2011-12 Graduate Bulletin & Course Catalog
Academic Affairs
Lori Gonzalez, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor
http://www.academicaffairs.appstate.edu
With primary responsibility for the academic mission of the University, the Office of Academic Affairs is committed to the principle that providing students with ready access to skilled and dedicated faculty remains the surest formula for producing graduates of exceptional quality. In classrooms, laboratories, libraries and studios across our campus - and, increasingly, all across the globe - Appalachian's faculty and students are carrying that tradition forward into new times and new places.
Belk Library and Information Commons
http://www.library.appstate.edu
The Belk Library and Information Commons is centrally located on Appalachian’s campus and provides access to a wide range of information resources. The Library houses over 630,000 books, 82,000 audiovisual materials, and over a million and a half microforms. The Library’s web site provides access to 375 full text and citation databases and the online catalog. Eighty faculty and staff assist people in their research and manage the collections. The Library provides areas for individual and collaborative study, electronic classrooms, and a lecture hall. The atrium/cyber-café area, with wireless access and seventeen computer workstations, is open 24 hours a day during the fall and spring semesters beginning each Sunday at 12:30 PM through Friday at 9:00 PM and Saturdays from 10:00 AM-8:00 PM (excluding holidays and breaks).
The principal educational goal of the Library is to improve the information literacy of students. Information literacy is the ability to find, evaluate and use information effectively, and it is an educational goal for every ASU graduate. To help students develop information literacy skills, librarians provide classroom instruction and one-on-one research assistance, as well as online tutorials and reference chat service.
The Library has numerous special collections including the W.L. Eury Appalachian Collection, the Stock Car Racing Collection, the University Archives and Records, and several Rare Book Collections all located on the Library's fourth floor. Selected materials from these collections are digitized and available on the Library's web site. On the ground floor, the Instructional Materials Center contains resources for teacher education and instructional development. The Music Library is located on the second floor of the Broyhill Music Center and contains the books, scores, and sound recordings which support the curricula of the Mariam Cannon Hayes School of Music and other Appalachian programs. For items not held by the Library, interlibrary loan services and 48-hour delivery options from UNC-Asheville and Western Carolina University are available.
The Belk Library and Information Commons provides wireless access throughout the building and offers 350 computers including 50 laptops for in-house checkout. All computers provide access to a full suite of software for academic projects across the disciplines. The Digital Media Studio within the Library provides assistance and access to digital media creation software and high-end equipment for creating digital products. The Assistive Technology Room provides access to software and equipment to accommodate the research needs of students and faculty with a variety of vision, hearing, learning, and/or mobility impairments.
The Cratis D. Williams Graduate School
http://www.graduate.appstate.edu
With responsibility for Graduate Studies, Proposal Development, Sponsored Programs, and Research Compliance, the Graduate School consists of a Graduate Faculty represented by the Dean, who is the chief research officer for the University as well as the administrative officer for the Graduate School, and the Graduate Council. The Dean reports to the Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and is responsible for research and sponsored programs and for graduate education.
Graduate Education
Graduate study at Appalachian includes encouraging academic inquiry, providing opportunities and facilities for advanced study and research, and developing or extending academic or professional specializations. Accordingly, the Cratis D. Williams Graduate School offers programs leading to master's, specialist, and doctoral degrees, as well as selected graduate certificates.
As part of its responsibility for graduate education, the Graduate School oversees all graduate work carried out in the departments, schools, and colleges of the University by evaluating and approving applicants for graduate study; reviewing and approving qualifications of candidates for graduate degrees; reviewing graduate curricula and programs; reviewing graduate faculty credentials; and administering assistantship, scholarship, and fellowship programs.
Proposal Development and Sponsored Programs
The Graduate School serves as a major advocate for research by assisting faculty, staff, and students in the acquisition of external funding; by providing internal support for research and creative endeavors; and by insuring a visible profile for University research and grant activities. The Proposal Development staff provides assistance to the University community in identifying both public and private sources of external funding and in the development of grant proposals. The Sponsored programs staff oversees submission of all grants and contracts on behalf of the University community, including monitoring proposals for compliance with University, State, and funding agency requirements, and acquiring proper administrative approvals.
The Office of Special Funds Accounting in the Division of Business Affairs assists faculty, staff, and students with the financial administration of grants and contracts after the funds have been awarded to the University.
Research Protections
Integrity in research is the basis for the academic search for knowledge. Persons involved in academic research must guard the truth and protect the public trust that research in an academic environment has long held. The Chief Research Officer (the Dean of Research and Graduate Studies), the Director of Research Protections, and the staff of Research and Sponsored Programs are responsible for monitoring compliance with policies on the responsible conduct of research at Appalachian, including integrity in scholarship and scientific research; the rights and welfare of human research subjects; care for laboratory animals; dissemination of technology, goods, and information to foreign nationals, countries, and other international entities; and ownership of research and other intellectual property.
Division of Educational Outreach and Summer Programs
In cooperation with each of the colleges of the University, the Division of Educational Outreach and Summer Programs provides access to a continuum of educational and enrichment experiences for those outside the confines of the residential academic year, through field-based courses, conferences, camp programs, summer sessions offerings, and professional development programs.
Although the Division of Educational Outreach and Summer Programs does not grant degrees, the offices within the division work closely with all academic departments and divisions of the University in order to better serve the various groups, individuals and geographic regions calling upon the University for its services. The offices within the Division of Educational Outreach and Summer Programs are:
- Office of Conferences and Institutes (including Camp Broadstone)
- Office of Extension and Distance Education (including the Appalachian Learning Alliance)
- Office of Summer Sessions and Professional Development
Conferences and Institutes http://www.conferences-camps.appstate.edu
The University encourages the use of its resources and facilities by groups that are interested in providing educational and/or recreational workshops, clinics, camps, retreats, conferences, seminars, and meetings. The Office of Conferences and Institutes is responsible for the development, coordination, promotion and management of non-credit continuing education programs. Programs are offered to individuals, utilizing the resources of a diversified faculty and staff and the modern facilities, equipment, and accommodations at the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center, Camp Broadstone, the main campus, and the surrounding region.
Increasingly business, industry and professional associations are requiring their members to return periodically to school in order to maintain a high level of currency in their fields. Appalachian responds to these needs within its service region in arranging for specially designed non-credit courses and programs and uses the Continuing Education Unit (CEU) as a measure of academic achievement.
Camp Broadstone
In an effort to encourage learning and appreciation of the natural world through discovery and participation in firsthand encounters, Appalachian State University provides the facilities and resources of Camp Broadstone to groups seeking outdoor learning experiences. The 53-acre camp is located in Valle Crucis alongside the Watauga River, only six miles from the main campus. The camp facilities provide year-round housing for 100 people (groups and family) and a multipurpose dining hall capable of feeding 150. During the summer months, the camp operates a six-week residential enrichment program for gifted and talented children.
The University encourages the use of the camp by students, faculty, staff, community and civic groups, and constituents of the University’s service region.
Extension And Distance Education http://www.distance.appstate.edu
The Office of Extension and Distance Education is the administrative unit of the University responsible for the implementation of off-campus degree credit programs and courses. Through coordination with the academic departments, institutional resources are extended into the University’s service region primarily via the Appalachian Learning Alliance, a cooperative partnership between Appalachian State University and ten regional community colleges.
The Appalachian Learning Alliance is comprised of ten area community colleges and Appalachian State University. The goal of the Alliance is to provide undergraduate degree-completion and graduate degree programs on the campuses of these community colleges in order to support increased access to educational opportunities for individuals who are unable to attend on-campus offerings at Appalachian State University. The community colleges include: Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute (with courses delivered at the Appalachian State University Center on that campus), Catawba Valley Community College (with courses delivered at the Hickory Metro Higher Education Center and at the North Carolina Center for Engineering Technologies), Cleveland Community College, Forsyth Technical Community College, Isothermal Community College, Mayland Community College, McDowell Technical Community College, Surry Community College, Western Piedmont Community College, and Wilkes Community College.
Appalachian also has graduate degree programs offered at the North Carolina School of the Arts, the Graduate Center at UNC-Asheville, Hickory Regional Higher Education Center, and selected other locations. For a list of current programs and locations, please consult the Office of Extension and Distance Education web site.
Graduate Programs offered at a Distance: While “distance” may mean “online” in some circumstances, most of Appalachian’s off-campus programming is taught face-to-face at site-based locations in western NC. Additionally, selected programs and courses are classified as Web-assisted (with a combination of face-to-face and online delivery) or exclusively Web-based (with online instruction only).
Generally, the off-campus programs are cohort-based, meaning an identified group of students begin their programs of study together and continue to graduation. Beginning dates of cohort programs vary. Contact the Office of Extension and Distance Education on the website or at 800.355.4084 for more information about program locations and starting dates.
Summer Sessions and Professional Development http://www.summerschool.appstate.edu
The Office of Summer Sessions and Professional Development coordinates all on-campus academic summer programs provided by Appalachian faculty and noted visiting faculty. These summer programs include workshops, seminars and traditional courses of varying lengths to allow Appalachian students as well as visiting students from other institutions to fit summer studies into busy summer schedules. Summer at Appalachian State University offers students many opportunities to add a minor, tackle a challenging course, graduate early, or study abroad.
On-campus special courses and other programs are offered to teachers and other professionals for both enrichment and the pursuit of advanced degrees.
Office of Equity, Diversity and Compliance
Appalachian's fundamental mission is to exercise rigorously the transforming power of education to cultivate intellect, forge character, inspire civility, and empower leadership in the lives of its students, faculty and staff. Through the following services, the Office of Equity, Diversity and Compliance (EDC) strives to ensure that equal access to education and employment is guaranteed, respectful treatment is assured, and an appreciation of differences is fostered for all members of the Appalachian community.
Problem Resolution: Respect is the cornerstone of responsible human relations. It is the responsibility of all community members to create and maintain respectful living, learning and working environments at Appalachian State University. If you believe you have been treated unfairly by another member of the Appalachian community, EDC offers university personnel and students a neutral and confidential (as permitted by law and policy) place to start resolving problems involving alleged harassment or discrimination. State and federal laws protect all citizens from discrimination based on religion, creed, race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, political affiliation, and veteran status. Appalachian extends this protection to include sexual orientation, and gender identity and expression.
AA/EEO Compliance:Equitable access to education and employment for all students, faculty and staff is an institutional imperative, as is the vigorous recruitment of an increasingly diverse student and employee population. The university compliance officer provides oversight of Affirmative Action plans, faculty and EPA administrative hiring processes, ADA compliance and institutional responses to internal and external complaints of AA/EEO violations. Fair and vigorous recruitment and hiring practices ensure an increasingly diverse student body and employee base. EDC cultivates, implements, and monitors these commitments as fundamental building blocks of a liberal arts education. EDC provides support and resources to individuals and groups, hiring committees and the broader university community on issues related to equity, diversity and AA/EEO compliance.
Education:Education is the key to understanding the values, rights and responsibilities that preserve the integrity of the living, learning and working environments at Appalachian. Instruction in compliance procedures and harassment prevention facilitates understanding of laws, policies and procedures. Education modules are available to any class, department or organization upon request and include: Recognizing and Preventing Unlawful Workplace Harassment, Legal and Policy Issues Governing Search Committees, Sexual Harassment Awareness and Prevention, Civility in the Classroom, Understanding Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Issues.
The Office of Disability Services
The Office of Disability Services (ODS) assists students and employees with documented disabilities to obtain reasonable academic or workplace accommodations. ODS provides advice and counsel on disability-related issues on campus, including building accessibility, testing, tutoring, assistive technology, and off-campus agency resources.
Information Technology Services
Information Technology Services (ITS) is responsible for supporting students, faculty, and staff in meeting their hardware, software, and network needs with respect to academic and administrative computing. The department works closely with other campus entities to coordinate staffing and resources in support of campus technology.
Institute for Health and Human Services
The purpose of the Institute for Health and Human Services is to provide research, clinical services, and training programs to meet the needs of students, faculty, and the region. A goal of the Institute is the advancement of knowledge through research and the utilization of that knowledge to improve the delivery of health and human services. The Institute increases access to university clinical services and supports clinical internships. Opportunities for interdisciplinary research for students and faculty are provided, and training and service collaborations with regional providers of health and human services are promoted by the Institute.
Institutional Research, Assessment and Planning
The fundamental purpose of the Office of Institutional Research, Assessment and Planning (IRAP) is to provide data support for university planning and management activities directed toward fulfilling the stated mission of the university. In this capacity, the IRAP assumes primary responsibility for (a) collecting data about the performance of the university, (b) collecting data about the environment of the university, (c) analyzing and interpreting the collected data, and (d) transforming the data into information that supports university planning, policy making, decision making, and assessment. To that end, the services of the IRAP are available to university administrators, faculty, and students involved in planning and management activities as well as to persons and agencies outside the university. The IRAP seeks both to respond promptly to requests for data and to initiate studies that contribute to the effective management of the university.
Office of International Education and Development (OIED)
http://www.international.appstate.edu
The Office of International Education and Development (OIED) coordinates a variety of international programs, including services to students and faculty interested in study, research, and teaching abroad. This is carried out in support of Appalachian’s institutional goals of providing a well-rounded education, and with the understanding that students of the University must be prepared for citizenship in an interdependent world. OIED sponsors and coordinates various exchange programs for students and faculty and issues international student identification cards.
Education Abroad:Through bi-lateral exchange, consortia, and affiliated agreements Appalachian students have access to approximately 200 foreign sites to consider for semester and year programs of study. OIED maintains direct relationships with many institutions abroad, and Appalachian is a member of the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP). While many locations offer the opportunity to study in a foreign language, approximately one third of the foreign institutions offer classes in English. Although the programs vary widely in cost, many programs have costs equivalent to tuition and fees at Appalachian State University. Students who receive scholarships and financial aid can apply these benefits to the cost of studying abroad.
The Appalachian Overseas Education Programs offer students a wide selection of ASU faculty led short-term study abroad programs. Students have the opportunity to earn up to nine credit hours which are applied toward their degree programs while spending two to eight weeks abroad. With the exception of some language programs, Appalachian faculty members teach short-term study abroad courses in English. Financial aid is available for short-term study abroad.
International Student Services
Appalachian hosts a growing number of International students. OIED provides administrative support services for visa processing and immigration regulation compliance, health insurance, taxation, travel planning and housing. OIED also supports International student participation in a range of programs and activities that enhance their overall positive educational experience at Appalachian. International Appalachian (INTAPP), a university-funded student service organization, works with OIED to help orient and acclimate international students to the Appalachian campus.
International Visiting Scholar and Faculty Services:Appalachian hosts a number of international visiting scholars. These scholars teach or team-teach courses with Appalachian faculty members, conduct seminars, mentor students, and serve as guest speakers at various events at Appalachian. OIED provides J Exchange Visitor visa documents (the DS-2019) to those visitors as well as other support services including housing assistance, insurance coverage, initial transportation to Boone, and help with a variety of other logistic and academic needs. OIED processes H-1B visa petitions to enable the hire of international tenure-track faculty members. Additionally OIED provides Permanent Residency visa processing and immigration-related services to these faculty members. The International Faculty, Staff, and Spouse Association (IFSSA) is a vital support resource for all international faculty, staff and their families.
International Research And Development:OIED facilitates international collaborative research and development activities by providing technical support and assistance to faculty and staff. It seeks and locates sources of funds to enable faculty, staff, and students to become involved in international collaborative research and development activities. OIED coordinates the development of international project proposals in collaboration with faculty and staff.
Mathematics and Science Education Center
The Appalachian Mathematics and Science Education Center is one of eleven centers that are part of the North Carolina Mathematics and Science Education Network. The centers are located on ten University of North Carolina campuses and at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. The mission of the NC-MSEN is to improve the quality and quantity of mathematics and science teachers in the state. Consequently, the center offers courses, workshops, institutes, and conferences, both on campus and at various sites throughout the region for teachers and students preparing to teach.
The center is located in rooms 220, 221 and 222 of Walker Hall and houses a vast array of science and mathematics materials which can be checked out and used not only by Appalachian faculty and area public school teachers, but by students as well. Science and mathematics manipulative kits, journals, video tapes, textbooks, and models are available for use by students enrolled in methods classes or who are student teaching. Appalachian faculty and students are welcome to come in and browse through the center's materials.
Office of Student Research
The Office of Student Research (OSR) works to promote and support research and creative activity of undergraduate and graduate students, particularly activities conducted in collaboration with members of the faculty at Appalachian State University. The primary functions of the OSR are: advocacy for student-faculty research; identifying and pursuing sources of external and internal support for that research; seeking, collecting and disseminating information regarding student-faculty research opportunities; cooperating with other campus units to identify or create research opportunities; coordinating the university’s annual Celebration of Student Research and Creative Endeavors; contributing to the UNC-Office of the President Undergraduate Research Consortium; and participating in national dialogues/meetings devoted to promoting student research.
Research Institute for Energy, Economics, and the Environment
http://www.rieee.appstate.edu/
Appalachian’s Research Institute for Environment, Energy, and Economics (RIEEE) was established in November 2008 to enhance research opportunities for faculty and students whose interests are associated with environmental science, renewable energy and economics. The Institute serves as an umbrella organization for three centers including The Appalachian Energy Center and the Center for Economic Research and Policy Analysis (CERPA), which currently exist, and the Southern Appalachian Environmental Research and Education Center (SAEREC), which has been proposed. The Centers represent the three major elements of research and educational outreach concerning the the environment, energy, and economics.
William C. Hubbard Center for Faculty Development
http://www.hubbard.appstate.edu
The Hubbard Center for Faculty Development provides support and leadership to faculty members and departments in the development of innovative pedagogies; interdisciplinary teaching; “across the curriculum” competencies; appropriate uses of instructional technology; outcomes-based assessment; scholarly agendas; valid, reliable and efficient faculty evaluation processes; preparation for administrative roles; preparation for global competencies; and effective planning for different career stages. The Hubbard Center is located in the Old Library Classroom Building.