Graduate Bulletin and Course Catalog

Academic Requirements and Regulations
The Graduate School

The instructional program at Appalachian State University is diversified, attempting to meet the needs of many types of students. Students may enroll in graduate courses at Appalachian as non-degree students, degree-seeking students or certificate-seeking students. The requirements and regulations in this section apply to all students. The coursework requirements and academic regulations specific to a particular program are detailed below. [Click here to go directly to the list of policies.]

Students should also be aware of the timeline for completion of milestones in their programs. The timelines for both degree and certificate students are given below. [Click here to go directly to the timelines.]

In addition to the course requirements listed under each program, students who have been admitted to candidacy for a degree may elect to do independent study under the direction of selected faculty members; students in many of the programs may also elect to write a thesis or participate in an internship or practicum. Detailed information on each of these options is provided in this section.

A new Graduate Bulletin is issued each year; while course offerings are fairly similar from year to year, the graduate faculty reserves the right to make changes in curricula, degree requirements, and academic policies. The information in any given bulletin is, therefore, usually valid only for the period of its issue and is superseded by subsequent issues.

Changes in courses and program of study requirements do not affect a student already enrolled in a degree program. In those rare cases where specific required courses are no longer available, the academic program will identify suitable substitutes that do not increase the overall credit requirements. All students may, and usually do, elect to graduate in accordance with the Graduate Bulletin and program requirements in force during the time of their first registration at Appalachian, provided that they graduate within seven years of date of entry. All graduate students may, however, elect to graduate under any Graduate Bulletin issued after entry into the University and prior to graduation provided they were enrolled in the University during the time when the bulletin was in effect. Graduate students electing to graduate under a new Graduate Bulletin must meet all requirements of the bulletin under which they wish to graduate. In order to change the bulletin under which they intend to graduate, graduate students must notify the Graduate School.

Important Notices about the Applicability of the Rules and Regulations in this Bulletin

Changes in the academic policies in this section become effective for all students on the date approved for implementation. Registration at Appalachian indicates the student’s willingness to accept all published academic regulations and rules found in this bulletin and in other official announcements of the University. In the interest of all of its students, Appalachian reserves the right to decline admission, to suspend, or to require the withdrawal of a student when such action is, by due process, deemed in the interest of the University.

Graduate students are entrusted with the responsibility for monitoring their own progress. They should keep an up-to-date record of the courses taken in their proposed programs and check periodically with their advisors. Responsibility for errors in their programs or in meeting requirements rests entirely with a student.

Timeline for Navigating through a Graduate Degree Program

 

Major Steps

Timeframe (“Required” indicates a firm deadline)

1

Apply for admission to a graduate degree program through the Graduate School.

(Required) Deadlines vary depending upon the program; applicants should refer to the Admissions section in this bulletin for more information on the application process.

2

Consult with an academic advisor in the major program.

During registration and about two weeks later; thereafter, at least once each semester.

3

Complete a Program of Study, and submit the approval form to Graduate Records in the Registrar’s Office.

Prior to the close of the first semester of coursework. Must be completed before Admission to Candidacy.

4

Apply for Admission to Candidacy, and submit the approval form to Graduate Records in the Registrar’s Office.

Master’s and Specialist Students: After the student has completed at least 8 hours of graduate study, but before the student completes 18 hours.
Doctoral Students: (Required) After satisfactory completion of the Qualifying Exam and Prospectus.

5

For Thesis/Dissertation Students: Select thesis/dissertation committee. Present prospectus for approval. File committee and prospectus forms with the Graduate School.

(Required) During the semester prior to the semester in which research/scholarship activity begins and no later than the semester prior to the one in which the thesis or dissertation is defended.

6

Apply for Graduation through the Graduate School. Note: The Graduate Records staff cannot clear for graduation students who do not submit Program of Study and Admission to Candidacy forms before applying for graduation.

(Required) By the graduation application deadline stated in the Schedule of Classes and stated on the Application for a Graduate Degree. Important note: Students who apply for graduation and are not enrolled will be automatically enrolled in one semester hour of coursework (as required by the State of North Carolina).

7

For Thesis/Dissertation Students: Complete and defend thesis/dissertation.

(Required) At least 10 calendar days prior to the last class day of the final semester.

8

For Thesis/Dissertation Students: Submit an unbound copy of the defended thesis/ dissertation to the Graduate School for review.

(Required) At least 7 calendar days prior to the last class day of the final semester.

9

For all students required to take comprehensive examinations and/or Product of Learning presentations: Submit the report of the successful completion.

(Required) Received in the Registrar’s Office at least 1 day before final exams begin in the final semester.

10

For Thesis/Dissertation Students: Submission of the final copies of the thesis or dissertation revised as required by the program and the Graduate School.

(Required) No later than 1 day before the first day of the next term. Delays beyond this point will result in a delay of graduation.

11

Students with incomplete work: Submission of work for any courses in which a grade of incomplete remains.

(Required) No later than 1 day before the first class day of the next term. Delays beyond this point will result in a delay of graduation.

Timeline for Navigating through a Graduate Certificate Program

 

Major Steps

Timeframe (“Required” indicates a firm deadline)

1

Apply for admission to a graduate certificate program through the Graduate School.

(Required) Deadlines vary depending upon the program; applicants should refer to the Admissions section in this bulletin for more information on the application process.

2

Consult with an academic advisor in the certificate program.

During registration and about two weeks later; thereafter, at least once each semester.

3

Complete a Certificate Program of Study and a Completion of Certificate form, and submit the signed forms to the Graduate School

(Required) Upon completion of the coursework required for the certificate.

Alphabetical Listing of Academic Policies