In the Cherokee syllabary, the characters above spell "study".
Cherokee Studies Graduate Certificate
Gives you control in matching your educational interests with your crowded schedule. Students can enroll in any graduate program at WCU and earn a Cherokee Studies Certificate by taking 15 hours of approved coursework. More information about this program, including a full listing of course requirements.
Who should consider a Certificate?
School and College Teachers... Health Practitioners... Linguists..... Resource Managers.... Environmental and Cultural Preservation Professionals.... Archaologists.... Lawyers and Mediators..... Consuelors... Theatre and Art.....
Whether you are aiming for a new career, or are considering a return or enrichment of your current professional life, the intercultural skills you can gain here are in demand locally and globally in nearly all professional fields and buisnesses.
Culturally-based Native Health Program
Western Carolina University, the Eastern Band, and Wake Forest University are in the process of creating a Culturally-based Native Health Program. Online courses. Training Opportunites for youth and adults. Professional mentoring. Action research.
We are building a new national model, and are involving native communities from the ground up to improve health care delivery for indigenous people and all who want more effective care from the health system.
To get involved, contact Dr. Lisa Lefler, Director, at llefler@wcu.edu; llefler@nc-cherokee.com or phone 828-497-7457
Master of Arts Degree in American History, Cherokee Studies Track
The Master of Arts Degree in American History, Cherokee Studies track, requires a minimum of 30 semester hours of approved course-work, including 3 hours of thesis credit (HIST 699); 18 hours in American history courses (including HIST 545, 631, and 632); 6 to 9 hours in Cherokee Studies concentration selected from: ANTH 561, ANTH 573, ASI 594, ENGL 564, or other courses approved by the graduate adviser. A non-thesis track for Cherokee Studies is currently in the works. Once this program is in place, students will be able to complete an internship in lieu of a thesis.
For more information, email Dr. Anderson at wanderson@email.wcu.edu or Dr. Graham at graham@email.wcu.edu
Enhance your experience
Student work or study co-operatives are available to graduate students through Western's Cherokee Center and external organizations within the Native American community.
For more information, email Center Director Roseanna Belt at rbelt@wcu.edu
Research Facilities
Graduate students and scholars have access to extensive research facilities. Hunter Library's holding includes nearly 500,000 books, one million units of microforms, and 3,000 periodicals, including newspapers and magazines. It has one of the largest map collections in the state. The library's Special Collections holding houses a rich variety of materials on regional, Appalachian, and Cherokee history.
The university is located near several other depositories and has access to research facilities on the Cherokee Indian Reservation. Books may easily be borrowed from the libraries of UNC-Asheville and Appalachian State University.
Research and Graduate Studies
Research and graduate studies serves as Western's source of information about contract and grant possibilities and assists faculty, staff and students in the preparation of proposals. For more information, call 1-800-369-9854, 828-227-7398 or fax 828-227-7480.