Greater Hickory Partnership

What is the Appalachian State University Greater Hickory Partnership?

The Appalachian State University Greater Hickory Partnership was established in 2009, as a partnership between Appalachian State University and the three community colleges in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton region. The partnership coordinates delivery of Appalachian’s off-campus degree programs in four regional centers. Two of the four centers, the ASU Center at Hickory and the North Carolina Center for Engineering Technologies (NCCET), are located in Catawba County; the remaining two centers, the ASU Center at Burke and the ASU Center at Caldwell are located in adjacent counties. During the 2010-2011 academic year, 900 students are expected to pursue Appalachian degrees at these four centers.

Appalachian offers an array of off-campus part-time and full-time undergraduate programs designed for students who are interested in furthering their education, but who are unable to commute or move to our main campus in Boone. All Appalachian’s off-campus undergraduate programs are designed as degree-completion program. Prospective students must complete an AA or AS degree (or the 44-hour core from the NC Community College System) or Appalachian’s general education courses before applying to Appalachian and completing their upper-division (or major coursework) from Appalachian at one of the four centers. Appalachian also offers a variety of off-campus part-time graduate programs, also designed for working and place-bound adults.

Prospective graduate students who are interested in completing an undergraduate degree or a graduate degree at one of these four centers are encouraged to visit our website (http://distance.appstate.edu/) or to call the ASU Center at Hickory (828 324-6966) for more information and/or to speak with an off-campus program manager. More information about the locations of each of the four centers is available through the links at left.

What if Appalachian does not offer a Degree Program that meets my needs?

Within the four regional centers, Appalachian partners with a number of other University of North Carolina campuses and private institutions to offer additional degree programs. The partnership’s mission is to make as many higher education options available to as many people as possible, so prospective students are encouraged to visit any one the centers to learn more about the vast array of educational possibilities available regionally.

How are Degree Programs Designed?

Appalachian degree programs offered at the four regional centers are designed to meet the wants and needs of adult learners of all ages and backgrounds and the requests of regional business and industry representatives. Most programs are taught as face-to-face programs with faculty members traveling to the centers to teach and meet with students, others are designed exclusively as on-line programs, and many are designed as hybrid programs, including both formats. Most are taught during the evenings and/or weekends for working adults, but others are taught during the day. Some are offered as full-time programs and others are offered as part-time programs. 

Since the partnership’s establishment, more than 600 individuals have completed their degrees in the Greater Hickory region.

Where can I find more Information?

• For more information about Appalachian’s off-campus degree programs and the off-campus application process, please visit http://distance.appstate.edu/
• For more information about Appalachian’s main campus in Boone and the on-campus application process, please visit http://admissions.appstate.edu/
• Information about individual sites can be found at left.
• Find reports and other information below.