Office of International Programs

A prospective J-1 Exchange Visitor in one of the aforementioned categories must meet the following criteria to be eligible:

There are several different categories of Exchange Visitors that Appalachian is approved to sponsor. ISSSO will work with the hosting department and Exchange Visitor to determine the most appropriate category.

Professor - Individual primarily teaching, lecturing, observing, or consulting at a post-secondary accredited educational institution, museum, library, or similar type of institution. A professor may also conduct research. Professors are required stay in the U.S for a minimum of 3 weeks and a maximum stay of up to 5 years.

Exchange student who do not hold a U.S. passport will receive a DS-2019 from the Office of International Education and Development or from their sponsoring organization, such as ISEP.  Students should use this DS-2019 to apply for a J Student visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate. 

For more information about J-1 Visas for exchange students, read the international student handbook. 

• Go to  www.appstate.edu.
• Click on “Academics.”
• On the left under “Related Sites” click on “Course Catalogs”
• Click on the course catalogue you would like to view (the “Bulletin”) and then select the College you are interested in.
• This will take you the information about that College, including departmental information and courses.

• Go to http://www.registrar.appstate.edu/schedules/index.html and click on “search for classes by term”
• Choose the intended semester of study at Appalachian and “submit”
• Select a subject (ex: Accounting) and click on “class search”.

Incoming exchange students cannot register themselves for Appalachian courses from overseas. The Office of International Education and Development coordinates registration in collaboration with the different departments. An official transcript is required to determine whether students have met the requirements to enroll in specific courses.

If you are interested in an exchange program at Appalachian State University, please contact your International Office first for details on direct exchange. Students must be selected by the their respective home institutions and applications sent from that office. Applications sent by students directly cannot be accepted.

If you are already in the U.S. studying at another U.S. school, OR you have just completed a degree at another U.S. school, OR you are on a period of post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) form a prior degree completion, you should begin the process of transferring your SEVIS record to Appalachian. This process is separate from the academic transfer process, and involves the transfer of your SEVIS record at your current school to Appalachian.