Graduate Certificate in Storytelling

Admission Requirements

Prior to submitting any application materials, all prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to talk with Nancy Donoval at donoval@etsu.edu.

Each applicant is evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:

• At least a 3.0 overall undergraduate grade point average.

• A WRITING SAMPLE or GRE test scores that indicate strong potential for success in our program. The writing sample is to be an essay on the uses of storytelling and communication in a particular domain of contemporary professional or community practice (performance, education, health and well-being, law, ministry, social justice, business, non-profit organizations, community advocacy, peace promotion, etc.). The writing sample topic must be approved by the Graduate Coordinator before the sample is submitted. Email your topic to Nancy Donoval at donoval@etsu.edu. For more detailed information about writing sample criteria, please visit our page in the ETSU catalog here.

• Three letters that recommend admission to graduate study and that sufficiently evidence the applicant's potential for success in the Communication & Storytelling Studies program. When selecting persons to write recommendation letters, please choose people who can address your academic/intellectual abilities. Optimally, applicants should supply at least two letters from former or current professors. Letters from professionals should address the applicant's applicable academic skills (e.g., research and writing abilities), potential for intellectual growth, ability to work on multiple projects, under pressure, and autonomously, and overall work ethic.

• The strength of an application essay (personal statement) that discusses both interest and fit. The graduate school requires 150-300 words; the Master’s Program in Communication & Storytelling Studies faculty strongly encourage applicants to write in the high end of that range. The essay should explain why the applicant is interested in our particular graduate program.  Additionally, the essay should discuss why the applicant is a good fit for our program, the courses we require, and the research or creative activity of our faculty. If there are weaknesses in the applicant’s materials (e.g., low grades or GRE score), these should be addressed in the essay as well.
   

For information about ETSU Graduate Admissions, contact the School of Graduate Studies at: (423) 439-4221, gradschool@etsu.edu. Also, visit their application instructions page for more details for both domestic and international applicants.

For information about the Graduate Certificate in Storytelling, please contact Nancy Donoval, at donoval@etsu.edu.

Course Requirements

Completion of this degree means the completeion of 21 credits of course study distributed across the following categories:

• Required Courses: 15 Credits

  • STOR 5140 - Foundations of Storytelling Performance (3 credits)
  • STOR 5230 - Advanced Solo Performance (3 credits)
  • STOR 5890 - History of Performance Traditions (3 credits)
  • STOR 5820 - Vocal Training for Professionals
  • STOR 5241 - Practicum: Storytelling (1-3 credits)
• Advisor Approved Electives: 6 Credits

  Approved electives from Storytelling Program catalogs or related electives with approval of advisor.

Looking for something BIGGER? If you are interested in something more substantial, you should look into our Master's in Communication and Storytelling Studies. A one-of-a-kind combination for only 36 credits.

Funding

Graduate Faculty

Previous Masters Theses & Capstone Projects

Contact Us

Nancy Donoval

donoval@etsu.edu