Appalachian State University

What is the history of Appalachian State University?

Appalachian State University began in Boone, North Carolina, in 1899 as Watauga Academy, a school established to expand educational opportunities in the mountain region. Its founders included brothers B.B. and D.D. Dougherty and Lillie Shull Dougherty.

The institution became Appalachian Training School in 1903 and later Appalachian State Teachers College, reflecting its emphasis on preparing teachers. It adopted the Appalachian State University name in 1967 and joined the University of North Carolina system in 1972. Teacher education remains part of the university, but its programs now extend across business, health, the arts, sciences and other fields.

A more recent development is App State's Hickory campus, which began serving students in 2023. Applicants should check where their intended program is taught: the Boone and Hickory campuses do not necessarily offer identical courses or student services.

What are the faculties and departments at Appalachian State University?

Appalachian State University organizes its academic programs across colleges and schools rather than a single general faculty. Its principal academic units include the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Fine and Applied Arts, Reich College of Education, Walker College of Business, Beaver College of Health Sciences and Hayes School of Music. The Honors College and graduate school provide additional academic pathways.

Undergraduates can explore fields such as biology, computer science, environmental studies, accounting, education, communication, design, public health and nursing. Graduate offerings include advanced study in several professional and academic fields. App State also offers online programs, although the availability of a particular major, credential or course format can change.

The academic unit matters when comparing programs. A prospective nursing student, for example, needs to examine clinical and admission requirements, while a student considering music may encounter auditions. Applicants should use the current academic catalog to check degree requirements, campus location and any admission process beyond admission to the university.

What is the location of Appalachian State University?

Appalachian State University's main campus is in Boone, a small mountain town in northwestern North Carolina. The university also has a campus in Hickory; students should distinguish between the two when reviewing program availability, commuting and housing.

Boone's mountain setting offers access to outdoor recreation, but it also affects day-to-day planning. Winter weather, limited parking and travel between an off-campus home and classes can matter more than they would at a compact urban campus. Local AppalCART transit serves Boone and the surrounding area, though students should check routes and hours against their own schedules.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport is a major airport option for longer-distance travel, but it is not close to Boone. Students traveling without a car should plan the airport-to-campus portion of a trip separately.

What is the mission and vision of Appalachian State University?

Appalachian State University describes its mission as providing accessible public higher education through teaching, scholarship and service, with a continuing connection to the Appalachian region. Its stated priorities also include student learning, community engagement and stewardship of resources.

That mission helps explain the university's combination of undergraduate instruction, professional programs and regionally connected work. These are institutional aims, not measures of every student's experience. Prospective students can assess how well a particular degree fits those aims by examining its curriculum, experiential requirements and opportunities at the campus where they would study.