Degrees & Majors

Music Performance (Bachelor of Music) prepares students for careers as performing musicians or studio teachers. A strong background in music reading and performance (including participation in school bands, choirs, or orchestras, performance experience in small groups and as a soloist and private study) is required. Many students in this concentration have excelled in community groups such as youth orchestras and have performed in public concerts and recitals. Graduates in performance from Georgia State have gone on to have major careers in some of the world's most prestigious venues. An audition is required for admission. The mission of the 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. 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.

Music Management (Bachelor of Science) prepares students for a variety of management-related careers in the music industry, including profit and non-profit sectors. The curriculum is founded on basic knowledge of music, experiences in performing and courses in business and music management. Graduates may work in a range of capacities at record labels and distributors or in artist and concert management, retail sales or music publishing. Students complete at least one internship with a commercial firm or non-profit agency as part of their programs. The mission of the 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. 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.

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.

Dual-degree opportunities enable qualified students to enroll in graduate courses late in their undergraduate program and apply the coursework toward both the bachelor’s and master’s programs. That can mean saving a year or more in time and tuition dollars. Students must be formally accepted into the dual-degree program by the department and College of Arts and Sciences to be able to take graduate courses as an undergraduate. Acceptance into the dual program does not constitute admission to the master’s program. Students must fulfill regular graduate admissions requirements and apply for the master’s program following college processes. Information about the dual program, including application instructions and program requirements, can be found in the Dual Degree section of the CAS website.

A graduate degree in biology can open doors to many rewarding careers. The Biology Department's Ph.D. program prepares graduates for a range of positions in private industry, public agencies and academia, among others. Potential job titles include principal scientist, research associate, microbiologist, research biologist, field application scientist and analytical staff scientist. There are many benefits to getting a graduate degree. It makes you a more competitive candidate whether you are seeking a job or admission to another professional school. A graduate degree can also increase your earning potential and help you develop a professional network.

The Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) in Biomedical Science and Enterprise (BSEN) program prepares graduates for a range of exciting careers in the biomedical industry or advanced degrees in science, business or law. The program offers an innovative approach to education that combines studies in biomedical science, business, entrepreneurship and law, and teaches students the scientific, legal and commercial aspects of scientific discovery. The BSEN program is a perfect fit for anyone passionate about patient care, intrigued by the scientific study of human diseases or interested in creating and marketing the next generation of disease-preventing therapeutics or wearable health devices. It's also for those who have dreams of working in a hospital, pharmaceutical company or biomed startup. Our versatile graduates possess diverse skills sought by leading industry employers, and they’re ready to make a lasting difference that advances human health and improves the quality of human life. The program is offered by the Institute for Biomedical Sciences in partnership with the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Law, Honors College, J. Mack Robinson College of Business and the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Institute.

What Is Business Administration? Business is the making, buying or selling of goods or services. Business administration is the study of principles, practices and dynamics of organizations related to commercial or industrial activity. Why Study Business Administration? The world of business is changing and expanding in new and exciting ways. At Perimeter College, Business Administration students develop specialized skills in business fields and improve their ability to communicate, think independently and thrive in the workplace. 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.  

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.

The Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Ceramics program emphasizes professional skills and achievements and fosters personal direction, diversity, technical proficiency and professional presentation. The Ceramics program offers a highly progressive curriculum that considers ceramics as a broad-based, interdisciplinary practice while providing a strong foundation in the history of the discipline and fostering technical mastery of the material. The individual direction of each student is further developed and focused through intensive time in the studio, group interaction across disciplines and periodic critical reviews. Diversity of working methods and aesthetic define the work that emerges from the Ceramics Department, work ranging from sculptural to functional, formal to conceptual, traditional to innovative is embraced. Sensitive handling of material, integrity of craftsmanship and depth of inquiry are the unifying characteristics of work made in the ceramics M.F.A. program. The program emphasizes individual tutorials, group seminars and critiques to provide a variety of settings for the development and exchange of ideas relevant to the arts in general and ceramics in particular. The curriculum addresses the broad range of perspectives found in contemporary ceramic art, from sculpture to vessel-reference work, to pottery. Historical and contemporary references are examined through two unique art history courses specific to the area of ceramic art. In the final two semesters of the graduate program, the student completes a creative project, usually in the form of a thesis exhibition, and writes a supporting thesis paper. A strong component of the graduate program involves assistantships in either studio work or in teaching undergraduate-level courses. Students are encouraged to teach a variety of courses during their studies, from 3D Design to wheel-throwing and hand-building skills. These experiences in conjunction with the acquisition of professional skills such as resume writing, job application skills and self-promotion prepare the student with the tools to be a professional artist once studies are complete. Students also gain the experience of organizing events and marketing through their involvement with the student organization, Student League of Independent Potters. The organization is responsible for managing a budget, participating in fundraising through two annual sales of work and coordinating two annual visiting artist workshops.