Located among the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains of Boone, North Carolina, Appalachian State University has encouraged adult learners from surrounding regions and beyond to earn higher education degrees since 1899.
The institution built its educational framework on a pioneering spirit to overcome life’s challenges and inspire students to transform their communities through their careers. Today, that inspiration attracts students from global locations who desire to make meaningful impacts on society through their occupations.
Popular degree choices include many programs in helping professions, such as teaching, social work and psychology. Appalachian utilizes modern technology and 21st-century curricular standards to provide students with relevant coursework and experiential learning leading to competitive employment opportunities. The university’s growth in these areas has led to national recognition as an institution of innovative change and as a leader in technology and international education.
Appalachian ranks highly among its institutional peers according to U.S. News & World Report, Forbes and College Factual in areas such as best value for money, program flexibility, top public schools, best regional universities in the South, and most innovative schools.
Appalachian State University: Accreditation Details
The Commission of Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools grants Appalachian State University the authority to award undergraduate, graduate, professional and doctorate degrees. Appalachian also retains numerous affiliations with professional organizations that approve program curricula, such as:
-American Psychological Association,
-Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business,
-American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy,
-Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education,
-Council on Social Work Education Office of Social work Accreditation,
-National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.
Appalachian State University: Application Requirements
All entrants fill out an online application and pay a non-refundable application fee. Applicants should also provide the following based on degree status:
- Incoming Freshman
-High school transcripts, GED certification or home-schooling documentation
-Verified SAT or ACT scores
-Personal statement of educational goals
- Transfer Students
-Official college transcripts with at least 30 hours of transferable courses
-Verified secondary transcripts if possessing less than 30 hours of college coursework
-SAT or ACT scores if requested
-Criminal background check if applicable
- Military Students
-Official copy of DD214 or most current Leave and Earnings statement
-Official copy of Joint Services transcript
-Official high school transcript or equivalent if under 21
-Official college transcripts if applicable
-SAT or ACT scores if required
- International Students
-Verified secondary program transcripts, transcribed via approved agencies
-Proof of English proficiency as measured by TOEFL, IELTS, SAT or ACT scores
-Verification of VISA and financial status
- Graduate, Professional or Doctoral Degrees
-Official undergraduate or graduate degree transcripts from accredited institutions
-Verified GRE scores
-Goals statement and work resume if requested by program
-Interview with appropriate faculty according to program guidelines
With regard to online courses, Appalachian State abides by federal regulations to receive written authorization from other states to offer distance education coursework.
Appalachian State University: Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition rates vary by residency and degree status. Military members and their dependents may qualify for reduced rates with established eligibility. Per-credit costs include various fees, such as those for technology. For carrying a minimum of 12 undergraduate credits, in-state students pay $296.54 per credit and out-of-state students $872.59 apiece. At the graduate level, state residents taking at least nine credits pay $411.61 per credit, while non-residents pay $1,108.39 for each. Students are encouraged to check with program advisers for tuition details as rates can be subject to change. To allay tuition costs, students can apply for financial aid opportunities through the following federal, state or university programs:
-Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
-Federal Pell Grants
-Federal PLUS Graduate Loans
-Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
-Federal Direct Loan Program
-Federal Stafford or Perkins Loans (subsidized and unsubsidized)
-Federal Work Study Program
-ROTC Scholarships
-Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty Scholarship
-Enlisted Soldiers Scholarships
-North Carolina Tuition Programs
-Appalachian State University Diversity Scholarship
-Josephus Daniels Scholarship for Transfers
-Appalachian State Academic Excellence Scholarship
-Appalachian State College and Department Scholarships
-Appalachian’s ACCESS Scholarship for Needs-based Students
Psychology Degrees at Appalachian State University
Appalachian State offers cutting-edge programs in psychology at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The department has 33 full-time doctoral faculty who innovate learning environments with rigorous academics, training and research opportunities to specialize psychology degrees across several trending areas. Graduates emerge with the skills and competencies necessary to diagnostically assess behavioral patterns, design appropriate therapeutic interventions, and work with clients in diverse settings such as social service agencies, schools, businesses, healthcare facilities, senior centers or government institutions.
The 122-credit baccalaureate offers several ways to personalize a psychology major. Students can opt to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology that provides an overall scope of knowledge about the profession combined with general electives for working in a variety of employment settings. Alternatively, some students may complete a Bachelor of Science with a specific concentration in business, health studies, human services, natural science or social science. Degree completion requires students to complete a capstone course and research fieldwork. Graduates are eligible for entry-level positions or to continue with advanced studies. Students in either track can expect to study these fundamental concepts:
-Psychology foundations and careers
-Statistics and research methods
-Biological bases for perception and development
-Human behavior and personality theory
-Social and cultural aspects of psychology
-Learning and cognition
-Educational, organizational, and industrial psychology
-Diagnostic tests and measurements
-Psychopathology and health factors affecting mental well-being
-Courses in areas of general interest or concentration
Likewise, graduate candidates can earn a Master of Arts in Psychology, which allows them to apply for certification and licensure at the state level or enter into doctoral programs. The MA can be focused in Clinical Psychology, General Experimental Psychology, Industrial-Organizational Psychology, or School Psychology. Courses delve into advanced psychological theories, evidence-based practices and specialized training to develop leadership and professional competencies. All candidates complete a core sequence in general psychology and research methods in addition to individualized thesis or non-thesis activities and rigorous specialized studies. Degree completion spans 33 to 72 credit hours over several semesters depending upon the chosen concentration.
Psychology degrees can transform career expectations by providing meaningful work opportunities in business, industrial, educational, health or social settings. To that end, Appalachian State University offers motivated learners affordable, flexible career paths that can result in personal and professional success while helping others.