Top 10 Things You Need to Know
for Academic Planning and Graduating on Time!

• Explore major options at Western using the Major Guides
• Identify prerequisites, major declaration requirements, and curriculum requirements for major.
• Find out how to declare your major!

Also, connect with the department of your intended major to get any curriculum guides available.

Knowing about your Graduation Requirements...

Including but not limited to:

• Minimum 180 credits, with a minimum of 60 credits upper division (300-400 level)
• General University Requirements (GURs)
• Complete 3 "Writing Proficiency" (WP) points
• Complete an approved major, and minor if required by your major
• Meet minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0

Your Transfer Equivalency Report (TER) details previous coursework that transferred to Western. The report will indicate how your transfer coursework was accepted at Western, including GUR, prerequisite, major, minor, and elective credits. It is important that you review how your credits transferred to Western to avoid taking requirements you have already fulfilled.

You can find your TER in Web4u under student records.

A prerequisite is a requirement or course that must be completed with a C- or better before taking a specific course. View prerequisites using ClassFinder or Timetable of Classes.

It's important to be aware of prerequisites in your major or minor and to plan accordingly in order to avoid roadblocks that delay graduation. In some cases, prerequisite courses are only offered during particular quarters. Research when courses will be offered with the department or using Timetable of Classes.

For academic success it is important that you create a balanced schedule. Consider the commitments in your life such as work, athletics, family, and study time.

Consider your academic strengths and weaknesses. If you struggle to do well in a course with heavy reading and writing requirements, try to balance your schedule with another type of course. When possible, pair larger class sizes with smaller classes and lecture courses with more project based courses.

To complete the 180 credits required to graduate in four years - a student should complete an average of 15 credits per quarter, or 45 credits per year. This does not include summer quarters.

Note: There are some majors that require more than 180 credits total and will take longer than four years. Also, this credit count may not factor in options such as minors. See an advisor for more information about your particular academic plans and timeline.

Academic Advising Center: GUR planning, choosing a major, major preparation, general electives

Major Guides: General information on any major, including declaration and credit requirements, advisor contact information, and sample careers

Major department/advisor: Course planning for major

Classfinder, Timetable of Classes: Prerequisites & course timing (you may also see the departments)

The online Degree Evaluation is an advising tool used to evaluate coursework fulfilling major, minor, and degree requirements. It shows how Western courses, transfer courses, and courses in progress apply toward graduation requirements.

You can run a Degree Evaluation anytime in Web4U under student records. Use the 'generate new evaluation' option if you have declared your major, or the 'what-if analysis' if you have not yet declared. You should continue to see an advisor to discuss your progress.

It is important to be aware of Important Dates and Deadlines:

• Submitting forms for financial aid and scholarships
• Class Registration
• Adding, dropping and withdrawing from a course
• Applying for your major
• Applying for graduation

The official means of communication between the University and you is your WWU email. If there is something important to know from any Western department or office, they will email you. Thoroughly reading all of your WWU email is one way to stay on top of the most up-to-date information important to your success at Western.

If you need assistance with your WWU email or would like to forward it to another email address, you can find information through ATUS's MyWestern Email FAQ.