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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 Linguistics, M.A.
College of Arts & Sciences
We are a multifaceted applied linguistics department that focuses on post-secondary/adult language learning, teaching and use. Our faculty specialize in a number of sub-disciplines, including second language (L2) acquisition, L2 writing, sociolinguistics, language assessment, corpus linguistics, educational technology and L2 teacher education.
We are a multifaceted applied linguistics department that focuses on post-secondary/adult language learning, teaching and use. Our faculty specialize in a number of sub-disciplines, including second language (L2) acquisition, L2 writing, sociolinguistics, language assessment, corpus linguistics, educational technology and L2 teacher education.Applied Linguistics, Ph.D.
The department offers a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in applied linguistics that integrates the study of second language acquisition theory with practical applications. Both the theoretical and practical aspects of the program focus on the language acquisition needs of adolescent and adult learners of English as a second language or English as a foreign language. The department participates in the Master’s International Program with the Peace Corps. This program enables students to obtain an M.A. degree and serve in the Peace Corps. Students take one year of coursework, serve two years in the Peace Corps (receiving 6 hours of course credit), and return to Georgia State University to finish their coursework. For the latest information about required courses, view the Graduate Catalog.
The department offers a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in applied linguistics that integrates the study of second language acquisition theory with practical applications. Both the theoretical and practical aspects of the program focus on the language acquisition needs of adolescent and adult learners of English as a second language or English as a foreign language. The department participates in the Master’s International Program with the Peace Corps. This program enables students to obtain an M.A. degree and serve in the Peace Corps. Students take one year of coursework, serve two years in the Peace Corps (receiving 6 hours of course credit), and return to Georgia State University to finish their coursework. For the latest information about required courses, view the Graduate Catalog.Arabic Language and Literature, Minor
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 the latest information about required courses, view the enrollment program page.
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 the latest information about required courses, view the enrollment program page.Art Education, B.F.A.
The goal of the undergraduate program in Art Education is to prepare highly effective PreK-12 art educators with expertise in the visual arts and the skills to plan and teach a comprehensive program of art education responsive to all students and their communities. The Art Education program conforms to the Georgia Performance Standards for Fine Arts, which are based on the 2007 edition of the 1994 National Standards for Arts Education, What Every Young American Should Know and Be Able to Do in the Arts. These national standards were established by the National Art Education Association working as part of the Consortium of National Arts Education Associations, affiliated with MCREL (Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning). Students fulfilling the Art Education program requirements will be well-prepared to achieve State of Georgia Teacher Certification. For the latest information about required courses, view the Ernest G. Welch School of Art & Design website.
The goal of the undergraduate program in Art Education is to prepare highly effective PreK-12 art educators with expertise in the visual arts and the skills to plan and teach a comprehensive program of art education responsive to all students and their communities. The Art Education program conforms to the Georgia Performance Standards for Fine Arts, which are based on the 2007 edition of the 1994 National Standards for Arts Education, What Every Young American Should Know and Be Able to Do in the Arts. These national standards were established by the National Art Education Association working as part of the Consortium of National Arts Education Associations, affiliated with MCREL (Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning). Students fulfilling the Art Education program requirements will be well-prepared to achieve State of Georgia Teacher Certification. For the latest information about required courses, view the Ernest G. Welch School of Art & Design website.Art Education, M.A.Ed.
The Master of Arts in Education program offers an advanced degree in art education structured to build a community of collegial professionals who demonstrate disciplinary expertise including knowledge of the content of art education, skill with sound pedagogical strategies, understanding of current scholarship and issues within the field, and the ability to positively impact student learning. Special emphasis is placed on the teaching of diverse learners in urban/metropolitan settings. Specific objectives for students completing the MAEd program include: Expanding their skills and understandings in studio art production and contemporary art concepts; Developing their pedagogical skills and strategies as master teachers; Empowering them to integrate current theory and best practices in their classrooms; Fostering their critical thinking skills and life-long learning as members of a professional community; Developing their leadership and advocacy skills to have an impact on students, classrooms, communities, schools, districts, and professional organizations. For the latest information about required courses, view the Ernest G. Welch School of Art & Design website.
The Master of Arts in Education program offers an advanced degree in art education structured to build a community of collegial professionals who demonstrate disciplinary expertise including knowledge of the content of art education, skill with sound pedagogical strategies, understanding of current scholarship and issues within the field, and the ability to positively impact student learning. Special emphasis is placed on the teaching of diverse learners in urban/metropolitan settings. Specific objectives for students completing the MAEd program include:- Expanding their skills and understandings in studio art production and contemporary art concepts;
- Developing their pedagogical skills and strategies as master teachers;
- Empowering them to integrate current theory and best practices in their classrooms;
- Fostering their critical thinking skills and life-long learning as members of a professional community;
- Developing their leadership and advocacy skills to have an impact on students, classrooms, communities, schools, districts, and professional organizations.
Art History Concentration, B.A. in Art
Art History Concentration, B.A. in Art
Program Information The mission of the Art History program at Georgia State is to promote world art studies in a post-modern age, encourage the celebration of cultural diversity, and stimulate a more inclusive internationalism. Rigorous standards of research are pursued, and particular emphasis is placed on cross-disciplinary methods of analysis and evaluation in a historical context. The program is designed to serve a diverse urban constituency, to attract students from elsewhere, to complement the requirements of studio, applied arts, and art education students, and especially to prepare art historians to compete nationally at a high level of professionalism. The program prepares candidates to continue with graduate work in art history, as well as for a variety of career possibilities. The strength and uniqueness of this program lie in the diversity of its faculty, the urban setting of the university, and the multicultural emphasis of the curriculum. Courses are offered in a wide range of fields, including: Ancient Egyptian; Near Eastern; Roman; Medieval; Italian and Northern Renaissance; Nineteenth- and Twentieth-Century European and American; African; African-American; and Contemporary. For the latest information about required courses, view the Undergraduate Catalog. For more information about the Minor in Art History, view the Ernest G. Welch School of Art & Design website.
Program Information
The mission of the Art History program at Georgia State is to promote world art studies in a post-modern age, encourage the celebration of cultural diversity, and stimulate a more inclusive internationalism. Rigorous standards of research are pursued, and particular emphasis is placed on cross-disciplinary methods of analysis and evaluation in a historical context. The program is designed to serve a diverse urban constituency, to attract students from elsewhere, to complement the requirements of studio, applied arts, and art education students, and especially to prepare art historians to compete nationally at a high level of professionalism. The program prepares candidates to continue with graduate work in art history, as well as for a variety of career possibilities. The strength and uniqueness of this program lie in the diversity of its faculty, the urban setting of the university, and the multicultural emphasis of the curriculum. Courses are offered in a wide range of fields, including: Ancient Egyptian; Near Eastern; Roman; Medieval; Italian and Northern Renaissance; Nineteenth- and Twentieth-Century European and American; African; African-American; and Contemporary. For the latest information about required courses, view the Undergraduate Catalog. For more information about the Minor in Art History, view the Ernest G. Welch School of Art & Design website.Art History, M.A.
The graduate Art History program in the Ernest G. Welch School of Art & Design at Georgia State University emphasizes the study of visual art in relation to the historical and cultural contexts in which it was created. Students receive training in different time periods and geographical areas of art history, while also gaining depth of knowledge in a particular specialization. The M.A. is a two-year degree program with both thesis and non-thesis tracks. Coursework takes the form of mixed-level lecture classes, graduate-only seminars including Methodology and Historiography of Art, and electives in subjects outside of art history. The program is open to students with undergraduate degrees in art history as well as those with degrees in other fields who have completed upper-level coursework in art history, and provides a foundation for individuals who wish to pursue careers in museums and galleries, as well as undertake doctoral studies. The graduate Art History program at GSU features established faculty with active publishing and research profiles. Students normally focus on one of the following areas: Early Modern (Renaissance) Art, Eighteenth- and Nineteenth-Century European Art, Modern and Contemporary American and European Art, or Contemporary African Art, and work closely with a faculty mentor when developing a thesis. As such, interested individuals are encouraged to make contact with the appropriate faculty member prior to applying. Highlights of the program include its urban setting, interface with local arts organizations and museums, the Art History Graduate Forum, an annual student-run visual culture symposium, assistantships, and funding to present at conferences and symposia elsewhere. Many of the program’s diverse course offerings emphasize one or more of the following themes: gender, race, identity, the body, and cities. For the latest information about required courses, view the Ernest G. Welch School of Art & Design website.
The graduate Art History program in the Ernest G. Welch School of Art & Design at Georgia State University emphasizes the study of visual art in relation to the historical and cultural contexts in which it was created. Students receive training in different time periods and geographical areas of art history, while also gaining depth of knowledge in a particular specialization. The M.A. is a two-year degree program with both thesis and non-thesis tracks. Coursework takes the form of mixed-level lecture classes, graduate-only seminars including Methodology and Historiography of Art, and electives in subjects outside of art history. The program is open to students with undergraduate degrees in art history as well as those with degrees in other fields who have completed upper-level coursework in art history, and provides a foundation for individuals who wish to pursue careers in museums and galleries, as well as undertake doctoral studies. The graduate Art History program at GSU features established faculty with active publishing and research profiles. Students normally focus on one of the following areas: Early Modern (Renaissance) Art, Eighteenth- and Nineteenth-Century European Art, Modern and Contemporary American and European Art, or Contemporary African Art, and work closely with a faculty mentor when developing a thesis. As such, interested individuals are encouraged to make contact with the appropriate faculty member prior to applying. Highlights of the program include its urban setting, interface with local arts organizations and museums, the Art History Graduate Forum, an annual student-run visual culture symposium, assistantships, and funding to present at conferences and symposia elsewhere. Many of the program’s diverse course offerings emphasize one or more of the following themes: gender, race, identity, the body, and cities. For the latest information about required courses, view the Ernest G. Welch School of Art & Design website.Art Pathway, A.A.
What Is Art? Humans use creative skill and imagination to produce works that express and evoke emotion and generate aesthetic beauty. Why Study Art? The Art guided pathway at Perimeter College is the largest and most comprehensive of any associate degree program in Georgia, offering courses in art history, drawing, photography, computer design, painting, ceramics, sculpture and portfolio that enable students to explore passions and career interests beyond basic levels. Creative visual thinking is brought to life by a faculty of professional artists who expand skills and talents. The Art guided pathway prepares students for transfer to four-year programs or for careers as professional artists. Faculty members train students for creative work and scholarship through rigorous course offerings and exceptional facilities. An emphasis on portfolio preparation in all classes makes Perimeter College graduates highly successful in transferring to bachelor’s degree programs. Perimeter College’s galleries and visiting artists bring the students and public in contact with art from around the world, while exchange and study abroad programs offer students the opportunity to study in cultures with varied approaches to the visual arts.
What Is Art?
Humans use creative skill and imagination to produce works that express and evoke emotion and generate aesthetic beauty.Why Study Art?
The Art guided pathway at Perimeter College is the largest and most comprehensive of any associate degree program in Georgia, offering courses in art history, drawing, photography, computer design, painting, ceramics, sculpture and portfolio that enable students to explore passions and career interests beyond basic levels. Creative visual thinking is brought to life by a faculty of professional artists who expand skills and talents. The Art guided pathway prepares students for transfer to four-year programs or for careers as professional artists. Faculty members train students for creative work and scholarship through rigorous course offerings and exceptional facilities. An emphasis on portfolio preparation in all classes makes Perimeter College graduates highly successful in transferring to bachelor’s degree programs. Perimeter College’s galleries and visiting artists bring the students and public in contact with art from around the world, while exchange and study abroad programs offer students the opportunity to study in cultures with varied approaches to the visual arts.Arts Administration – Speech/Theatre, B.I.S.
The purpose of this program is to provide a broad-based knowledge of the fine arts and business in order to prepare students for managerial positions in the fine arts areas. This program should allow the student with an interest in the arts to develop widely marketable skills. Please contact the School of Film, Media & Theatre or faculty advisement in the program.
The purpose of this program is to provide a broad-based knowledge of the fine arts and business in order to prepare students for managerial positions in the fine arts areas. This program should allow the student with an interest in the arts to develop widely marketable skills. Please contact the School of Film, Media & Theatre or faculty advisement in the program.Asian Studies, B.I.S.
The Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (B.I.S.) program in Asian Studies offers students an opportunity to acquire knowledge of this important and unique world region and a career-oriented range of skills. It allows students to follow a course plan with concentration in international business and economy. By taking a set of courses, students may also take a minor in international business. For students interested in teaching English in China, Japan, Korea, or elsewhere in Asia, it allows a concentration in English as a Second Language (ESL) with an option to obtain a TEFL certificate from the Department of Applied Linguistics (TEFL Certificate). Students interested in Asian societies and cultures will have the option to concentrate in Chinese, Japanese, or Indian/South Asian studies. It allows students to choose from a large pool of courses (taught by GSU faculty experts in their regions and disciplines) appropriate to their areas of concentration.
The Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (B.I.S.) program in Asian Studies offers students an opportunity to acquire knowledge of this important and unique world region and a career-oriented range of skills. It allows students to follow a course plan with concentration in international business and economy. By taking a set of courses, students may also take a minor in international business. For students interested in teaching English in China, Japan, Korea, or elsewhere in Asia, it allows a concentration in English as a Second Language (ESL) with an option to obtain a TEFL certificate from the Department of Applied Linguistics (TEFL Certificate). Students interested in Asian societies and cultures will have the option to concentrate in Chinese, Japanese, or Indian/South Asian studies. It allows students to choose from a large pool of courses (taught by GSU faculty experts in their regions and disciplines) appropriate to their areas of concentration.Astronomy, Ph.D.
Astronomers at Georgia State are involved in four main areas of research: Black Holes and Active Galaxies: Monster black holes, with masses that are a million to a billion times more than our Sun, live at the centers of most galaxies. We specialize in observational studies of these massive compact monsters to measure their masses, study the accretion process and understand their effects on their host galaxy. Stars and Extrasolar Planets: Stars are the beacons of the universe, and it is around stars that planets are formed and that life may exist. Using ground and space-based facilities, we are creating the most detailed maps to date of the distances, distribution and space motions of stars nearby, and in our galaxy. We use the Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy (CHARA) Array to measure the properties of stars in exquisite detail and test the predictions of how stars evolve. We are also leading searches for exoplanets around young and nearby stars. Solar Physics:  The solar wind consists of charged particles streaming away from the surface of the Sun at high velocities. Occasionally, energetic events release million-degree plasma into space in a process called a solar flare. The solar wind and solar flares are the key influence on space weather, and ultimately space climate and Earth. We are developing data-mining techniques to predict solar flares and solar eruptions, and developing computational models of coronal loops and magnetic reconnection. We develop simulations of the plasma flows deep inside of stars that ultimately produce their magnetic fields via the dynamo mechanism. We test theoretical models of the Sun’s interior by observing oscillation of its surface, an area called helioseismology. High Angular Resolution Imaging: Georgia State owns and operates the CHARA Array, the world’s highest resolution optical interferometer. This facility is able to image the surfaces of stars, revealing for the first time temperature variations across their surface caused by star spots and rapid rotation.  We develop techniques for image restoration/reconstruction when observed with interferometric techniques, and for ultra high-resolution imaging done through strong turbulence in the atmosphere.
Astronomers at Georgia State are involved in four main areas of research: Black Holes and Active Galaxies: Monster black holes, with masses that are a million to a billion times more than our Sun, live at the centers of most galaxies. We specialize in observational studies of these massive compact monsters to measure their masses, study the accretion process and understand their effects on their host galaxy. Stars and Extrasolar Planets: Stars are the beacons of the universe, and it is around stars that planets are formed and that life may exist. Using ground and space-based facilities, we are creating the most detailed maps to date of the distances, distribution and space motions of stars nearby, and in our galaxy. We use the Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy (CHARA) Array to measure the properties of stars in exquisite detail and test the predictions of how stars evolve. We are also leading searches for exoplanets around young and nearby stars. Solar Physics:  The solar wind consists of charged particles streaming away from the surface of the Sun at high velocities. Occasionally, energetic events release million-degree plasma into space in a process called a solar flare. The solar wind and solar flares are the key influence on space weather, and ultimately space climate and Earth. We are developing data-mining techniques to predict solar flares and solar eruptions, and developing computational models of coronal loops and magnetic reconnection. We develop simulations of the plasma flows deep inside of stars that ultimately produce their magnetic fields via the dynamo mechanism. We test theoretical models of the Sun’s interior by observing oscillation of its surface, an area called helioseismology. High Angular Resolution Imaging: Georgia State owns and operates the CHARA Array, the world’s highest resolution optical interferometer. This facility is able to image the surfaces of stars, revealing for the first time temperature variations across their surface caused by star spots and rapid rotation.  We develop techniques for image restoration/reconstruction when observed with interferometric techniques, and for ultra high-resolution imaging done through strong turbulence in the atmosphere.Bachelor/J.D.
Bachelor/J.D.
Eligible for the Dual Undergraduate/Graduate Program
Through the Bachelor/J.D. Accelerated Degree Program with the Honors College, a small number of highly talented and qualified students will have the opportunity to complete a bachelor of arts, a bachelor of science, bachelor of social work or a bachelor of business administration and a J.D. at Georgia State University in six years rather than seven. Learn more at honors.gsu.edu/acceleratedjd. Questions about the J.D.? Contact Jessica Gabel Cino, associate dean for academic affairs and associate professor of law. For the latest information about required courses, view the College of Law website.
Through the Bachelor/J.D. Accelerated Degree Program with the Honors College, a small number of highly talented and qualified students will have the opportunity to complete a bachelor of arts, a bachelor of science, bachelor of social work or a bachelor of business administration and a J.D. at Georgia State University in six years rather than seven. Learn more at honors.gsu.edu/acceleratedjd. Questions about the J.D.? Contact Jessica Gabel Cino, associate dean for academic affairs and associate professor of law. For the latest information about required courses, view the College of Law website.Biology Pathway, A.S.
Perimeter College
What Is Biology? Biology is the science of life, from simple bacteria to complicated organisms. Biologists pursue a wide range of interests, among them researching diseases, exploring the evolution of organisms, modeling the complexity of ecosystems and examining the distribution of living organisms. Why Study Biology? Why do people get old and die? Why do seeds grow up, not down? How does injecting someone with a virus prevent them from catching it? Biologists learn the answers. Students of biology develop an understanding of how living things work and affect each other. They work to answer new questions about the natural world, whether it is about environmental impact or human health and well-being. Will building a new dam destroy a rare flower or increase populations of parasites? Where did the latest Salmonella outbreak originate? Why are some cancers resistant to chemotherapy? How do we make a vaccine for AIDS? Biologists perform research to discover answers to these questions, apply their research and teach the discoveries to a new generation. 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.
What Is Biology?
Biology is the science of life, from simple bacteria to complicated organisms. Biologists pursue a wide range of interests, among them researching diseases, exploring the evolution of organisms, modeling the complexity of ecosystems and examining the distribution of living organisms.Why Study Biology?
Why do people get old and die? Why do seeds grow up, not down? How does injecting someone with a virus prevent them from catching it? Biologists learn the answers. Students of biology develop an understanding of how living things work and affect each other. They work to answer new questions about the natural world, whether it is about environmental impact or human health and well-being. Will building a new dam destroy a rare flower or increase populations of parasites? Where did the latest Salmonella outbreak originate? Why are some cancers resistant to chemotherapy? How do we make a vaccine for AIDS? Biologists perform research to discover answers to these questions, apply their research and teach the discoveries to a new generation. 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.Biology, B.S.
Biology, B.S.
Eligible for the Dual Undergraduate/Graduate Program
Program Information The Department of Biology at Georgia State University offers undergraduate and graduate training programs, and runs research programs coordinated around four main disciplines: applied and environmental microbiology, cellular molecular biology and physiology, molecular genetics and biochemistry, as well as neurobiology and behavior. The department seminar series and journal clubs highlight current research, and feature distinguished speakers from all areas of biology and the medical sciences. Department internship courses help bring biological research and its applications to the general community. Specialized research centers and advanced research facilities make Georgia State University a major life sciences research institution. For the latest information about required courses, view the Undergraduate Catalog. For more information about the Minor in Biology, view the Department of Biology website.
Program Information
The Department of Biology at Georgia State University offers undergraduate and graduate training programs, and runs research programs coordinated around four main disciplines: applied and environmental microbiology, cellular molecular biology and physiology, molecular genetics and biochemistry, as well as neurobiology and behavior. The department seminar series and journal clubs highlight current research, and feature distinguished speakers from all areas of biology and the medical sciences. Department internship courses help bring biological research and its applications to the general community. Specialized research centers and advanced research facilities make Georgia State University a major life sciences research institution. For the latest information about required courses, view the Undergraduate Catalog. For more information about the Minor in Biology, view the Department of Biology website.Biology, M.S.
Biology, M.S.
Eligible for the Dual Undergraduate/Graduate Program
Earning an M.S. degree in biology can be a stepping stone to a career in the biosciences or in preparation for a professional degree. The Master of Science (M.S.) degree program in Biology offers a flexible curriculum that can incorporate courses from other departments and colleges at Georgia State. Students must complete at least 40 credit hours of approved coursework. Students may apply under a specific area/concentration, though a concentration is not required. Upon admission, a master’s student is assumed to be non-thesis until acceptance into the thesis option. The non-thesis program emphasizes coursework, and a capstone paper or project is required. The capstone can either be literature-based or laboratory-based. The thesis option emphasizes research. Acceptance into the thesis option requires approval of a thesis proposal. Completion of the thesis option requires an approved thesis as well as a successful defense of the thesis. The thesis option is only recommended for students who are planning to pursue a Ph.D.
Earning an M.S. degree in biology can be a stepping stone to a career in the biosciences or in preparation for a professional degree. The Master of Science (M.S.) degree program in Biology offers a flexible curriculum that can incorporate courses from other departments and colleges at Georgia State. Students must complete at least 40 credit hours of approved coursework. Students may apply under a specific area/concentration, though a concentration is not required. Upon admission, a master’s student is assumed to be non-thesis until acceptance into the thesis option. The non-thesis program emphasizes coursework, and a capstone paper or project is required. The capstone can either be literature-based or laboratory-based. The thesis option emphasizes research. Acceptance into the thesis option requires approval of a thesis proposal. Completion of the thesis option requires an approved thesis as well as a successful defense of the thesis. The thesis option is only recommended for students who are planning to pursue a Ph.D.Biology, Ph.D.
Students pursuing a Ph.D. are interested in advanced biological research, usually leading to a research and/or teaching career at a university or in industry. Faculty research interests are organized into four areas of research, each corresponding to one of the four different Ph.D. disciplines within the department. Students can choose among any of these programs of research based upon their own interests. For the latest information about required courses, view the Biology website.
Students pursuing a Ph.D. are interested in advanced biological research, usually leading to a research and/or teaching career at a university or in industry. Faculty research interests are organized into four areas of research, each corresponding to one of the four different Ph.D. disciplines within the department. Students can choose among any of these programs of research based upon their own interests. For the latest information about required courses, view the Biology website.