2011-12 Graduate Bulletin & Course Catalog
Graduate Student Life
Athletics
http://www.web.appstate.edu/athletics
Appalachian athletics consists of 20 NCAA division I varsity teams (baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, field hockey, football, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, men’s and women’s indoor track and field, men’s and women’s outdoor track and field, men’s and women’s tennis, volleyball and wrestling). Nineteen of the 20 sports compete in the Southern Conference, the nation’s fifth-oldest Division I conference, while field hockey is a member of the NorPac Field Hockey Conference.
The Mountaineers’ athletic venues include Kidd Brewer Stadium (football, field hockey, outdoor track and field), the Holmes Convocation Center (basketball, indoor track and field, volleyball), Jim and Bettie Smith Stadium (baseball), Varsity Gym (wrestling), and homes for Appalachian’s soccer and softball programs. Admission to regular-season home athletics events is free for on-campus Appalachian students. For additional ticket information, call the athletics ticket office at 828.262.2079.
Career Development Center
Appalachian provides a full range of career services to assist students and alumni with career-related issues and career management skills. At Peer Career, the Career Development Center’s satellite office, students can receive assistance in identifying academic majors and career options compatible with their interests, abilities, and values. Computerized guidance programs and other assessment tools assist with this process.
The Career Development Center offers individualized advising on self-managed career development, experiential learning, and personal marketing strategies. Students can access the Resource Library and cutting-edge web site for a variety of resources on careers, internships, graduate schools, employers, and full-time job opportunities. A student employment program is also available for identifying part-time, on- and off-campus, and summer work opportunities.
Special services for graduating student include on-campus interviews and online career accounts for posting resumes and viewing job openings. Workshops, mock interviews, and resume critiques help prepare students for the job search, while career and internship fairs provide the opportunity for students to make direct contact with a wide range of employers.
Center for Student Involvement And Leadership
The Center for Student Involvement and Leadership, a part of the Division of Student Development, recognizes that the development of the whole student is achieved through in-class and out-of-class learning opportunities and experiences. These experiences are provided through programs designed to enhance leadership, intellectual, personal, cultural, and professional development. It is believed that when afforded opportunities for learning and growing, students will graduate from the institution with a better understanding of themselves and their peers, organizations, chosen professions, and responsibilities as part of a larger community.
Programs and services are grounded in the philosophy that all students be given opportunities and responsibilities for engaging in activities, programs and services relevant to their individual, educational and professional goals. The Center, through the implementation of student development theories in traditional and non-traditional settings, assists students in developing environments that enhance diversity, promote ethical and moral development, and provide leadership and experiential learning opportunities. To this end, the Center promotes personal growth opportunities, leadership development, social development, and student accountability through personal counseling and instruction, practicum and experiential learning opportunities.
More than 250 clubs and organizations are recognized by the University with over 8,000 students involved in these groups. Academic, honor, special interest, service, religious, and activity organizations are open to all students. There are 23 fraternities and sororities that comprise the Greek system and maintain an active presence on the campus. Students have an opportunity to learn about clubs through club expos held each year, club advertising and recruitment activities, new student orientation and by visiting the Center. Research shows that involvement can be a positive factor for academic success and personal satisfaction with your college experience. Students who become involved on-campus more often than not get better grades and indicate that they have had a more positive experience in college. Students who become involved in organizations related to their major find such involvement reinforces classroom learning as well as providing valuable hands-on experience.
The Center offers a wide variety of leadership and involvement opportunities for all students. Whether you are interested in taking leadership classes for credit, attending conferences and seminars, or receiving individual advisement, the Center staff can provide that support. Programs range from an Emerging Leaders Program for new students to a Keystone Series for seniors and everything in between. Students have access to the Leadership Resource Center where books, videos, and instruction materials about leadership are available.
Counseling and Psychological Services Center
http://www.counseling.appstate.edu
The Counseling and Psychological Services Center is part of a comprehensive program of student services within the Division of Student Development at ASU. The Center has as its primary purpose the prevention of psychological difficulties and treatment of the mental health concerns of its students. To meet this goal, the Center provides confidential individual, couples and group counseling for a variety of developmental and psychological issues. Concerns addressed in therapy range from personal growth and educational decisions to more serious issues that can cause psychological distress and interfere with academic functioning. The Center also provides 24-hour emergency response services when classes are in session for students experiencing extreme psychological crises. The Center is staffed by licensed psychologists and counselors and serves as a training site for an APA-accredited predoctoral psychology training program, as well as externs and practicum students for the Clinical Psychology and Human Development and Psychological Counseling graduate programs at ASU.
The Center also seeks to assist in the creation and maintenance of a University environment that will foster the well-being and personal development of its members. The Center provides outreach programs and psychoeducational workshops in a variety of venues to address such issues as eating disorders, sexual assault, career choice, substance abuse, stress management and suicide prevention. Center staff also are available to consult with University students, faculty, staff and others concerned about the psychological well-being of any University student.
The Student Wellness Center offers programs promoting health awareness and healthy lifestyle choices, including weight management, smoking cessation and biofeedback. The Alcohol and Drug Assistance Program at the Wellness Center offers a variety of prevention education services and individual and group substance abuse assessment and counseling services.
The Peer Career Center, co-sponsored by the Counseling and Psychological Services Center and the Career Development Center, offers assistance in career choice and planning. Trained and supervised student counselors assist students in learning about themselves and the world of work, making decisions, and developing career plans.
Food Services
http://www.foodservices.appstate.edu
Appalachian owns and operates its own food services in various campus facilities. The University Cafeteria, Chick-Fil-A, and the Food Court are located in Welborn Hall; McAlister’s Deli and the Cascades Cafe’ are located in the Plemmons Student Union; Park Place Cafe’, the Pizzeria, TCBY, and The Market are located in Trivette Hall; and The Jackson Dining Room is located in The Broyhill Inn and Conference Center.
Food Services offers a wide variety of choices in our catering department including a sit down banquet, picnic, cook out, or supplies for a party. Call the catering assistant at (828) 262-6143 to place your order. Order from the bakery by calling (828) 262-3061. Orders must be placed 24 hours in advance of the date needed.
Electronically encoded APPCARDS are issued from the APPCARD Office in the lower level of Trivette Hall to all students upon their arrival on campus. The cards provide access to campus events and fee-supported services including the use of the library, admittance to intercollegiate athletic events, use of the infirmary, the physical education facilities, Quinn Recreation Center, Mt. Mitchell Fitness Center, and door access to residence halls. In addition to the official identification function of the card, it also manages two separate debit accounts - the Meal Account and the Appalachian Express Account.
The Express Account is optional and provides for the use of the card to pay for services in Food Services, the University Bookstore, Crossroads Coffee Shops, the Infirmary, the Athletic Ticket Office, Student Programs, Student Accounts, Belk Library, Vending, Laundry (selected washers and dryers), The Market, and Broyhill Inn’s Jackson Dining Room. Official withdrawal at any time from the University will entitle the student to a refund of unspent funds on her or his Express Account.
Appalachian Express balances in excess of $50.00 can be refunded, once per year, to students who so request it by the last working day before commencement in May. Refunds will be issued from the Student Accounts Office.
Graduate Student Association Senate
The Graduate Student Association Senate (GSAS) of Appalachian State University is an elected body through which the graduate students express their concern for the welfare of the graduate students at the University, develop and disseminate ideas for the improvement of graduate education, and contribute to the formation of relevant University policy. GSAS is the representative, deliberative, and administrative organization of the graduate student body of Appalachian State University, and is a duly constituted collegiate organization within the Graduate School.
Housing and Residence Life
http://www.housing.appstate.edu
The University does not maintain housing facilities graduate students. Graduate students, international students, and students with dependents make their own arrangements for housing in the community while enrolled. There are many apartment complexes and homes for rent near campus. More information about finding housing is available on the off-campus community website (http://offcampus.appstate.edu/).
Multicultural Center
http://www.multicultural.appstate.edu
Multicultural Student Development Program, coordinated through the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership, works to create a community conducive to the needs of our multicultural students while also educating the larger community to multicultural issues through cultural, educational, and social programs. The Multicultural Center, located in the Plemmons Student Union, provides a bridge that connects and promotes the uniqueness of various multicultural groups by encouraging respect and appreciation for the history, traditions, and culture of these groups. The Student Women’s Center, also located in the Student Union, strives to foster an environment that creates opportunities for the education, leadership development, and personal growth of women, regardless of their background or beliefs.
Parking and Traffic
http://www.parking.appstate.edu
The University Parking and Traffic Department is responsible for providing parking services and traffic control for all faculty, staff, students and visitors to the campus. Individuals who wish to park a motor vehicle on University controlled property between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, must obtain a parking permit from the Parking and Traffic Department before doing so. Several types of permits are available, dependent upon the category of the registrant. The appropriate permit will be provided at the time of registration, subject to availability. Fees are charged for parking permits, as designated by the University’s Board of Trustees.
For further information, please contact the Parking and Traffic Department at 828.262.2878, visit the website, or visit our office in the Rivers Street Parking Deck.
Postal and Banking Services
http://www.postoffice.appstate.edu
A United States Post Office Contract Station is maintained by Appalachian in the Student Support Building. A mailbox is provided for most students. The student’s University mailbox address is used by the University for communicating with each student. For this reason, students are responsible for checking their University mailboxes frequently. Students enrolled in an off- campus extension course will probably not have a mailbox. Visit our website for a complete description of services. Convenient banking services are located in the lobby of the University Bookstore.
Social Order of Graduate Students
The Social Order of Graduate Students is a social support network of graduate and non-traditional students attending Appalachian State University. SOGS is dedicated to helping students get acclimated to Boone and Appalachian through orientation activities and the online grad student handbook; help finding housing and roommates; bringing people together through social programming and intramurals; and providing overall support throughout the year. Members of the Social Order get a T-shirt, access to the listserv, and discounts on most SOGS events.
Student Conduct
http://studentconduct.appstate.edu/
The Office of Student Conduct works collaboratively with the larger Appalachian State University community to create a safe and secure scholarly atmosphere, where academic and personal pursuits are achieved through interpersonal care and respect for the academic mission of Appalachian State University. It is the responsibility of every student to abide by the Appalachian State University Academic Integrity Code and the Code of Student Conduct. It is also the responsibility of the instructional faculty to maintain academic honesty and integrity. Commitment to academic integrity is inherent in the policies of the institution.
All acts of academic dishonesty violate standards essential to the existence of an academic community. Some suspected offenses may be handled by the faculty. All other alleged offenses are handled by the Office of Student Judicial Affairs and/or the Academic Integrity Board, which is composed of students and faculty. The Chair of the Academic Integrity Board is elected from among its members. Sanctions imposed by the Academic Integrity Board range from the awarding of the grade of “F” for the course to expulsion from the University. Users are advised to contact the Office of Student Judicial Affairs to assure they are consulting the most recent edition of the Code.
Student Health Services
http://www.healthservices.appstate.edu
Medical services are provided to qualified students by the Mary S. Shook Student Health Services at its location on the second floor of the Miles Annas Student Support Services Building on Howard Street. Out-patient clinic hours are 8 AM-4 PM, Monday-Friday while school is in session. An After-Hours Nurse Clinic is open limited hours on weekday evenings and weekends. Persons requiring the services outside of regular clinic hours or those needing a type of service not available at the Health Service may be referred to off-campus physicians or to the Watauga Medical Center. In such cases, the student is responsible for all charges incurred.
A current, validated, ID must be presented before each visit to the Health Service. Students paying fees for nine or more credit hours during an academic semester or at least one credit hour during a summer term are eligible for care at the Health Service. Students who are enrolled and pay fees for less than those hours may elect to pay the health service fee at the Student Accounts Office and be eligible for care. The Health Service is funded by student health fees. Many services provided require no payment other than the health fee, though there is a nominal charge for some services.
Contacts with the Health Service are confidential. Records are maintained separately from the University records for the use of Health Service personnel and may be released only with written permission by the student.
The Health Service does not issue medical excuses for class absences due to illness or injury. Students who withdraw from the University for health reasons should do this through the Health Service and must receive a medical clearance before being re-admitted. This clearance must present evidence that the condition, which necessitated withdrawal has improved and that there is reasonable expectation of the student’s ability to participate in University life.
Immunization: North Carolina law requires that all students taking courses on campus during the regular class day (8 to 5) have a complete immunization record on file at the Health Service. Students not in compliance will be administratively withdrawn from the academic term in question.
Proof of Medical Insurance: University of North Carolina System policy requires that all students taking courses on campus who are enrolled as degree-seeking in six (6) or more hours must provide proof of medical insurance. More information is available at http://studentinsurance.com.
Student Programs
http://www.studentprograms.appstate.edu
Student Programs, a division of Student Development, provides the Appalachian community with a variety of social, cultural, recreational, and educational programs and experiences. Producing student programs provides involved students with valuable work related skills in managing, leading, organizing, communicating, motivating others, budgeting, advertising, etc. Student Programs operates the Plemmons Student Union, and Legends Social Center to provide facilities and services for programming, meetings, bands, parties, and the general enhancement of life at Appalachian.
The Appalachian Popular Programming Society (A.P.P.S.) is the all-campus programming organization sponsored and advised by the Department of Student Programs. Membership is open to all interested students and provides excellent leadership opportunities. A.P.P.S. has two major goals. One is to enhance the quality of campus entertainment. The second is to provide significant “hands on” learning experiences and leadership opportunities for involved students. The organization is made up of an executive cabinet and the following student- run programming councils: stage shows, special events, club shows, films, concerts, the Council for Cultural Awareness, and the Appalachian Heritage Council.
The Plemmons Student Union is staffed by Appalachian students. There are a number of services and facilities located in the Union. They include the ACT Community Outreach Center, the Coffeehouse, Peer Career, the Multi-Cultural Center, two Ballrooms, Art Gallery, lounges and various meeting rooms. The McAlisters Deli and the Cascades Café, two campus eateries, are located in the Union. Other services provided in the Union include the information desk and the Mt. Mitchell Fitness Center, computer labs, study rooms, and Outdoor Programs. The new Greenbriar Theater is a popular location for free classic films. The new Summit Trail Solarium is the prime gathering place for students at Appalachian. Room reservations can be made by calling (828) 262-2479.
Legends is Appalachian’s social and entertainment center. Under the supervision of a full-time manager, it is staffed by student employees. A wide variety of entertaining programs occur in Legends and are coordinated by the A.P.P.S. councils. Such programs include regional and local bands, national entertainers, theme parties, discos, comedians, and movies. Recent performances have included the Dave Matthews Band, Outkast, Coolio, Hootie & the Blowfish, Widespread Panic, and Far Too Jones, to name a few.
Student Publications
http://www.studentmedia.appstate.edu
Student Publications provides students the opportunity to become involved with campus media while developing writing, editing, photography, graphic design and advertising skills that enhance classroom learning and provide hands-on experience that translates to job opportunities on leaving the University. The Appalachian, the University’s award-winning twice weekly paper, is distributed free on-campus to keep students informed of important campus events. The Appalachian Online is Student Publications’ worldwide web site containing the latest news from the pages of The Appalachian, as well as links to other sources of information. Both the print version of The Appalachian and the online version offer an instructional experience for students interested in careers as student journalists. Students learn the responsibilities of a free press by making all content decisions. This office is also charged with the design and publication of The Rhododendron yearbook.
Testing Services
http://www.testing.appstate.edu
The Office of Testing Services, as a part of the Division of Student Development, provides a Computer Based Testing Center for students to take national entrance/certification exams. Students can test at their own convenience at one of the twelve computer stations located in John E. Thomas Hall.
A list of tests offered include the GRE (Graduate Record Examination), GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test), PRAXIS I (national teacher certification test), TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), the MAT (Miller Analogies Test) and CLEP tests (College Level Examination Program). In addition to computer-based tests, paper and pencil tests are administered on national test dates throughout the year. They include PRAXIS II, LSAT (Law School Admissions Test), GRE Subject Tests, NCE (National Counselors Exam), the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test), and the PCAT (Pharmacy College Admission Test).
University Bookstore
http://www.bookstore.appstate.edu
The University Bookstore, conveniently located on-campus, offers a complete line of student supplies and services. As part of the Bookstore, the Scholars Bookshop provides a wide selection of general reading materials and required supplemental and graduate textbooks. The Computer Shop offers educational prices on computer hardware and software. Also available is a large selection of Appalachian Wear clothing and Appalachian gift items. Profits generated by these operations help provide scholarships for qualified students. The University Bookstore accepts the Appalachian Express Account as well as Master Card and VISA.
Graduate students and students in extension and distance learning classes are required to purchase their course materials, including textbooks.
University Police
http://www.police.appstate.edu
The University Police Department is responsible for protecting life and property at Appalachian by providing emergency and non-emergency law enforcement services, crime prevention, safety and criminal investigative services.
For any on-campus emergency, simply dial 8000 from any on-campus phone. To report a crime or any other suspicious activity, call 828.262.2150 or use one of the over 60 Blue Light emergency telephones located throughout campus. To report a crime anonymously, call “Crimestoppers” at 828.262.4555. For more detailed information about the Police Department, Crime Statistics, Programs and Services, visit the webpage.