Reich College of Education

Accelerated Master's: Earn both your Appalachian bachelor's & master's in teacher education!

The Reich College of Education in partnership with the Cratis D. Williams Graduate School offers undergraduate students the opportunity to participate in an Accelerated Master's program. 

The following programs are offered in the College of Education: 

• Higher Education (Leadership and Educational Studies)
• Reading Education (Reading Education )
• Special Education (Special Education)

Why a master's? 

• More marketable to future employers - have more tools in your toolbox
• Be an expert and highly qualified in your field of study
• Additional experiential learning opportunities
• Gain master's level licensure
• Potential to teach at a community college or university
• Opportunity to move even further in your education, including our own Ed.D. program or other Ph.D. programs
• Gain more specialized knowledge to help more students succeed

How to Apply

You will need the following items:

1. Resume  - Learn More about resume assistance 

2. Three academic recommendations - Learn More about reference tips, and learn more about best practices from Career Development. 

You are eligible to apply if you meet all of the criteria below:

• Are enrolled as an undergraduate student at Appalachian State University and have a minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA. 
• Are ready to enter your final year of enrollment in your undergraduate degree program here at Appalachian, with 90 hours completed by the end of the application semester. (Applications from students not yet at 90 hours will be held until the end of the term.)

Timeline

These are generalized timelines for the admission process. 

Before Reaching 90 Credit Hours 

• Attend an advertised information session 

After Reaching 90 Credit Hours And One Year Out From Graduation

• Meet with your Program Director  to discuss options
• Apply to Graduate School

Application Instructions:

• Click on the appropriate Apply Now link below for the term* for which you plan to apply.
• Click on "Create an Account" and follow the instructions to set up your application account or, if you already have an account, simply login to your account.
• Click on Start New Application
• A pop-up box should appear displaying "20xx-xx Graduate Applications" with "Accelerated Master's" below it. Click on Create Application to start your application.

* Your proposed admission Term* for your application must be after you graduate from your undergraduate degree program. 

For example, May graduates will apply for admission to the graduate program for Summer 1 unless otherwise instructed by the graduate program.

Questions? 

• Contact crumbleylm@appstate.edu.
• Attend an information session
• For more information, once you have been admitted, visit the Graduate School Page to get step-by-step instructions.
• Please note that students must maintain a "B" or better in their graduate courses in order for them to transfer in after completing their undergraduate program.
• Please note that distance education students taking graduate courses through the main campus will have to pay main campus tuition. 
• Please review this video on how to request an overload if needed. 
• Be sure to apply for a graduate assistantship!