Appalachian State University offers psychology programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including a BA in Psychology, a BS in Psychology with five concentrations, and an MA in Psychology with four specializations. App State is accredited by SACSCOC and is part of the University of North Carolina System, located in Boone, NC.
Appalachian State University has offered degree programs from its campus in Boone, North Carolina, since 1899. The psychology department is staffed by 33 doctoral faculty and offers programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, with research fieldwork and applied training built into each track. Graduates have gone on to work in health care, education, social services, business, and government.
Accreditation Details
The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC) accredits Appalachian State University and authorizes it to award undergraduate, graduate, professional, and doctoral degrees. App State also holds affiliations with professional organizations that approve specific program curricula, including:
- American Psychological Association (APA)
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Council on Social Work Education
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
Application Requirements
All applicants submit an online application and a non-refundable application fee. Additional materials vary by applicant type:
- Incoming freshmen: High school transcripts or GED documentation; SAT or ACT scores; personal statement of educational goals
- Transfer students: Official college transcripts with at least 30 transferable credit hours; secondary transcripts if fewer than 30 hours; SAT or ACT scores if requested
- Military students: DD-214 or current Leave and Earnings statement; Joint Services transcript; official high school transcript if under 21; college transcripts if applicable
- International students: Verified secondary transcripts via approved agencies; proof of English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, or ACT); verification of visa and financial status
- Graduate, professional, or doctoral candidates: Official transcripts from accredited institutions; GRE scores; a goals statement and work resume if requested by the program; faculty interview per program guidelines
For online coursework, Appalachian State complies with federal regulations requiring written authorization from other states to offer distance education.
Test score policies change — verify whether SAT or ACT scores are currently required or optional for freshman applicants, and confirm GRE requirements with each specific graduate program before applying.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition rates vary by residency status and degree level. Military members and their dependents may qualify for reduced rates. The per-credit figures below were accurate at the time of last update — verify current rates with App State’s Bursar’s Office before applying, as rates change annually.
- Undergraduate, in-state (12+ credits): $296.54 per credit
- Undergraduate, out-of-state (12+ credits): $872.59 per credit
- Graduate, in-state (9+ credits): $411.61 per credit
- Graduate, out-of-state (9+ credits): $1,108.39 per credit
Students can apply for financial assistance through federal, state, and university programs. Federal options include Pell Grants, Direct Loans, and Work-Study. App State also offers merit scholarships, departmental awards, and need-based funding. File the FAFSA first to determine federal aid eligibility.
Psychology Programs at Appalachian State University
App State’s psychology department offers two undergraduate degree paths and four graduate programs. All tracks incorporate research methods and experiential learning, and undergraduate students complete a capstone course and research fieldwork before graduating.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
The BA in Psychology is a 122-credit degree that provides broad coverage of the discipline, along with general electives. It prepares graduates for entry-level positions across a range of settings or for continued study at the graduate level.
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
The BS in Psychology follows the same 122-credit framework but allows students to select a concentration: business, health studies, human services, natural science, or social science. Both undergraduate degrees cover foundational topics including statistics and research methods, biological bases of behavior, personality theory, social and cultural psychology, learning and cognition, and psychopathology. For more on which degree structure fits your goals, see our overview of the BA vs. BS in psychology.
Master of Arts in Psychology
App State’s MA in Psychology is offered in two concentrations, each including a core sequence in general psychology and research methods with thesis and non-thesis completion options:
- Clinical Psychology — prepares students for advanced clinical training and, depending on career goals, further supervised training or doctoral study
- Psychological Science — focuses on research methods and empirical approaches to psychology
MA in Industrial-Organizational/Human Resource Management
This is a separate graduate degree from the MA in Psychology, focused on workplace behavior, personnel processes, and organizational effectiveness. It’s designed for students pursuing careers in human resources, consulting, or applied organizational research.
MA/SSP in School Psychology
The School Psychology program leads to both a Master of Arts and a Specialist in School Psychology (SSP) credential. The SSP is the degree level recognized by most state education agencies for school psychologist positions. Graduates are prepared for credentialed practice in educational settings.
App State’s MA programs can qualify as preparation for doctoral study. For a list of accredited doctoral programs in the state, see psychology doctoral programs in North Carolina.
Compare accredited psychology programs by state, degree level, and tuition using the tool below.