Degrees & Majors
Choose from dozens of nationally ranked and recognized programs and more than 250 majors, minors and pathways at Georgia State offering the widest variety of fields of study.
Search results are alphabetized
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.
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.
Find out more about applying for a College of Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Certificate.
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 about the graduate certificate, go to the TESOL program page.
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), Graduate Certificate
The TESOL graduate certificate prepares students to teach English as a second or foreign language. Teaching English as a second language has been an expanding field for decades and continues to show persistent growth in job and educational opportunities. Because people globally continue to be interested in learning English and because local and national governments, non-governmental organizations and corporations continue to support English language education, potential career growth remains strong.
The TESOL certificate prepares you to:
- Learn language teaching methodology and principles of second language acquisition.
- Study the nature of language and the structure of English.
- Gain insights into classroom teaching.
The TESOL Certificate is an entry-level credential for those who plan short-term stays overseas or who are interested in employment in schools for adults, private language institutes or nonprofit organizations that offer adult English language courses.
You will take five courses to earn the certificate. The certificate is available both in-person and online.
Tier I Educational Leadership, M.Ed.
The Tier I Educational Leadership M.Ed. program is designed around a set of academic and site-based experiences that provide knowledge and skills for candidates seeking a stronger understanding of the dynamics of educational leadership.
This self-select program leads to Tier I leadership certification in Georgia. This allows an individual to serve as an assistant principal or/in district-level leadership positions that do not supervise principals.
The program design gives students a comprehensive understanding of beginning leadership concepts and activities. Students develop the dispositions required to lead school and district improvement efforts by focusing on linking theory, research and practice to positively affect student outcomes.
If a student has a masters already and they wish to receive Tier I certification they can visit our Educational Leadership, Tier I Certificate page.
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.
Urban Education Endorsement
Georgia State’s Urban Education Endorsement is offered at both the undergraduate and graduate level to provide you with specialized preparation for teaching in urban settings regardless of where you are in your teaching career. You will develop a broad understanding of urban schools and communities, emphasizing the social, economic, political and historical factors that shape urban schooling. You’ll learn culturally responsive teaching strategies that intellectually, socially and emotionally empower students. Teachers pursuing this endorsement may be enrolled as non-degree students or in specific programs.
This multidisciplinary online teaching endorsement is offered through the Department of Early Childhood and Elementary Education, the Department of Middle and Secondary Education and the Department of Educational Policy Studies. You will learn to create connections between theory and practice, moving beyond stories of school failure to identify and cultivate educational assets within urban schools and communities to empower learners.
The undergraduate-level endorsement can be added by undergraduates admitted to a teacher education program with a 2.5 undergraduate GPA and a pre-service teacher certificate. View the tab below or the undergraduate catalog for admissions requirements.
The graduate-level endorsement is offered to certified teachers or those admitted to a Georgia State initial teacher preparation program who hold a pre-service certificate. View the tab below or the graduate catalog for admissions requirements.
Urban Education, Minor
Urban Education, Minor
The minor in urban education provides undergraduate students with knowledge and experiences in urban education. Students select from course experiences offered from across departments in the College of Education & Human Development.
World Language Teacher Graduate Certificate
The Georgia State University online World Languages Teacher Graduate Certificate is essential to successful classroom teaching and student learning. Earning this online graduate certificate will not only improve your classroom practice but will also help you more effectively engage your students in learning activities that help your students develop proficiency in world languages.
This online certificate is for individuals who hold a university undergraduate or graduate degree (with a GPA higher than 2.50) who are interested in being recommended for clear and renewable k-12 teaching certification by the Georgia Performance Standards Commission (GaPSC) to teach a world language (Spanish, French, German, Chinese or Korean).
Students in the Department of World Languages and Cultures may apply nine credits from their program (FORL 6128 and electives FORL 8125 and FORL 8126), leaving only 9-12 more credits needed to be recommended for a renewable certificate.
The curriculum integrates social justice and equity principles and is grounded in educational theory, research and best teaching practices. Students take specialized education and content courses throughout the program and gain practical experience in kindergarten through 12th grade. Faculty support teacher candidates in planning, instruction, assessment and reflection with colleagues, faculty and partner schools committed to excellence in education.
This program also includes the option of pursuing a Dual Language Immersion endorsement online and on campus for individuals with an interest in teaching elementary school courses (typically math, science and social science) in the target language with additional coursework.
For individuals seeking a master's degree with teaching certification, the 30-credit Masters of Interdisciplinary Studies (MIS) in World Languages Education program, available online and on campus, allows program graduates to explore multidisciplinary teaching with the possibility of an endorsement (ESOL, DLI or Urban Education) or to deepen their mastery of the target language. The World Language Teacher Graduate Certificate is embedded in the 30-credit M.I.S. in World Languages Education. Thus, the M.I.S. leads to a teaching degree with a clear and renewable (T5) induction certificate in the state of Georgia with a step advance on the pay scale above the (T4) certification only.
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.
World Languages Education, Master of Interdisciplinary Studies
Georgia State University's online Masters of Interdisciplinary Studies (MIS) in World Languages Education is for multilingual students who are seeking a master’s degree with an initial teaching certification in a world/foreign language such as Chinese, French, German, Korean or Spanish (grades kindergarten through 12th grade). The Master of Interdisciplinary Studies in World Languages Education leads to a teaching degree with a clear and renewable (T5) induction certificate in Georgia with a step advance on the pay scale above the (T4) certification only. The interdisciplinary nature of this program affords the opportunity to explore multidisciplinary teaching with the possibility to pursue an endorsement (ESOL, DLI, Urban Education) or to deepen your mastery of the target language and cultures.
This program integrates principles of social justice and equity and is grounded in educational theory, research and best teaching practices. Throughout the program, students take specialized education and content courses and gain practical experience in kindergarten through 12th grade teaching. Faculty support teacher candidates in planning, instruction, assessment and reflection with colleagues, faculty and partner schools who are committed to excellence in education.
The program offers an advanced professional studies track in French or Spanish. This track is designed for T4-certified educators in French or Spanish seeking a Master's degree and T5 certification in French or Spanish. The track will parallel the existing MIS World Languages Education program, but instead of the nine credits of fieldwork, you'll take six credits in professional studies coursework and one language/culture course. This program leads to a step advance on the pay scale (T5) above the initial (T4) certification only.
This program integrates principles of social justice and equity and is grounded in educational theory, research and best teaching practices. Throughout the program, students take specialized education and content courses and gain practical experience in kindergarten through 12th grade teaching. Faculty support teacher candidates in planning, instruction, assessment and reflection with colleagues, faculty and partner schools who are committed to excellence in education.
World Languages Teacher Education, B.I.S.
The Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (B.I.S.) concentration in World Languages Teacher Education provides students an opportunity to further develop their skills and knowledge in French or Spanish language, culture and literary skills while completing requirements recommended for kindergarten through 12th-grade teaching certification to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. World language educators completing the program will be prepared to support multilingual speakers in urban environments to value diverse perspectives and language varieties and to act as responsible global citizens.
This program is grounded in educational theory, research and best teaching practices, integrating principles of social justice and equity. Throughout the program, students take specialized education and content courses and gain practical experience in kindergarten through 12th-grade. Faculty support teacher candidates in planning, instruction, assessment and reflection with colleagues, faculty and partner schools who are committed to excellence in education.