About
Appalachian’s Graduate Certificate (non-degree) program in Appalachian Studies is designed for students, scholars, professionals and newcomers to the area interested in gaining sophisticated knowledge of the region and of the analyses and interpretations of the region by scholars and writers.
This certification will be useful to regional citizens and professionals working in community and regional services – including government, business, travel and tourism, and cultural programming. It is designed to enhance the ability to work in a professional and culturally informed way in addressing local and regional issues; to deepen understanding of and adjustment to the region in which candidates live and work; and to refine skills at conducting research on a wide range of topics. For educators, this program will facilitate the integration of Appalachian Studies components in their curricula (elementary, secondary and higher education).
More Information
Center for Appalachian Studies
Courses
Graduate Bulletin and Course Catalog
Application Essentials
Required Entrance Exam: None required
Required number of references to specify in the online form: None
Supplemental Information: Resume (Required upload for application submission).
Basic Conditions for Consideration of Admission: Meeting or exceeding the conditions below does NOT guarantee admission. All applications for a given entry term will be weighed based upon the number of seats available and the quality of the complete application packages.
Admission to Appalachian Studies: Both qualitative and quantitative aspects of applications are reviewed in comparison to the current applicant pool.
Doctoral and Terminal Degree Programs
Students have gone on to programs at these and other institutions:
- Brown University
- Columbia University
- Emory University
- Harvard University
- Pennsylvania State University
- Princeton University's Theological Institute
- University of Arkansas
- University of Georgia
- University of Florida
- University of Kentucky
- University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
- University of Virginia School of Law
- University of West Virginia
- Virginia Commonwealth University
- Virginia Tech University
Employers
Graduates are working at these and other employers:
- Americorps
- Appalachian Sustainable Development (VA)
- Appalshop Media (KY)
- Berea College
- Blowing Rock Art & History Museum
- Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture
- Center for Rural Strategies (KY)
- Create West Virginia
- Kerr Lake State Park (NC)
- Mars Hill’s Ramsey Center for Regional Studies
- Montana Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
- National Trust for Historic Preservation
- North Carolina Folklife Institute
- Ohio University
- Organic Growers School of Asheville
- Ralph Stanley Museum and Traditional Mountain Music Center (VA)
- Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian
- Swannanoa Valley Museum
- Tennessee 10th Judicial District Court
- The Carter Center (GA)
- University of Illinois
- University of Nebraska
- Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
Application Deadlines
- Spring: November 1
- Fall: July 1
Why Appalachian?
- You will gain specialized learning on the Appalachia region that supports regional career placements, as well as research expertise in mountain and rural communities.
- Coursework options combine in-depth learning about Appalachian culture, music and history with skills-based learning that enable students to apply their learning beyond the classroom.
- You will be aided by the W.L. Eury Appalachian Collection and Special Collections in Belk Library and Information Commons, which are unmatched research resources on the Appalachian region.
- All graduate programs at Appalachian have small class sizes, providing intimate classroom interaction.
- The School of Graduate Studies offers scholarships, fellowships and assistantships to support eligible, full-time, degree-seeking students.
Location
On campus and online
Careers
- Community organizer
- County planner
- Folklife interpreter
- Legal council
- Librarian
- Museum director
- News reporter
- Non-profit executive
- Park ranger
- Professional musician
- Program director
- Sustainable agriculture
- University professor
Contacts
Dr. Julie Shepherd-Powell
Program Director
shepherdpowellja@cjpk.net
828-262-7199