Degrees & Majors

This concentration emphasizes the development of advanced, research-based knowledge and skills in music teaching and learning. The focus is on school music programs. However, students may pursue courses in effective teaching at all age levels, including early childhood through adulthood. Graduate students in music education will be given the opportunity to conduct research and to learn to apply their findings in the classroom. The music education faculty is continuously involved in research related to adolescent voices, educational policy, cognition behind improvisation and more. They use qualitative, quantitative and brain imaging methods to explore important questions with the goal of understanding and improving music learning and teaching. Successful applicants for the music education concentration generally have experience as excellent general, choral or instrumental music teachers in schools. The Master of Music program is not appropriate for candidates seeking initial teaching certification. Applicants should either hold or be eligible for an initial teaching certificate or license. GRE or MAT scores required. Interview recommended. The mission of the Georgia State School of Music is to preserve, promote and advance humanity’s rich and expanding tradition of artistic music-making through performance, composition, education and research in accordance with the urban and global initiatives of the university. The graduate programs in the School of Music offer unparalleled opportunities in one of America’s most vibrant urban centers. The school enrolls about 90 students in Master of Music degree programs, Artist Certificate programs, and Ph.D. and Ed.D. programs in music education. Students have the opportunity to work with an internationally acclaimed faculty of 40 full-time and 24 part-time faculty in concentrations such as performance, pedagogy, music education, conducting, composition and jazz studies.

The Master of Music with a concentration in Organ Performance program prepares students for a career in church music, as a concert performer and as a teacher of organ. Completion of the degree normally requires four semesters of full-time study. Graduate organ performance majors are required to give a one-hour lecture recital on a topic of their choice in consultation with the applied teacher and organ faculty. The mission of the Georgia State School of Music is to preserve, promote and advance humanity’s rich and expanding tradition of artistic music-making through performance, composition, education and research in accordance with the urban and global initiatives of the university. The graduate programs in the School of Music offer unparalleled opportunities in one of America’s most vibrant urban centers. The school enrolls about 90 students in Master of Music degree programs, Artist Certificate programs, and Ph.D. and Ed.D. programs in music education. Students have the opportunity to work with an internationally acclaimed faculty of 40 full-time and 24 part-time faculty in concentrations such as performance, pedagogy, music education, conducting, composition and jazz studies.

The Master of Music with a concentration in piano performance prepares students for a career as a concert performer either as a soloist, member of an ensemble or accompanist and as a teacher of piano. Graduate piano performance majors are required to give a one-hour lecture recital on a topic of their choice in consultation with the applied teacher and piano faculty. The mission of the Georgia State School of Music is to preserve, promote and advance humanity’s rich and expanding tradition of artistic music-making through performance, composition, education and research in accordance with the urban and global initiatives of the university. The graduate programs in the School of Music offer unparalleled opportunities in one of America’s most vibrant urban centers. The school enrolls about 90 students in Master of Music degree programs, Artist Certificate programs, and Ph.D. and Ed.D. programs in music education. Students have the opportunity to work with an internationally acclaimed faculty of 40 full-time and 24 part-time faculty in concentrations such as performance, pedagogy, music education, conducting, composition and jazz studies.

In the decade since Georgia State admitted its first Master of Public Health students, we have drawn a talented pool of students from diverse personal and professional backgrounds, including international students from more than 40 countries. GSU is the only public university with a School of Public Health in Atlanta. The MPH program, accredited since 2007, distinguishes itself in areas such as urban health disparities, chronic diseases and determinants, and violence prevention. For the latest information about required courses, view the School of Public Health website.

Mathematics educators are responsible for teaching learners the intellectual skills and knowledge across a comprehensive and coherent set of mathematics principles and standards for grades 6-12. Our urban communities need highly skilled mathematics teachers whose content knowledge and instructional practice honor students’ diversity and promote equity. Mathematics educators create learning environments that enable students to learn mathematics by thinking critically, engaging them in mathematical practices and using critical thinking to make sense of core mathematical ideas. Such learning environments, grounded with research-based teaching strategies, embrace Georgia Standards of Excellence in Mathematics for depth and understanding. The secondary mathematics degree program is grounded in educational theory, research and best practice, integrating principles of social justice and equity.  Throughout the program, students take specialized education and content courses and gain practical teaching experience in grades 6-12. Our dynamic program features technology integration and offers study-abroad opportunities. Faculty support teacher candidates in planning, instruction, assessment and reflection with colleagues, faculty and partner schools committed to excellence in education. The secondary Mathematics degree program is for students who hold a bachelor's degree and seek an initial teaching certification in Secondary Mathematics, grades 6-12. This program leads to a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) and a clear and renewable (T5) Induction Certificate in Georgia.

What Is Mathematics?

Mathematics is the science and study of numbers, shapes and spaces and how they apply to the universe in which we live. Mathematics examines operations, interrelations, combinations, generalizations, abstractions, configurations, structure, measurement and transformations.

Why Study Mathematics?

Mathematicians have the opportunity to make a lasting contribution to society by helping to solve problems that affect our daily lives. Weather forecasters, software programmers and ecologists apply mathematical principles every day in very different ways. Perimeter College prepares students to transfer to a four-year college and offers math clubs and initiatives such as STEM or MESA to help increase academic performance. Students can take advantage of opportunities for tutoring, scholarships and grants. There also are opportunities to compete in national tests sponsored by the American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges. A note on pathways: A pathway is an advising guide to help students prepare for their intended bachelor's degree major. By following the course of study outlined in the appropriate Associate of Arts or Associate of Science pathway, students will have the necessary prerequisite courses to continue in their chosen disciplines. A pathway is not a major and will not be represented on the diploma.

The M.S. degree in mathematics is offered with no concentration, or with one of six possible concentrations as follows.

• “No Concentration”=Concentration in Mathematics
• Concentration in Bioinformatics
• Concentration in Biostatistics
• Concentration in Discrete Mathematics
• Concentration in Scientific Computing
• Concentration in Statistics
• Concentration in Statistics and Allied Field

The concentrations in Biostatistics, Statistics and Allied Field, are programs designed for persons who wish to prepare for careers as professional statisticians in industry, business, or government. These programs provide training in applied statistics for those who are presently working in areas that use statistics, as well as for those who plan to enter these areas. The programs present an optimal balance among the broad range of statistical/data science techniques, mathematical methods, and computation. The concentration in bioinformatics will graduate bioinformaticians with a broad background in applied areas for direct placement in business, industry, or government.

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.