Career Opportunities

Why earn a degree in Appalachian Studies?

A degree in Appalachian Studies is valuable for those interested in deeply understanding the culture, history, environment, and social issues of the Appalachian region, allowing them to contribute to the community through research, advocacy, education, or careers directly focused on the region's unique challenges and opportunities, while challenging stereotypes and promoting a nuanced perspective on Appalachia. It involves interdisciplinary study, community engagement, and hands-on learning experiences within the region itself.

Key reasons to pursue Appalachian Studies:

To Develop Advanced Social Research Skills

The Master of Arts degree offers a dynamic blend of direct community engagement and traditional academic learning, empowering students to move beyond theoretical concepts and apply their knowledge in practical, hands-on ways. This unique approach fosters a deeper understanding of the Appalachian region, as students engage in meaningful research while gaining expertise in qualitative methods, oral history, and archival analysis. By utilizing diverse data sources and interdisciplinary techniques, they become equipped to tackle real-world challenges and develop culturally appropriate solutions that have a lasting impact on local communities. With an emphasis on both critical thinking and practical application, this program prepares students to be leaders in preserving cultural heritage, addressing contemporary issues, and shaping the future of the region.

Explore a Rich Cultural Heritage

The program offers an in-depth exploration of the unique culture, traditions, music, folklore, and art of Appalachia. It provides a deeper understanding of cultural exchange and evolution by examining the connections between the diverse populations that eventually became Appalachian. This program offers an invaluable opportunity to study and preserve a rich and diverse heritage that has significantly influenced American music, literature, and history.

Understand Regional Social and Economic Issues

You will be challenged to critically examine the social, economic, and political issues that shape the Appalachian region. Topics include poverty, rural healthcare, urbanization, migration, environmental challenges, and educational disparities, while providing a strong foundation for anyone interested in addressing these issues.

Strengthen Critical Thinking and Research Skills

Appalachian Studies fosters a dynamic, multidisciplinary approach that integrates history, sociology, anthropology, economics, and political science. By engaging with diverse perspectives, you'll hone critical thinking, research, and analytical skills that are not only valuable in academia but also highly transferable across a wide range of professions.

Contribute to Community Development

There is no other program in the United States that offers such a powerful combination of community engagement and hands-on skill development. You will actively collaborate on impactful projects that deliver real-world results, while gaining invaluable experience presenting your work at academic conferences. Graduates of the Appalachian Studies program are uniquely equipped to drive change in their communities, with many going on to lead initiatives in community outreach, nonprofit organizations, and local governments - helping to create sustainable programs that empower and uplift communities.

Work in Cultural Preservation

The Master’s in Appalachian Studies offers unique opportunities in museums, historic preservation, and cultural heritage management. You’ll have the chance to play a key role in preserving the region's rich history and culture, ensuring that vanishing stories are safeguarded and continue to be shared for generations to come.

Engage with Contemporary Environmental Issues

Appalachian Studies offers an opportunity to engage with these issues from a local and global perspective, especially within the context of complex community interactions with the environment and sustainable development.

Foster Interdisciplinary Connections

Appalachian Studies connects with a variety of other fields such as history, sociology, geography, anthropology, and literature. This interdisciplinarity equips you to approach problems and ideas from multiple angles, which is quickly becoming a skill highly valued in many careers.

Broaden Career Opportunities

While Appalachian Studies may be perceived as a niche field, it in fact offers a diverse array of career opportunities across multiple sectors, including education, government, social work, environmental policy, nonprofit organizations, tourism, and the arts. Encompassing 13 states, Appalachia spans from Mississippi to New York, representing a significant portion of the United States both geographically and demographically. Notably, over 44% of the rural population in the U.S. resides in Appalachia, which includes both urban centers such as Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and numerous rural communities. Together, these areas account for 7.7% of the total U.S. population.

Appalachia’s cultural landscape is profoundly shaped by a history of migration, which has contributed to the formation of distinct cultural pockets throughout the region. As a result, the insights and skills developed through a Master of Arts in Appalachian Studies are broadly applicable, not only within the region itself but also to other sectors and geographic areas facing similar challenges.

Although Appalachian Studies centers on the history, culture, and socio-economic conditions of the Appalachian region, it also provides a lens through which broader American societal issues can be explored. A degree in Appalachian Studies equips students with a nuanced understanding of the complex challenges faced by many communities across the United States. It also fosters the ability to address these issues with both empathy and practical, research-informed solutions. The methodologies and strategies developed within Appalachia hold considerable potential for application in other regions confronting comparable socio-economic and cultural challenges.

While many graduates of Appalachian Studies programs pursue careers within the region, a significant number apply their expertise to improve the lives of communities beyond Appalachia. These individuals use their skills to foster sustainable change and create meaningful careers that extend the impact of their education to a national scale.

Discover the wide range of opportunities a degree in Appalachian Studies can unlock. From preserving cultural heritage to shaping public policy, our graduates are making an impact in communities across the region and beyond. Below are the four most common fields our alumni enter after graduation. Click on a field to learn more about the exciting job opportunities awaiting you after graduation.