Established over a quarter of a century ago, Watauga College is
Appalachian's oldest and most comprehensive residential learning community. Watauga offers interdisciplinary, internationally-focused coursework that fulfills core curriculum requirements in English, history, the humanities and the social sciences. Instructors in the program place a high value on creativity, interactive and experiential learning, discussion, and individual and group research and projects. All Appalachian majors are represented among Wataugans, and many also participate in University Honors, the North Carolina Teaching Fellows, and SummerPreview.
All students in Watauga College reside in the Living Learning Center Residence Building (LLR), sharing space with Teaching Fellows and international exchange and degree-seeking students. Watauga classes are held in residence hall classrooms, and faculty offices and additional classrooms are in an adjacent Academic wing (LLA). All rooms are suite arrangements; either two doubles or four singles with a shared bathroom. There are numerous study and social spaces and six well-equipped kitchens throughout the building. The LLR is located above the residence halls of Stadium Heights and the School of Music Complex in a lovely, secluded setting, just a short walk from the center of campus.
The Watauga program is academically challenging yet supportive through frequent faculty and student interaction. Classes combine all the forms and sizes students are likely to experience while in College: large lecture sections, smaller discussion meetings, and even smaller group work, ranging in size from 18-100. The Watauga curriculum is interdisciplinary and stresses analytical reading and writing, giving students crucial skills for successful college-level work.
Perhaps the most important aspect of Watauga College (and the most difficult to precisely define) is the community that forms through shared academic work and living experiences. There are no barriers separating the academic, cultural, and social components of Watauga students, faculty, and staff. Studies and experience show that learning takes place best in the context of community, and Watauga College is an excellent example of this. At the same time, students remain free to pursue their choice of a major and enjoy a wide variety of student activities: intramurals, service clubs, student government, fraternities and sororities, etc. Students get all the benefits of a comprehensive university as well as the close ties inherent in a learning community.
All first-year students at Appalachian State are eligible to participate in the program. We seek an interesting "mix" of student leaders, theater and art enthusiasts, athletes, creative writers, environmentalists, honor students, etc. In general, we seek students who are curious about life and want to be involved in the world around them.
For more information, read about
Joining Watauga College 
