About

Internationalizing Appalachian

Appalachian State University combines a strong liberal arts foundation with a comprehensive, pervasive, and integrated commitment to internationalization. The mission of internationalization efforts at Appalachian is to develop awareness, knowledge, appreciation, and respect of cultural differences in both domestic and international contexts in its students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding communities.

Mission, Vision, and Core Values

The Office of International Education and Development (OIED) is responsible for spearheading the internationalization efforts at Appalachian. Through the curriculum, co-curricular and extracurricular activities, relationships with scholars and students from around the world, education abroad programs, grants, and scholarships for collaborative research abroad, and numerous cross-cultural programs, Appalachian creates opportunities for students to understand the world and be active participants in it. Appalachian has committed to engage students in diverse experiences at home and abroad to increase their knowledge of global issues, regions, and cultures; improve their intercultural skills, and develop attitudes that cultivate global citizenship.

Mission

The internationalization mission of Appalachian is to develop awareness, knowledge, appreciation, and respect of cultural differences in both domestic and international contexts in its students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding communities. The University is also dedicated to creating a campus environment that builds the theoretical and practical skills needed to interact effectively in a global society.

Vision

Appalachian will be an institution of national and international repute that incorporates global content into its curriculum, co-curriculum, research, and service to enhance the relevance of its educational programs in an interdependent world, resulting in graduates who are knowledgeable and responsible global citizens and leaders.

Core Values

Appalachian faculty members, staff, and students are committed to:

  • Active international scholarship.
  • Globally infused curriculum and co-curriculum.
  • Cross-cultural tolerance, respect, and sensitivity.
  • International diversity of students, faculty, and staff.
  • Traditional and non-traditional international education.
  • Engagement in the global community.

International Studies at Appalachian

Appalachian offers more than 100 international courses. These programs and courses include:

  • Bachelor of Arts degree in Global Studies
  • Bachelor of Arts degrees in French and Spanish 
  • Bachelor of Science degrees in French Education and Spanish Education (for K-12 Teaching)
  • Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree with a concentration in International Studies
  • Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science with a concentration in International and Comparative Politics
  • Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in International Business, as well as International Economics and Business Options (See the Department of Economics listed under the Walker College of Business)
  • Minors are also offered in Global Studies, International Business, French, TESL/Applied Linguistics, Spanish, German, and Chinese. (For description of International Business minor, see listing under the Walker College of Business)
  • Foreign language courses are offered in French, German, and Spanish, as well as the beginner’s level in Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Latin, and Russian