Degrees & Majors
Choose from dozens of nationally ranked and recognized programs and more than 250 majors, minors and pathways at the university offering the widest variety of fields of study in Georgia.
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The information shared here is intended to provide an overview of Georgia State’s offerings. For details on admissions requirements, tuition, courses and more please refer to the university catalogs.
Psychology, Ph.D., Clinical/Community Psychology
Training in the joint Clinical/Community Psychology concentration is informed by the traditions of prevention and social justice in community psychology and by the focus on assessment and individualized mental health interventions in clinical psychology. This dual-enrollment program provides a strengths-based, culturally competent approach to mental health and healthy development that emphasizes theory, research and practice at multiple levels of analysis – psychological, sociopolitical and ecological. Upon graduation, students will have completed predoctoral requirements for clinical licensure in most states and will have solid preparation for American Board of Professional Psychology certification in their areas of specialty. For more information about professional licensure, download our Professional Licensure Sheet PDF document. In addition, CLC students receive training in a range of indirect services necessary for interventions at the institutional and community levels: Consultation Program development and evaluation Social policy Action research The CLC concentration is jointly administered by the Community and Clinical program areas. Students participate in both the Clinical Psychology and Community Psychology program areas. Faculty in areas serve as primary advisers. A secondary adviser is assigned in most cases to ensure appropriate training in both areas. We offer three clinical training concentrations: General Clinical Psychology, Clinical Neuropsychology and Clinical/Community Psychology. Each prepares students for distinctive paths within psychology. Welcome from the Directors of Graduate Studies FAQs for Graduate Program Applicants Faculty Accepting Students for Fall 2022
Psychology, Ph.D., Cognitive & Affective Neuroscience
The Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience (CAN) concentration focuses on the neural bases for cognitive and affective processes in humans, and typically uses a combination of psychological experimental methods and non-invasive imaging techniques in healthy populations. Our program is unique in that some faculty also focus on clinical populations or the translational components of noninvasive nonhuman primate-based research. The focus of this work is on its direct or translational value to human cognition and emotional systems. Graduate students earn a master’s degree en route to the Ph.D. degree. The CAN Ph.D. concentration does not provide clinical training nor is the primary work in behavioral neuroscience. Students interested in neuropsychology and clinical licensure should apply to the Clinical Neuropsychology (CLN) concentration. Students interested in behavioral neuroscience and/or research on basic model organisms should apply to the Neuroscience Institute. The CAN and other faculty with neuroimaging research interests are involved in the Center for Translational Research in Neuroimaging and Data Science (TReNDS) with regular presentations and speaker series, collaborative projects and research initiatives. Georgia State has a rich neuroscience community that fosters collaboration among our colleagues in the Neuroscience Institute and the Georgia State/Georgia Tech Center for Advanced Brain Imaging. Welcome from the Directors of Graduate Studies FAQs for Graduate Program Applicants Faculty Accepting Students for Fall 2022
Psychology, Ph.D., Cognitive Sciences
College of Arts & Sciences
The Cognitive Sciences concentration encompasses interdisciplinary interests in experimental psychology, neuroscience, philosophy, computer science and translational science. With cognition as its unifying thread, the program provides opportunities to specialize in research and training in basic or applied cognitive psychology, cognitive neuroscience, social cognition, language and cognitive development, psycholinguistics and comparative cognition. Research methods include noninvasive behavioral and cognitive testing with children, adults and non-human primates, as well as electroencephalography, magnetic resonance imaging, transcranial magnetic stimulation, diffusion tensor imaging, eye-tracking, virtual reality/virtual environment testing, neurogenomics and cognitive neuroinformatics. We accept students with wide-ranging interests across the cognitive sciences for this terminal Ph.D. program. Students shape their own programs of research in consultation with their advisers. Prospective applicants should contact faculty for more information about individual research programs. Specific faculty interests include learning and memory; language acquisition and use, including the roles of experience, gesture and specific brain structures and processes; economic decision-making; attention and executive functioning (such as metacognition, planning, cognitive control); false memories and eyewitness accuracy; decision-making, including speeded judgments, economic decision-making and reasoning; inequity perception and response; comparative cognition; individual and group differences (such as species, race, gender, diagnostic category, age); cooperation and prosocial behavior; and brain-behavior relations that underlie various cognitive competencies. Welcome from the Directors of Graduate Studies FAQs for Graduate Program Applicants Faculty Accepting Students for Fall 2022
Psychology, Ph.D., Community Psychology
Ph.D. students in the Community Psychology concentration receive training that will enable them to conduct research and collaborate with communities to improve the well-being of individuals and social settings. Community psychologists: Seek to expand "helping" beyond traditional psychotherapy to promote wellness. Engage in action-oriented research to develop, implement and evaluate programs. Base their work on a scientific foundation to better understand the multiple influences of the social environment on health and wellness. Build collaborative relationships with community members, groups and organizations to solve social problems. Consult with and provide tools to organizations to build capacity to address social problems such as exploitation and victimization. Analyze government, civic life and workplace settings to understand and improve fair and diverse participation. Fight oppression, seek to reduce social inequalities and work with marginalized people toward their empowerment. The department also offers a joint concentration in community-clinical psychology and a dual program in public health and community psychology. Students in the Clinical-Community (CLC) concentration seek training in clinical and community psychology and aim to be eligible for clinical licensure following graduation. Dual enrollment provides a strengths-based, culturally competent approach to mental health and healthy development that emphasizes theory, research and practice at multiple levels of analysis — psychological, sociopolitical and ecological. The dual M.P.H.-Ph.D. program in Public Health and Community Psychology provides professional and graduate students with a solid and well-rounded background across two disciplines. Successful candidates will earn a master of public health degree upon completion of the graduate health behavior and promotion concentration or the epidemiology concentration offered by the School of Public Health and a Doctor of Philosophy degree (Ph.D.) upon completion of the community psychology concentration. Our faculty share a common perspective as researchers rooted in psychology and informed by related disciplines, such as education, public health, sociology and women’s studies. We share an emphasis on changing resources, social norms and public policies that affect individuals and the contexts surrounding people’s lives (for example, social institutions, neighborhoods, families). We are involved at the local, state, national and international levels and work with community and governmental organizations to design, implement and investigate the efficacy of social interventions using a variety of research methods ranging from rigorous experimental designs to qualitative case studies. We collaborate with community partners to evaluate and improve existing programs. Welcome from the Directors of Graduate Studies FAQs for Graduate Program Applicants Faculty Accepting Students for Fall 2022
Religious Studies, B.A.
College of Arts & Sciences
Religious Studies is an interdisciplinary area of study that prepares students to navigate multicultural environments successfully, to lead teams effectively in collaborative settings and to interpret and marshal various types of information and data while advancing a large project. Graduates with religious studies degrees advance in a wide range of careers and hold positions at nonprofit, in healthcare, academia and other public and private settings. Studying religion puts you on the cutting edge of global politics, business, health care, education and the media. Course offerings in religious studies, all of which are taught from a non-sectarian perspective, include comparative courses on such topics as world religions, religious thought, religious ethics, mysticism, and women and religion, as well as a host of courses on specific religious traditions, including Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Shinto and Taoism.
Religious Studies, B.A./M.A.
Religious Studies, B.A./M.A.
College of Arts & Sciences
Students can save time and tuition money by earning bachelor's and master's degrees in religious studies in as little as five years. Graduates of our interdisciplinary program develop the skills needed to work in today's diverse, multicultural workplaces. Our recent graduates have moved ahead by pursuing careers in education, non-profit management, law and business, as well as by returning to established careers with a better understanding of religion and culture. The program also prepares students who aim to pursue a Ph.D. or who want to go on to a professionally oriented graduate program in areas such as public health or law.
Religious Studies, M.A.
College of Arts & Sciences
Studying world religions prepares you for economic success in professions where culturally diverse points of view are valued, and to succeed personally in an international city such as Atlanta or anywhere else in the world. The program introduces you to ideas, practices and values you’ve never encountered. Choose from two tracks and two career-oriented concentrations: Thesis Track: Students work with a thesis director and committee to research and write a thesis of publishable length. Final project: Thesis Coursework Intensive Track: Students take more classes to gain more depth in their field or breadth across Religious Studies. Final project: Research paper or project Concentration in Nonprofit Management: Students in this concentration earn the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies Certificate in Nonprofit Management while they complete their M.A. in Religious Studies Management while they complete their M.A. in Religious Studies. Final project: Research paper or project that integrates work in Nonprofit Management, an internship and Religious Studies Concentration in Religion and Aging: Students in this concentration earn the Gerontology Institute's Graduate Certificate while they complete their M.A. in Religious Studies. Final project: Research paper or project that integrates work in Gerontology, an internship and Religious Studies
Social Justice Certificate
Increasing inequality, political polarization and the value of diversity in growing numbers of organizations have increased demand for Social Justice professionals in non-governmental organizations (NGOs), non-profit institutions, grassroots activist collectives and corporate departments whose work involves subjects like multiculturalism, community outreach and equity. To provide the skills necessary for such work, the Department of Sociology offers a multi-disciplinary Certificate in Social Justice. This certificate provides specialized curricula to strengthen the candidacy of graduates for post-graduate professional activities concerned with social justice, provides opportunities to apply course material via experience-based learning activities and forms a comprehensive and interdisciplinary field of social justice from relevant courses in various university departments.
Sociology, B.A.
Sociology is the study of society, including identities, cultures, and institutions, and particularly the power dynamics that animate societal structures and social interactions. Sociology uses data and theory to analyze the causes, processes, and consequences of social ideologies, social behaviors, institutional discourses, and institutional practices. Undergraduate students in our courses critically explore topics like race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, urbanization, health, illness, wealth, deviance, social problems, inequality and activism. Specialty Areas: Health & Life Course Gerontology Gender & Sexuality Race & Urban
Sociology, Dual B.A./M.A.
Sociology, Dual B.A./M.A.
College of Arts & Sciences
The B.A. /M.A. Program is appropriate for qualified Georgia State University undergraduate students who have completed two years as a Sociology major with a GPA of 3.5. Students may pursue a dual Bachelor of Arts in sociology and either a Master of Arts in Sociology or Master of Arts in Gerontology. Dual undergraduate/graduate programs enable admitted undergraduate students to begin taking specified graduate courses during their senior year (or earlier in some cases) and count the coursework toward both the undergraduate and graduate degrees. Students in dual programs are enrolled in each degree program either concurrently or in close succession. Dual degrees may, therefore, be awarded at the same time, or one degree may be awarded prior to the second.
Sociology, Joint M.A./Ph.D.
College of Arts & Sciences
The Joint Master of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) degree program in sociology is designed for students who are entering graduate studies with a B.A. degree and for students with graduate degrees in non-social science fields. The program provides students with both a broad exposure to the discipline of sociology as well as in-depth study in special areas of expertise. The broad knowledge of sociology comes through coursework in a variety of substantive areas, as well as through training in research methodology, statistics and theory. Most of the faculty’s interest and expertise lie in six specialty areas: Gender Health Life Course Race and Ethnic Relations Sexualities Urban Studies The Sociology Department is located in the heart of Atlanta, within walking distance of the State Capitol and City Hall, and close to other major political, economic and cultural centers. This connection with a large, vibrant urban community provides an ideal learning environment for students.
Sociology, M.A.
College of Arts & Sciences
Our standalone M.A. program trains social researchers who do not necessarily plan to pursue a career in academia. Students in this program can receive training in social research skills that can allow them to work in industry or the non-profit sector as qualitative and quantitative researchers. The Department and individual faculty members have consulted and engaged in research projects with many different agencies, including the National Science Foundation, U.S. Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Aging, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, American Educational Research Association, U.S. Attorney’s Office, U.S. Bureau of the Census, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Georgia Department of Human Resources, Georgia Narcotics Treatment Center, Georgia Mental Health Institute, Atlanta Regional Commission, the City of Atlanta Bureau of Planning, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Pew Charitable Trust and numerous other government agencies, as well as private concerns.
Sociology, Ph.D.
College of Arts & Sciences
The Ph.D.-only program is focused on producing highly skilled researchers who can perform research in both academic and non-academic environments. This program is appropriate for students who have completed a master’s degree in sociology or a closely related social science field. Students with graduate degrees in non-social science fields are accepted into our Joint M.A. /Ph.D. program. The Sociology Department is located in the heart of Atlanta, within walking distance of the State Capitol and City Hall, and close to other major political, economic and cultural centers. This connection with a large, vibrant urban community provides an ideal learning environment for students.
Spanish – Language and International Business, B.A.
Spanish – Language and International Business, B.A.
Eligible for the Dual Undergraduate/Graduate Program
Program Information The mission of the Department is to give students the opportunity to develop appropriate proficiencies in the modern and classical languages, to acquaint students with the literary and cultural productions of other countries, and to provide them the opportunity to acquire critical skills through literary and cultural analysis. For the latest information about required courses, view the Undergraduate Catalog.
Spanish – Language, Culture, and Society, B.A.
Spanish – Language, Culture, and Society, B.A.
Eligible for the Dual Undergraduate/Graduate Program
Program Information The mission of the World Languages and Cultures Department is to give students the opportunity to develop appropriate proficiencies in the modern and classical languages, to acquaint students with the literary and cultural productions of other countries, and to provide them the opportunity to acquire critical skills through literary and cultural analysis. For the latest information about required courses, view the Undergraduate Catalog.
Spanish, M.A.
Spanish, M.A.
Through an emphasis on Spanish language, literature, and culture, our program fosters communicative abilities, intercultural competence and global awareness among students. The interdisciplinary focus of the faculty enhances graduate education by encouraging alternate cultural perspectives that complement such areas of study as Business, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Law, Education, and the Humanities among others. Our Spanish M.A. program is a gateway for students to internationalize their degree in a way that will not only help them better understand a globalized society but will also make them more competitive for career opportunities as they enter a global economy. We offer students real world opportunities to combine and apply Spanish language ability, cultural knowledge, and career skills. The ability to speak Spanish fluently can be an asset in today’s global economy and make individuals more competitive in the job market. Graduates in Spanish, one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, pursue careers in business, education, government, and the nonprofit sector, while others pursue Ph.D. & Ed.D. degrees. We offer competitive Graduate Teaching Assistantships with a full tuition waiver.
Teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL), Undergraduate Certificate
The certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL) provides students with appropriate skills and a credential that will enable them to teach EFL abroad. The TEFL certificate is awarded to students who successfully complete a series of five undergraduate courses offered by the Department of Applied Linguistics & ESL. The TEFL certificate is an entry-level credential for those who plan short-term stays overseas. Students who are interested in a career in teaching EFL/ESL will need to have more extensive education and certification at the master’s degree level. For information on the certificate requirements, visit the Applied Linguistics & ESL website.
Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), Undergraduate Certificate
The certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) equips students with skills that will enable them to teach English as a Foreign Language abroad. The TEFL certificate is designed as a credential for those who plan short-term stays overseas and is open to Georgia State University students in any undergraduate major. The program requires students to complete a series of five undergraduate courses offered by the Department of Applied Linguistics & English as a Second Language. Students who are likely to be interested in the certificate program include: Those in disciplines where an extended stay abroad would enhance their skills, employment or graduate school admission possibilities upon their return. People who are simply interested in the adventure of living in another culture and of gaining knowledge of the world. Individuals with a bachelor's degree who are interested in working abroad but do not want to make the long term professional commitment involved in earning a graduate degree. Majors in Language Studies interested in further graduate study in applied linguistics. For these students, earning the certificate as part of their undergraduate degree requirements can enhance their graduate school potential. Georgia State also offers a graduate certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). This certificate is likely a better choice for students interested in continuing on to earn an MA. For more information go to the TESOL program page.