Special Designator courses are required of all students who entered Appalachian State University as freshmen in the fall of 1995 or later, and all transfer students who entered fall 1997, or later. The Special Designator requirements introduce students to essential skills and knowledge in Core Curriculum and major courses.

The courses insure that students gain adequate knowledge in the following skill areas: communication in speaking and writing, computation, multi-cultural awareness, and cross-disciplinary topics. Courses which are indicated as Special Designator courses are noted in the General Bulletin and are also in the Schedule of Classes each semester.

Each student shall complete the following number of Special Designator requirements:

• 6 (W) Writing -- Includes English 1000 and 1100: two courses must be in the major.
• 4 (MC) Multi-Cultural -- Includes History 1101 and 1102.
• 2 (ND) Numerical Data.
• 2 (C) Computer.
• 1 (S) Speaking -- Part of the major, though not necessarily within the major department.
• 1 (CD) Cross-Disciplinary.

Certified proficiency in communication is also required in the major. Standards are set by each department.