Become an educator!
Prospective students are invited to discover the Reich College of Education (RCOE) at Appalachian State University:
- Visit the Admissions page to apply to Appalachian
- Explore RCOE undergraduate and graduate programs
- Learn about distance education opportunities
- Schedule a visit to learn more
Already an Appalachian student, learn more about applying to the Reich College of Education.
Choose the Reich College of Education
Preparing Quality Educators - Past, Present and Future
- Appalachian was first founded as a teaching college in 1899
- 6 undergraduate majors, 13 graduate majors, 1 doctoral program
- Elementary Education is one of Appalachian's top 10 majors
- One of the largest teacher preparation programs in the state with over 2,000 students
Focus on Student Success
- Over 375 students were awarded almost $950,000 in scholarships for the 2020-21 academic year - more than any other college at Appalachian
- 100 full-time faculty members
- Average class size:
- Undergraduate: 27 students
- Graduate: 15 students
- Doctoral: 10 students
- International opportunities in 7 countries
- Graduates approximately 400 teachers per year
- Ranked 1st of Top 50 Alma Maters by Total Number of National Board Certified Teachers for 2021 - sixth consecutive year
- Almost all 100 counties in North Carolina employ an RCOE teacher or administrator
Award-winning Faculty and Alumni
- Eleven alumni named Beginning Teacher of the Year for the 2019-2020 academic year; three are finalists for the NCCAT 2021 Prudential NC BTOY.
- Fulbright Fellowships: Dr. Paul Wallace (2019-2020), Dr. Vachel Miller (2015-2016), Dr. John Tashner (2014).
- UNC Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching: Dr. Tracy Wilson Smith (2017).
- North Carolina Teacher of the Year: Keana Triplett '05 '12 (2014-2015), Darcy Grimes ’06 (2012-2013).
- Meghan LeFevers ‘07 was selected as the sole North Carolina Milken Educator Award Winner for 2017-18.
- Dr. Jim Brooks ’85 ’97 ’11 was one of five U.S. educators inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame, Class of 2012.