Applications are now being accepted for the Graduate Certificate in Appalachian Studies

• In addition to the University of Kentucky Graduate School application requirements, a CV is also required to complete the Appalachian Studies Graduate Certificate application. No test scores or personal statements are required. For additional information, contact Ann Kingsolver, Appalachian Studies Program Director, at ann.kingsolver@uky.edu.

The Graduate Certificate in Appalachian Studies may be earned concurrently with graduate degrees across Colleges at the University of Kentucky or independently, with enrollment through the Graduate School and acceptance by the Appalachian Studies Program Director. This is a transdisciplinary certificate, providing training in multiple colleges and disciplinary perspectives to complement graduate students’ disciplinary research, engagement, and career goals with a focus on the Appalachian region. The curricular strengths of the Graduate Certificate in Appalachian Studies are in social, economic, environmental, and health justice as the diverse histories, experiences, voices, environments, and possible futures of the 13-state Appalachian region of the U.S. are considered. 

The Appalachian Studies Graduate Certificate complements career training in any field by providing students with further analytical skills in providing historical, social, and environmental context for students’ everyday work in their chosen career. Examples of careers that can be benefited through the transdisciplinary Appalachian Studies Graduate Certificate include jobs in education, health care, NGO administration, state or local government, those related to environmental work, the arts, and more. 

Certificate Requirements 

Successful completion of the graduate certificate requires the following:

• Seminar (1 hour): APP 700 - Appalachian Studies Transdisciplinary Seminar (1 hour).
• Guided Elective (3 hours): The guided elective requirement may be met by taking one of these three courses (with at least one of them being offered each year): Global Appalachia (ANT 536); Sociology of Appalachia (SOC/CLD 534); or History of Appalachia (HIS 580). 
• Free Electives (6 hours): Students may enroll in suggested free electives for the Graduate Certificate in Appalachian Studies or may propose free electives for approval by the Appalachian Studies Program Director in order to make their course of study most applicable to their academic interests in this transdisciplinary program. For example, students may emphasize creative work, health care, environmental science, education or social justice praxis in their free electives to support their training in Appalachian Studies. 

Note: Students who are earning the Graduate Certificate in Appalachian Studies concurrently with another graduate degree may apply the requisite number of graduate credit hours - per the Registrar - toward both this certificate and another graduate degree. It will be possible to complete the certificate in one year, given the availability of required and guided elective course offerings, either as a distance learning or on-campus student. 

Applicants must meet the Graduate School admission requirements.