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Appalachian State University

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Appalachian Studies Graduate Certificate

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
    • Appalachian Studies

      2025–26 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.

Employers

Graduates are working at these and other employers:

  • Colleges and Universities
  • Government Agencies (Local, State or Federal Level)
  • Nonprofit and Nongovernmental Organizations
  • Arts and Cultural Organizations
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programs

Degrees

Application Deadlines

Spring Admission
November 1

Fall Admission
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

Boone campus

Careers

  • Community Organizer
  • County Planner
  • Folklife Interpreter
  • Legal Counsel
  • Librarian
  • Museum Director
  • News Reporter
  • Non-Profit Executive
  • Park Ranger
  • Professional Musician
  • Program Director
  • Sustainable Agriculture
  • University Professor

Some of these roles may require education beyond a graduate certificate.

Contacts

Dr. Julie Shepherd-Powell
Program Director
[email protected]
828-262-7199

Center for Appalachian Studies

College of Arts and Sciences

  • Center for Appalachian Studies

  • College of Arts and Sciences

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Appalachian State University

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287 Rivers St., Boone, NC 28608 | 828-262-2000 | Copyright 2025 Appalachian State University. All rights reserved.

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