Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How can I add a course after the Add/Drop Period Closes?
A. With written approval from the instructor and department chair on the Late Add form. This should be brought to the Student Services Center for approval.

Q. What about Late Drops?
A. There is no limitation on the number of drops you may use during the Add/Drop Period. Four (4) Career Drops may be granted if you need to drop courses after the Last Day to Drop a Course as published in the Academic Calendar. A Career Drop is only granted due to extenuating circumstances beyond your control. Disliking a course, earning a poor grade or changing your major are not examples of extenuating circumstances. The Late Drop form requires written approval from the instructor and department chair and may be found online here. This should be brought to the Office of Advising and Academic Support for approval.

Q. How can I register for more than the maximum number of hours allowed?
A. A full-time student takes 12 semester hours in the Fall and Spring. Hours in excess of 18 are considered an overload. A student should log in to their Appalnet account to request permission for an overload.  Students will click on the "Student" tab under Self- Service, then click "Registration", then "Request an Overload".  Permission will be granted within the following parameters, although exceptional circumstances are also considered:

19 hours 2.5 or above
20 hours 3.0 or above
21 or more Requires Approval from Associate Dean

Summer: 8 hours: 2.5 or above 9 hours: 3.0 or above

Q. Where can I obtain copy of my transcript?

A. You may obtain an unofficial copy by logging in to AppalNet. Official copies are available in room 109 of John E. Thomas Hall (Registrar’s Office) for a nominal fee.

Q. Can you tell me more about the Repeat Policy?

A. See the Registrar's Web Site


Q. Will you talk to my parents/guardians about my records?

A. The Family Eductaional Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 restricts the information we can discuss regarding our students. If you would like for us to talk with any parent, guardian or third party regarding your records you must grant permission by following the instructions for FERPA Information for Parents.

Q. What is my Registration PIN?
A. BCHS students are required to meet with their academic advisor each semester. You will be given your Registration PIN during this session.

Q. How do I declare my major or minor or change my major or minor?
A. Students in University College should declare their BCHS major in University College. If you have already declared a major or minor and wish to make a change, use the Change of Major form. If you are changing your major to one that is outside BCHS, please see the Dean's Office of your new major.

Q. Can I take courses at another school?
A. Possibly. You must complete the Visiting Coursework Permission form prior to enrolling in another institution. This begins the process of obtaining approval. You will be notified in writing when your request is approved or denied.

Q. Can I take a class on a Pass/Fail basis?
A. Students with sophomore standing or above and in good academic standing may elect to take one course per semester (up to 6) under the pass/fail grading system. A passing grade does not figure into the GPA, but a failing grade does. Only “free electives” may be taken pass/fail. If the class originally taken under the A-F grading system is repeated, it must be repeated under the A-F system.

Q. Can I Audit a course?
A. During the Drop/Add period, a course may be changed from credit to audit with no academic penalty. To accomplish this, you must obtain the necessary form from the Registrar’s Office. Permission of the instructor is required for a student to change a course from credit to audit. Students must attend class regularly and pay tuition and fees. Auditors do not receive course credit.

Q. I graduate in August. Which commencement ceremony do I attend?
A. There are formal ceremonies in May and December. Students who complete their requirements in the summer are permitted to participate in the May ceremony prior to the summer term or they may wait to participate in the December ceremony. Click here for more information about graduation.

Q. I am being charged a tuition surcharge. Why?
A. North Carolina Session Law 321-89 (Senate Bill 27) and 769-17.10 (Senate Bill 1505) places a surcharge of 25%-50% (amount determined by admission date) on:

  1. all credit hours in excess of one hundred and forty (140) when taken as part of students first baccalaureate degree; and
  2. all credit hours in excess of one hundred and ten percent (110%) of the number required for a second or subsequent baccalaureate degree.

Included in the calculation of credit hours will be 1) all course work attempted at Appalachian (i.e., courses earned, courses failed, courses repeated, and courses dropped after the UNC system "census" date published in the academic calendar), and 2) all course work transferred to Appalachian from other collegiate institutions.

Excluded from the calculation will be credit by examination, advanced placement credit, military credit, and credit earned through an extension program or during the summer at any member institution of the University of North Carolina. (Note: Every baccalaureate degree at Appalachian requires minimum of one hundred and twenty-two credit hours; Appalachian does not offer a baccalaureate degree that requires more than one hundred and twenty-eight credit hours.)

Contact the Registrar's Office at 828.262.2050 if you feel an adjustment should be made to your account. Please note that transfer work is never removed from your student record as a way to avoid surcharge.

Q. What are the requirements for a second degree at Appalachian?
A. Students who have completed a Bachelor's Degree may complete a second degree of another type with a minimum of 30 semester hours at Appalachian, including all catalog requirements for the second degree. Minors are not required.

Q. What if I wish to pursue a second Bachelor of Science Degree?
A. You may pursue a second major under your originally awarded B.S. degree but will be coded as a special, non-degree seeking student and will be ineligible for financial aid. You will complete the requirements for the second major and let the BCHS Office of Advising and Academic Support  know when you think you have completed requirements so we can notify the Registrar's Office. They will note completion on your academic transcript.

Q. Where can I get more information about academic probation or suspension?
A. Click here for information on Academic Policies or contact the BCHS Office of Advising and Academic Support . We are happy to answer your questions.

Q. Why is catalog term so important?
A. Your catalog term dictates the curriculum checksheet you follow. If you are unsure of your catalog term, you may check this by selecting the Student tab within AppalNet. Under the Student tab, select Registration and Check Status to see your Catalog Term displayed. If you have any questions regarding this please contact your academic advisor or the BCHS Office of Advising and Academic Support.

Q.  Does CHS offer any Distance Education programs?
A. 
 Our RN to BSN, Social Work ,and Health Promotion degrees are offered through the Distance Education program.  See Distance Education - Proposed Undergraduate Progams for program sites, admission requirements, and application information.

Q.  I have questions about my DegreeWorks audit.  Who can I send those to?
A.  chsadvising@appstate.edu