2018-2019 Catalog

Application Procedures for Curriculum Programs

Students applying for admission, transfer, or readmission to any N.C. community college or university must establish residency using the Residency Determination Service (RDS) application. This service will enable students to use one in- or out-of-state residency determination for admissions applications to multiple North Carolina colleges and universities and to demonstrate residency for financial aid consideration.

Upon completion of the residency determination, students will be issued a Residency Certification Number (RCN) which will be utilized at all colleges in NC.

Visit the North Carolina Residency Determination Service website for more information.


Curriculum students entering all associate degree programs, diplomas and some certificate programs, are required to be diploma graduates of a valid high school or High School Equivalency Diploma program. High school transcripts showing graduation are required. Students using credit from another institution for course or program eligibility must provide official transcripts to Western Piedmont from the institution which originally granted the credit. Transcripts may also be required for Financial Aid purposes. 

Students are responsible for requesting all transcripts be sent to Western Piedmont Community College.

The College will accept graduates from valid high schools and adult high school programs, High School Equivalency programs, home schools approved by the NC Division of Non-Public Education, and valid American schools abroad. Foreign students must have graduated from a secondary school that is equivalent to secondary schools in the United States; otherwise, they must complete a valid High School Equivalency exam or high school program. Only the English version of the High School Equivalency exam will satisfy proof of high school graduation equivalency.

Students seeking a degree, diploma, or certificate may be required to sit for college placement tests.  Students may be exempt from placement testing if they submit appropriate SAT or ACT scores or an official college transcript verifying completion of a college level English and Math with a grade of 'C' or better.  Other exemptions for eligible high school students may be applicable.  Contact the Director of Career and Testing Services for questions regarding exemptions from placement testing.  Permission to register may be denied if all admission requirements are not complete.

Admission Procedures for Workforce and Continuing Education Programs and Courses are found in the Section on Workforce and Continuing Education.