How-to Instructions for Distance Students
Welcome. Here you will find our library of instructional materials for admitted Distance
Learning Students. For information regarding tutoring, advising, financial aid, billing
and more, visit the Current Students Page. For students who have completed their Intent to Enroll form, you can also access
the Canvas Orientation Module within your Canvas page. For students still in the admissions process, visit the Secondary Applicaiton Processes Page.
Common "how tos" for distance students
You will get access to your Catamount email once you have been admitted to your program.
To activate your Catamount mail account:
1. Go to http://email.wcu.edu
2. Type in your username and password (will be first part of your catamount email
before the @ and you regular password)
3. You may be prompted to either enroll in multi factor authentication or you will
have to have a code sent to another device to log in
4. Following this you should be able to access your email account from the specific
device you are currently using without having to do step 3
If you need to reset your password, you should visit the .
Once you set up your e-mail account you will also be able to access your e-mail from your MyWCU homepage.
A short video walking through the process for running a Degree Evaluation with Degree Works
A short video explaining how to read your Degree Evaluation (Degree Works)
A short tutorial about searching for classes using the .
A brief instructional document explaining how to register for a course.
Business Majors (Business Law, Management, Marketing, Finance, & Entrepreneurship) -
RN to BSN - Degree Planning Sheets
RIBN - Degree Planning Sheets
These are the only programs at this time with formal degree planning tools. For planning a degree outside of those listed above, we recommend attending one of our virtual orientation sessions on Degree Evaluation and Planning 101 usually hosted 2-3 times per semester via Zoom on a weekday evening.
Instructional document explaining Bookstore's look up tool. If you do not see a textbook listed for your upcoming course, you can email you professor or wait till the class begins to confirm your textbook needs.
Distance students are not required to attend in-person orientation. We offer optional virtual orientation sessions prior to the semester starting via Zoom in the evenings. Information regarding these sessions is emailed to admitted students. Note: There are program nights that are required for EMC, RN to BSN, and Business students, but not every orientation sessions.
Students can also access the Distance Orientation Module in Canvas once they are admitted to their program, which has lots of resources for incoming distance students. Also, quite a few programs have their own Canvas Modules designed for their major, so be on the lookout for that as well.
Instructions: How Do I Set Up a Proxy Code
The proxy passphrase will allow offices at WCU discuss your unique student situation by helping verifying your identity. You can also set up a proxy passphrase for a family member as well, so that they can acces certain aspects of your account.
Distance students are welcome to request a Cat Card (WCU ID) be mailed to them. Visit the Cat Card Office page for information on this process, and to request a card be mailed.
There are a few ways to get involved as a distance learning student, but the number top two ways to feel more connected to WCU are to join our , and to attend our virtual events. Virtual events are hosted during business days, but usually after 6pm EST, so that you can get home and get settled before you join. You will get invited to these events via your Catamount Email once you are admitted to your program.
As a distance student you can also come to campus to attend events, including sporting events. You will just need to request a Cat Card to attend sporting events. If you wish to bring guests, they will need to purchase tickets to attend, and if you want to sit with them (outside of the student section) you will need to get a ticket for yourself as well.
You are also welcome to join any campus organizaiton that WCU offers - visit Engage for more information on campus organizations. We would recommend if you plan to join a campus organization you reach out to their President to see if they do any kind of virtual opportunities for engagement. Two organizations that we are aware of that already do virtual events for distance students are the , and the .
Distance students are eligible for Dean's List, Chancellor's List, Latin Honors at graduation, and are eligible to join the Alpha Sigma Lamda Honors Society for adult learners. You will get more information from Tony Miller (agmiller@wcu.edu) once you meet qualifications for ASL.