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.
Public Administration/Juris Doctor, M.P.A./J.D.
Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, College of Law
The College of Law and the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies offer a joint Master of Public Administration/Juris Doctor degree. This joint program provides an opportunity to pursue studies in law and public affairs and public management concurrently. Students in the program use credit hours earned in one program to satisfy some or all of the elective course requirements for the other program, earning both degrees one to two terms earlier than would be required to earn each separately.
Public Management and Leadership Graduate Certificate
Andrew Young School of Policy Studies
The Graduate Certificate program in Public Management and Leadership provides basic preparation for students seeking a role as a leader at a government agency or a nonprofit organization.
Students who pursue a certificate in Public Management and Leadership benefit in several ways:
- Enhanced Management and Leadership Skills: Specialized training in management and leadership principles specifically tailored for the public sector. The knowledge and skills necessary to lead teams effectively, manage resources, make strategic decisions, and navigate complex organizational challenges.
- Competitive Advantage: Demonstration of professional development and commitment to contemporary methodologies. Employers value candidates with a strong foundation in leadership and management practices.
- Career Advancement: Certification can serve as a catalyst for career advancement within the public sector. Students become better equipped to tackle complex challenges and drive organizational change.
- Understanding of Public Sector Dynamics: Insights into the political, social, and economic contexts in which public organizations operate enabling students to navigate the intricacies of public policy, stakeholder engagement, budgeting, and public service delivery.
- Professional Networking: Valuable connections, mentorship opportunities, and access to job openings. Building a strong professional network enhances career prospects and provides ongoing support for personal and professional growth.
- Effective Public Service Delivery: Crucial skills for ensuring the effective delivery of public services. Students are equipped with the knowledge and tools to improve organizational performance, implement innovative strategies, and enhance public services.
Public Management and Policy: Non-Profit Leadership, Minor
Andrew Young School of Policy Studies
The nonprofit leadership minor allows students to learn about the important role of nonprofit organizations in addressing social issues and interests in a democratic society and participating in the formulation and implementation of public policy. Through this minor, students will become aware of the many and diverse career opportunities in the nonprofit sector, in areas such as the arts, social services, education, health care, the environment, policy advocacy, and international relief and development, and they will learn the skills, knowledge and challenges of leadership in this sector. This minor will prepare students for entry level jobs in nonprofit management and for graduate study in nonprofit organizations, philanthropy, and related fields.
For information on program requirements, visit the Andrew Young School of Public Policy website.
Public Management and Policy: Planning and Economic Development, Minor
Andrew Young School of Policy Studies
The planning and economic development minor prepares students to work in both the public and private sectors addressing issues facing urban communities. This minor is appropriate for students who want to pursue careers or further study in the planning, development and management of communities. Courses introduce students to forces shaping the development of urban regions. Special attention is paid to planning for economic development, environmental quality, housing, land use, neighborhood revitalization, and transportation. During their studies, students learn about the variety of policies and strategies that citizens and planners can use to influence development.
For information on program requirements, visit the Andrew Young School of Public Policy website.
Public Policy, B.S.
By pursuing a degree in Public Management and Policy students will acquire skills in professional writing, evidence-based critical thinking and policy analysis in the policy core coursework and in elective concentrations. Students can choose from three distinct concentrations: Nonprofit Leadership, Planning and Economics Development, and Public Management and Governance. Students also will gain valuable skills during the internship course portion of their program. This program prepares students for a leadership or management career in public services.
Public Policy, M.P.P.
Andrew Young School of Policy Studies
The Georgia State Master of Public Policy (M.P.P.) is an interdisciplinary degree program that prepares students for work in the analysis, development and evaluation of public policies. In all levels of government and on a global scale, public needs and limited resources require public policy choices that are economically efficient, socially and technically effective, and politically responsive. Such choices confront policymakers in a broad range of critical issues, including health, education, economic development, public finance, social policy, nonprofit policy and disaster policy.
The Andrew Young School is a member of the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management, the principal professional organization for scholars and practitioners in the field of public policy. Our public policy and public affairs programs were recently ranked #19 among all programs nationwide, and among the top 10 for public finance and budgeting, urban policy, nonprofit management and local government management. Our Department of Public Management and Policy provides access to a community of research and teaching scholars with national and international reputations for their expertise and contributions to knowledge and practice across a broad range of administrative processes and policy concerns in the arena of public service.
For answers to frequently asked questions about the MPP program (and its sibling MPA program), check here.
Public Policy, P.h.D.
Societal needs—for economic growth, better health care, environmental protection, etc.—and resource limitations challenge policymakers to make difficult public policy choices. The doctoral program in public policy prepares its graduates to conduct original research to help scholars and policymakers understand the trade-offs involved in such choices across a broad range of critical issues. Students can focus on:
- Policy analysis and program evaluation: How can we predict the consequences of our policy choices? What values should drive those choices? How can we determine which government and nonprofit programs work – producing benefits that exceed their costs?
- Public budgeting and finance: How can governments raise the funds necessary to provide public services in as equitable a manner as possible without impeding economic growth? How should and do governments decide which services and programs to fund? How can taxes achieve socially desirable goals?
- Public and nonprofit management: How should functions be divided among the governmental, nonprofit and for-profit sectors? How should managers allocate financial and human resources to meet public needs? How should managers balance equity and efficiency claims?
- Urban and regional planning and development: How can we assess and evaluate the complex and dynamic context and forces that shape the growth of cities, communities and regions? What strategies can be employed to promote equitable and sustainable development? What roles do systems (for example, transportation, housing) play in creating the environments and communities we desire?
Public Policy, P.h.D. (Joint with Georgia Tech)
The joint doctoral program in public policy combines the strengths of Georgia State's Andrew Young School of Policy Studies and the Georgia Institute of Technology’s School of Public Policy.
The Andrew Young School ranked 19th overall among graduate programs in public affairs in a recent U.S. News & World Report ranking, as well as No. 8 in local government management, No. 5 in public finance and budgeting, No. 4 in urban policy, No. 8 in nonprofit management, No. 16 in public management and leadership, and No. 17 in public policy analysis. Our faculty was the 5th most prolific in public administration journals over the past decade.
U.S. News & World Report has ranked Georgia Tech’s School of Public Policy No. 4 in information and technology management and No. 11 in environmental policy and management.
Social Entrepreneurship, B.I.S.
The B.I.S. in Social Entrepreneurship prepares students to become agents and leaders of social change who will transform communities through innovative startups and existing social enterprises. The program was created not only to tackle the most complex problems, but to help students become better employees, entrepreneurs, and leaders. Students in the program are involved in co-curricular activities and internships that will give them experience working in and interacting with social enterprises, gaining practical knowledge of the field and exposure to the diverse employment opportunities within the discipline. Students will leave this program with the business formation knowledge needed to start a social enterprise at any point in their career.
Social Work - Advanced Standing, M.S.W.
Andrew Young School of Policy Studies
Georgia State's Advanced Standing Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) program strives to prepare students for social work leadership roles in the effort to solve, in partnerships with others, the existing and developing challenges that confront communities in the United States and internationally. Community partnerships, based on a generalist practice model, is the sole focus of the M.S.W. program. Students in the Community Partnerships specialization are educated to advance the needs and capacities of the total community by promoting social and economic justice and maximizing human potential. They are educated to commit themselves to addressing the life circumstances, such as poverty, violence, discrimination and disparities in social and economic justice that fall disproportionately on vulnerable groups and challenge the spirit of the entire community. This unique focus provides students with the opportunity to learn about social issues facing urban communities through a social and economic justice framework. Our graduates have become leaders in various service delivery sectors including health care, public child welfare services, non profit management and numerous other contexts.
To accomplish the mission of the M.S.W. program, the School of Social Work has set forth these goals: (1) students will be able to think critically and communicate effectively in the application of social work knowledge, skills and values to community partnerships practice, and (2) students will be able to engage as social work leaders to build and strengthen communities.
Georgia State Master's Social Work Program Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes
Social Work, B.S.W.
Andrew Young School of Policy Studies
Social workers fight for social justice, help children and families, improve connections in communities and improve lives. It’s a noble profession and it can lead to a rewarding career for you. Jobs are numerous, including roles in hospitals, community health centers, schools, homeless shelters, nursing homes and nonprofit organizations. Georgia State's bachelor of social work will prepare you for entry-level work with these types of employers and also will make you ready to enter a master of social work program in the future.
Our curriculum is focused on nine competencies that are connected to our accreditation and licensure rules in Georgia.
- You will have a foundation for understanding human behavior in a variety of different contexts and social settings.
- You will practice methods for intervention with individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations, and systems.
- The curriculum is designed to develop your skill in:
- critical thinking and ethics
- intervention approaches with diverse populations
- understanding of human functioning and the social environment
- practice evaluation and research.
Getting started: You can apply to the BSW program for admission after you completed your lower division classes, which typically takes two years. You can start at Georgia State as an “Exploratory Social Work” status student while you gather the necessary credits and then apply to be a BSW student the spring before your junior year.
Your success matters: You will work with the undergraduate advisement center throughout your time at Georgia State to make sure you are enrolling in the correct courses.
Georgia State Baccalaureate Social Work Program Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes.
Social Work, M.S.W.
Andrew Young School of Policy Studies
Georgia State's Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) program strives to prepare students for social work leadership roles in the effort to solve, in partnerships with others, the existing and developing challenges that confront communities in the United States and internationally. Community partnerships, based on a generalist practice model, is the sole focus of the M.S.W. program. Students in the Community Partnerships specialization are educated to advance the needs and capacities of the total community by promoting social and economic justice and maximizing human potential. They are educated to commit themselves to addressing the life circumstances, such as poverty, violence, discrimination and disparities in social and economic justice that fall disproportionately on vulnerable groups and challenge the spirit of the entire community. This unique focus provides students with the opportunity to learn about social issues facing urban communities through a social and economic justice framework. Our graduates have become leaders in various service delivery sectors, including health care, public child welfare services, non profit management and numerous other contexts.
Georgia State Master's Social Work Program Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes
Urban Studies, M.I.S.
Join Georgia State's urban studies master’s program for a deep dive into these urban phenomena: inclusive development, transit, economic resilience or environmental sustainability. Offering an interdisciplinary perspective on urban studies, students follow a core trajectory of shared courses and have the freedom to specialize by individually selecting from a large offer of elective courses. Students work with a faculty advisor throughout their studies and have the opportunity to join the Urban Studies student association with like minded peers.
Our flexible degree structure enables students to explore the issues and concerns shaping their interest in urban studies – from gentrification, community development, and transport equity to climate change, global pandemics, and the future of the suburbs – through a variety of perspectives. MIS graduates have the ability to conduct rigorous urban research with strong policy relevance, informed by a strong commitment to realizing more equitable and inclusive forms of urban development.
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Urban Studies, Minor
Andrew Young School of Policy Studies
Do you love cities and communities? Want to learn more about urban issues? Choose an Urban Studies Minor- open to all Georgia State University majors.
This minor provides a good foundation for students contemplating graduate work in urban planning, environmental policy, economics, public administration, public policy, law, or social work. It also is an exciting interdisciplinary focus because understanding urban phenomena requires synthesizing knowledge from a broad range of subjects.
Students must take a total of 15 Credit Hours, which includes two required courses offered within the Urban Studies Institute and three courses chosen from an extensive list of possible electives.
Urban Studies, P.h.D.
Looking to further your interest in urban topics? Ready for that next level? The Urban Studies Institute’s PhD in Urban Studies prepares students for academic and research careers at the forefront of urban analysis.Our doctoral students work alongside top faculty in their fields and join future leaders passionate about solving urban community issues.
The doctoral curriculum provides a rigorous grounding in urban theory and praxis and methodological training to analyze complex challenges emerging within urban environments and processes. Our program draws from the interdisciplinary expertise of core and affiliate faculty to enable students to build core analytical competencies and translational research skills needed to interpret, evaluate, and communicate across diverse urban domains. Students work with the support of faculty advisors to build a program of study tailored to their individual interests, objectives, and future goals.
The PhD in Urban Studies emphasizes the development of fundamental research competence, flexibility in the design of special area of study, and encouragement of joint student/faculty research and teaching.
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