As defined in legislation, Appalachia is a region of 200,000 square miles following the contour of the Appalachian Mountains from southern New York to northern Mississippi. West Virginia is the only state to lie entirely within the region. Parts of twelve other states are included: New York, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi.

Marshall University commits faculty and resources to Appalachian Studies. In addition to faculty and library resources, the University houses the office of the Appalachian Studies Association, and the Center for the Study of Ethnicity and Gender in Appalachia.

The Graduate Humanities Program is home for the Graduate Certificate in Appalachian Studies. Courses in the Program are conducted in a virtual graduate-level seminar format, characterized by challenging readings, involved discussion, and mentored research and application. Importantly, the virtual delivery format allows the Program to engage with scholars and practitioners across the region, who work with students to undertake dynamic, collaborative explorations of Appalachian Studies. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the Program Director of the Graduate Humanities Program before making an application. Please see the Program website for more information.