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.
Communication Studies - Moving Image Studies, Ph.D.
The Ph.D. in Communication Studies with a concentration in Moving Image Studies is specifically designed to provide students with the conceptual and methodological tools to study the complex and vastly expanded moving image environment of the 21st century, where the boundaries separating cinema, television and new media are breaking down. Moving Image Studies is an outgrowth of cinema studies, television studies, new media studies, cultural studies and critical theory. Many of our core seminars are designed to cut across media boundaries (by examining how models, paradigms and methods are problematized and enriched, as we move across specific media); while other seminars are devoted to intensive examination of problems within a specific media formation.
The doctorate in Moving Image Studies is designed to give students a solid foundation in a specific moving image medium (whether cinema, television, or new media), while at the same time give them the preparation and the confidence to research and write about moving images wherever they circulate. The program encourages innovative new work that challenges existing paradigms of media study, that is theoretically rigorous, and that is aware of historical and cultural specificity.
Communication Studies, M.A.
The M.A. with a concentration in Communication Studies fosters advanced research study in speech communication and mass communication. Our faculty are interested in media portrayals of interpersonal relationships, including those involving older Americans, and examine elements of the mass media from qualitative and social scientific perspectives. Students who enroll in this program can focus their studies on interpersonal communication, international media, journalism, strategic communication and public relations, social media, media effects, or audience studies.
The Department of Communication offers a multidisciplinary program to prepare communication professionals and academicians for the demands of the 21st century. Based on perspectives from rhetoric, public argument, audience research, media studies, global communication, international communication, health communication, strategic communication and new media, Communication Studies explores public discourse and mass-mediated environments to prepare students to investigate how persuasive practices are transforming culture at home and abroad.
Communication Studies, Ph.D.
College of Arts & Sciences
The Georgia State University doctoral program in communication encourages students to engage in theoretically rigorous, methodologically sophisticated and ethically informed research. Our students are encouraged to undertake research that makes a difference and contributes substantively to the human understanding of how communication and media fundamentally shape and are shaped by an increasingly complex social world.
The curriculum draws upon social scientific and humanities-based theories and methods to prepare a diverse group of students for a job market that expects them to be literate across multiple sub-disciplinary domains of communication, in particular, media studies, rhetoric and speech communication.
Doctoral students work with graduate faculty who have gained national and international prominence across a diverse range of research areas, including:
- International media and politics
- Health communication
- Strategic communication
- Media effects and psychology
- Media representation and stereotypes
- Rhetorical studies
- Legal communication
- Journalism studies
- Media ethics
- Visual communication
- Environmental and critical animal studies
- Terrorism studies
- Public argument and deliberation
- Persuasion, public relations
- Interpersonal and intergroup communication
- Networks
- Ideological formations of power and resistance
The intellectual and creative energies activated by this rich and interdisciplinary activity within Atlanta’s dynamic urban location make the department an ideal place for students from around the world to prepare for a career in communication.
Communication, Digital Media Strategies, M.A.
Georgia State University's M.A. in Communication with a concentration in Digital Media Strategies is a non-thesis-track program for students and professionals seeking to enhance their expertise and become advanced practitioners in communications.
This program is for people already working in fields such as public relations, television, cross-platform journalism, social media and other digital media-focused fields who are looking to build their skills, develop a grounding in theory and advance their careers. It is also intended to jumpstart the career of junior and early-career media professionals by teaching practical skills, including optimal use of cross-platform production technology and creating and evaluating persuasive messaging. Students will also build the capacity to link theory with practice.
Signature capstone experiences, media studies and applied media courses shape this cutting-edge program serving those who work in or aspire to work in Atlanta’s growing media market, which ranks in the top 10 in the U.S., and other markets around the world.
Communication, Journalism, B.A.
The Georgia State University B.A. in Journalism program offers three concentrations:
- Multimedia Reporting: Journalists are now sought for their multimedia skills as well as traditional writing and research skills. This program is designed to prepare journalism students to go into modern media workplaces, with a variety of experiential learning options as well as specialized reporting options.
- Public Relations: This program focuses on preparing students to work in public relations. Public relations professionals are advocates who critically analyze information to create content and campaigns for employers, employees, and clients. Students will learn about techniques and campaigns. Experiential learning is the foundation of the coursework.
- Media & Society: This program is designed with an academic focus on communication, to prepare students for graduate study. Students can choose from communication courses focusing on a variety of types and areas of communication.
Our programs are designed to meet the media industries' demand for graduates who are critical thinkers who can produce news and publicity materials efficiently across a variety of platforms.
Students can get extra support at Georgia State's Journalism Lab which provides undergraduate journalism students with rough draft reviews, grammar assistance, help with AP style writing and video production assistance.
Students can also get practical experience through Georgia State University TV (GSUTV), the university’s partnership with Georgia Public Broadcasting. As Georgia State’s media station, GSUTV provides students with training for creating broadcast content and airs special programs throughout Georgia and to a national network of PBS stations via cable, satellite, and digital platforms. GSUTV has won several Emmy and Telly Awards in recent years.
Communication, Speech B.A.
Georgia State University's B.A. in Speech Communications focuses on how people develop communication skills, how we study communication phenomena, how we critically examine communication events and how various persuasive tactics may influence members of diverse and globalized societies.
Elective courses examine such areas as nonverbal communication, media and politics, visual communication, communication disorders, health communication, mediation and conflict resolution, and communication and aging.
The concepts and skills provided by this Georgia State major in speech are useful in a wide variety of occupations and will prove useful in the world of communications.
In the heart of Atlanta, one of the world’s most vibrant media centers, the Department of Communication offers educational programs with the goal of producing productive and socially responsible citizens who understand communication theory and deploy communication skills to improve the human condition.
Community Psychology, MPH/Ph.D.
College of Arts & Sciences, School of Public Health
The dual MPH-Ph.D. program in Public Health and Community Psychology provides professional and graduate students with a solid and well-rounded background across both disciplines. Successful candidates will earn a master of public health degree (MPH) upon completion of the graduate health behavior & promotion concentration or the epidemiology concentration offered by the School of Public Health and a doctor of philosophy degree (Ph.D.) upon completion of the community psychology concentration. The program enables students to complete both degrees in less time than pursuing them separately.
Because health is determined by a complex interplay of biology, genetics, lifestyle, environmental factors, social and political conditions, multi-disciplinary professional expertise is needed to address the growing challenges to the public’s health and welfare. Community psychology and public health professionals attempt to address these conditions but take different yet complementary approaches.
Many community psychology professionals work within public health with a focus on fostering social change and activism, reducing oppression and promoting empowerment while public health professionals focus on assessing prevalence and incidence, identifying risk and protective factors, and changing individual health behavior.
Welcome from the Directors of Graduate Studies
FAQs for Graduate Program Applicants
Faculty Accepting Students
Composition Concentration, Bachelor of Music (B.Mu.)
The Georgia State Bachelor of Music with a concentration in Composition offers students personalized instruction and an immersive learning experience. The program features distinguished guest speakers like Eric Whitacre, George Lewis, Caroline Shaw, John Luther Adams and the Grammy Award-winning ensemble, Roomful of Teeth.
Collaborative opportunities in film scoring, including a recent web series with the School of Film, Media, and Theater (FMT), further enhance students' practical skills. This comprehensive program not only provides exceptional faculty guidance and inspiring guest lectures but also equips students for graduate study in composition, professional composing careers and teaching positions. Successful applicants demonstrate proficiency in theory and aural skills, submit a portfolio of compositions with accompanying recordings and pass an entrance jury.
Freshman and sophomore students may enroll in Composition Seminar to develop their portfolio. Completion of Theory I and Aural Skills I is required for admission into the Composition Seminar.
Composition Concentration, Master of Music (M.Mu.)
The Georgia State University Composition Concentration offers aspiring composers a comprehensive and immersive experience. The curriculum is designed to develop students' artistic expression and compositional skills across various musical genres and styles. Through individualized instruction, students work closely with experienced faculty, honing their composition techniques and exploring their unique creative voices.
The program emphasizes traditional and contemporary composition approaches, fostering a well-rounded understanding of music theory, orchestration and electronic music. Students have access to state-of-the-art facilities and resources, including cutting-edge recording studios and composition software, allowing them to bring their musical ideas to life with professional-level production quality.
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.
Computer Information Systems, B.B.A.
In today’s highly competitive global environment, the effective deployment of information technology has become the key to organizational success.
There is a continuing shortage of individuals with the combination of business and technology skills needed to develop and manage information systems that provide competitive advantage in the global marketplace. The mission of the B.B.A. in Computer Information Systems program is to produce graduates who are able to fill this need.
Tuition
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Computer Science Endorsement
The computer science endorsement program is 100% online and designed for teachers who are interested in adding computer science to a current, renewable teaching certificate held in another content area.
Candidates who successfully complete the program are prepared to effectively teach computer science courses at the pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade level.
The program has four courses:
- Digital literacy, information literacy and cybersecurity
- Computational thinking and human-computer interaction
- Programming concepts for teachers
- Computer science teaching methods
The first two courses are completed during the fall and spring semesters asynchronously, meaning that while students follow a group pace, there is no synchronous class time. Work is completed as fits the teacher's schedule.
The programming and methods courses are offered over the seven-week summer semester in partially synchronous courses. These courses typically meet online once a week with other coursework completed between meetings.
Applicant’s certificate level must be level SRT4 or higher and at any grade level pre-kindergarten through 12th grade or another eligible field.
Computer Science Pathway, A.S.
Perimeter College
What Is Computer Science?
Computer Science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and of practical techniques for their application and implementation in computer systems.
Why Study Computer Science?
Computers are a mainstay in today’s society. Whether at home, school, or in the workplace, people use technology. Understanding how computer systems work and learning how to make everyday tasks more efficient are valuable skills. Studying computer science introduces students to the exciting and ever-changing technological world.
Perimeter College’s guided pathway in Computer Science teaches students the fundamentals of the science while also helping them to learn how to conceptualize, design and implement technology solutions. The pathway prepares students for careers in technology and for transfer to a four-year institution.
Perimeter College computer science students can benefit from scholarships, stipends, undergraduate research and STEM initiatives, such as ENLISTEM, MESA, PSLSAMP and STEP. Routinely, Perimeter’s students win national conference awards for research projects, and the robotics team consistently places in the top three in the Association for Computing Machinery Southeast Regional Robotics Competition.
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.
Computer Science, B.S.
Computer science is the systematic exploration of all aspects of computation including computer design, computer programming and software, information processing, algorithmic solutions to problems and the algorithmic process itself. Computer science provides underpinnings for today’s applications in industry, science, government, and business and prepares the foundation for tomorrow’s applications in ubiquitous computing, medical cures for diseases and instant access to information by everyone.
The Georgia State University B.S. degree program in computer science provides a good foundation for careers in industry, science, government and business as well as for advanced studies at the M.S. or Ph.D. level.
Computer Science, B.S./M.S.
Computer Science, B.S./M.S.
The Georgia State Department of Computer Science offers a combined bachelor of science and master of science degree in computer science, allowing students to save a year of time and tuition as compared to pursuing the degrees separately.
Students in the 4+1 program can enjoy several advantages, in addition to earning a bachelor’s and master’s in as little as five years:
- GRE is waived.
- Likely receive a tuition waiver for the year of graduate studies.
- Likely receive a stipend for the year of graduate studies.
- Use HOPE and/or Pell Grant funds for the 12 credit hours counting toward your B.S. and M.S. degrees.
- Increase your earning potential with the master’s level credential.
Find out more details about the M.S. in Computer Science program.
Computer Science, M.S.
Georgia State University Master of Science in Computer Science program offers students a wide variety of research and technology areas of focus including:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Machine Learning
- Deep Learning
- Computer Architecture
- Database
- Data Mining
- Big Data
- Graphics and Visualization
- Networks
- Security and Privacy
- Parallel and Distributed Computing
- Cloud Computing
- Cyber Physical Systems
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- Programming Languages
- Algorithms
- Simulation and Software Engineering
A Bioinformatics concentration and Security & Privacy concentration are available.
Computer Science, Ph.D.
The Ph.D. program in Computer Science at Georgia State University offers a range of educational and research opportunities across a variety of technology and research fields. Students can choose between a general Computer Science track or a specialized concentration in Bioinformatics. Throughout their Ph.D. studies, students will have the chance to engage in research in the following areas:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Machine Learning
- Deep Learning
- Bioinformatics
- Health Informatics
- Computer Architecture
- Database
- Data Mining
- Big Data
- Graphics and Visualization
- Networks
- Security and Privacy
- Parallel and Distributed Computing
- Cloud Computing
- Cyber Physical Systems
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- Programming Languages
- Algorithms
- Simulation and Software Engineering
The department encourages applications from technology and teaching professionals and those with non-computer science but closely related degrees. Pursuing the Ph.D. program part-time is possible, so working professionals are encouraged to consider applying.
Conducting (Low-Residency) Concentration, Master of Music (M.Mu.)
The Master of Music concentration in Conducting (Low-Residency) at Georgia State offers conductors who are already working in the field the opportunity to advance their education and training during the summer. Students must hold a Bachelors in Music degree and have regular access to leading a large ensemble. This degree is offered in a fully online format during the academic year (fall and spring) with an in-person format for the Summer I Session (June). Applicants may apply for fall, spring, or summer admission.
For guidance and feedback, students take the respective conducting course (Choral Conducting or Instrumental Conducting) online in either the fall or spring semester of the program. During the summer, students participate in a six-credit hour conducting seminar that overlaps with the Atlanta Summer Conducting Institute (as auditors only). One additional elective course is also available each summer to round out the needed degree credits.
Counseling Psychology, Ph.D.
Counseling psychology is an applied specialty within the field of psychology that has focused on client strengths, the interaction between the person and the environment, multiculturalism and career development. A Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology prepares students for a broad range of leadership roles, including university professors, researchers, psychotherapists, consultants, or directors of psychological services. Our program classes are in downtown Atlanta near five American Psychological Association-accredited pre-doctoral internship sites, where our students can take advantage of practicum training opportunities. Completion of the doctoral program contributes to students’ eligibility to become licensed and practice as a psychologist.
The Counseling Psychology Doctoral Program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). Validation can be attested by contacting the APA Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, 750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242; telephone 202-336-5979; email: [email protected].
Potential applicants, view more detailed information on the Counseling Psychology Doctoral Program.
Student Admissions, Outcomes and Other Data for Georgia State Counseling Psychology Program