Academic Programs

Requirements for the Baccalaureate Degree

Students receiving a baccalaureate degree must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 120 semester hours of credit. Majors requiring more than 120 hours for graduation indicate this in their program descriptions. The requirements for the degree are distributed within four primary areas—the core curriculum, the major field of study, cognate courses, and electives. Some courses satisfy requirements in more than one area, and some requirements may be satisfied by a proficiency examination. Therefore, the numbers listed below for the core curriculum are an estimate only; the exact number of credits in the core curriculum will depend upon the student’s interest in terms of the major field of study and the electives.

UNCA Core Curriculum

University of North Carolina Asheville’s general education program reflects UNC Asheville’s identity as the liberal arts and sciences university of the UNC System. As such, it cultivates students’ sense of belonging to and stewardship of local, national, and global places, while delivering a transformative education based on the liberal arts tradition of free and open inquiry, ethical reasoning, and interpersonal growth.

UNC Asheville’s general education curriculum begins with a first-year experience that introduces students to campus, the local region, and the foundations of a liberal arts education. Students hone these liberal arts skills and competencies by taking six Disciplinary Foundations courses, where they acquire a breadth of knowledge about different academic disciplines and methodologies to supplement their in-depth study of a major. These disciplinary courses ensure that students have the opportunity to explore and experience varied content, methodologies, and approaches from across campus, all while fulfilling SLO’s that will aid and support them in their majors and future careers. Students then reflect on their place within the United States and the world in two Interdisciplinary Intensive courses that challenge them to examine the nation’s democratic ideals (FAD) and think critically about their roles as global citizens (Senior-Year Seminar).

Courses approved to satisfy the specific requirements of the core curriculum (see below) may be found on the Office of the Registrar website, https://registrar.unca.edu/academics/core-curriculum/.
The course credit hours listed below for each requirement are stated as the minimum credit hours required.

Core Curriculum Requirements

Top

Descriptions of the Core Curriculum Requirements

First-Year Seminar (3-4 semester hours)

The First-Year Seminar, FYS 178, introduces students to education in a liberal arts environment, assisting them in making the transition to UNC Asheville. FYS 178 is required for all incoming first-year students. The class must be taken during the first semester of enrollment. To facilitate the first‐year college student’s transition to UNC Asheville, FYS 178 will address topics that are important to a “first year experience,” including academic advising, effective use of college resources, and an appreciation of the rhythms of the academic year. Further, FYS 178 includes content and experiences that help students study and engage with the unique cultures,
communities, and landscapes of Asheville and the region through a variety of disciplinary subjects and perspectives. The class also introduces students to opportunities specific to our campus, supports them in understanding it within the context of civic and academic communities, and encourages them to reflect on their ability to influence and affect each. As part of the course, students engage in value exploration and begin to reflect and plan how those values connect to academic and professional goals. The First-Year Seminar is open to first-year students only. May not be used to fulfill major or minor requirements. Students may receive
credit for only one section of FYS 178.

Academic Writing and Critical Inquiry (4 semester hours)

LANG 120, Academic Writing and Critical Inquiry, emphasizes writing as a tool of discovery and analysis; practice in active, critical reading; and attention to rhetorical situations and choices. It also introduces students to various discourse communities, modes, and conventions; research and information literacy skills, and the revision process. LANG 120 must be completed within the first two semesters of enrollment at UNC Asheville.

Proficiency in Writing. A grade of C- or better in LANG 120 is necessary to demonstrate proficiency for the requirement. Students who fail to demonstrate proficiency must repeat LANG 120.

Disciplinary Foundation: Humanities (4 semester hours)

Humanistic inquiry raises awareness of the history and variety of human culture. While students will take a course in a particular discipline, all humanities classes involve close reading, discussion, and gradual refinement of the student’s capacity for written and oral response.

Disciplinary Foundation: Arts (3-4 semester hours)

Courses for the Arts requirement examine the significance of the arts in the human experience, the cultural context of creative composition and performance, the foundations of aesthetic values, and the communicative function of the arts. In addition to stand-alone ARTS courses, many courses across the curriculum satisfy this requirement.

Disciplinary Foundation: Social Sciences (3-4 semester hours)

Social science courses employ observational and experimental methods to examine and predict behavioral and organizational processes in understanding human beings and the connections of a global community.

Disciplinary Foundation: Natural Sciences (4 semester hours)

Science expands our knowledge of the natural world through empirical observation and experimentation. Since understanding the methods of science is critical to evaluating its quality and value, students are required to complete a lecture and laboratory course or a two-course combination of lecture and laboratory devoted to the investigation of scientific knowledge and its methodology.

Disciplinary Foundation: Quantitative Reasoning (4 semester hours)

Quantitative Reasoning courses provide a foundation in working with data and/or mathematical reasoning. The study of mathematics and statistics facilitates the development of critical thinking and analytical skills. Such courses demonstrate the application of mathematical and statistical techniques to real world problems across a wide range of application domains. MATH and STAT prefixed courses can be used to fulfill this requirement.

Science expands our knowledge of the natural world through empirical observation and experimentation. Since understanding the methods of science is critical to evaluating its quality and value, students are required to complete a lecture and laboratory course or a two-course combination of lecture and laboratory devoted to the investigation of scientific knowledge and its methodology.

Disciplinary Foundation: Second Language (0-4 semester hours)

Students demonstrate competency in a second language. Students may also demonstrate competency by the successful completion of a placement exam. Credit hours are not awarded for the placement exam, but demonstrating a low intermediate proficiency will satisfy the Second Language requirement. Students who opt to study a language not taken in high school may do so.

Interdisciplinary Intensive: Foundations of American Democracy (3-4 semester hours)

Courses that fulfill the Foundations of American Democracy requirement focus on concepts related to America’s founding as an independent nation. They also examine the effort to implement the nation’s ideals. Students will engage with documents pertinent to the nation’s values, including the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Federalist Papers, Emancipation Proclamation, Gettysburg Address, and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter from Birmingham Jail. Cannot share with Disciplinary Foundations requirements.

^Top

Major Fields of Concentration, Optional Minors and Optional Certificates

Major Fields of Concentration

A major field of concentration normally consists of not more than 36 semester hours with a maximum of 24 semester hours of cognate courses, exclusive of any departmental requirements that also satisfy Core Curriculum requirements. The requirements for each major and all course descriptions are found in the Academic Departments, Programs and Courses section of the catalog.

A student may major in at most two subjects by completing the requirements of each major. Students who concurrently complete the requirements of two majors that are designated as the same baccalaureate degree will receive a single degree with two majors. Both majors will be listed on the transcript. Students who concurrently complete the requirements of two majors that are designated as different baccalaureate degrees will receive two degrees. Both degrees will be listed on the transcript. Students may not earn two different degrees in the same content area.

A student wishing to complete the requirements of an additional major or degree may do so after the awarding of the initial degree. Please see the section on Post-Baccalaureate Study for specifics.

Declaration of Major

Students are required to declare a major once they have earned 60 semester hours. Students who do not declare a major after earning 60 semester hours will have a hold placed on their records that prevents registration. Some majors require the completion of specific prerequisites prior to declaring. These will be listed in the departmental sections of the catalog. Students initiate the declaration process by submitting the online Major Declaration form available on the Office of the Registrar’s website.

Students are subject to the major and concentration requirements in effect at the time they declare, or change, their major or major concentration. Only enrolled, degree-seeking students may declare majors.

The University of North Carolina Asheville offers a four-year undergraduate program leading to Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees. A Bachelor of Science in Engineering is offered jointly with North Carolina State University. Students may choose a major/s from the following areas:

Courses in Education leading to teacher licensure are also available. In addition, the university offers a range of specialized programs and educational opportunities, including a joint degree program offered cooperatively with North Carolina State University, summer instruction and studies abroad.

Optional Minor Fields of Concentration

In addition to the major field of study, a student may choose to complete one or more minor fields of concentration. A minor that is awarded by an academic department shall require at least 18 semester hours from the minor discipline, as indicated by the course prefix. Departmental minors may also require cognate courses. Minors awarded by programs not associated with an academic department shall also require at least 18 semester hours, but need not require a minimum number of hours from a single department. All minors require a minimum C (2.0) average on all work attempted at UNC Asheville. One-half of the hours required for a minor must be completed at UNC Asheville. All minors require that a minimum of 6 semester hours of 300-400 level courses be completed at UNC Asheville. Minor fields of concentration will be recorded along with majors on the student’s permanent transcript.

Declaration of Optional Minor

Students eligible to declare majors may also declare minors in those subjects where minors have been established. Students initiate the declaration process by submitting the online Minor Declaration form available on the Office of the Registrar’s website. Students are subject to the minor requirements in effect at the time they declare. Minors must be officially declared before the deadline for applying for graduation. Minors are available in the fields listed below:

Optional Certificates 

In addition to the major field of study and optional minor fields of concentration, students may also choose to complete one or more certificates. A certificate is a formal program of courses and other related experiences in a field of specialization. In some disciplines, a certificate is akin to a professional credential, while in others, a certificate is recognition of competence in a given skill, practice, or field of study. The campus encourages interdisciplinary certificate programs where appropriate. Undergraduate certificates may include an engaged experience such as a cornerstone course, a capstone course, or another high impact educational practice such as UNC Asheville faculty-led study abroad, cross-course projects, undergraduate research, or community-engaged learning. Certificates will be recorded along with majors and minors on the student’s permanent transcript. At the discretion of the program coordinators, certificates may be completed as a non-degree program or in conjunction with the completion of an undergraduate degree at UNC Asheville.

Specific requirements for an undergraduate certificate are as follows:

• A minimum of 4 courses from an approved set of courses, with at least one course shared by all students completing the certificate

• A minimum of 12 semester hours

• No more than 8 hours from a declared major or minor may be applied toward certificate

• At least 3 of the 12 hours must be at the 300-400 level

• All courses used for the certificate must be completed at UNC Asheville

• HUM 124, 214, 324, 414, FYS 178, LA 378 and 478 may not be included in the list of courses for the certificate

• Students must have a minimum cumulative C (2.0) average on all courses used for the certificate

For the specific requirements for currently available certificates at UNC Asheville, see Certificates in the Academic Departments, Programs and Courses section of the catalog.

Declaration of Certificates

Currently-enrolled degree-seeking students initiate the declaration process by contacting the appropriate certificate coordinator. Together, they complete a Certificate Declaration Form that is then submitted to the Office of the Registrar in the Academic Success Center. Students are subject to the requirements in effect at the time they formally declare the certificate. In all instances, certificates must be officially declared before the deadline for applying for graduation.

Those wishing to enroll in a certificate program as a certificate-seeking student (non-degree seeking) must follow the admissions process for certificate seeking students. Proof of high school graduation (or equivalency) or higher level degree (ie. post-secondary) is required. Once admission is established, prospective certificate-seeking students will be referred to the specific certificate coordinator who will facilitate communication and next steps. Please note that non-degree seeking students are not eligible for financial aid.

Joint Programs

The following programs allow students to combine work at the University of North Carolina Asheville with work at other universities, leading to degrees in majors otherwise unavailable. For more information, contact the offices listed.

Joint Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering with a Concentration in Mechatronics from North Carolina State University and UNC Asheville

The University of North Carolina Asheville and North Carolina State University offer a joint Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering with a concentration in Mechatronics. The Mechatronics degree is offered entirely on the UNC Asheville campus.

Mechatronics is a unique, interdisciplinary field of study drawing on coursework in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science.  A vast array of products and systems incorporate aspects of each of these disciplines in varying degrees, and the program goal is to produce graduates with significant proficiency in each to participate successfully in design efforts.

The joint degree program gives students the benefits of a strong foundation in the liberal arts combined with rigorous studies in engineering disciplines and allows students to complete an engineering degree while living in the Asheville area.           

Prospective students should apply to UNC Asheville through the UNC Asheville Office of Admission. Currently enrolled students can obtain information through the Engineering Programs Office in Rhoades/Robinson Hall at UNC Asheville.
 

Bachelor of Science in Engineering Degree in 13 Program Areas through North Carolina State University

The University of North Carolina Asheville and North Carolina State University also offer a Two-Plus-Two Engineering Program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree in one of 13 areas listed below. Students complete approximately one-half of the NC State BS degree requirements while attending UNC Asheville, and then transfer to NC State.

Many NC State engineering courses are available at UNC Asheville via distance education through the joint NCSU/UNCA Engineering Programs Office in Rhoades/Robinson Hall. The 2+2 Engineering Program includes the following curricula:

Civil Engineering
Computer Engineering
Construction Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering

The following curricula are also supported, but must be completed on a 1+3 schedule:

Aerospace Engineering
Biological Engineering
Biomedical and Health Sciences
Chemical Engineering
Environmental Engineering
Industrial and Systems Engineering
Materials Science and Engineering
Nuclear Engineering

Specialized Baccalaureate Degree Programs

The University of North Carolina Asheville offers a number of specialized degree opportunities to provide more flexible academic routes for its students. Among these are pre-professional programs in preparation for professional study in law, medicine and dentistry, and joint programs with other universities leading to degrees in specialized fields.

Pre-Professional Programs

The university provides special advising and individual programs for students who are preparing for entry into medical, dental, veterinary or law schools.

Health Professions: UNC Asheville emphasizes a strong liberal arts curriculum as the best preparation for medical, dental, veterinary and pharmacy programs. Accordingly, students interested in these fields major in a wide range of academic disciplines at UNC Asheville, and our graduates have gained admission to some of the best professional schools in the nation. Advisors in the Pre-Health Professions program encourage and support students through a variety of pre-health professions experiences.

Pre-Law Program: UNC Asheville believes the best preparation for law school consists of developing a quality grade-point average within a solid academic curriculum rather than majoring in “pre-law.” Accordingly, undergraduates interested in the law have majored in a wide range of disciplines at the university and have gained acceptance to law schools throughout the nation.

Students interested in one of the pre-professional programs should contact the Academic Sucess Center for referral to the appropriate campus advisor. Model programs are available, and students should avail themselves of such aid as early as possible in their studies.

^Top

Post-Baccalaureate Study

Those who hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution have two options for further credentials from UNCA:       

1. Second Baccalaureate Degree
   Students who have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution may earn an additional degree by completing a minimum of 30 semester hours at UNC Asheville, to include at least two-thirds (2/3) of the requirements for a major, any prerequisites and correlate courses not satisfied by previously earned course work, and the demonstration of competency required for the major. The major program area must be different from that for which a previous baccalaureate degree was awarded.

   Students whose initial baccalaureate degree was not earned at UNC Asheville will have their prior course work evaluated as transfer credit. They must have a minimum of 120 total hours, including the hours earned at UNC Asheville, to receive a degree. The requirements for the Core Curriculum are considered fulfilled for students with a prior degree. For students whose first degree was earned at UNC Asheville, the 30 hours must be earned after the initial baccalaureate degree is awarded.

2. Graduate Programs​

   • Master of Public Health: The UNC Asheville-UNC Gillings Master of Public Health (MPH) is an MPH degree program offered jointly by both UNC Asheville and the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. The joint MPH degree is a full-time course of study requiring 40 hours a week of dedicated time. Courses include on-site classes one day per week as well as asynchronous online lectures and other activities. This program can be completed in four semesters, not including summers. Graduates will be prepared to step into leadership roles in all systems that impact health, including local and state agencies and community-based organizations. See the Master of Public Health  section of the catalog for a full description of the program.

   • Master of Science in Environmental Resilience: The Master of Science in Environmental Resilience (MSER) is an applied, interdisciplinary program that prepares students to work in the field of climate resilience. The MSER focuses on building students’ skills to work with governmental and non-governmental organizations to strengthen communities’ resilience to climate change. The program consists of 30 credit hours over two semesters and one summer, during which students complete their applied research project. Students must achieve a minimum gpa of 3.0 to graduate from the program.See the Master of Science in Environmental Resilience section of the catalog for a full description of the program.

Other Special Academic Opportunities

Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Program

The Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Program at UNC Asheville seeks to encourage the establishment of faculty/student research pairs who work together on a project of mutual interest. Research may be performed in any discipline on campus. The mentoring relationship developed through the research process is beneficial to the student and to the faculty member. Students have the opportunity to participate in the research from beginning to end, to go beyond the classroom experience and investigate an idea in great depth and to learn about the excitement (and frustrations) of research.

The Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Program provides academic-year and summer student research and travel grants. These are monetary awards given to students for research and/or travel expenses. Students apply by submitting a brief description of the research project and a budget plan to the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Program Advisory Council. Projects to be funded are selected by the Council. Forms for grant submission are available from the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Office.

Study Abroad

Through the Office of Study Abroad, the University of North Carolina Asheville offers a variety of organized educational opportunities in foreign countries, involving classroom instruction at fixed locations and travel for educational purposes. Study abroad is an ideal component of UNC Asheville’s liberal arts mission. UNC Asheville students can study abroad at affordable prices, earn credits toward their degrees, and still graduate on time.

UNC Asheville has a number of exchange opportunities with universities in Australia, England, France, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and Spain. We are also a member of the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP), which allow students to study at universities in over 50 countries. Students can also study through a wide variety of non-exchange programs that are affiliated with UNC Asheville.

Additionally, short-term faculty-led programs are offered over winter break, during spring break, and in the summer. Locations may include, but are not limited to, England, Ghana, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy and Spain. UNC Asheville faculty members teach courses that may include a service-learning component or fulfill graduation requirements. For more information, contact the Office of Study Abroad or visit http://studyabroad.unca.edu.

University Honors Program

The University Honors Program at UNC Asheville was established in the Fall of 1985 and is designed to recruit motivated students with a demonstrated record of academic success, foster an environment in which the intellectual potential of students can flourish, and retain a core group of students committed to liberal learning by means of enhanced advising, mentoring, experiential learning, and other support services. The program is based on Honors course work as well as co-curricular activities that extend learning beyond the classroom. Course work emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of liberal learning, the historical and cultural context of knowledge, and the value of understanding the foundations of contemporary ideas. The University Honors Program encourages independent study, collaborative research, study abroad, and a capstone experience. Co-curricular activities might include meetings with visiting scholars, discussions following selected cultural events, field experiences, service learning, study abroad, and other travel opportunities.

The University Honors Program curriculum consists of Honors sections of the Core Curriculum curriculum, interdisciplinary special topics seminars, study abroad opportunities, and a senior capstone experience. Students successfully completing all requirements, including 21 hours of coursework in the Honors Program, graduate with Distinction as a University Honors Scholar, which is recorded on their transcript. Honors Program students who complete 11 hours of Honors coursework including the Honors capstone are eligible for Recognition as an Honors Scholar, which isn’t recorded on their transcript, but may be included on resumes and curriculum vitae.

Internship Opportunities

An internship is a form of experiential learning that integrates the knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with the practical application and skill development in a professional setting. As an extension of the classroom, internships give students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience, reflect on that experience, and make connections in professional fields. The amount of academic credit received will vary, but a minimum of 35 hours of work must be completed for each credit hour earned. Allocation of these internship hours, between fieldwork and classroom/assignment work, will be determined by the faculty supervisor.

The policies for internships, and the requirements for students, faculty and host agencies, can be found on the Career Center website, https://career.unca.edu/.

Special Topics Courses

Special Topics courses are those planned to meet a specific academic need at a particular time. They provide flexibility beyond the catalog offerings to take advantage of available teaching talent and to assess new areas for program development. Special Topics courses may not be offered on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U) basis without the approval of the department chair/program director and the Provost or their designee.

Independent Study Courses

Students may arrange to meet an academic need which cannot be satisfied through the regular schedule of courses provided a faculty member is willing to assume the responsibility of teaching an “Independent Study” course, and the department chair/program director approves. Once approved, the department chair or instructor submit a request to the Office of the Registrar to have the course added to the schedule for the student.

Summer Sessions

The university conducts a summer semester during which a limited selection of courses from the regular schedule is offered along with special courses, workshops and institutes. All degree-credit courses offered in the summer semester are the equivalent of those offered during the fall and spring semesters. Summer school courses are billed on a per-credit-hour basis.

The dates of the summer semester are available on the Office of the Registrar website. Information about admission to the summer semester may be obtained from the Office of  Admission and Financial Aid. The schedule of summer courses is available at http://registrar.unca.edu/.

UNC Language Exchange

The UNC Language Exchange provides the universities in the UNC System with a professional platform aimed at facilitating the sharing of faculty and instructional resources to enhance foreign language instruction and to support the various foreign and classical language and studies programs in North Carolina. The primary goal is to facilitate the sharing of a wide variety of undergraduate courses in global languages and cultural studies among all UNC institutions through distributed education technologies and/or other options. The work of the existing foreign language consortia supports the creation of Language Exchanges on the UNC Online website.

The goals of the inter-institutional UNC Language Exchange focus on the maintenance and strengthening of current foreign language programs and the expansion of the diversity and availability of world languages at all UNC campuses.

UNC Asheville students wishing to participate in this program must adhere to the policies and procedures as outlined on the UNC Asheville Office of the Registrar’s website at https://registrar.unca.edu/. Students from other institutions wishing to take online language courses with UNC Asheville should consult with their home campus Registrar and review the UNC Asheville policies for visiting student participation on the UNC Online website.

Course offerings will vary from semester to semester. All students are encouraged to reference the central website of the UNC Language Exchange Program at https://online.northcarolina.edu for more information.

Asheville Area Educational Consortium

Degree-seeking students enrolled at UNC Asheville may enroll for credit in courses offered at Mars Hill University and Warren Wilson College through the Asheville Area Educational Consortium. Credit hours will be awarded by UNC Asheville.

Participation guidelines:

1. Full-time degree-seeking students may take a total of four courses within their degree program under the consortium agreement. Enrollment is limited to fall and spring semesters.
2. In any semester of full-time status, a student may take up to 6 additional hours of credit through the consortium agreement.
3. Students may not normally cross-register for courses available on their home campus.
4. Regular UNC Asheville tuition and fees will be charged.

For specific cross-registration procedures and forms, UNC Asheville students should contact the UNC Asheville Office of the Registrar. Mars Hill University and Warren Wilson College students who wish to enroll in UNC Asheville courses should contact the registrar at their school.

^Top

Academic Support Services

Accessibility Services

UNC Asheville complies with state and federal civil rights legislation intended to protect the rights of persons with disabilities. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 as amended in 2008, and Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, the University of North Carolina Asheville provides equal opportunities in higher education to academically qualified students with visual, hearing, physical, chronic, medical, learning, psychological and psychiatric disabilities and other disabilities covered by these acts. The University does not discriminate against prospective students or enrolled students on the basis of their disability. All admission decisions and programmatic decisions, both in and out of the classroom, are made in accordance with applicable state and federal legislation.

UNC Asheville and the Office of Academic Accessibility work to ensure equal access to opportunity, university courses, programs, services, activities and full integration into the campus environment, along with reasonable accommodations for qualifying students. Accommodations are designed and developed on an individual basis with the student and are provided at no additional charge. Academic and personal supports are available to students with and without disabilities including writing, math and subject-specific tutoring, self-advocacy training, health services and counseling as well as other services. The faculty should consult the Faculty Handbook for more guidelines for accommodating students with disabilities. All questions regarding appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities should be brought to the attention of the Office of Academic Accessibility. A visit to the campus before acceptance or matriculation is highly recommended. For additional information, please visit the Office of Academic Accessibility website https://accessibility.unca.edu/.

Parsons Mathematics Assistance Center

Located on the top floor of Robinson Hall, The Parsons Mathematics Assistance Center provides math help to all UNC-Asheville students without charge. Assistance is available for all 100-level and some 200-level math and statistics courses.  No appointment is necessary. Hours are extensive and are posted each semester. For additional information, or to apply to be a math tutor in the lab, visit “The Math Lab’s” website, https://math.unca.edu/joseph-parsons-mathematics-assistance-center.

University Writing Center

The University Writing Center (UWC) provides support to students writing for any course, as well those writing application letters, personal statements, and creative writing.

Writing consultants offer friendly, constructive feedback at any point of the writing process, from brainstorming to revising. Appointments last 30-50 minutes and can be scheduled by visiting http://writingcenter.unca.edu/. The UWC is located on the main floor of the library, RAM 136. 

Peer Tutoring Program

Offered as a free service for all currently enrolled UNC Asheville students, the Peer Tutoring program’s student-centered approach emphasizes active learning and effective study skills. Tutors are highly-qualified students approved by department chairs and specific instructors, and they cover dozens of courses in the natural and social sciences and languages. For additional information, please visit http://advising.unca.edu/PeerTutoring.

Ramsey Library

D. Hiden Ramsey Library provides students, faculty, staff and community members with a wide array of information resources and tools as well as research and technology help and a variety of study and collaborative spaces, including a carrel that features assistive software. The library offers quiet, comfortable spaces as well as collaborative work areas, and when it’s time for a study break Argo Tea and The Glass House offer a relaxing atmosphere.

The library houses approximately 300,000 volumes and provides access to more than two million book titles through the Western North Carolina Library Network. A broad selection of film and music is also available for checkout. Authorized users have access to over 600,000 ebooks, 90,000 ejournals and many specialized research databases and streaming resources, whether on campus or anywhere in the world, at any time of the day or night. Special Collections has a rich collection of local and regional archival materials, including photos, newspapers and ephemera in both print and digitized format and also houses the University Archives.

Video Production Services operates a television studio and audio recording lab and performs post-production video editing in support of academic classes.

Visitors to the library can use computing, printing, scanning and copying facilities or check out a laptop or video camera. The Media Design Lab and CrAFT Studio provide UNC Asheville students, faculty and staff working on technology-intensive projects with software and equipment to create and edit audio, video and graphic design objects and to design and fabricate 3D objects. The CrAFT Studio also features sound-proof study booths for presentation and some instrument practice.

Expert librarians and staff promote information literacy on campus, assist users in research techniques and offer individual and group instruction sessions.

The library also houses a range of student-centered services including the Academic Success Center (Registrar, Advising, Cashier, Study Abroad, and Disability/Accessibility Services), the University Writing Center and the Center for Teaching and Learning.

Visit library.unca.edu to access library resources and services.

Career Center

The Career Center, located on the main floor of Ramsey Library, provides students and alumni with career development guidance and services. Professional staff and career peers are available to assist with selection of an academic major, career exploration, occupational information, LinkedIn profile, resume and cover letter writing, interview skills and obtaining internships, jobs and graduate schools admissions. The Career Center provides career-related workshops, on-campus job fairs, career panels and employer information sessions, and posts part-time, full-time, volunteer and internship positions on its website.

The Career Center also coordinates the Student Employment Program in collaboration with Human Resources and the Payroll office. All available on campus positions, both regular student employment and Federal Work Study are updated regularly. 

For additional information, visit the Career Center website, https://www.unca.edu/success/career-center.

Information Technology Services

UNC Asheville Information Technology Services (ITS) provides a variety of services to the student community including:

• Wireless internet connectivity in specified areas. See http://its.unca.edu for more information.
• Web-based email, calendaring, and productivity software through Google Apps for Education. See https://sites.google.com/a/unca.edu/googleapps/ for more information.
• An open-use, academic computer lab (NH 008) and support of other departmental, teaching, and non-academic computer labs on campus. See http://its.unca.edu/ for more information.
• Assistance with basic campus IT services through the ITS Help Desk. The ITS Help Desk should be your first point of contact for technical assistance. Contact the Help Desk by sending an email to helpdesk@unca.edu or by calling 828.251.6445.

IT Services for Residential Students

Information Technology Services in collaboration with the Office of Housing and Student Life Operations provides the following services to our resident students.

• Wired connectivity in residence halls.
• Limited support to help resident students keep their computers virus and spyware/malware free.
• Business centers in residence halls.

See https://its.unca.edu/support-services/it-services-for-students/ for additional information.

^Top

Graduate Studies, Professional Education, and Sponsored Programs 

The Office of Graduate Studies, Professional Education, and Sponsored Programs houses the Asheville Graduate Center, the Great Smokies Writing Program, Professional Education Programs, and the Office of Sponsored Scholarship and Programs.

Asheville Graduate Center

The Asheville Graduate Center makes available to the residents of Western North Carolina graduate degree programs from distinctive universities. Established in 1984, the Asheville Graduate Center is administered by the UNC Asheville Office of Academic Affairs. Quality graduate programs offered through the Asheville Graduate Center are responsive to the unique mission of UNC Asheville and the needs of our region and state, linking graduate education to innovation and helping our region gain a competitive edge. Future programs will be added, when appropriate, in response to the educational and economic needs of Western North Carolina. Additional information on the specific degrees and programs offered is available on the website, https://professionaleducation.unca.edu/ and from the director of the Asheville Graduate Center.

Great Smokies Writing Program              

The Great Smokies Writing Program is a collaborative effort between the Creative Writing program in the UNC Asheville Department of English and the Asheville Graduate Center. The program provides high quality instruction for those in the community interested in pursuing creative writing. Courses are offered throughout the year to both accomplished and novice writers and poets who wish to come together to learn from seasoned instructors and as well as their peers. The monthly Writers at Home series provides an opportunity for the community to become familiar with both regional and local writers.

Professional Education

The Office of Professional Education and Development offers numerous professional development conferences and seminars, test preparation courses including the SAT, GRE and LSAT, GMAT. Additional programs offered include Effective Teacher Training, which is presented several times per year for those interested in substituting in the area schools, and test proctoring services.

Office of Sponsored Scholarship and Programs

The Office of Sponsored Scholarship and Programs (OSSP) administers externally funded proposals and contracts for research, instruction, and extension projects at the University of North Carolina Asheville. The OSSP was formally established in 2003 as an administrative department under Academic Affairs.

Distance Education

The Office of Distance Education serves as liaison between the region and the various colleges, divisions and departments of the university in delivering educational services to its constituents in field-based settings. The primary function of the office is the promotion and development of off-campus credit courses and administrative services which meet the needs of a diverse undergraduate and graduate student population including efforts in teacher education throughout the state.

A limited number of online courses reflective of the liberal arts mission are offered each semester as UNC Asheville seeks to support and participate in the growing demand for asynchronous learning.

Key Center  

The Key Center for Community Citizenship and Service-Learning is the university’s hub for the promotion of service learning, a form of experiential education in which students work primarily with non-profit organizations, governmental agencies, and other civic groups on community problems or issues. The Key Center helps faculty, students and community members use best practices in service learning so that both the community and students benefit from their work together.

The Key Center, working with its advisory council, also coordinates the approval of Service-Learning Designated Courses and the recommendation of graduating students for the Community Engaged Scholar designation, which honors those who have demonstrated outstanding work in service learning. The Key Center, located in Highsmith Student Union, may be contacted by email at keyctr@unca.edu. Additional information is available at https://keycenter.unca.edu.

Conferences, Camps, and Events

As one of the nation’s top public liberal arts and sciences universities, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains and located in one of the most vibrant cities in the Southeast, UNC Asheville is in a unique position to offer and host leading, distinctive and innovative learning experiences through a wide variety of conferences, camps and special events to local, regional, national and global audiences. With a focus on superior customer service to university and non-university clients, we ensure all conferences, camps and events maintain a consistent professional brand and deliver high quality programs and services in a safe environment. Information on all programming can be found at https://www.unca.edu/events-and-news/conferences-camps-events/

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNC Asheville              

The mission of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNC Asheville is to promote thriving in life’s second half through programs in lifelong learning, leadership, community service, and research. OLLI plays a leadership role in the field of lifelong learning, enriching the lives of people in the greater Asheville area, and promotes innovative excellence by sharing its programs and research, both nationally and internationally.

OLLI (formerly the North Carolina Center for Creative Retirement) was established in 1988 as an integral part of UNC Asheville with the threefold purpose of providing today’s accomplished adult with opportunities for lifelong learning, leadership and community service, each combined with the fellowship of peers sharing a common quest for continued growth and service to others.

OLLI participants help to set annual objectives and implement programs through the Steering Council in collaboration with OLLI’s professional staff. OLLI draws financial support from public funding, private fees, consulting services, gifts and foundation grants.