choices (the Advising Center is number 3 in the selection listing)
- Sending an email request to advising@wcu.edu and include a telephone number where you may be reached during normal business hours.
- An Advising Center staff person will clarify the withdrawal procedures for distance students and discuss the following options.
- Course withdrawal before the expiration of one-half of the term or part of term
- Course withdrawal after the expiration of one-half of the term or part of term
- University withdrawal before the expiration of one-half of the term or part of term
- University withdrawal after the expiration of one-half of the term or part of term with support
- University withdrawal after the expiration of one-half of the term or part of term without support
Who are some of the regional staff members and what is their contact information?
Debra Smith, Tri-County Community College Regional Coordinator
TCCC, 145A McSwain Building
828-835-4292
debrasmith@email.wcu.edu
Jim Craig, Western Piedmont Community College Regional Coordinator
WPCC, Patton Hall, Room 8
828-438-5581
jcraig@email.wcu.edu
Julia P. Wetmore, DNSC, RN
Assistant Professor - WCU Adjunct Professor, WPCC
Western Piedmont Community College
1001 Burkemont Avenue
Morganton, NC 28655
(828)433-4055
jwetmore@wpcc.edu