Appalachian Studies Certificate

Students in any college may earn the Undergraduate Certificate in Appalachian Studies. The certificate is interdisciplinary (requiring course work in at least two colleges) and combines critical analysis with experiential education in the Appalachian region. The course work and practicum are tailored for each student in consultation with the program director to make the interdisciplinary certificate relevant to the student’s major, interests, and career plans.

A student planning a health science career might choose a practicum with the UK Center for Excellence in Rural Health in Hazard, Ky., for example, and a student interested in sustainable agriculture or elementary education might do a practicum with Green Forests Work, a reforestation and public education program in central Appalachia. The Appalachian Studies faculty spans ten colleges at UK and there are diverse courses available each semester to students enrolled in the certificate program.

The 12-hour certificate program focuses on understanding the Appalachian region, particularly Appalachian Kentucky, in historical, social/cultural, physical, and comparative context. All students must: 1) complete APP 200, Introduction to Appalachian Studies (which also satisfies the UK Core requirement in U.S. citizenship); 2) satisfy an Appalachian engagement requirement through an approved experience in the Appalachian region either for credit or outside course work; and 3) to complete the capstone experience (a research paper in a course, for example) by the Appalachian Studies Program Director.

Remaining courses may be chosen from the Appalachia-related course listings publicized on the Appalachian Studies website each term, or a student may propose additional courses with a rationale accepted by the Appalachian Studies Program Director. Course work for the undergraduate certificate must be taken from within at least two colleges at UK, and 12 hours must be taken for a letter grade.

Appalachian Studies Curriculum

The Certificate in Appalachian Studies curricula are as follows:

• A minimum of 12 credits of course work taken for a letter grade.
• At least 12 credits must be 200 level or above, and a minimum of 6 credits must be at the 300-level or above.
• The student must complete a 3-credit breadth component. The breadth component requires that a student take courses in at least two colleges, with a minimum of three credits to be completed in a discipline other than the student’s major.
• Student must earn a C or better in each required certificate course to receive the certificate.
• Certificates will only be awarded to students who successfully complete a degree, or have completed a four-year degree.
• No more than 9 credits taken for a certificate can be used to satisfy the requirements for the student’s bachelor’s degree, a minor, or another certificate, exclusive of free or unrestricted electives.

Here are two examples of programs of study for students successfully completing the Appalachian Studies undergraduate certificate: