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Graduate Studies

Academic Common Market Programs

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Appalachian and the State of North Carolina participate in the Southern Regional Education Board's Academic Common Market, a clearinghouse for unique programs in which out-of-state students may be eligible for a reduction in their tuition to in-state levels. Currently, only graduate programs are included in the inventory for North Carolina Colleges and Universities.

The following programs have Academic Common Market status at Appalachian. Students who are interested in pursuing ACM status in one of these programs should contact the ACM representative for their home state. Contact information for participating states may be found on the SREB website.

ACM Programs at Appalachian

• MA Appalachian Studies - all concentrations (open in AR, DE, GA, KY, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV)
• MA Clinical Health Psychology (open in DE, FL, GA, TN, WV)
• MA Communication Disorders - all concentrations (open in DE)
• MA Community Counseling with a Concentration in Expressive Arts Therapy (open in DE, GA, TN) other concentrations are not approved
• MS Engineering Physics - all concentrations (open in SC)
• MS Exercise Science with a Concentration in Strength and Conditioning other concentrations are not approved
• MA Gerontology - all concentrations (open in TN, VA, WV)
• MA Industrial/Organizational Psychology and Human Resource Management (open in DE, MD, WV)
• MA Industrial Technology with a Concentration in Appropriate Technology other concentrations are not approved (open in WV)
• MA Marriage and Family Therapy (open in GA, KY)
• MMT Music Therapy (open in SC, TN)

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q:  Can any student receive ACM status in these programs?
  A: No. Students must seek approval through their home states, and only SREB states participate. If the program is already open (see list above), the approval will depend on NC ACM quotas. If the program is not open, and if there is a similar program in the home state, chances are ACM status will not be granted.
• Q:  How do I start the process for receiving ACM status?   
  A: Email or phone your home state (state of permanent residency) ACM representative. The contact list is maintained on the SREB website.
• Q:  What if I want to try to receive ACM status for a program not on the above list?
  A: If you think that the program is unique (fewer than 6 similar programs in the Southeastern US), you can request consideration of the program through your home state's ACM representative.
• Q:  I am an ACM student, and I want to change concentrations or majors. Does my ACM status transfer to my new concentration or major?
  A: No. Students are granted ACM status for a particular degree program at a particular university. If the major is changed, even to a different concentration, ACM status will be cancelled.
• Q:  I am a North Carolina resident interested in ACM programs in other states. Where can I get more information?
  A: The Office of the President for the UNC System houses the state level ACM program. You can visit the North Carolina ACM website to get more information about programs in other states. You can also contact Dr. Michelle Howard-Vital, North Carolina's ACM coordinator via phone (919-962-4597) or email (acm@northcarolina.edu).