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.
Artist Certificate, Concentration in Wind Band Conducting, ACERM
The Artist Certificate in Music is a post-master’s certificate in either performance or conducting. The program is 18 semester hours and takes two semesters to complete. To be admitted into the Artist Certificate program, students must have either a master’s degree in music or equivalent professional experience.
The performance emphases consist of intensive, individualized instruction in performance and a recital. The conducting emphases consist of intensive, individualized instruction and a terminal project consisting of a public performance and a research document.
The program is open to exceptional students who are ready for doctoral- or professional-level instruction.
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.
Arts Administration, B.I.S.
The Georgia State University Arts Administration concentration provides students with a broad-based knowledge of business and the arts and positions graduates for managerial positions in galleries, theaters and other arts organizations, especially in the nonprofit sector. The program allows students with an interest in the arts to develop widely marketable skills. Students take courses in nonprofit management, business communication and marketing with electives in business administration, creative media industries study, entrepreneurship, marketing and nonprofit management.
There are four thematic concentrations: Art History Administration, Music Administration, Studio Administration and Theatre Administration.
Students can pursue their interest in the arts in one of these four areas while also taking courses in nonprofit management, business communication and marketing.
An internship course is required for Art History Administration and Theatre Administration or can be taken as an elective in Music Administration and Theatre Administration. Other possible electives include business administration, creative media industries and world languages courses.
Our campus is in the heart of downtown Atlanta. We are part of a thriving, vibrant arts scene with many arts administration opportunities in art, music and theatre.
Asian Studies, B.I.S.
The Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) program in Asian Studies provides students an opportunity to acquire a career-oriented range of skills and knowledge of this important and unique region of the world. Students can choose from a wide range of courses offered at Georgia State University.
Students have flexibility to craft a degree program that fits their interests and goals. Options include:
- A concentration in international business and economy.
- A minor in international business.
- A concentration in English as a Second Language (ESL) with an option to obtain a certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language (TEFL).
- Concentration in Chinese, Japanese or Indian/South Asian studies.
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.
Audiology Assistant Certificate
College of Education & Human Development, Perimeter College
An audiology assistant is a person who, after appropriate training and demonstration of competency, performs delegated tasks that are prescribed, directed and supervised by a certified or licensed audiologist. Audiology Assistants improve access to patient care by increasing the availability of audiology services. They also reduce costs by performing tasks that do not require the professional skills of a certified or licensed audiologist.
The Audiology Assistant Certificate program at Georgia State University offers coursework and supervised clinical experiences to prepare students for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association certification exam and credentialing.
This hybrid format certificate program is ideal for prospective undergraduates or post-bachelor degree students. It also serves as a pathway for students interested in pursuing and applying for a master’s degree in speech-language pathology or clinical doctorate in audiology.
The catalog listing is expected to be available in March 2023. For more information, view the College of Education & Human Development undergraduate admissions page, Audiology Assistant Certificate section.
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
College of Arts & Sciences
Political science is the study of “who gets what, when and how” in the distribution of goods and values in society and in groups. Political scientists study the forces that determine such distributions, including political parties and voters, public opinion, interest groups, bureaucracies and administrative behavior, public law, international relations, international law and organizations, national security, intergovernmental relations, political behavior, political philosophy, comparative politics, public policy and conflict.
Students may specialize in any of the five fields of the discipline:
- American politics and government
- Comparative politics
- International politics
- Political theory, or
- Public policy and administration
The department also provides specific concentrations for majors and minors in pre-law and in international affairs.
The department sponsors intercollegiate academic teams for Mock Trial, Model United Nations and Model Arab League. The department sponsors student honor societies and clubs in pre-law, international relations, and political science. The department also provides advisement for pre-law students.
Students also have the option to earn an undergraduate certificate in European Union Studies in cooperation with the University System of Georgia. Courses that count towards the certificate can also be applied to their political science major and towards the International Affairs concentration. For more information, visit European Union Studies Program. The Georgia State faculty representative for the certificate program is Dr. Jeannie Grussendorf.
Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) concentration in Arts & Sciences, Online
Are you looking for…
- Increased Job Advancement and Marketability?
- Increased Income Potential?
- Providing a Higher Quality of Life for Yourself and Your Dependents?
- Fulfilling a Personal Milestone?
- All within a flexible online curriculum specialized for your interests and goals while maximizing previously earned college credits, with dedicated faculty and staff to support you.
Look no further than our Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Arts and Sciences (BIS). A Georgia State University degree with endless opportunities.
The online BIS degree empowers you with a flexible curriculum while providing an avenue to an interdisciplinary educational experience that builds on various foundations for different career options, including graduate study.
With this program, you will further develop your skills* in:
- Critical Thinking
- Problem-Solving
- Leadership
- Oral and Written Communication
*Key competencies that employers and graduate programs are looking for in their applicants.
Whether you are new to Georgia State or returning to complete your degree, you are closer than you think to earning your bachelor’s degree at Georgia State with the online BIS program.
Tuition
Learn more about the cost of an online bachelor’s degree, or use Georgia State’s Cost Calculator to get an idea of the investment required for your path of study. For information on how to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and to determine eligibility, visit the FAFSA tips page.
Georgia State is dedicated to providing affordable and accessible programs for all prospective students because we value the investment each student makes in their education. We understand that the path to a student's future shouldn’t be blocked due to finances and we pride ourselves on offering financial assistance and scholarships that can support students through their education.
Bachelor of Music, Concentration in Composition, 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.
Bachelor of Music, Concentration in Jazz Studies, B.Mu.
Georgia State's Bachelor of Music with a concentration in Jazz Studies offers a comprehensive approach to developing competence in jazz performance, improvisation, and knowledge of jazz history. It also equips students with professional skills in establishing and maintaining high school or college-level jazz programs while nurturing their creative talents in jazz arranging and composing.
The program provides valuable opportunities for students to engage in quality jazz organizations, including large jazz bands and jazz combos. Furthermore, students will enhance their playing by participating in academic jazz courses such as jazz improvisation, jazz arranging and jazz pedagogy, among others. This integrated approach ensures a well-rounded jazz education and fosters both practical and academic growth in the field.
We offer jazz studies degrees in the following areas:
- Instrumental
- Voice
- Piano
Bachelor of Music, Concentration in Music Education, B.Mu.
The Georgia State University Bachelor of Music with a Music Education concentration offers a comprehensive and enriching program for aspiring educators passionate about fostering musical growth and learning in diverse educational settings.
This concentration prepares students to teach music in schools or other group settings, covering early childhood through adulthood. Graduates are eligible for a Georgia teaching certificate in K-12 music. In addition to developing performance skills, students study child development, learning theories and various teaching methods specific to music education.
Applicants are expected to have a strong background in music performance and music reading, coupled with a genuine interest in sharing their love of music with others.
Bachelor of Music, Concentration in Music Performance, B.Mu.
Georgia State University's 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.
Bachelor of Science, Concentration in Music Production & Audio Recording, B.S.
A Georgia State University Bachelor of Science in Music Production & Audio Recording prepares students for artistic, technical and producer/engineer roles in the music and music-related media industries. Through a comprehensive curriculum, students become skilled audio engineers and music technologists with practical training and hands-on experience that prepares them for the multifaceted challenges of the industry.
Graduates emerge from the program well-versed in the technical intricacies of sound recording, mixing and mastering and possess a discerning artistic sensibility that allows them to create captivating and high-quality audio productions.
Bachelor/J.D.
Bachelor/J.D.
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 Honors College 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.
Biology, B.S.
The career possibilities are endless with a bachelor’s degree in biology. A strong foundation in life science is a strong foundation for almost any career path.
While students can choose to stay on the General Studies track, we offer concentrations in:
- Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology
- Microbiology
- Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology
- Neurobiology
- Pre-Medical/Pre-Health
Undergraduate students can get involved in research and two interdisciplinary areas of focus — The Molecular Basis of Disease program and The Brains and Behavior program — provide competitive fellowships, seminars and symposia to support Biology undergraduate and graduate researchers. The Department also offers students the unique opportunity to participate in community outreach through the Bio-Bus program, which sends a mobile teaching laboratory to primary and secondary schools throughout metro-Atlanta.
Biology, B.S., Health Sciences with a concentration in Nutrition, M.S.
Biology, B.S., Health Sciences with a concentration in Nutrition, M.S.
Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions, College of Arts & Sciences
Want to strengthen your applications for professional school while also saving both time and money? An accelerated course of study might be for you.
This dual degree program offers the B.S.in Biology in the College of Arts & Sciences and an M.S. in Health Sciences (concentration in Nutrition) in The Lewis College. Highly talented and qualified students will have the opportunity to complete both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years, saving time and tuition expenses.
Participants have the opportunity to complete all general education and pre-concentration requirements for a Biology B.S. in three and a half years. If qualified for admission into The Lewis College, students can begin taking coursework toward the M.S. in Health Sciences while completing their final year of bachelor’s work. Several graduate courses will substitute for undergraduate courses resulting in a reduction of nine (9) credit hours to complete both degrees.
Biology, B.S./M.S.
Biology, B.S./M.S.
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 Georgia State University 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.
Biology, B.S./Medical Sciences in Biology, M.S.
Biology, B.S./Medical Sciences in Biology, M.S.
You can save a year of time and tuition money, all while preparing for the medical school application process through Georgia State University's Dual Degree program offering a bachelor's degree in Biology and master's in Medical Sciences in Biology (MBMS). Dual Degree (4+1 ) programs allow qualified students to count credits in their senior year toward their graduate degree as well.
Graduates of our MBMS program are well prepared for the medical school application process with a 90 percent acceptance rate for the first three cohorts in the program.
This 4+1 (Dual Degree) program allows students who have completed a bachelor's degree to avoid a “gap year” prior to applying to med school. It is also designed to help students be better prepared to succeed in the tough first year of coursework in medical school.
Not planning to apply for medical school? For information about the B.S./M.S. Dual Degree program in Biology, go to https://cas.gsu.edu/program/biology-bs-ms/