Be the Change You Want to See

Asheville Center


Serving the specific needs of Asheville, Western North Carolina and beyond.

The Center for Graduate Studies is located in the historic Montford neighborhood in Asheville, just steps away from all of the great things that downtown offers. Full-time, terminally degreed faculty direct our graduate programs, mentor students and develop community partnerships. 

Our graduate programs are specially designed to meet both the needs of the Asheville community and of graduate students balancing work and school. Our classes, held in the evenings and on weekends, offer flexibility in scheduling for the working professional.

LR's Asheville Center currently enrolls more than 200 students in 10 programs and is known for its leadership in key community initiatives.

A Great Place to Live, Work, Study & Play


Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, Asheville offers a little bit of everything for everyone. Named to many "best of" lists, Asheville offers a vibrant and collaborative art scene that is woven across every neighborhood in the city and unsurpassed recreational experiences within the city and in the nearby Blue Ridge mountains. 

Explore Asheville
Dan Waters

There are a lot of people like me who want to go to graduate school, but can't take a year off to do so. We have day jobs. The course content and how it is set up is several years ahead of its time.

Dan Waters, M.D.

News & Events

Kat Heiden and her dog in close-up

For years, Kat Heiden, MFA '27, lived her childhood dream of writing for television. Then she let go of the stress to find healing and new creative life as a graduate student.

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Bear cub statue with fall leaves and Mauney-Schaeffer in the background

Beginning their terms of service on the board this year are three enthusiastic alumni who have already gone far to improve campus life and student opportunities.

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