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undergraduatedistance education

student guide

Appalachian State University is committed to equality of educational opportunity and does not discriminate against applicants, students or employees on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability or sexual orientation. Appalachian also actively promotes diversity among students and employees.

contentsadvising basicsYou Said Yes! Now What? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1All About Transfer Credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2Bachelor’s Degree Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Teacher Education Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Academic Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5Academic Integrity Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5Academic Probation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6Predicting Your GPA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

taking care of businessYour Online Portals to App . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Course Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Understanding the Undergraduate Bulletin/Catalog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Your Program Webpage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Keep Track of Your Progress With DegreeWorks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Tuition, Fees, & Billing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Financial Aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Textbook Talk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14Calendar and Closures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15Site Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

support servicesTechnology Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16Bringing the Library to You! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17Learning Skills Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18The Writing Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18SmarThinking: Your Online Tutoring Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18Career Planning Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Office of Disability Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19Your AppCard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20Let Your Voice Be Heard! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20Connect With Us! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21Graduation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

appalpedia: university resources and glossaryAppalpedia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22-27Course Prefixes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28Get in Touch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

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You Said Yes! Now What? Now that you accepted your offer of admission to a Distance Education program, you probably have a lot on your mind. Here is your checklist to help you stay on task during this exciting time!

Start checking your Appalachian email account for important notices

Attend your in-person or online orientation session (if scheduled)

Log in to your AppalNet account and check out what tools are available

Complete your course registration

Check your student bill and make sure to arrange payment

Use your resources (This Distance Education Student Guide is your guide to Appalachian so keep it with you during your first semester and beyond!)

Have fun and don’t be afraid to ask questions

All About Transfer CreditCredits transfer differently from each institution. At the beginning of your program and throughout (especially after sending in updated transcripts), you should carefully review your “Transfer Coursework Evaluation” by selecting the “Student Records” link under the “Student” tab in your AppalNet account. If a course is designated as an “elective,” that means we do not have an equivalent course here at Appalachian, that the course is a 3000 or 4000 level at Appalachian, or that it does not carry the same number of credit hours as the equivalent Appalachian course.

You may petition to have any course designated as “elective” credit count as a specific AppState course. If approved, elective credit may be applied towards General Education or major requirements. Request the course change by completing the “Petition for Undergraduate Transfer Credit Form” and attaching all necessary documentation (transferservices.appstate.edu/current-students/petition-credit-0).

A minimum grade of “C” is required for all transfer coursework. Grades of “C- (minus)” and below will not transfer. Be aware that your grades won’t transfer from your other institution, just your credits and hours, so grades made at other institutions do not affect your Appalachian GPA.

If you are taking courses at another college or university while attending Appalachian, official transcripts need to be submitted to Appalachian at the end of each term to update your records. Financial aid recipients MUST submit official transcripts at the end of each term in which they are concurrently enrolled – otherwise, you might have to repay a portion of your financial aid award!

Mail official transcripts to:

Office of Transfer ServicesASU Box 32166130 John E. Thomas BuildingBoone, NC 28608

Military CreditAppalachian grants up to eight semester hours of military science credit to most veterans with the submission of a DD 214 long form and appropriate discharge. The same applies to active duty applicants who submit their current DD220 indicating completion of basic training. Forms may be submitted to the Office of Transfer Services ASU Box 32166 Boone, NC 28608 or emailed to [email protected].

For more information, visit transferservices.appstate.edu/current-students/military-credit or call 828-262-7877.

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For more detailed information about your specific degree program requirements, visit your program information page at distance.appstate.edu/undergraduate-orientation-and-program-information

Programs of Study can be found at programsofstudy.appstate.edu


Bachelor’s Degree RequirementsHere’s a breakdown of the different parts of your Bachelor’s Degree: General Education

These courses are the broad foundation of your academic program. Some distance education transfer programs specify the General Education requirement be met prior to entry while others do not. Appalachian State University’s General Education Requirements can be met in one of the following ways:

Completion of the North Carolina CAA (44-hour) core, when all courses comprising the 44-hr core have grades of C or higher (C- is not accepted). NOTE: This is only an option if you’ve been documented by your community college as pursuing the 44-core prior to Fall 2014 and remain continuously enrolled at your community college through completion of the 44-hr core.

A North Carolina community college Associate of Arts (AA) degree with at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, when all courses taken as part of the degree core have grades of C or higher (C- is not accepted).

A North Carolina community college Associate of Science (AS) degree with at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, when all courses taken as part of the degree core have grades of C or higher (C- is not accepted).

Course-by-course transfer to fulfill the standard main campus version of General Education. This option is not typically recommended for transfer students, as the unique criteria are difficult to fulfill if you haven’t been following this specific plan all along.

Notes: Courses transferred from out-of-state schools, private institutions and other universities will be reviewed on a case by case basis to determine if general education requirements have been met. RN-BSN students can read more about recommendations for fulfilling their general education requirements at distance.appstate.edu/ug-programs/37.

Major

These courses provide you with in-depth knowledge in at least one field of study. The number of hours required for a major can vary. The Program of Study (checksheet) for your major will give you a breakdown of how many hours are required for each part of your specific degree and the total number of hours required for the degree. Your program of study will be provided to you during your first semester.

Minor

Some Distance Education programs require a minor, while others do not. If a minor is required, it will always be indicated on your major Program of Study. A minor is typically about 18 hours of coursework in a particular subject.

Electives

These are courses that do not fit into any of the categories above, but they help you earn the minimum number of hours you need to graduate. For most Distance Education students, these are courses that are transferred in from another university or college. Be sure to check with your Program Manager or Academic Coordinator if you have questions.

General Education

Major

Minor

Electives


For more information about acceptable PRAXIS scores (and helpful study resources), visit lap.appstate.edu/praxis-core

Find out more at distance.appstate.edu/new-enrolled-students/your-academic-program/undergraduate/teacher-education-requirements

Teacher Education RequirementsIf you are enrolled in a teacher education degree program, you must meet the College of Education “Teacher Education” requirements by a specific deadline within the cohort schedule (typically within the first year of your program). Students cannot continue in the cohort beyond the deadline until ALL requirements for formal admission to Teacher Education are met.

To be formally admitted to Teacher Education, you must:

◊ Submit acceptable Praxis I or Praxis CORE scores (allow at least 4 weeks for the scores to be received from ETS)

◊ Have at least 45 total college semester hours (transfer hours + Appalachian courses)

◊ Complete at least 12 semester hours, and a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA, on Appalachian State University coursework

◊ Complete CI 2300 and FDN 2400 and an equivalent of ENG 1000 (ENG 111) with minimum grade of “C” (“C-” is not sufficient)

◊ Complete the speech and hearing assessment

◊ Have no Incomplete, “I”, grades

◊ Complete the Candidate for Professional Licensure (CPL) form (completed in CI 2300 course)

◊ Complete an Application for Admission to Teacher Education and submit it to your Program Manager

◊ Have a current (no older than 6 months) Criminal Background Check (students will be prompted to initiate this process after all other requirements listed above have been met)

The Speech and Hearing Assessment consists of a very short exam to screen for any hearing or speech problems.

For face-to-face programs (site based): The Speech and Hearing Assessment will be conducted by Appalachian’s Communication Disorders Clinic. The cohort’s Program Manager will notify student’s of the date, time, and room number.

For online programs: Students may either schedule an appointment with Appalachian’s Communication Disorders Clinic in Boone, 828-262-2185, attend an assessment scheduled for an off-campus cohort (typically in Hudson, Hickory, or Morganton), or schedule an assessment with an outside source.


Academic StandardsTo continue at Appalachian in good academic standing, you must maintain a 2.0 or better cumulative GPA. Students who fall below this standard will be placed on academic probation. (The exception to this policy is that students who earn a GPA of 0.0 their first semester will automatically be suspended, not put on probation). You can always view your grades and cumulative GPA at the end of each semester by looking at your final grade report or your unofficial transcript on AppalNet. DegreeWorks (see page 11) also displays your overall GPA and grades for each class you have completed.

There are a lot of reasons to stay above “C” level! Keep in mind that the more hours you earn, the harder it will be to raise your cumulative GPA if it falls below a 2.0. Some majors at Appalachian require a minimum 2.5 GPA, and of course employers want to hire students with evidence of strong academic performance, so maintaining a solid GPA is always a good idea.

Remember that the grades you made at other institutions do not affect your GPA here. All students must achieve and maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA at Appalachian to avoid being placed on academic probation.

Academic Integrity CodeAll students at Appalachian agree to abide by the Academic Integrity Code (also called the Code of Student Conduct). The Code states that:

Students will not lie, cheat, or steal to gain academic advantage.

Students will oppose every instance of academic dishonesty.

Students found to be in violation of the code may be subject to various types of sanctions. It is also important to know that if you have financial aid, you could jeopardize your aid by illegally copying or sharing copyrighted materials.

To read more about the code, including the Student Bill of Rights, policies and procedures, and other important info, visit academicintegrity.appstate.edu.

As an Appalachian student, you are subject to all University Policies regardless of the location where you receive Appalachian course work. You may also be subject to the policies of the site where your Distance Education classes are held. To read more about student conduct policies, visit studentconduct.appstate.edu.


Good grades are important for remaining in good academic standing and for staying on track with your degree program.

Academic ProbationTo continue at Appalachian in good academic standing, or to return to good standing after being on probation, undergraduate students must maintain a:

1. 2.0 cumulative grade point average

2. 2.0 term grade point average

3. 67% ratio or higher of cumulative earned credit hours to cumulative attempted credit hours

If you do not meet the cumulative 2.0 GPA requirement, your grade report will indicate one of the following:

Academic Probation (First probation semester) Continued Probation (Second probation semester) Suspended (Suspension from Appalachian)

If you use both of your probation semesters and your grades are still not high enough to meet the academic standards or if you make 0.0 GPA during your first semester, you will be suspended. We hope you won’t need to know about probation policies, but here are some things to keep in mind in case you find yourself in academic difficulty.

For more information about Probation and Suspension, visit the Registrar’s website at registrar.appstate.edu/records/probation.html.

Effective strategies for getting off of academic probation:

Reflect Examine the factors that led to your academic situation, and reflect on ways to adopt positive behaviors.

Talk to your Program Manager and Academic Coordinator Develop a plan for academic improvement that might include repeating a course, taking a study skills course, limiting the number of hours in your job, or taking a reduced course load.

Utilize the resources available to you Refer to the resources in this Student Guide and ask your Program Manager for recommendations on where to get help.

Repeat required courses as soon as possible You may repeat up to four different courses in which the new grade replaces the initial grade in your GPA. This is the fastest way to improve your grade point average. Discuss repeats with your Academic Coordinator or advisor; he or she can help you crunch the numbers to see how many courses you should repeat and how soon.


Predicting Your Grade Point Average (GPA)You can predict your semester GPA if you understand quality points, GPA hours, and how they are calculated. You earn quality points and GPA hours for each course in which a grade is given. Your GPA is the total number of quality points you’ve earned divided by your GPA hours. Quality points are awarded for each course graded A, B, C, D, F or WF. GPA hours are semester hours attempted which receive a grade of A through F or WF. Courses which are graded S/U, P/F or audit do not earn quality points.

Using the scale and table below, figure out your predicted grade point average for this semester. For example, if you think you will receive a B in CJ 4680, you would give yourself nine quality points for that course (a B in a 3 semester hour course = 3.0 × 3 hours= 9 quality points). If you think you will earn a D- in PSY 3100, you would put down 2.8 quality points for that course, because Psychology is a 4 semester hour course and a D- is worth .7 grade points.

If you are not doing well academically, get help. Very few students get through college without assistance of some kind. Do not make excuses or blame others for your academic problems. Take charge of your education. You will make mistakes, and it’s okay, because you will learn from them.

Keep an emotional balance because a high level of stress and worry can block you from studying and learning. Take time out for recreation, quiet time and reflection, and just getting away from the pressure of the academic routine.

PREDICTED GRADE GPA QUALITY

COURSE LETTER POINTS HOURS POINTS

× =

× = × = × = × = × = × = × = × = TOTALS

TOTAL QUALITY POINTS __________ DIVIDED BY GPA HOURS ____________ = GPA

GRADE POINTS

A 4.0

A- 3.7

B+ 3.3

B 3.0

B- 2.7

C+ 2.3

C 2.0

C- 1.7

D+ 1.3

D 1.0

D- 0.7

F/WF 0.0

CJ 4680 B 3.0 3 9.0 PSY 3100 D- 0.7 4 2.8

An online GPA calculator is available at registrar.appstate.edu/records/gpa.html and in DegreeWorks.


Your Online Portals to AppalachianAppalNet

AppalNet is your one-stop shop for taking care of a lot of your Appalachian-related business. Through AppalNet, you can access your University email (or set up forwarding to send your email to another account), view your financial aid award, pay your tuition and fees, register for courses, check your grades, and more.

You can access AppalNet via the Appalachian homepage at www.appstate.edu or directly at appalnet.appstate.edu. Your AppalNet username should have been provided to you at the point of application via email.

AsULearn

AsULearn is the Appalachian virtual learning management system. If you are enrolled in an online course, this is where your actual course will take place. Instructors can post assignments, hold web conferences, provide quizzes, and a lot more.

Even if you are enrolled in a class that meets face-to-face in a classroom, your instructor may still ask you to use AsULearn to get course materials, participate in forum conversations, or to see your assignment grades. Just think of AsULearn as your virtual classroom.

Log in at asulearn.appstate.edu to access your course materials.

Getting “Help” for AsULearn:

Call the ASU Tech Support Help Desk at 828-262-6266

Visit asulearnhelp.appstate.edu/support/student-support

uDesk

uDesk provides a desktop environment with software that you would find at an Appalachian campus computer lab, except you can run it on your computer or mobile device. Find out more at support.appstate.edu/answers/what-udesk-how-do-i-use-it.

Make sure that you complete your registration before the drop/add deadline for the term. The drop/add deadlines for each term are available at registrar.appstate.edu/calendar/index.html.


Course RegistrationEach term, you will receive an email notification from Distance Education when it is time to register for classes. This email (sent to your Appalachian email account) will let you know the important registration dates along with all the important links you will need to register.

The course registration process is completed online via your AppalNet account. Access to the registration system is based on your classification and total earned hours (institutional and transfer), which may be viewed under the Check Your Registration Status link in AppalNet. Don’t worry about how early you can register – seats in the classes scheduled for your program/cohort will be held for you up until two weeks prior to the start of class.

Finding Your Classes

Find a link to your Distance Education course schedule at distance.appstate.edu.

The Distance Education course schedule is divided by Undergraduate/Graduate and then by cohort/program. Once you select your program from the course schedule, look through your classes and make sure to note the six digit CRN (Course Reference Number) for each course.

Remember, if you are part of a cohort-based program (with a set start and end date), the required courses for your program will only be offered once. To stay on track to graduate, you must take the courses as they are available. Any courses not satisfactorily completed with your cohort will have to be made up (whenever and wherever the course is next offered).

Registering in AppalNet

After noting the CRNs for your courses, you can log into AppalNet to add the courses to your schedule. Detailed instructions for navigating the web registration system in AppalNet are available at registrar.appstate.edu/registration/WRStutorial.html.

Taking Courses With Another Cohort

There may come a time when you wish to or need to take a course offered to a different Distance Education program or cohort. In order to register for a course with another cohort, you will first have to complete a cohort to cohort registration request form. This form is available at extension.appstate.edu/request_c2c.php.

Since spaces in Distance Education courses are prioritized for members of the specific program offering the course, you may not be granted a spot in that course. It is always good to have a back up plan just in case! Distance Education staff will be sure to let you know the outcome of your request before the term begins.


Understanding the Undergraduate Bulletin/CatalogThe Undergraduate Bulletin (also called the Undergraduate Catalog or General Bulletin) is available exclusively online. It can answer almost any question you have about prerequisites, academic policies, class descriptions, and more. To find the Bulletin online, go to the Registrar’s homepage at registrar.appstate.edu and click on the “Catalogs” link. Choose the link for the year you entered Appalachian.

Your Program WebpageThere is a specialized webpage for each Distance Education program or cohort. Each webpage has important information like deadlines, contact information for your Program Manager and Academic Coordinator, curriculum information, and other vital information specific to your program.

You can find the webpage for your program at distance.appstate.edu/undergraduate-orientation-and-program-information.

Select your major

(scroll down) Select your cohort/program


Keep Track of Your Progress With DegreeWorksDegreeWorks is an online tool you may use to track your progress towards graduation. Although you’ll still need to use your Distance Education cohort page and your Program of Study (checksheet), DegreeWorks offers some interactive features that you’ll want to take advantage of, like a GPA calculator. DegreeWorks can help you understand what you need to do to finish your degree. For more information about DegreeWorks and to access tutorials, visit degreeworks.appstate.edu.

DegreeWorks is a valuable tool, but it’s no substitute for conversations with your Program Manger and Academic Advisor. Remember that DegreeWorks is also not an official graduation audit, nor is it an official transcript.

Remember to budget for textbooks! Textbook fees are not included in the tuition and fees charged to your account. Each course may vary in cost due to textbook prices and other course-related expenses.


Tuition, Fees, & BillingDistance Education tuition and fees are charged on a per-semester-hour basis. You can find out the current rates at distance.appstate.edu/financial.

Once you’ve registered for courses, you will be billed for the corresponding tuition and fees. Bills are emailed to your University email account by Student Accounts. You can also check out your billing statement in AppalNet. Following the initial billing each semester, your online account statement will update if you make any changes to your course schedule.

Important billing dates, like bill due dates, can be found at studentaccounts.appstate.edu/important-dates. Be mindful of these dates, as failure to pay your bill on time will result in the cancellation of your registration.

Residency for Tuition Purposes

Students are determined to be “In-State” (resident for tuition purposes) or “Out-of-State” (non-resident for tuition purposes) according to the information provided on the application for admission. For complete information regarding the determination of Residency for Tuition Purposes (including information on how to request a review or appeal of determination), visit registrar.appstate.edu/residency.

Payment Plan

The Tuition Payment Plan is an interest-free alternative for paying your college expenses. With two payment options for the fall and spring terms, you can break up your college expenses into either five equal monthly payments for one term or ten equal monthly payments for both fall and spring terms. The Tuition Payment Plan is not available for summer sessions. To find out more about how the plan works or how to sign up, visit studentaccounts.appstate.edu/payment-plan.

Tuition Refunds

University policy cites that if students reduce their class schedules (drop some, but not all, courses) during the Drop/Add Period, 100% of the difference in tuition and fees between the original and revised schedules will be automatically credited to their accounts and available for refund. Students who reduce their class schedules (drop courses) after the Drop/Add period will not be eligible for a refund.

If you find that you need to withdraw from Appalachian (drop ALL of your courses), you may be eligible for a partial refund. The amount refunded will depend upon the day of your withdrawal. Refund schedules for each term are posted at registrar.appstate.edu/schedules/index.html.

If you receive financial aid and are thinking about dropping a class or withdrawing from the term, make sure to consult with the Financial Aid Office. In some circumstances, you may have to repay funds that you received.

Financial AidFederal financial aid is available to Distance Education students under the same guidelines, rules, and process that apply to on-campus students. In order to apply for financial aid, you must first fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available at fafsa.ed.gov.

The Office of Student Financial Aid administers financial aid for students at Appalachian. They have information tailored just for Distance Education students available on their website, financialaid.appstate.edu.

Consortium Agreement

At some point during your program, you may find that you need to take Appalachian courses and community college courses at the same time. (This is called being dual enrolled.) Students who take a combination of community college and Appalachian courses in the same term may be eligible to apply for financial aid through the Appalachian Learning Alliance Consortium Agreement. With the Consortium Agreement ( find out more at financialaid.appstate.edu/distance-education), you may be able to receive financial aid from Appalachian that can be applied to your community college courses. (Note: students cannot accept aid from two separate institutions at the same time.)

In order to take advantage of this program, you will have to fill out the Consortium Agreement form and have your community college courses approved by your Program Manager. This process must be completed before you begin your term of dual enrollment. Processing can take some time, so be sure to consult with your Program Manger as soon as you can!

Financial aid applicants and recipients please note: final transcripts for all coursework should be submitted immediately following completion of the coursework to avoid serious consequences that may include repayment of any financial aid disbursements.

If you are a financial aid recipient and have courses in progress at the time of admission, you should make sure to submit final transcripts as soon as possible after finishing the courses. If you forget to do so, you may risk having to repay any financial aid that has been paid to you.

Within three weeks after finishing any community college courses taken under the Consortium Agreement, you will need to submit official transcripts to the Office of Transfer Services (transferservices.appstate.edu).



Textbook TalkAt the beginning of each term, you can visit the Appalachian Bookstore website to find out what textbooks will be needed for your courses.

How to find your textbook info:

◊ Go to bookstore.appstate.edu and click the “Textbooks” tab

◊ “Purchase Textbooks”

◊ “Click here to find and purchase non-rental textbooks.”

◊ Read the “Textbook Purchase Disclaimer” and click “I Agree.”

◊ “Books”

◊ Under the “Select Your Program” header, select “Distance Education”

◊ In the “Select Your Term” drop-down menu, select the correct term.

◊ In the “Select Your Department” drop down menu, select the appropriate subject

◊ In the “Select Your Course”drop down menu, select your course number.

◊ If there are multiple sections of the course, a “Select Your Section” drop down menu will appear. Select your section number.

◊ Click “Submit.”

As a Distance Education student, you do not have to pay the textbook rental fee each term. This means that you are not eligible to participate in the campus bookstore textbook rental program.

Although the bookstore website has your textbook information, you are not obligated to buy your books from the University. Once your have your book titles and ISBNs, you can use that information to purchase your books from any retailer.

Make sure to bookmark the closings and cancellations website. This website will come in handy, especially in the winter!


Calendar and ClosuresAcademic Calendar

Distance Education courses follow the University’s Academic Calendar. Occasionally, Appalachian’s Academic Calendar will differ from the calendar followed by the site where courses are held; however, you should follow the Appalachian Academic Calendar unless notified by the Program Manager or the course instructor to do otherwise. The University Calendar is available at registrar.appstate.edu/calendar.

Inclement Weather Cancellations and Closures

Weather in Western North Carolina can sometimes be harsh. On occasion, instructors may be unable to safely travel from the Boone area or weather at a site may make it unsafe for student travel. When sites are closed due to inclement weather (or circumstances other than routine scheduled/calendar closures), notifications will be posted at extension.appstate.edu/cancellations.php. A link to check for closures is also posted on the Distance Education homepage at distance.appstate.edu.

Notification to students of individual class cancellations is the responsibility of the course instructor. As an additional measure, when instructors notify Distance Education of delays or cancellations, notifications will be posted immediately to the cancellations web page.

Individual faculty may set a policy regarding what their particular site-based or online class will do with regard to meeting when Appalachian State cancels all classes. Your instructor will inform you if class will be held despite Appalachian’s decision to cancel all classes.

Site InformationAttending a site-based program? Check out desites.appstate.edu for detailed information about your site including parking, emergency information, driving directions, and more!


Technology SupportThe Office of Technology Services and Support (TSS) provides information about and assistance with technology related issues. Find out more at support.appstate.edu.

You can request support in a variety of ways, including over the phone, online, and via email. Contact information for TSS is available at support.appstate.edu/contact.

TSS also provides information on the minimum hardware/software specifications necessary to support a positive student computing/Internet access experience. Visit the computer specifications page at support.appstate.edu/services/technology-support-center/minimum-computer-requirements for the latest information and recommendations.

Occasionally, some of the technology used by the University may experience issues or disruptions. You can monitor the various services at the TSS homepage (support.appstate.edu). TSS uses a color coded system to let the University community know the status of each service. If a service is green, it is operating normally. If it is yellow, there are some issues. If it is red, there is a disruption with the service.


Bringing the Library to You!Even though you aren’t on main campus, you still have access to the wealth of resources that the Library provides! Library resources and assistance are available to you in a variety of ways:

Online at library.appstate.edu

By email

By phone (1-877-423-0086)

Via online chat

By mail: Books and documents mailed to you at home, free of charge

At your meeting location (if you meet face-to-face at a site)

On the Appalachian main campus in Boone. (Make sure to bring your AppCard!)

A complete description of library services available to you is available at library.appstate.edu/distance_learning.

The distance learning library staff are constantly developing new services and enhancing existing services for Distance Education students.

If you are a teacher education major, be sure to visit the Learning Skills Services website for helpful tips about the Praxis CORE and Praxis II tests.

The Writing Center provides a lot of helpful writing-related handouts on their website. Topics include: citations, grammar, standardized tests and more! Check them out at writingcenter.appstate.edu/handouts.

Check out the SmarThinking QuickStart Guide at distance.appstate.edu/sites/distance.appstate.edu/files/SMARTHINKING%20Quick%20Start%20Guide%202-2012.pdf.


Learning Skills ServicesThe Learning Assistance Program at Appalachian is a group of services dedicated to helping students achieve their academic goals by assisting them with personal and educational growth. The Learning Skills Services Office is a part of the program that focuses on teaching students strategies that will help them achieve academic success.

The Learning Skills Services website (lap.appstate.edu/learning-skills-services) features an array of helpful resources like test-taking tips (lap.appstate.edu/effective-study-skills), time management advice, study skills, and more. They even offer a website specifically for Distance Education students at lap.appstate.edu/tips-distance-ed. You can also set up a phone appointment with a reading/learning specialist to discuss specific academic questions or challenges. To arrange a phone appointment, email Cama Duke, the Director of Learning Skills Services, at [email protected] with some days/times that might work for you.

The Writing Center If you find yourself in need of writing or composition assistance, you can reach out to the University Writing Center for help. Writing Center consultants will work with you one-on-one and provide assistance with style, organization, content, voice, grammar, and documentation (including MLA and APA formats).

Consultants will work with any kind of writing, from assigned essays and research papers to personal writing (e.g., poetry and creative fiction) or business writing (e.g., resumes and graduate school applications).

Set up an online appointment with a consultant by visiting writingcenter.appstate.edu/campus-online-services.

SmarThinking: Your Online Tutoring Service Wouldn’t it be great to have access to a tutor whenever you need it? Even at 2 am? SmarThinking is an online tutoring service available to all Distance Education students. You can submit questions, schedule future tutoring sessions, or chat live with a tutor. Topics covered include math, business, science, and writing. And the best part is it’s available 24/7!

How to access SmarThinking: 1) Go to www.appstate.edu 2) Click on AppalNet icon (upper-right above photo) 3) Log in to AppalNet (user name & password) 4) Self Service tab + Student tab 5) Learning Assistance Services 6) SmarThinking

More information can be found on the QuickStart Guide.

Want to practice your job interview skills from the comfort of your home? Visit appstate.interviewstream.com.


Career Planning Support It’s never to early to start planning what you will do once you graduate with your degree. To support you in your career planning, the University Career Development Center provides services like resume preparation, interview workshops, and much more.

Many of the Center’s services are provided online at careers.appstate.edu. One of the most important services, connecting you with internships or employment opportunities, is provided by the Center via Career Gear.

Career Gear is the Career Center’s online tool to help you search for jobs and internships, get info about upcoming on-campus interviews, and sign up for mock interviews with employers who are interested in Appalachian students. You can upload your resume, cover letter, and references for interview opportunities. To access Career Gear, just sign in on the Career Center’s website.

Office of Disability ServicesIf you have a disability and may need reasonable accommodations in order to provide you with equal access to your Distance Education courses and activities, be sure to contact the Office of Disability Services. They can provide you with the necessary forms to complete as well as guidelines on appropriate documentation.

No accommodations can be provided until you’ve completed the registration process with their office. You can email them at [email protected] or contact them at 828-262-3056 to begin the process.


Your AppCardEvery new student is issued an official student ID card known as the AppCard. The AppCard is required to utilize library resources, to verify identity (when presented with another official photo ID) for some exams, and to gain access to some University services, events, or functions. Depending on the program you are in, you will be issued either a photo or a photo-less ID. Your card will be mailed to you during your first term of enrollment.

Let Your Voice Be Heard!The Distance Education Student Advisory Committee is a partnership between the University Library and Distance Education. The committee is made up of students from undergraduate and graduate Distance Education programs within a variety of disciplines.

The committee offers an excellent leadership and professional development opportunity and can be a great resume booster! Committee members are responsible for exploring and reporting on issues related to Distance Education at Appalachian, collaborating with each other on projects, and leading discussions on assigned topics.

If you are interested in participating, be on the lookout for the call for volunteers!

More information can be found on the Distance Education Student Advisory Committee webpage: distance.appstate.edu/node/595.


Connect With Us!Join us on Facebook for important event announcements, helpful tips, and other messages from the staff in the Distance Education office. Just visit facebook.com/AppStateDistanceEducation.

GraduationRight now, it may seem like finishing your program and graduating with your degree is a far-off dream. But before you know it, all your hard work will pay off and it will be time to graduate!

When the time comes, graduation information will be emailed to you by the Registrar’s Office. You will be provided with information about applying for your degree, paying the graduation fee, ordering regalia, and more.

Just like main campus students, you will be invited to participate in the commencement ceremonies that take place in Boone. We greatly encourage all students who are able to make the trip to participate. It is a wonderful time to celebrate your accomplishments with friends and family.


AppalpediaAcademic Coordinator

All Distance Education programs have an Academic Program Coordinator assigned by the academic department. The Academic Coordinator outlines the program of study, organizes the course schedule, and serves as the faculty “manager.” He or she may also serve as the Academic Advisor, but this is not always the case.

Academic Integrity

The Appalachian Academic Integrity Code sets forth the standards of academic integrity and describes student and faculty responsibilities. It is the responsibility of every student to abide by the Academic Integrity Code. The code can be accessed on the web at studentconduct.appstate.edu, or you may call (828) 262-2704.

Academic Probation and Suspension—see Probation and Suspension

Adding a course

See Drop/Add period.

AppalNet

Through AppalNet, you will access your email, financial information, class schedule, student records (transcripts), final grades, and the registration system. While you may still choose to use other email accounts, you should check your AppalNet email at least once a day because that is how your instructors and other university personnel will contact you. You will most likely find that electronic communication between you and the university is easiest to accomplish using AppalNet. You can link to AppalNet from the Appalachian homepage, or directly at appalnet.appstate.edu.

Appalachian Homepage

Appalachian’s homepage is a tool for finding answers to almost any questions you have while you’re an App student. You can link to AppalNet, the library, and a wealth of other information. Search the website for links to the websites of departments and university offices. You can also check the homepage for the latest AppState news. The homepage is appstate.edu.

AsULearn

AsULearn is the University’s official online course management system. It allows instructors to post course information like handouts or video, make assignments, give quizzes, and hold class discussions. AsULearn allows students to easily access class information, submit assignments, and communicate with the instructor and other students in the class. To log into AsULearn, visit asulearn.appstate.edu. Keep in mind you will use your Appalachian username and password to log in.

Bulletin/Catalog

This completely online publication is your guide to class descriptions, academic policies, and more. Find it at registrar.appstate.edu/catalogs.


Classification

At the end of each semester, students are classified based on the number of hours earned. Classification affects your assigned registration time and financial aid, but it does not affect continued enrollment at Appalachian. The classifications are listed below.

FRESHMAN SOPHOMORE JUNIOR SENIOR

0–29 s.h. 30–59 60–89 90+

Co-requisites

Co-requisites are courses you must take in the same semester, such as Psychology 3100 (lecture) and Psychology 3100 (lab). Because you can’t take one without the other, be sure to register for both courses at the same time.

Course Numbers

What do all the numbers mean? As a general rule, the 1000 and 2000 level courses are freshman and sophomore courses, the 3000 level are junior courses, 4000 are senior courses, and 5000 are for graduate students. These are general guidelines. Students

sometimes take courses higher than their level of classification if they’ve met prerequisites.

DegreeWorks

DegreeWorks is a web-based tool designed to help students monitor their academic progress towards degree completion. It can be accessed through the student’s AppalNet account. Students can view courses they have completed and see what requirements still need to be completed before they can graduate. For more information about DegreeWorks visit degreeworks.appstate.edu.

Distance Education Website

The Distance Education website is an important reference tool while you’re a student. You can find course listings, site closing and class cancellation announcements, links to student support resources, and lots more. The homepage is distance.appstate.edu.

Drop/Add Period

Students may drop and add courses through the first five days (or other designated Drop/Add Period) of a fall or spring semester and during the first two days of a five-week summer session. Log in to AppalNet to drop or add a course. The Drop/Add Period is posted each term on the University Registrar’s website under the Detailed Registration Calendar (registrar.appstate.edu). After the designated Drop/Add period, a student will only be allowed to drop a total of four courses during his or her undergraduate career at Appalachian.

A course dropped after the Drop/Add Period will use one of your four career drops. The class must be dropped by the end of the ninth week of the regular academic term (or by the last day to drop a class as published in the Summer Schedule of Classes). Exceptions to Drop/Add Period policy are granted only under extenuating circumstances and require the signatures of the instructor, the chairperson, and the dean of the college/school in which the course is offered. Students seeking exceptions should go to the dean’s office of the college/school in which the course is offered.


Dropping a Course

You may drop a course from your schedule after the designated Drop/Add Period up to four times, but with careful planning and a willingness to seek out academic assistance, you shouldn’t need to drop any courses. The following rules apply to dropping courses after the designated Drop/Add Period:

◊ If you decide to drop a course, you must officially drop the course or you will receive an F. You may drop a course by using the Web Registration System (WRS), or by assistance in the Registrar’s Office.

◊ The class must be dropped by the end of the ninth week of the regular academic term (or by the last day to drop a class as published in the Summer Schedule of Classes). The last day to drop a class is posted on the Detailed Registration Calendar each term (registrar.appstate.edu).

FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, sometimes known as the Buckley Amendment, mandates that, with the exception of “directory information,” no student data can be released without the written permission of the student. Third-party access to information can be granted through an option on your AppalNet account. You may grant a third-party access to some or all of the following types of information: Academic Records, Student Accounts, Financial Aid, Housing and/or Conduct Records.

Financial Aid

Make sure you understand how your financial aid works by keeping in touch with your financial aid counselor in the Office of Student Financial Aid (financialaid.appstate.edu). Keep in mind that your financial aid can be affected if you withdraw or take courses that are not required. Failure to attend class can also affect your aid, as can a low GPA and failure to make adequate progress toward a degree. To avoid problems, make sure you understand the terms under which you are receiving aid. Contact the Financial Aid Office at (828) 262-2190 or financialaid.appstate.edu.

Veterans should contact the VA Certifying Official in the Financial Aid Office once they have been accepted to Appalachian and have registered for classes. The VA Certifying Official will help the student process the GI Bill paperwork so that he/she can receive benefits.

Forgiveness

If you leave Appalachian after experiencing academic difficulty, you may be eligible to return under a forgiveness policy after one or two years without enrolling at Appalachian. Contact the Distance Education Office or Registrar’s Office for information on how to return to Appalachian under a forgiveness policy. See registrar.appstate.edu/records/probation.html for the complete Academic Probation and Suspension policy.

Grade Forgiveness Policy

The first four courses that you retake will be automatically processed using grade forgiveness. The initial grade remains on the transcript, but is no longer part of the GPA calculation. You may elect to exclude one of these first four courses from grade forgiveness if you submit a request by the drop/add deadline in the term in which you are taking that course.


Graduation Requirements

The minimum number of hours required for graduation is 122, although some majors may require up to 128 hours. Some of the factors that might increase your length of time to graduation are listed below:

◊ Taking fewer hours than advised per semester

◊ Changing majors

◊ Dropping, failing, or repeating courses

◊ Taking unnecessary or inappropriate courses

◊ Withdrawing from school for a semester or more

Hold—see Registration Hold

Identification Cards

The Appalachian ID card, called the AppCard, is required to utilize library resources, to verify identity (when presented with another official photo ID) for some exams, and to gain access to some university services, events, or functions. Depending on the program, Distance Education students will be issued either a photo or a photo-less ID.

Inclement Weather Cancellations

Weather can be unpredictable in Western North Carolina and occasionally classes are cancelled and/or sites are closed. Be sure to check distance.appstate.edu/news-bulletins/inclement-weather for information about cancellations, especially in the winter!

Parent Access to Student Information

To grant a FERPA release to your parents, guardians, or spouse to access your student information, you should log into your AppalNet account, click on the Student tab and then click on the Parent Access link. Enter the name of the party to whom you are granting access and create a 6-digit pin for your designee to use to access your information.

Parking

Parking rules and regulations at the Distance Education sites are governed by each individual site. Information specific to the site will be provided to students at

orientation. Distance Education students are not required to purchase Appalachian State University Parking permits; however, students who plan to visit the main campus in Boone (M-F) should be aware that parking fees are likely to apply depending upon where the individual chooses to park.

Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (Core)

The Praxis Core standardized test consists of three sections: Reading, Writing and Math. Students at Appalachian must earn a passing grade in each area in order to be admitted to the College of Education, or they must have earned high enough scores on the SAT or ACT tests to be exempt. Passing the Praxis Core is part of the overall admission process in the College of Education. Until this process is completed, students cannot take some of the key classes to complete their majors in education. For more information, refer to www.ets.org/praxis.


Prerequisites

A prerequisite is a requirement that must be completed before taking a course. A prerequisite could be a class, a certain grade in a class, or a placement test, for example. Similarly, a co-requisite is a course that must be taken at the same time that you take another class. To find out whether a course has a pre- or co-requisite, look it up online in the Undergraduate Bulletin.

Program Manager

Each Distance Education program is assigned a Program Manager by the Office of Distance Education. The Program Manager serves as the pre-application, admission, and support services liaison for students admitted to his/her assigned programs.

Program of Study/Checksheet

Each major has a Program of Study that lists all the requirements for earning a degree in that major. Sometimes the Program of Study is also called a checksheet. Programs of Study are updated every year, but students follow the Program of Study from the academic year that they entered Appalachian. Current Programs of Study as well as ones from previous years are archived online at programsofstudy.appstate.edu. Make sure you become familiar with your degree requirements!

Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP)

Appalachian State University’s five-year Quality Enhancement Plan topic is called “Global Learning: A World of Opportunities for Appalachian Students.” We are committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society. We help students explore the world – in multiple and varied ways. Visit the website at qep.appstate.edu.

Registrar’s Office

The Registrar’s Office serves as the official depository for all academic records. Here are just a few of the services the Registrar’s Office provides: compile and maintain academic records; provide both official and unofficial transcripts; certify enrollment status; process official withdrawals from the University; determine residency status for the purpose of tuition; plan and manage the University’s commencement ceremonies; and process applications for graduation. The Registrar’s website provides information about registration, calendars, catalogs and more: registrar.appstate.edu.

Registration Hold

A registration hold may be placed on a student’s account to deny him/her access to the Web Registration System (WRS). All holds must be cleared by the appropriate office(s) before access can be granted. You can check your Registration Status through the AppalNet Self Service tab in order to determine if you have any outstanding holds.

Repeat Policy—see Grade Forgiveness Policy


Semester Hours

A semester hour (sh) indicates the number of credits you earn for a particular course and an approximate number of hours you spend in that class each week. As a general rule, you should plan to spend two hours of study time outside class for every hour in class.

Syllabus

A syllabus is an outline or summary of a course of study. Each professor provides a syllabus which outlines for you the areas of study, required texts, extra items needed for the course, conduct policies and other policies such as grading and attendance. Be sure to review the syllabus of each of your courses to ensure that you understand what is expected of you.

Transfer Credit Evaluation

A Transfer Credit Evaluation lists all the courses that you took prior to attending Appalachian and indicates how the courses transfer to the Appalachian curriculum. You may have a transfer credit evaluation that does not include classes in which you are still enrolled or have just finished. If your evaluation still does not include all of your courses, you should contact the Distance Education Office. You may need to contact the Registrar at your previous school to request that a complete transcript be sent to Appalachian. To find out how your courses will transfer in advance, access the course equivalencies database at admissions.appstate.edu/prospective-students/course-equivalencies. To see how your courses have transferred after articulation, view your credit evaluation via AppalNet.

Transfer Credit Restrictions

Coursework with a “C” or better from a regionally accredited institution that is comparable to the course offerings at Appalachian State University is acceptable as transfer credit. Appalachian accepts credit under the guidelines of the North Carolina Comprehensive Articulation Agreement. For more information, see “Transfer Credit Policy” at transferservices.appstate.edu.

Withdrawing

Withdrawal occurs when a student drops all courses in a given semester. To withdraw, students must fill out the enrollment discontinuation form in AppalNet. Students who withdraw may receive a refund of a percentage of the tuition and fees paid depending upon the point in the semester at which the withdrawal occurs. Students who wish to return to their programs at a later point may be required to apply for reinstatement (readmission) using a Data Sheet. Visit the Withdrawal Information page (registrar.appstate.edu/withdrawal.html) for important information about withdrawing.

Course PrefixesACC Accounting AMU Applied Music ANT Anthropology ART Art AS Appalachian Studies AST Astronomy AT Athletic Training BE Business Education BIO Biology BUS Business CSD Communication

Disorders CHE Chemistry CHN Chinese CI Curriculum and

Instruction CIS Computer Information

Systems CJ Criminal Justice COM Communication CS Computer Science DAN Dance ECO Economics EDL Educational Leadership ENG English ENV Environmental ScienceES Exercise Science FCS Family and Consumer

Sciences FER Fermentation ScienceFDN Foundations of

Education FIN Finance, Banking and

Insurance FRE French GER German GHY Geography

GLS Global StudiesGLY Geology GRA Graphic Arts and

Imaging Technology HCM Health Care

Management HE Higher Education HED Health Education HIS History HON Honors HOS Hospitality Management HP Health Promotion HPC Human Development

and Psychological Counseling

IDS Interdisciplinary Studies IND Industrial Design INT Interior Design ITC Instructional

Technology/Computers JPN Japanese LAT Latin LAW Law LIB Library Science LLC Languages, Literatures and CulturesLSA Leadership in School

Administration MAT Mathematics MBA Master of Business

Administration MGT Management MKT Marketing MSL Military Science and

Leadership MUS Music NUR Nursing

NUT Nutrition PA Public Administration PE Physical Education PHL Philosophy PHY Physics PLN Community and

Regional Planning POM Production/Operations

Management PS Political Science PSY Psychology RESE Reading Education and Special EducationREL Religious Studies RES Research RM Recreation Management RSN RussianSCM Supply Chain

Management SD Sustainable

Development SNH Spanish SOC Sociology SPE Special Education STT Statistics SW Social Work TEC Technology THR TheatreUCO University College US University StudiesWGC Watauga Global

Community WS Women’s Studies


Distance Educationdistance.appstate.edu (828) 262-3113 1-800-355-4084

Admissions admissions.appstate.edu(828) 262-2120 AppalNet appalnet.appstate.edu (828) 262-6266

Bookstore bookstore.appstate.edu (828) 262-3070 1-800-ASU-WEAR (1-800-278-9327)

Career Development Centercareers.appstate.edu (828) 262-2180

Disability Services ods.appstate.edu (828) 262-3056

Financial Aid financialaid.appstate.edu (828) 262-2190

Information/Campus Directory search.appstate.edu/directory (828) 262-2000

Library Services for Distance Education Studentslibrary.appstate.edu 1-877-423-0086

Office of Transfer Servicestransferservices.appstate.edu (828) 262-7877

Registrar’s Office registrar.appstate.edu (828) 262-2050

Student Accounts (Billing) studentaccounts.appstate.edu (828) 262-2113

Tech Support support.appstate.edu (828) 262-6266

Testing Services testing.appstate.edu (828) 262-6801

University Writing Centerwritingcenter.appstate.edu(828) 262-3144

Get in Touch!

To find contact information for your Distance Education Program Manager, visit distance.appstate.edu/undergraduate-program-contacts.


distance.appstate.edu

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