Degrees & Majors

The Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (B.I.S.) program in Law and Society provides students an opportunity to acquire a career-oriented range of skills and knowledge about the law from social science and humanities perspectives. The degree is an excellent choice for pre-law students. Law and Society students typically take courses in the following fields: Political Science History Criminal Justice Legal Studies Economics Philosophy Sociology Speech Communication

The faculty in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics view the disciplines as great unifying themes in our modern culture. Math/stats is a language, a science, an art form and a tool of tremendous power. The Ph.D. degree program in Mathematics and Statistics offers a choice of three concentrations: Mathematics Bioinformatics Biostatistics These concentrations address the critical need for mathematics faculty as well as the need for highly trained researchers in mathematics and statistics. Successful students will be effective and creative mathematics and statistics professionals. Students in the concentrations in bioinformatics and biostatistics will graduate with a broad background in applied areas that will position them for hire into roles in business, industry, governmental institutions and research universities. Graduates of the mathematics concentration will develop a broad knowledge of core areas of pure and applied mathematics that also offers a broad range of high-level career options.

This dual-degree program enables qualified students to enroll in graduate courses late in their undergraduate program and apply the coursework toward the bachelor’s and master’s programs. This allows students to earn a B.S. and M.S. in five years, typically saving a year of time and tuition dollars. This B.S./M.S. program offers students the ability to get an M.S. in mathematics with a concentration in statistics or an M.S.  in mathematics with no concentration. Students of mathematics and statistics enjoy high-paying job opportunities in a wide range of fields and are also well prepared for further study at the graduate level in mathematics, statistics and other fields.

The interdisciplinary major concentration in Media Entrepreneurship prepares students for entry into a changing media environment with an understanding of current business dynamics and opportunities. Students will gain grounding in the skills they need to start their own businesses and to bring innovative and entrepreneurial thinking to traditional media organizations. Throughout the program, students will examine organizational culture, emerging and traditional business models, opportunities and challenges presented by the start-up climate, and will discuss how to leverage digital media tools in an entrepreneurial context.

The Middle East Institute offers an interdisciplinary major in Middle East Studies, a minor in Middle East Studies and a minor in Arabic. The major is ideal for students who want a well-rounded understanding of the Middle East along with the opportunity to study languages of the region. Students take courses on the Middle East in a variety of disciplines, including history, political science, religious studies, communication and women’s studies. Each student selects the specific courses included in his or her program of study in consultation with an MEI adviser. The MES major prepares students for graduate school or for careers in government, business, the non-profit sector or the military. For information on the degree requirements, refer to the Academic Guide. For more information about the Minor in Middle Eastern Studies, visit the Department of World Languages & Cultures website.

Neuroscience is a dynamic and fast-growing field in science and medicine, exploring how the nervous system produces perceptions, thoughts, emotions and behavior. Neuroscientists address fundamental questions of nervous system function as well as health-related questions that affect society and every aspect of our lives. To answer these questions, neuroscience bridges many disciplines for a full understanding of how the nervous system works. Our students learn about nervous system function from genes and molecules to behavior and cognition. Our program provides breadth in the fundamentals of nervous system function, along with flexibility to explore individual interests. Our students engage in original research inside the classroom, and many of our students gain significant research experience outside of the classroom in the Neuroscience Institute or associate faculty labs. Our program emphasizes professional development instruction and practice to ensure our students are ready for neuroscience-related careers, graduate school or medical school. The B.S. Program in Neuroscience is housed in the Neuroscience Institute, a rare example of an entire academic department devoted to neuroscience education and research. As part of Georgia State’s racially, ethnically and socioeconomically diverse community, we work to create a welcoming and equitable environment where diverse voices are heard and recognized. We are proud to be a part of the journey of students from underrepresented communities in neuroscience.  A diverse science community brings diverse questions and answers to science.

Our stand-alone M.S. Neuroscience degree is offered to students who are seeking graduate training without necessarily planning to pursue a doctoral degree. Students receive training via academic coursework, research, teaching and outreach activities. Our program emphasizes the research aspect of graduate training and so all MS students must either complete a capstone project or successfully conduct and defend an approved thesis. The thesis option is only recommended for students that are interested in eventually pursuing a doctoral degree. Graduate students in the Neuroscience Institute receive interdisciplinary training by working with Core Neuroscience Faculty and more than 50 Associate Faculty from other departments, including Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Education, Mathematics, Public Health, Psychology, Philosophy and Physics. Students can obtain training in a wide range of research methodologies, and have the opportunity to teach and attend journal clubs, seminars and distinguished speaker series. Students can train in: behavioral neuroscience and neuroendocrinology, neurogenomics and genetics, neuroimmunology and cardiometabolic diseases, computational neuroscience, neuroethics, and primate behavior and cognition.

Philosophy teaches a person how to think critically and creatively, how to write clearly and persuasively, and other skills valuable to a wide range of careers, including law, business, the sciences and education. The Department of Philosophy has three areas of strength: Social, Legal, and Political Philosophy Philosophy of Mind, Cognitive Science, and Neurophilosophy The History of Philosophy The department also offers a series of courses in applied ethics, which provides students useful skills for their careers and their lives. Courses in this area include Introduction to Ethics, Sex and Love, Race and Racism, Biomedical Ethics, Philosophy of Law, Business Ethics, and our signature experience course in which students prepare to compete in the Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl.

Georgia State has one of the most highly regarded terminal M.A. programs in philosophy in the country, with strong placement into prestigious Ph.D. programs and a lauded teacher-training program. In addition, the department has developed three areas of research strength: Social, legal and political philosophy Neurophilosophy and empirically informed philosophy of mind History of philosophy