Appalachian Studies, Graduate Certificate*

General Program Information

Ron Roach, Ph.D., Department Chair
222 Nicks Hall
Box 70556
(423) 439-7494
e-mail: roachr@etsu.edu

Jane MacMorran, Ph.D., Graduate Coordinator
Nicks Hall 217
Box 70556
(423) 439-7992
e-mail: macmorra@etsu.edu

Faculty: Roy Andrade; Lee Bidgood; Daniel Boner; Rebecca Fletcher; Jane MacMorran; Nate Olson; Ted Olson; Ron Roach; Fred Sauceman; and additional faculty in other academic units who teach Appalachian-related courses.

The Department of Appalachian Studies offers an interdisciplinary Graduate Certificate in Appalachian Studies, which features a wide array of courses in the history, culture, and complexity of the Appalachian region, including art, religion, literature, music, community development, health and wellness, energy, education, economics, dialect, and foodways.

Articulation Agreements

A student who completes the Certificate in Appalachian Studies and later wishes to pursue the Master of Arts in Appalachian Studies may apply all 18 credits into the master’s program (with the approval of the APST graduate coordinator). All credit, however, must meet GPA requirements and must be within the six-year matriculation limit.

A student who completes the Certificate in Appalachian Studies and later wishes to pursue the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies may apply up to 15 credits into the MALS program, with the approval of the MALS director. 

Admission Requirements

The following requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Appalachian Studies are in addition to the general admission requirements of the School of Graduate Studies:

1. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. A student whose GPA is lower than 3.0 may request an interview and may be asked to complete an extemporaneous writing sample (in addition to the formal writing sample below).

2. A formal writing sample, such as a paper previously submitted for credit in an undergraduate or graduate course.

A student who wishes to pursue an ETSU master’s degree concurrently with the certificate must also apply and be admitted to the degree program. 

Appalachian Studies, Graduate Certificate Requirements: 18 credits

Required Courses: 3 credits

• APST 5250 - Readings in Appalachian Studies (3 credits)

Advisor Approved Electives: 15 credits

• Students must take at least 9 credits from the following:

• APST 5150 - Seminar in Appalachia and Religion (3 credits)
• APST 5180 - Seminar in Art and Appalachia (3-6 credits)
• APST 5260 - Regional and International Issues in Appalachian Studies (3 credits)
• APST 5670 - Ethnomusicology and Appalachia (3 credits)
• APST 5690 - Appalachian Community Engagement (3 credits)

•  

• **  BLUE 5410 - Individual Instrumental Instruction (1-3 credits)
• **  BLUE 5510 - Graduate Ensemble (1-3 credits)
• **  BLUE 5900 - Independent Study (1-3 credits)

•  

• ENGL 5060 - Literature of Southern Appalachia (3 credits)
• ENGL 5670 - Seminar in Folklore (3 credits) (when topic is Appalachian)

•  

• ***  HIST 5010 - Studies in United States History (3 credits) (when topic is Appalachian)

•  

  Students may take no more than 6 credits from the following dual-enrolled courses:

• *  APST 5237 - Scots-Irish in Appalachia (3-6 credits)
• *  APST 5337 - Appalachia in Scotland and Ireland (3-6 credits)
• APST 5907 - Foodways of Appalachia (3 credits)
• APST 5957 - Special Topics in Appalachian Studies (1-3 credits)
• APST 5997 - Current Issues in Appalachian Studies (3 credits)

•  

• BIOL 5247 - Appalachian Flora (3 credits)
• BIOL 5257 - Appalachian Fauna (3 credits)

•  

• **  BLUE 5147 - Bluegrass and America’s Music (3 credits)
• **  BLUE 5257 - Band Leadership Skills (4 credits)
• **  BLUE 5957 - Special Topics (1-6 credits)

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• ENGL 5137 - Dialectology (3 credits)
• ENGL 5217 - Irish/Scottish Literature (3 credits)