Appalachian Studies

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).

• Submit your graduate application online.
• Pay the non-refundable application fee online.
• Provide names of three references.
• Upload your current resume or vita.
• Submit official scores from the appropriate standardized test (GRE, GMAT, MAT). Test waivers may be available for certain programs.
• Submit unofficial transcript(s) from all colleges or universities from which you earned a degree, or that you have attended within the past five years. Transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES accredited evaluation service(link is external).
• Provide proof of English proficiency.

• 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

If you have previously started or submitted an application to the Graduate School at Appalachian, select "Log in" under Returning users and login using the same email address as before, then select Start New Application.

To start a new application to the Graduate School, select "Create an account" under First-time users if you have never had an account with us before and follow the instructions.