Enrollment Types
There are three types of enrollment at the graduate level.
Graduate Degree:
Defined as a student planning to pursue a graduate degree program. Appalachian State University offers graduate degree programs at the master’s, specialist, and doctoral levels.
Graduate Certificate:
Defined as a student planning to pursue a graduate certificate program.
- Graduate Certificate programs are designed to provide specialized studies in specific areas but require fewer hours (typically 12 to 18) than a graduate degree program.
- Most Graduate Certificate programs may be used to supplement a graduate degree program or may be completed as a stand-alone program.
- Graduate Certificate programs do NOT provide teaching licensure. (See Non-Degree Instructions - Licensure Only)
Non-Degree:
Defined as a student who is not pursuing a graduate degree or a graduate certificate program at Appalachian.
Specific types of non-degree enrollment include:
- initial teacher licensure
- renewal teacher licensure
- visiting graduate
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) or other regional accreditation - students needing graduate level coursework to fulfill SACS or other regional accreditation requirements for teaching in a college or community college and either are not interested in pursuing a graduate degree or already hold a graduate degree
- personal enrichment
Each enrollment type has separate application instructions and admissions requirements. Please read carefully through the instructions for the enrollment type under which you intend to apply.
After reading the instructions, please complete the application as thoroughly as possible. Your failure to provide complete,
accurate, and truthful information on this application will be grounds to deny or withdraw your admission, or
dismiss you after enrollment.
Submission of Social Security Number
Submission of your Social Security number is not mandatory; however, if you do not report your Social Security number, you will not be eligible to participate in or benefit from certain activities of the university. Some of those activities are listed below with the corresponding law which authorizes the university to collect and use the Social Security number:
Federal financial aid - Section 484 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1091)
Employment - 26 U.S.C. 3402 and 6109, and implementing regulations
Reporting of qualified tuition and related expenses for tax purposes - 26 U.S.C. 6050S
If you submit your Social Security number on this application, it will be used as a personal identifier for record-keeping purposes and for other purposes specifically related to the activities listed above. A description of other uses is available in the office administering each activity listed above.
Field-Based (Off-Campus) Enrollment
Some graduate level courses and programs are offered through various sites located off campus or are offered online through the Office of Extension and Distance Education. To learn more about Extension and Distance Education, you can visit their web site at www.ext-dl.appstate.edu. (See also: Field-Based Application Instructions)
Note Regarding Financial Aid
Only Graduate Degree students are eligible for financial aid through the Graduate School or the University. Neither Graduate Certificate nor Non-Degree students are eligible for scholarships, fellowships, assistantships, or loans offered through the Graduate School or the University. Graduate Degree students seeking financial awards or assistantships through the Graduate School must be enrolled on a full-time basis.
