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.
Applied Behavior Analysis, M.S.
The Applied Behavior Analysis program gives students the opportunity to work in a clinical and community environment to help people with disabilities. It teaches mastery of basic behavior-analytic skills, such as measurement, experimental design, and various principles and procedures of behavioral change to help students become better therapists, teachers and clinical practitioners. Program highlights include collaborations with faculty members, opportunities for practicum internship placements and a cohort model that fosters lasting professional relationships. You will also learn client-centered responsibilities, such as problem identification, methods of intervention and implementation, management and supervision. This program also gives you important foundational knowledge, including the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts. Additional program highlights are detailed in the sections below. Exam pass-rate data are not published for sequences with fewer than six first-time candidates in a single year or for sequences within their first four years of operation. To access current pass rates, current and potential students may visit BACB's University Pass Rates page. The Association for Behavior Analysis International has verified the program course sequence toward the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst ® examination. Applicants will need to meet additional requirements before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination. There is also a non-degree version of this program for students who have already obtained a master's degree and are interested in taking coursework toward certification as a behavior analyst. Please view more details on this program below. Education programs leading to professional licensure or certification (nursing, education, social work, counseling, accounting, allied health professions, etc.) may require additional approval from separate licensing boards, depending on the state. Students who live or plan to live outside Georgia and are considering a professional program should contact the appropriate board in their state of residency prior to beginning a course of study. To help students find the best-known contact information for the appropriate state licensing board and for a list of Georgia State program contacts, visit the Student Consumer Information website.
Birth Through Five, B.S.Ed.
The B.S.Ed. program in birth through five (B-5) prepares teachers and other early care and education professionals to work in varied settings with young children and their families. Age ranges from infancy through kindergarten, including children who are typically developing and those with disabilities. Our program: Offers evening and online classes Allows students to complete clinical field experience in their work-based settings Prepares students to be innovative, creative and high-quality early childhood educators Offers certification and non-certification options There are two concentrations: Teacher certification Non-teacher certification Education programs leading to professional licensure or certification (nursing, education, social work, counseling, accounting, allied health professions, etc. ...
Career and Technical Specializations, Undergraduate Certificate
College of Education & Human Development
GSU is no longer offering a Career and Technical Specializations Education program. Interested candidates may click here to find a provider with an approved program for this area. The career and technical specializations certificate prepares people with practical and theoretical knowledge and skills to be successful in career and technical education classrooms and laboratories. Our certificate program, approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission for teacher certification, begins during the summer semester. Applications are accepted through the first week of summer classes or until the program is full. Students spend three weeks in the summer on Georgia State's campus, followed by a synchronous online class one night a week in the fall and spring. Students also participate in a student teaching practicum in which a Georgia State educator mentors them at their school of employment.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.S.
College of Education & Human Development
In our Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.S. program you will collaborate and consult with other mental health professionals to take the next steps in your career as a mental health counselor. This Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredited master's degree meets the educational requirements for professional licensure as a counselor and prepares you to work with people across the lifespan in individual, couples and group settings. You will gain a comprehensive understanding of: psychological and emotional wellness professional and ethical practices social and cultural diversity social justice and advocacy human growth and development counseling theories, interventions and best practices career development assessment, research and program evaluation and more Your program culminates in a three-semester practicum-internship. In that experience, you will work with clients in community settings to resolve their challenges. There is also a non-degree version of this program. To view admissions requirements and deadlines visit the Admissions Requirements tab below. Education programs leading to professional licensure or certification (nursing, education, social work, counseling, accounting, allied health professions, etc.) may require ...
Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, M.S.
College of Education & Human Development
The clinical rehabilitation counseling program is an on-campus learning experience that prepares students to help people with cognitive, physical, sensory, psychiatric and other disabilities from all cultures, races and backgrounds. Rehabilitation counselors assist people with disabilities to become more independent, increase their access to education and employment and ensure they are respected members of society. This program was accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs through October 31st, 2027. Education programs leading to professional licen ...
Communication Sciences and Disorders, M.S.
College of Education & Human Development
The communication sciences and disorders program offers a unique educational opportunity for students to become highly qualified speech-language pathologists. Our downtown Atlanta location gives students excellent clinical experiences across the city. Our faculty’s commitment to students' success provides an exceptional learning environment. Cohorts of 30-32 students begin each fall semester and students receive individual attention and work together through the year. The program's intensive field-based education prepares students to: Implement best practices in the profession Communicate effectively with colleagues and clients Work collaboratively with other professionals who serve individuals with communication disorders and their families Pursue opportunities for advanced degrees The Master of Science education program in speech-language pathology at Georgia State is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700. Education programs leading to professional licensure or certification (nursing, education, social work, counseli ...
Comprehensive Intervention Model
The Comprehensive Intervention Model (CIM) is a well-coordinated, Response to Intervention seamless design for providing intervention services to struggling readers. The CIM is a systemic model for reversing the reading failures of struggling readers through layered interventions, including differentiated classroom instruction and supplemental interventions in small groups or one-to-one. The goal is two-fold. In kindergarten through third grade, the goal is to increase the overall literacy achievement by the end of the third grade and to reduce the number of children identified with learning disabilities within 1.5% or less of the general population. In fourth through sixth grade, interventions focus on research-based strategies for reading and writing in the content areas.
Computer Science Endorsement
The year-long computer science endorsement program is designed for teachers who are interested in adding the field of computer science education to a current, renewable teaching certificate held in a content area other than computer science. Applicants' certificate level must be level 4 or higher and at any grade level pre-kindergarten through 12th grade or another eligible field. Candidates who successfully complete the program are prepared to effectively teach computer science courses at the pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade level. The program has four courses and begins in fall semester each year. In the fall, students take one class about digital literacy and cybersecurity. In the spring, students take one class about computational thinking and human-computer interaction. During the summer, students take two classes: A programming course designed specifically for future computing teachers and a computer science teaching methods course. During the fall and spring semesters, we offer frequent Saturday office hours for candidates who want to meet face-to-face with each other or the instructors to ask questions or work on assignments.
Corporate Learning Professional Certificate
The Corporate Learning Professional Certificate is a 12-credit-hour program of study. The content is the same as some of the courses taught in the M.S. Instructional Design and Technology program. The online program is for individuals interested in working in a wide variety of education, training and development areas such as those found in business, industry, government agencies, the military and nonprofit organizations. This certificate is designed to meet the challenges created by the growing demand for instructional design, eLearning development and alignment of learning results with business results and programs in corporate learning organizations. The program emphasizes the competencies required to design, develop, facilitate and evaluate learning and development programs. The goal of the certificate program is to help students meet the qualifications to advance in their field related to education and training, and open up additional avenues for the students to pursue a career in instructional design or human performance technology. Through a combination of classroom and practical activities, this program provides participants with the opportunity to design, develop, manage and evaluate corporate learning solutions that make effective use of best practices and industry standards of development. Ample opportunities are provided for applying the competencies learned in the classroom to job-related situations.
Counseling Psychology, Ph.D.
Counseling psychology is an applied specialty within the field of psychology that has focused on client strengths, the interaction between the person and the environment, career development and multiculturalism. The Counseling Psychology Doctoral Program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). Validation can be attested by contacting the APA Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, 750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242; telephone 202-336-5979; email: apaaccred@apa.org. Completion of the doctoral program contributes to students’ eligibility to become licensed and practice as a psychologist. The Ph.D. in counseling psychology is designed for students who want to pursue careers as university professors, researchers, psychotherapists or directors of psychological services. Our program classes are in downtown Atlanta near five American Psychological Association-accredited pre-doctoral internship sites, where our students can take advantage of practicum training opportunities. Student Admissions, Outcomes and Other Data for Georgia State Counseling Psychology Program
Counselor Education and Practice, Ph.D.
Our counselor education and practice degree is for you if you are interested in educating, training and supervising future clinical mental health, rehabilitation or school counselors. This program is also for those interested in research, social justice and advocacy in the counseling profession. Move forward towards obtaining a doctorate degree to better enhance your career choices. Our Ph.D. degree is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). This program allows future students to generate their own research, critically enhance their counseling competencies and learn new skills in teaching and supervision. Upon completion, students teach and supervise in university settings, work in community agencies as clinicians and administrators and become directors of practice and research institutes. Program Performance Data 2018-2019 Students also have the capability to continue specializing and developing areas of expertise in: Multicultural counseling Play therapy with children and adolescents Trauma and stress LGBTQ issues in counseling and counselor education Disability, health and chronic illness Suicide and crisis Program evaluation Quantitative, qualitative and mixed research methodologies
Creative and Innovative Education, M.A.
The M.A. program in creative and innovative education (MACIE) is designed for people who wish to further their knowledge about children as creative thinkers and innovative makers. Our graduates work in diverse fields, such as business, nonprofits, the creative arts, kindergarten through 12th grade education and community outreach organizations. Education courses provide students with a background in child development theories, learning strategies, critical and creative thinking skills and examinations of children’s lives in contemporary society, all through the lens of creative education Additional coursework in business, policy, education or the arts allows students to focus on content that will prepare them for their specific goals Apprenticeships connect students with organizations and businesses in the metro-Atlanta area to expand their knowledge and skills in areas such as nonprofit organizations, start-up companies, after-school programs and teacher leadership Note: This program does not prepare students to earn a Georgia teaching credential.
Curriculum and Instruction, Ed.D.
The Ed.D. program in curriculum and instruction prepares master teachers to become instructional leaders and curriculum specialists who wish to develop expertise in advocacy for equity in teaching and learning, curriculum theory, and development and pedagogical leadership. Our Ed.D. program consists of a rigorous, collaborative, interdisciplinary program that promotes an understanding of the complex dynamics among theory, research and practice. Our graduates are empowered scholar-educators who advocate for social justice and educational equity at the classroom, school, district and state levels. Grounded in educational research, our interdisciplinary courses offer students the opportunity to conceptualize, theorize, dialogue, problem-pose, problem-solve, create and evaluate a wide range of educational theories, practices and policies related to curriculum and instruction. Concentrations include art education, early childhood and elementary education, language and literacy education, mathematics education, middle-level education, foreign language education, music education, science education and social studies education. Education programs leading to professional licen ...
Dual Language and Immersion Education
In response to the growing number of Georgia schools with Dual Language Immersion programs, the College of Education & Human Development's Department of Early Childhood and Elementary Education offers two programs in Dual Language Immersion Education. These programs engage students in comprehensive exploration, research and practice in elementary Dual Language Immersion education. These programs develop highly prepared teachers who understand Dual Language Immersion education and are teacher-leaders in establishing learner-centered classrooms consistent with the standards of the Georgia Professional Standards Commission and the Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium. The two programs are: Master of Education in Elementary Education with a concentration in Dual Language Education Dual Immersion Early Childhood Education Endorsement
Early Childhood and Elementary Education, Ph.D.
Our early childhood and elementary education program will prepare you to be researchers and teacher educators in areas such as applied research, curriculum development, teacher education, literacy/digital literacy, multicultural education, science education, math education and more. Our doctorate degree prepares you to move into various roles and content areas in the early childhood and elementary education fields. You will learn to be active scholars informed in the historical, political, developmental and theoretical paradigms that shape education in today’s rapidly changing world. Through coursework, research and teaching apprenticeships and individual mentoring, you can become inquisitive researchers and reflective teacher educators equipped to affect the lives of children, their families and the larger society.
Education Informatics Certificate
College of Education & Human Development
The Graduate Certificate program is on hold until further notice and will not be accepting applications at this time. Please check back when this program will become available. The broad field of informatics employs large data sets and includes computer processing and data analysis. This certificate prepares graduate students to perform quantitative analyses on large databases relevant to education and human development within positions in various institutions or as independent consultants. The certificate benefits students by giving them a focused avenue for pursuing a career in the growing field of data analytics. It benefits society by producing a group of qualified, competent data analysts whose work will lead to the understanding and improvement of programs in educational, business, governmental and other settings.
Education of Students with Exceptionalities, Ph.D.
The education of students with exceptionalities degree will teach you to become a leader in the field of special education. The experience you bring from your work in the special education field will enable you to learn how to teach others. We will help you enhance the skills you'll need to succeed in university positions as teachers of those wishing to teach special education and/or to provide leadership in a variety of community, state or national service agencies.
Educational Leadership, Ed.D.
The educational leadership program advances the development and practice of effective educational leadership. This program addresses educational leaders' professional needs and supports their long-term career goals in leading schools, school districts and other education agencies in a complex, highly competitive global environment. We provide senior-level administrators with the following: Knowledge and skills necessary to deal effectively with the complex issues facing education today Methods of inquiry necessary to analyze educational problems Leadership skills necessary to direct the development and implementation of programs to address those problems and to disseminate the results in various professional and public forums Knowledge and applied skills rarely provided in traditional advanced degree programs in educational leadership in an alternative format that meets the needs of senior-level administrators. Select concentration in: Advanced Leadership Higher Education Administration Tier II