The following links, provide you with important information to assist you during your time at WCU. These resources and student support services are available to you, whether you are across campus or across the country!
The Office of Distance Learning is here to help you! If after reviewing this information, you have a question and are not sure who to contact, contact us! We will answer your question or get you connected directly to someone who can assist you. Distance Learning Services can be reached at 828.227.7397 or firstname.lastname@example.org.
For general questions, consider checking out our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Students who are still awaiting admission to their program, visit the Secondary Applications Process page. For students who are recently admitted or readmitted to their programs (complete with step2), please start with the How-To Instructions. You will also received a welcome email within 7-1o business days of completing your Intent to Enroll form that contains information on getting started at WCU.
Check out our new How-to Instructions for Distance Students page with videos and other tutorials to help you with important processes.
Throughout the semester distance learning students have access to a variety of events. The Office of Distance Learning hosts both informative events and opportunities to socialize. You can also view virtual event offerings for Student Life, CCPD, and others, on the Engage platform. We also have a student organization run by distance students, the Distance Engagement Community Organization (DECO). You will get invitations to virtual events our office hosts to your Catamount email once you have completed your intent to enroll and a fully admitted student. If you would like to request a specific topic or event be added to the schedule, please contact us.
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myWCU is the WCU student portal where you can do almost everything you need. From registration and bill paying to update your contact information and applying for graduation, myWCU is the place to conduct most of your business. Learn more on the myWCU login page.
WCU posts our courses in Canvas. You will not be able to access your courses until the first scheduled day of classes. Once you are an admitted student you will have access to the Distance Learning Orientation page, and the Passport to Canvas. If you have trouble you can contact the IT Help Desk at 828.227.7487.
All WCU students have a student email account. For security reasons, this will be the primary tool we use for communication about your student records, waitlists, reminders, and all other student information. It is essential to your success that you check your Catamount email regularly.
Contact the Office of Accessibility Resources if you require accommodations based on a documentable disability. Your information will remain confidential and secure, and you will never be required to disclose your disability unless you require accommodations.
All WCU students must own a computer that meets or exceeds the minimum requirements. If you do not already own a computer with these specs, then we offer some assistance for Student and Personal Computer Purchases. IT Services offers Office (PC or Mac versions) for free and will help install Adobe Reader. If you have any trouble with your computer or any of WCU's online services, please contact the IT Department.
For the most up-to-date view of the Distance Learning Courses and current seating availability, use the Dynamic Schedule of Classes. Here is a helpful guide to using this tool called, How Do I Search for Classes?
We have also created the following class lists to help with searching for classes. *Please note that these schedules are updated once a week (during registration) and might not accurately reflect current seating availability. They are primarily for reference purposes.
The schedule for spring 2026 will be added in October 2025. You can view the searchable schedules of classes, on the Registrar's Office site to get ideas of what could be offered for spring, summer, and fall semesters based on past semester schedules.
You will get an email in mid-February from the Registrar's office with your official time ticket (when you can register) for summer and fall semesters, and in mid-October for spring semester. This email does not forward to other emails well. Also, it will have a subject line that looks like: Earliest Registration Time - Your Name (Student ID number).
If you need information about your Liberal Studies requirements, please see the Liberal Studies tab to the right.
Distance students can order their books through the WCU Bookstore, or through a third party vendor of their choice. Check out our helpful guide to ordering books, How Do I Find and Order Textbooks?
Textbook information is usually posted in the WCU Bookstore about 1 month in advance of courses starting for each semester. If you do not see your textbooks in the bookstore, please reach out to the faculty member teaching your course.
The purpose of the WCU Liberal Studies Program is to prepare students to become contributing and informed citizens in a global community. There are several ways to satisfy Liberal Studies coursework.
WCU Courses: The Matrix provides a list of the most common courses offered in Distance Learning Sections at WCU. For a complete list of the courses that meet Liberal Studies requirements, please check out the Master Liberal Studies Check Sheet. Many of these courses are not available in Distance Sections. For current seating availability in any course, please see the How To page for directions on how to search for class and add classes at WCU for reigistration.
NCCCS Courses: The North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) offers many courses to meet Liberal Studies requirements. Approximately forty (40) courses in the system are designated as Universal General Education Transfer Credits (UGETC’s). These courses are pre-articulated and require no permission to register or transfer, while you are a current student. They are guaranteed to transfer in and count as the course, or in the category, they are listed. For that reason, they are the safest and easiest choice for current students wishing to take these courses.
CLEP/DSST Testing: College-Level Exam Program (CLEP) tests and Dantes Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) are a fast and easy way to acquire Liberal Studies credits. You can take those tests at the WCU Testing Center. Or you can find a testing facility near you. In either case, these are a great way to “test out” of a course in the Liberal Studies program. They are cost and time effective for students who might have a course that didn’t transfer, or who might have enough working knowledge of a subject to demonstrate equivalency.
NC Community College Transfer: If you are looking to transfer courses in from a NC Community College we recommend visiting the Liberal Studies Guide. You also want to check out the Registrar's Office, Credits Earned Elsewhere, page.