Program Overview

Appalachian Studies, Graduate Certificate

The M.A. in Humanities program is home to the Graduate Certificate in Appalachian Studies, a virtual, non-degree program of 16 hours composed of foundation courses, electives to meet specific educational goals, and a capstone research experience.

Overview

Courses in the program are conducted in a virtual graduate-level seminar format, characterized by challenging readings, involved discussion, and mentored research and application. The virtual delivery format allows the program to engage with scholars and practitioners across the region, who work with students to undertake dynamic, collaborative explorations of Appalachian studies.

Admission Requirements

Students may pursue the graduate certificate in Appalachian Studies while enrolled in the Humanities M.A. program or as a certificate-only student. Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accepted, accredited institution, and an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from the bachelor's degree transcript.

Course Requirements

• Interdisciplinary Core Classes (3 hours). Choose One:
  • CULS 611 Appal Std: Themes & Voices Orients students to the significant political, social, and cultural issues and research in Appalachian studies.
  • CULS 612 Time & Place in Appalachia Examines the importance of geography, topography, and geology to the history and development of the Appalachian region.
• Electives (9 hours)
  • Students may take a broad range of rotating and Special Topics courses.
  • Examples include:
    • Appalachian Cultures
    • Appalachian Archaeology
    • Geography of Appalachia
    • West Virginia History
    • First Peoples of Appalachia
    • Images of Appalachia
    • Religious Traditions in Appalachia
    • Ethnic History of West Virginia
    • Coal Mine Life, Work and Culture
    • Sociology of Appalachia
    • Appalachian Writers - 20th C.
• Capstone Experience (3 - 6 hours) HUMN 680 Independent Research Symposium
  • This research colloquium affords students the opportunity to complete independent research or field work under the guidance of faculty mentors teaching in the certificate program.
  • Seminar meetings allow students to share research and examine issues arising from the research.