Unique Degrees and Careers for Military and Veterans: Appalachian Studies and Native American Studies
True story: students can enter a field of study that truly interests them AND pursue a wide variety of interesting and profitable careers! Did you know that, barring any prerequisites, students can pursue any degree that sparks their interests? No, you don’t have to follow a certain educational pathway or a particular career route.While some careers and degrees have obvious beginnings and outcomes (pre-vet for those always wanting to become veterinarians and teacher certification programs for those that have always wanted to become educators), there are no restrictions on students choosing a degree program that genuinely interests them. The result of following one’s educational interests can be a fulfilling degree program that will provide the foundation for any number of related (and unrelated) profitable and otherwise rewarding careers.
For students that don’t have any particular interests, have too many options that interest them, or are as yet undecided on their educational or career route, a general studies or interdisciplinary studies option is ideal. For information on those degree offerings click here.
If You Hear the Mountains Calling:
Students who pursue a Degree in Appalachian Studies will study a variety of courses including:
Applied knowledge and critical thinking skills gained from comprehensive undergraduate and graduate programs will serve students beyond the Appalachian and college setting. Students will be well prepared to navigate within different communities, states, the nation, and the world. A Degree in Appalachian Studies is ideal for careers in education, local and regional planning, economic development, service organizations, cultural and arts organizations, and health-related careers.
Maryville College– Offers Appalachian Studies as a minor for its undergraduate degrees. Maryville College has GI Bill approved programs, offers credit for military experience, is approved for Tuition Assistance, and awards credit for both the CLEP and DSST exams. Maryville College proudly participates in the Yellow Ribbon program.
University of North Georgia– Offers Appalachian Studies as a minor for its undergraduate degrees. The University of North Georgia has GI Bill approved programs, offers credit for military experience, and awards credit for the CLEP and DSST exams. University of North Georgia is a MyCAA approved school, is approved for Tuition Assistance, and proudly participates in the Yellow Ribbon program.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University– Offers Appalachian Cultures and Environments as a minor for its undergraduate degrees. Virginia Tech is a GI Bill approved school, offers credit for military experience, and awards credit for both the CLEP and DSST exams. Virginia Tech is approved for Tuition Assistance and proudly participates in the Yellow Ribbon program.
For students that don’t have any particular interests, have too many options that interest them, or are as yet undecided on their educational or career route, a general studies or interdisciplinary studies option is ideal. For information on those degree offerings click here.
If You Hear the Mountains Calling:
Degree in Appalachian Studies
The Appalachians contain some of the richest and most distinctive cultural regions in the United States. The Appalachians are home to a deep history, vibrant musical and artistic traditions, distinctive religious practices, and astonishing biodiversity. A true interdisciplinary program, from the Arts to the Sciences, the knowledge and experiences contained within an Appalachian Studies program will enable students to understand this diverse and marvelous place.Students who pursue a Degree in Appalachian Studies will study a variety of courses including:
- history
- culture
- religion
- social systems
- biology
- economy
- natural resources
- politics
Applied knowledge and critical thinking skills gained from comprehensive undergraduate and graduate programs will serve students beyond the Appalachian and college setting. Students will be well prepared to navigate within different communities, states, the nation, and the world. A Degree in Appalachian Studies is ideal for careers in education, local and regional planning, economic development, service organizations, cultural and arts organizations, and health-related careers.
Jobs with a Degree in Appalachian Studies
- Research Assistant- Assist in laboratory, survey, and other research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist analysis, quality control, or data management. Median Annual Salary: $54,000.
- Secondary Education Teacher- Instruct students in fundamental skills. Median Annual Salary: $55,000.
- Historian- Research, analyze, interpret, and write about the past by studying historical documents and sources. Median Annual Salary: $63,000.
- Sociologist- Study society and social behavior. Median Annual Salary: $86,000.
- Author- Develop written content for various types of media on topics of Appalachia. Median Annual Salary: $122,000.
GI Bill®-approved Schools Offering a Degree in Appalachian Studies
Ready to start your Degree in Appalachian Studies? Check out these great programs at our partner schools:Maryville College– Offers Appalachian Studies as a minor for its undergraduate degrees. Maryville College has GI Bill approved programs, offers credit for military experience, is approved for Tuition Assistance, and awards credit for both the CLEP and DSST exams. Maryville College proudly participates in the Yellow Ribbon program.
University of North Georgia– Offers Appalachian Studies as a minor for its undergraduate degrees. The University of North Georgia has GI Bill approved programs, offers credit for military experience, and awards credit for the CLEP and DSST exams. University of North Georgia is a MyCAA approved school, is approved for Tuition Assistance, and proudly participates in the Yellow Ribbon program.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University– Offers Appalachian Cultures and Environments as a minor for its undergraduate degrees. Virginia Tech is a GI Bill approved school, offers credit for military experience, and awards credit for both the CLEP and DSST exams. Virginia Tech is approved for Tuition Assistance and proudly participates in the Yellow Ribbon program.
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Indigenous Interests?
University of Arizona- Offers American Indian Studies as a Master of Arts Degree and a PhD. American Indian Studies is also offered as a minor for its undergraduate degrees. University of Arizona is a GI Bill® approved school, offers credit for military experience, and awards credit for both the CLEP and DSST exams. University of Arizona is a Yellow Ribbon school and is approved for Tuition Assistance.
University of Nevada Las Vegas- Offers American Indian and Indigenous Studies as a minor for its undergraduate degrees. UNLV has GI Bill approved programs, offers credit for military experience, and awards credit for the CLEP and DSST exams. UNLV is a MyCAA approved school and is approved for Tuition Assistance. UNLV proudly participates in the Yellow Ribbon program.
University of South Alabama- Offers a minor in Native American Studies for its undergraduate programs. University of South Alabama has GI Bill approved program, offers credit for military experience, and awards credit for the CLEP exam. University of South Alabama is a MyCAA approved school, is approved for Tuition Assistance, and proudly participates in the Yellow Ribbon program.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University– Offers American Indian Studies as a minor for its undergraduate degrees. Virginia Tech is a GI Bill® approved school, offers credit for military experience, and awards credit for both the CLEP and DSST exams. Virginia Tech is approved for Tuition Assistance and proudly participates in the Yellow Ribbon program.
Degree in Native American Studies
A Degree in Native American Studies will immerse students in a comprehensive education with classes in culture, art, literature, thought, archaeology, sovereignty, language and expression, and history. Specialty degree programs related to Native Americans (Indigenous Americans, American Indians, etc.) are expansive and include:- Indigenous Peoples’ Linguistics
- Native Nation Building
- Indigenous Health
- Indigenous Governance
- Native Peoples’ Law and Policy
Jobs with a Degree in Native American Studies
- Interpreter- Convert information. Interpreters work in settings such as schools, hospitals, courtrooms, meeting rooms, and conference centers. Some work for translation and interpretation companies, individual organizations, or private clients. Median Annual Salary: $52,000.
- Archeologist- Study the origin, development, and behavior of humans. Median Annual Salary: $66,000.
- Instructional Coordinator- Oversee school curriculums and teaching standards. They develop instructional material, implement it, and assess its effectiveness. Median Annual Salary: $67,000.
- Regional Planner- Develop land use plans and programs that help create communities, accommodate population growth, and revitalize physical facilities. Median Annual Salary: $76,000.
- Political Scientist- Study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. Median Annual Salary: $122,000.
GI Bill-approved Schools Offering a Native American Studies Degree
Ready to start your Degree in Native American Studies? Check out these great programs at our partner schools:University of Arizona- Offers American Indian Studies as a Master of Arts Degree and a PhD. American Indian Studies is also offered as a minor for its undergraduate degrees. University of Arizona is a GI Bill® approved school, offers credit for military experience, and awards credit for both the CLEP and DSST exams. University of Arizona is a Yellow Ribbon school and is approved for Tuition Assistance.
University of Nevada Las Vegas- Offers American Indian and Indigenous Studies as a minor for its undergraduate degrees. UNLV has GI Bill approved programs, offers credit for military experience, and awards credit for the CLEP and DSST exams. UNLV is a MyCAA approved school and is approved for Tuition Assistance. UNLV proudly participates in the Yellow Ribbon program.
University of South Alabama- Offers a minor in Native American Studies for its undergraduate programs. University of South Alabama has GI Bill approved program, offers credit for military experience, and awards credit for the CLEP exam. University of South Alabama is a MyCAA approved school, is approved for Tuition Assistance, and proudly participates in the Yellow Ribbon program.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University– Offers American Indian Studies as a minor for its undergraduate degrees. Virginia Tech is a GI Bill® approved school, offers credit for military experience, and awards credit for both the CLEP and DSST exams. Virginia Tech is approved for Tuition Assistance and proudly participates in the Yellow Ribbon program.