3000 College of Arts and Sciences
Graduate programs in the College of Arts and Sciences are described in detail in this chapter. See subsections for specific program information as well as policies and procedures.
Graduate programs in the College of Arts and Sciences are described in detail in this chapter. See subsections for specific program information as well as policies and procedures.
The College of Arts and Sciences consists of 23 departments and institutes within the areas of the humanities, the natural and computational sciences, and the social and behavioral sciences. The college has approximately 12,000 undergraduate and 1,800 graduate students.
Graduate programs offered by the College of Arts and Sciences prepare students for professional careers and provide them with the foundation for meeting the challenges of career development. For these purposes, the College of Arts and Sciences offers the Master of Arts, the Master of Science, the Master of Fine Arts, the Master of Heritage Preservation, and the Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Within the framework of the various degree offerings, specific programs have been designed for students who wish to pursue a career in teaching.
25th Floor, 25 Park Place Building
404-413-5114
cas.gsu.edu
Sara Rosen, Dean
Amber Amari, Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies
John Augusto, Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives
Dan Deocampo, Associate Dean for Research, Graduate Studies, and Innovation
Kathryn McClymond, Associate Dean for Faculty Development
John Medlock, Assistant Dean for Academic Success
Fred Mote, Assistant Dean for Administration and Finance
Shelly-Ann Williams, Director, Undergraduate Academic Assistance
3rd floor, 25 Park Place Bldg.
404-413-5040
Fax: 404-413-5036
The College of Arts and Sciences offers the following graduate degrees:
A Specialist in Education degree with a major in Teaching and Learning and a concentration in foreign language education is offered by the College of Education and Human Development in conjunction with the Department of World Languages and Cultures in the College of Arts and Sciences. Descriptions of admission and program requirements are outlined in the College of Education and Human Development section of this catalog.
The College of Arts and Sciences’ dual undergraduate/graduate degree programs provide qualified students with the opportunity to complete both a bachelor’s and then a master’s degree in as short a period as five years. Students who qualify for the dual-degree program can start taking coursework toward a master’s degree while still completing their bachelor’s degree coursework.
Acceptance into the dual degree program does not constitute admission to the graduate degree program. Admission to the graduate program occurs in the senior year and is contingent upon 1) successful completion of the bachelor’s degree, 2) maintaining the required program grade-point average, 3) performance in the graduate-level courses taken during the bachelor’s degree, and 4) meeting the other admission requirements of the specific program.
For more details on dual degrees, please visit cas.gsu.edu/dual-degrees/ and program information in this catalog.
The College of Arts and Sciences offers a number of professional certificates in addition to traditional graduate degrees. Each certificate is outlined in the department section of this catalog and on the individual department websites. The college offers graduate certificates offered in the following areas:
Applicants not currently in a degree program in the College of Arts and Sciences must apply according to the general application instructions. Master’s and doctoral students who wish to apply for a certificate are exempt from the application fee. Such qualified students should submit an application to the Office of Graduate Admissions at gradapply.gsu.edu/apply/.
A person seeking to pursue any of the programs of graduate study described in this section of this catalog must be admitted to Georgia State University through the College of Arts and Sciences. The requirements for admission stated in the following sections are those established by the University and the College. Additional requirements, if any, established by the separate departments/schools can be found in the descriptions of their programs and on their respective websites.
There are four categories of admission to graduate study in the College of Arts and Sciences: Full Status, Special Status, Non-Degree Status, and Transient Status. A student must achieve Full Status in order to be eligible for a graduate degree. The category of Special Status is designed to accommodate, when practical, applicants with promise who may have certain limited deficiencies in admission requirements. Non-Degree Status is provided for non-degree seeking students who wish to take a limited number of graduate courses. Transient Status is available for graduate students in good standing attending another institution.
The Office of Graduate Admissions reserves the right to require prerequisites as conditions of admission. Visit the admissions section of the Graduate Programs website for detailed information and application at graduate.gsu.edu.
The Office of Graduate Admissions lists on its website the dates by which an application to degree programs must be completed. These are the dates that all materials required for admission must be collected in the Office of Graduate Admissions. Departments have different application completion deadlines, especially for applicants wishing to receive financial assistance. Applicants should check the Office of Graduate Admissions website at graduate.gsu.edu and with the department to which they plan to apply for specific application instructions and deadlines.
International applicants must have all application materials in the Office of Graduate Admissions as early as possible in order to allow sufficient time for the application materials to be reviewed by the department and, if appropriate, for the preparation of necessary visa documents.
The selection of applicants for admission to graduate study is competitive. Given limited university resources, even applicants with strong credentials may not gain admission to a specific graduate program. Admission is based upon a variety of factors among which is the quality of the applicant’s undergraduate record, achievement on required admissions tests, the degree of preparation for the specific academic program to be pursued, and available space in the program. In addition to these general criteria, individual departments may consider additional factors in making admission decisions. Applicants should be aware that exceptional performance in an undergraduate or a graduate program in one discipline does not guarantee acceptance into another graduate program. Following initial recommendation by the department, the assistant dean for Graduate Programs of the college shall make the final decision concerning the acceptance or rejection of an applicant.
A prospective student seeking admission must be a graduate of an accredited college with a four-year baccalaureate degree or the equivalent that reflects superior quality work at the undergraduate level. Each applicant must complete and submit the application for admission to graduate study, any required application materials and the application fee. The College of Arts and Sciences requires all prospective students to submit applications and supporting documents electronically. The online graduate application can be found at graduate.gsu.edu.
Application materials required for admission to graduate study include the following:
Admission to the College of Arts and Sciences can only be granted by an Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs. Correspondence from individual departments, professors, or outside agents does not constitute official admission.
The use of Special Status admission is solely the prerogative of the department to which application has been made. Special Status admission may be given to applicants who show promise but are not able to fulfill all the requirements for admission to Full Status at the time they apply. Students admitted under the Special Status category are informed of expectations or conditions in the letter of admission. Students admitted to Special Status may be dismissed from their programs if their departments feel that they are not making satisfactory progress toward promotion to Full Status.
A student must be in Full Status in order to earn a degree. At least 20 semester hours of graduate coursework must be completed after the student is admitted to full status to qualify for graduation.
Non-Degree Status is provided for students who wish to take a limited number of graduate courses (a maximum of nine credit hours) that relate to their academic or professional backgrounds but do not lead to an advanced degree. A student seeking admission to Non-Degree Status should complete the online application form at gradapply.gsu.edu/apply/ and submit the $50 application fee, transcripts from all colleges or universities attended, and a list of courses he or she wishes to take.
A student is admitted to this status at the option of the department and when adequate resources are available. Applicants for the Non-Degree Status should consult the departmental director of graduate studies to learn about any additional requirements or policies that pertain to non-degree admission.
Admission to Non-Degree Status does not warrant or secure admission to any degree program. Some departments do not accept non-degree students. for more information on Non-Degree Status Admission, please visit cas.gsu.edu/graduate-services/non-degree-transient-admission/.
An applicant seeking admission as a transient student must be a graduate student in good standing at another institution. Admission requirements include completed application forms, application fee, a list of courses the applicant wishes to take, and a letter of good standing from either the graduate dean or the registrar of the student’s institution.
Admission to transient status is for one semester only on a space-available basis. A student who is not in good standing or who is ineligible to return to his or her institution will not be admitted. No guarantee is made that a transient student will be able to secure the courses desired. The reporting of grades earned to the student’s institution is the responsibility of the student.
The College of Arts and Sciences does not allow transient students to reenter. A complete application form, fee, list of courses, and letter of good standing must be sent to the Office of Graduate Admissions for every semester the transient student wishes to attend Georgia State University. For more information on Transient Student Admission, please visit cas.gsu.edu/graduate-services/non-degree-transient-admission/.
Deadlines for transient applications are as follows: Summer – May 15; Fall – June 15; Spring – December 1.
Admission to a graduate program is valid only for the semester, degree, and major specified in the letter of acceptance. An applicant who is admitted and does not intend to enroll should notify his/her corresponding departmental director of graduate studies in writing of this decision as soon as possible. If an accepted applicant wishes to defer entry within one year, the admitting department/school reserves the right to review the application materials again and decide if postponement is appropriate.
Students of Georgia State University who are on inactive status, or who have received registration holds due to violation of the continuous enrollment policy, must submit an online re-entry application and $25 application fee to the Office of Graduate Admissions for the semester the wish to re-enter. The Re-entry application is available online at https://gradapply.gsu.edu/apply/. Students who have attended other colleges and/or universities since last registering at Georgia State must send official transcripts of all coursework taken to the Office of graduate Admissions prior to the re-entry deadline for the appropriate semester. The departmental graduate director of the degree program must approve re-entry applications and may deny re-entry for a variety of reasons, such as a student’s previous academic performance, a student’s progress in the program, the length of time not enrolled, and availability of space in the program. Re-entry applications from students whose cumulative grade-point average is below 3.0 require a plan from the program’s graduate director describing how the grade-point average can be improved to 3.0 or better within 18 hours of graded coursework over the next three consecutive terms.
Re-entering students are subject to the regulations of the Graduate Bulletin and the degree program current at the time of re-entry.
Deadlines for re-entry applications are as follows: Summer – April 1; Fall – June 1; Spring – November 1.
Georgia State University encourages the enrollment of students from other countries. Applicants needing a student visa are required to provide proof of financial support for at least the first year of their degree program. International students with a student visa are required to carry a full course of study during every semester except the summer semester. Applicants requesting a student visa may not be considered for Non-Degree Status.
In addition to meeting the regular admission requirements, prospective international applicants must demonstrate proficiency in the English language by taking either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). In addition, applicants may either show proficiency in the English language by showing the completion of a University System of Georgia approved ESL program or show proof of a baccalaureate or graduate degree completion inside (from an accredited institution) or outside the U.S. where English is the official language of academic instruction. Applicants with a score under 550 on the paper-based TOEFL, 213 on the computer-based TOEFL, 80 on the internet-based TOEFL, or 6.5 on the IELTS cannot be considered for Full Graduate Status; they may, however, be considered for Special Status admission.
Additional testing of skills in English can be required of all newly-admitted international students who come from non-English speaking countries. Prior to registration for the first semester, international students are required to attend a special orientation, held by the Office of International Student and Scholar Services, where they must take the Georgia State Test of English Proficiency (GSTEP) offered by the Department of Applied Linguistics and English as a Second Language. Students who miss the orientation should arrange with the department to take the GSTEP before classes begin or as soon as possible thereafter. Students with acceptable scores on the examination may proceed with their regular academic coursework. GSTEP will not be required if the student obtains a minimum score of 100 on the internet-based TOEFL or 7.5 on the IELTS. Students whose scores indicate a lack of English proficiency will be required to take ESL course or courses as a regular part of their graduate coursework. Any ESL courses required under this provision will be considered part of the student’s normal course load but will not count toward the total hours of coursework a student must take in order to obtain a degree.
GSTEP scores for each student will be sent by the Department of Applied Linguistics and English as a Second Language to the Office of Graduate Services along with a recommendation regarding the additional language course(s) that the student should take. The Office of Graduate Services will then send the information to the appropriate departmental director of graduate studies, who will ensure that the student takes the recommended ESL course(s). The Office of Graduate Services will monitor the implementation of this procedure.
Academic credentials must be original documents with authorized signatures, seals, stamps, etc. Whenever possible, these should be sent by the institution responsible for issuing such documents. In cases where it is impossible for an applicant to have these credentials sent from such institutions, the applicant should forward a duly “notarized” or “attested to” copy. The notarization should be done by the proper institutional official or by the Ministry of Education in the home country. Documents in a language other than English must be accompanied by translations. Translations should be made by the home country embassy or an appropriate official, and the original copies of the translations, acceptably notarized as described above, must be provided. As a general rule, documents translated by the Office of the American Friends of the Middle East (AFME), the Institute of International Education (IIE), the student’s home embassy, the American embassy, or the language faculty of a regionally accredited U.S. college or university will be acceptable. Students who already attend school in the U.S. can arrange to have their institutions certify photocopies of original documents, and students in the Atlanta area can arrange for the Office of Graduate Admissions to certify photocopies of required foreign academic credentials.
Each academic department in the College of Arts and Sciences offers opportunities for qualified students who have been accepted into one of the graduate degree programs to work as laboratory, research, or teaching assistants. Graduate assistants work as tutors, aid faculty members in research projects, supervise laboratories, and teach undergraduate courses. Assistantships normally are awarded only to students enrolled full time in their degree programs. For the expected level of enrollment, see “Courses and Course Load” in section 3100 below. Students interested in graduate assistantships should contact the directors of graduate studies in their departments for specific information.
Students receiving assistantships as well as financial aid should be aware that receiving an assistantship can reduce the amount of financial aid awarded.
Most departments/schools have early deadlines for graduate teaching or research assistantships. If you would like to be considered for an assistantship, please consult the appropriate departmental section of this catalog or departmental websites to obtain the deadline for the program to which you plan to apply.
In addition to graduate assistantships, the college and university offer a variety of fellowships, scholarships, and other sources of financial support for graduate education. Information about many of these offerings is available at graduate.gsu.edu/funding-and-costs.
In departments where a new application is required from the master’s to the doctoral program, master’s and doctoral cumulative GPAs will be calculated separately. In departments where only one application is required for entry into a continuous graduate program, the cumulative GPA will remain combined. All credits earned while a student is in non-degree status that are approved for, and used to fulfill requirements to the master’s degree will be calculated into the cumulative master’s GPA. In order to qualify for graduation with a degree from the College of Arts and Sciences, a student must have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Graduate students are personally responsible for knowing and maintaining department and College academic standards. A graduate student whose cumulative grade-point average falls below 3.0 at the end of a semester or who fails to maintain the level of academic performance required by the major department will be sent a letter of scholastic warning from the associate dean for Graduate Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences. Some departments have additional requirements for academic performance and progress. In these instances, the departmental graduate director will attempt to warn the student. However, the receipt or non-receipt of academic warning does not exempt the student from stated requirements. Students in Warning Status must achieve a 3.0 cumulative grade-point average within 18 hours of graded coursework over the next three consecutive terms.
A graduate student is subject to scholastic termination from the degree program for the following reasons:
The student who may be subject to scholastic termination will be notified of termination by the assistant dean for Graduate Programs of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Some departments in the College of Arts and Sciences require students to demonstrate proficiency in either one or two world languages, in an alternative research skill, or in a combination of the two. An alternative research skill is a proficiency obtained in an adjunct area that is ordinarily not a degree requirement in the student’s degree program. Students should consult their individual directors of graduate studies for specific departmental requirements.
An international student whose native language is not English and who demonstrates proficiency in English to the Department of Applied Linguistics and English as a Second Language may be exempted from one world language requirement. Exceptions to this policy may be allowed only with departmental approval and by means of approved substitutions of equivalent research skills. The English for Foreign Language Requirement Exam (EFLRE) requires students to perform satisfactorily on the GSTEP, including the oral interview.
International students who will be using English to satisfy the world language requirement will take the EFLRE, and the result will be sent to the student’s academic department. According to the Department of Applied Linguistics and English as a Second Language, GSTEP results remain current for two years. Students who wish to satisfy the foreign language requirement within the first two years of their arrival at Georgia State may use the GSTEP results (if those results are satisfactory) on file in the Department of AL/ESL. If students were not required to take the oral interview section of the GSTEP when they arrived, they will need to contact the Department of AL/ESL to take it to fulfill the EFLRE requirement. Students who wait longer than the two year period will be required to take the complete EFLRE, which means retaking all sections of the GSTEP.
Courses taken to satisfy the world language requirement will not count toward the total hours of coursework a student must take in order to obtain a degree.
Program requirements are established based on the Graduate Catalog active at the time of the student’s initial acceptance and matriculation (first registration). All credits presented for the master’s degree must have been earned within seven calendar years of the date of the degree. All credits presented for the doctoral degree must have been earned within ten years of the date of the degree.
Students in all graduate programs must maintain enrollment totaling 6 hrs (or more) over all consecutive three semester periods (including summers). In other words, the total enrollment of the current term plus the two terms preceding it must add to 6 hrs or more at all times. The status of all students will be checked by the midpoint of each term for compliance with the continuous enrollment requirement. Any student whose enrollment is out of compliance will receive a registration hold preventing all current and future registration. Those students will be notified by an e-mail message sent to their official Georgia State e-mail account.
To resume their programs, students with continuous enrollment holds must submit a reentry application by the published deadline and must enroll at a level sufficient to satisfy the continuous enrollment criterion. That is, their enrollment in the reentry term plus the two terms preceding it must total to 6 hrs or more. The maximum required enrollment level for the reentry term is 6 hours. For more information on the reentry process, see section 3400.
Graduate Assistants
Students receiving graduate assistantships are required to enroll in 18 credit hours each semester. Graduate assistants should refer to their program’s individual section of the catalog for specific guidance on which courses to register for in order to meet the 18 credit hour enrollment requirement.
For purposes of financial aid and compliance with Federal regulations, graduates students may receive aid for a maximum of 90 hours unless they are receiving a graduate assistantship. Graduate assistants may be exempted from the maximum timeframe component of Satisfactory Academic Progress process. Students receiving financial aid and receiving graduate assistantships may be subject to reduced financial aid awards.
Graduate students must assume full responsibility for knowledge of the rules and regulations of the college, the university, and those departmental requirements concerning their individual curricula. Enrollment in a graduate program in the College of Arts and Sciences constitutes students’ acknowledgement that they are obligated to comply with all academic and administrative regulations and degree requirements.
It is the responsibility of the student to know and to satisfy any and all conditions that pertain to admission and to the satisfactory completion of degree requirements. Students may obtain advisement from the appropriate graduate faculty adviser or from their departmental director of graduate studies. A complete listing of department directors and advisors is available at cas.gsu.edu/graduate-services/admissions/graduate-admissions-college-requirements/. Advisors are also available in the Office of Graduate Services in order to assist with admissions and other administrative actions related to admission and graduation. A list of office contacts is available at cas.gsu.edu/graduate-services-contacts/.
Courses numbered 6000 and above are normally open only to graduate students (see exceptions below). Each graduate course will carry three semester hours of academic credit unless otherwise indicated. Twenty-five semester hours is the maximum student load per semester; eighteen semester hours is considered to be the normal load for graduate students with graduate assistantships in the College of Arts and Sciences, while nine semester hours is the load for defining a full-residence semester for most financial aid and loans. Students who wish to register for more than twenty-five hours of course work must obtain the approval of the department director of graduate studies.
Under one of the following conditions, an undergraduate student may be permitted to take a graduate course:
(This approval process does not apply to postbaccalaureate students. Postbaccalaureate students wishing to take graduate courses must be admitted as non-degree seeking students. See cas.gsu.edu/graduate-services/non-degree-transient-admission/ for additional information.)
A maximum of six semester hours of approved graduate credit from other institutions may be accepted toward a master’s degree program, a maximum of 30 semester hours may be accepted toward a doctoral degree and a maximum of three semester hours of approved graduate credit from other institutions may be accepted toward a graduate certificate program. Transfer credit must be approved no later than the end of the second semester in Full Status. Transferred credits will be included in the time limitations placed on credits applicable to graduate degrees. For the policy concerning application of work taken at other institutions in the doctoral program, see the departmental requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy degree.
Please note that the acceptance of transfer credit is not automatic; it must be approved and documented by the departmental director of graduate studies and the appropriate associate dean.
Course 6999 in any department that offers graduate work is designed only to assist the graduate student with a particular curriculum problem. Credit of one to a maximum of four semester hours may be earned. To be eligible, a student must have Full Status and must have the approvals of the instructor, the chair of the department, and the appropriate associate dean of the college. Application forms for Course 6999 may be obtained from either the academic department or the Dean’s Office and must be submitted for approval prior to the close of registration for the semester in which the credit is to be earned. Registration for Course 6999 will be permitted only when an alternative course is not available.
Most departments that offer graduate degrees also offer Course 8999/9999, Research, for which credit from one to a maximum of 15 hours per semester may be earned. In some departments, 8999/9999 may be taken to a maximum of 25 hours per semester. These courses generally are acceptable to reach minimal continuous/graduate assistant enrollment standards.
All undergraduates, graduate students, and post-docs involved in empirical research at Georgia State University are required to undertake Responsible Conduct in Research (RCR) education and training as part of their requirements for graduation or employment. As part of this educational requirement, web-based training thru the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) has been made available to meet this requirement. More information on the university’s RCR training requirement can be found at ursa.research.gsu.edu/responsible-conduct-in-research/.
Candidates for graduation in a degree program offered by the College of Arts and Sciences must be officially registered for classes the semester of completing all academic requirements, including all non-course milestones. Departments may determine the extent and type of hours that must be taken by the candidate during the concluding semester. Every candidate for completion must apply at least two semesters in advance of expected graduation via their PAWS account. These regulations are explained in the general university-wide section of this catalog. The semester of completion is defined as extending until the last day of the semester on the academic calendar as published by Enrollment Services.
While the provisions set forth in this catalog will ordinarily be applied as stated, Georgia State University and the College of Arts and Sciences have the right to change any provision, including, but not limited to, academic requirements for graduation, without actual notice to individual students. Every effort will be made to advise students of any such changes. It is especially important that each student note that it is the individual student’s responsibility to keep apprised of current degree requirements for his or her particular program.
All students must be enrolled in the term in which they complete the requirements for their degree. Normally, this is the term in which they will graduate. However, if the requirements are completed after the deadline for graduation in a term, but before the first day of classes in the subsequent term, then it is not necessary to enroll in the subsequent term. If the continuous enrollment criterion is not met in the term in which degree requirements are completed, then it must be met in the term of graduation.
The Doctor of Philosophy degree is awarded in recognition of the attainment of independent and comprehensive scholarship in a selected field. The Ph.D. emphasizes research in conjunction with the mastery of a substantial body of knowledge. Specific degree requirements may be tailored by the faculty to meet the needs of the individual student.
In order to qualify for the Doctor of Philosophy degree, the student must fulfill the following general requirements:
The requirements stated below are the minimum requirements established by the College of Arts and Sciences for the awarding of the Master of Arts and the Master of Science degrees. In addition to any other departmental requirements, the student seeking either of these degrees must fulfill the following general requirements.
The Department of English offers a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing. Applicants should submit strong portfolios of poetry or fiction. Details for degree requirements and application procedures are listed under the “English” section of this catalog and on the department website.
The College of Arts and Sciences offers a Master of Heritage Preservation degree program. This program is interdisciplinary in nature, but currently is housed in the Department of History. For further information, refer to the description in the “Heritage Preservation Program” section of this catalog or the program website at heritagepreservation.gsu.edu/.
The grievance and appeals procedure for students enrolled in courses or academic programs in the College of Arts and Sciences is available in the departmental and administrative offices of the college and on the university website at enrollment.gsu.edu/assistance/.
Students may request deviations from the regulations in the College of Arts and Sciences section of this catalog by applying for approval to the Graduate Petitions Board. Students considering such a petition should consult the Office of Graduate Services to determine procedures and to obtain appropriate forms or download them from cas.gsu.edu/graduate-services/student-resources/. This petition procedure does not apply to department-based regulations.
Department | Main Office | Catalog Sections |
Department of African-American Studies | 962 One Park Place South; 404-413-5135 | 3130 |
Department of Anthropology | 335 Sparks Hall; 404-413-5156 | 3140 |
Department of Applied Linguistics and English as a Second Language |
15th floor, 25 Park Place; 404-413-5200 | 3150 |
Department of Biology | 495 Petit Science Center; 404-413-5300 | 3180 |
Department of Chemistry | 380 Petit Science Center; 404-413-5500 | 3190 |
Department of Communication | 8th floor, 25 Park Place; 404-413-5600 | 3200, 3126 |
Department of Computer Science | 7th floor, 25 Park Place; 404-413-5700 | 3175, 3210 |
Creative Media Industries Institute | 2nd floor, 25 Park Place | |
Department of English | 23rd floor, 25 Park Place; 404-413-5800 | 3220 |
Department of Geosciences | 730 Langdale Hall; 404-413-5750 | 3240 |
Gerontology Institute | 605 One Park Place; 404-413-5210 | 3260 |
Department of History | 20th floor, 25 Park Place; 404-413-6385 | 3270, 3280 |
Department of Mathematics and Statistics | 14th floor, 25 Park Place; 404-413-6400 | 3175, 3300 |
Neuroscience Institute | 800 Petit Science Center; 404-413-5445 | 3320 |
Department of Philosophy | 16th floor, 25 Park Place; 404-413-6100 | 3300 |
Department of Physics and Astronomy | 6th floor, 25 Park Place; 404-413-4033 | 3170, 3340 |
Department of Political Science | 1005 Langdale Hall; 404-413-6159 | 3350 |
Department of Psychology | 11th floor, Urban Life; 404-413-6200 | 3360 |
Department of Religious Studies | 17th floor, 25 Park Place; 404-413-6110 | 3370 |
Department of Sociology | 1041 Langdale Hall; 404-413-6500 | 3380 |
Institute for Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies |
22nd floor, 25 Park Place; 404-413-6587 | 3410 |
World Languages and Cultures | 19th floor, 25 Park Place; 404-413-5980 | 3230, 3290, 3390, 3400 |
The objective of the Advanced Language and Literacy Science (ALLS) graduate certificate is to develop specialized knowledge in advanced language and literacy science with a specific focus on populations who have difficulty with the acquisition of language and literacy skills. These populations include, but not are not limited to: children growing up in poverty in urban contexts, children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism, and other neurodevelopmental disorders, children with learning disabilities, children and adults who are deaf and hard of hearing, children and adults with communication impairments, and children and adults developing language and literacy in multilingual environments.
The certificate will consist of 18 credit hours. There will be four required courses for a total of 12 credit hours and two electives for a total of 6 credit hours.
Scholastic Discipline Policy
After completing six credit hours and at the end of each term thereafter, certificate students are evaluated for continuation in the program. Evaluation will include meeting academic milestones in their doctoral programs. Unless exceptional circumstances are present, students with a GPA below 3.0 in graduate-level classes will be scholastically terminated from the certificate program.
Department of African-American Studies
962 One Park Place South
Georgia State University
P.O. Box 4109
Atlanta, Georgia 30302
404-413-5135
aas.gsu.edu
Jonathan Gayles, Chair
Sarita Davis, Graduate Director
The Department of African-American Studies offers a vibrant and highly competitive graduate program. The department’s Master of Arts degree is designed to provide students with a rigorous interdisciplinary training in the scholarly investigation of people of African descent. The faculty and the courses of the graduate program are drawn from the department and other academic units throughout the university.
The Master of Arts degree in African-American Studies offers two areas of concentrations: the Community Empowerment track and the Culture and Aesthetics track. The Community Empowerment concentration focuses on the historical and contemporary strategies to empower people of African descent. This track exposes the student to the political, economic, and policy responses to the impediments of African/African-American community development. The Culture and Aesthetics concentration focuses on the understandings and the interpretations of the philosophical, literary, and artistic contributions of people of African descent.
Students are prepared to pursue a doctorate in African-American Studies or other related disciplines in the social-sciences or the humanities. The M.A. degree in African-American Studies also enhances a career in government, education, the professional fields, and the non-profit sector.
Students seeking admission to the graduate program are admitted once a year to begin in the fall semester. All application materials are due by March 15th. Applicants may obtain additional information about the Department of African-American Studies by contacting the Director of Graduate Studies at the addresses above.
In addition to the general admission requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of African-American Studies has the following admission requirements:
In order to earn a Master of Arts degree in African-American Studies, a student must complete a minimum of 36 credit hours of graduate coursework:
The certificate consists of 15 credit hours.
Department of Anthropology
33 Gilmer Street
Georgia State University
P.O. Box 3998
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
404-413-5156
anthropology.gsu.edu
Kathryn A. Kozaitis, Chair
Jennifer Patico, Director of Graduate Studies
The Master of Arts (M.A.) degree program in anthropology provides rigorous training in anthropological theories, methods, and skills. The program is dedicated to the investigation of a broad range of social, cultural, political-economic, and biological issues, processes, and problems pertaining to the human experience in its past and present dimensions. The Department of Anthropology program utilizes resources in metropolitan Atlanta to promote student learning.
Students may seek comprehensive training in anthropological methods and theory in anticipation of pursuing an academic career in anthropology or enhancing their education in another discipline. Alternatively, they may pursue specialized training in methods, problems, and theories for a career beyond the academy, applying anthropological knowledge to assess and help meet community needs, identify and help solve social problems, or write and help to implement public policy.
To provide graduate students with training specific to their career goals, the program offers a Thesis Option and a Capstone Option. Students may choose either option in consultation with the Graduate Director and their advisor. The Thesis Option requires primary research, whether basic or applied, on an issue relative to the student’s subdiscipline of concentration, e.g. archaeological, biological, cultural, or linguistic anthropology. This option is particularly well suited for those who plan to pursue doctoral training in anthropology or another field. Students complete this work under the guidance of a primary advisor and two additional committee members. The Capstone Option focuses the student’s time more in coursework, prioritizing topical content and professionalization through means other than independent research. Students who opt for the Capstone Option are encouraged strongly to take at least one, if not two, courses in fields outside of Anthropology that pertain to their professional goals, for example in public health, education, law, business, or public policy. With guidance from their advisor, Capstone students complete a capstone paper (25-30 pp.) in the final semester that may build upon previous coursework and should be oriented towards defining their professional goals and illustrating their developing expertise.
All students have the option to complete an internship for academic credit as part of their curriculum in such agencies as CARE, the Carter Center, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and at any of the multiple human service organization that serve immigrants and refugees in metropolitan Atlanta. For example, students who seek training in applied sociocultural anthropology conduct participatory action research in urban domains of policy and practice, including medical, educational, and other social service settings. Students with career interests in public archaeology study within cultural resource management (CRM) firms and museums.
The M.A. program is designed to be completed in two years. During the first year, all students are required to demonstrate competence in topics, theories, and methods of anthropology through completion of a four-course core curriculum. Additional coursework is completed in consultation with the faculty. During their second year, students are expected to develop their own areas of interest and expertise within the broader framework of the program. Students are encouraged to take advantage of resources in other departments and schools at Georgia State University, and of neighboring institutions such as Emory University, the Georgia Institute of Technology, Spelman College, Morehouse University, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the University of Georgia, and the Georgia Regents University in Augusta. Students can also choose to participate in our department’s collaborative programs with the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, the Atlanta History Center, the Georgia State University’s Heritage Preservation Program, the Atlanta Zoo, and a number of local museums and CRM firms.
Applicants may obtain additional information about the Department of Anthropology by contacting the Director of Graduate Studies at the addresses above.
In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Anthropology has the following requirements:
The following courses are required:
* Indicates courses graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Grades do not affect GPA.
Students who are working towards an MA in Anthropology may also elect to complete a concentration in Museum Anthropology. This concentration provides students with experiences in analyzing the representation, exhibition, and curation of material culture. Museums are integral to establishing authority over knowledge with respect to what is displayed and how it is exhibited. Cultural patrimony, nationalism, identity, and cultural meaning are not only represented, but also created in the materials shown to the general public. Therefore, museums are contested places where knowledge is available for consumption, where peoples and objects are viewed, and where ideas about the world are formulated. In adopting an anthropological approach to museums, this concentration is distinct from generalized museum studies; museum anthropologists examine curation, exhibition, and museum practice from a comparative and global perspective that interrogates museums as dynamic institutions embedded in particular social and cultural contexts. Emphasis is on both the role of museums in producing anthropological knowledge and the use of anthropological theory to contextualize and critique museum practices in diverse settings. Options for the concentration are four-field and include independent fieldwork in osteology, paleoanthropology, archaeology or bioarchaeology using museum or laboratory collections, an internship at a museum, analyses of visual, aural, and/or material culture at a museum, cultural resource management, NAGPRA compliance, and studies of identity, cultural patrimony, nationalism, and the production of knowledge at one or more museums.
Students complete the concentration by undertaking a focused course of study within their overall MA program. In addition to completing the required courses listed above for the MA degree, Museum Anthropology students must devote 18 of their total course credits to the concentration. Both thesis and curriculum-intensive students may elect the concentration. There is no special application process other than that for the MA program, but students should declare their intention to complete this program of study upon entry to the MA program.
* ANTH 6190 Archaeological Practice and the Public (3) may be substituted for ANTH 6150 Museum Anthropology (3) contingent on the career aspirations and professional interests of the student. ANTH 6190 can be used as a required or elective course, but not both.
Graduate Certificate in Ethnography
The Department of Anthropology offers a Graduate Certificate in Ethnography. Current anthropology MA students, graduate students in other departments, and other interested individuals holding at least a bachelor’s degree may apply to the certificate program. This program provides specialized knowledge and skills training in ethnographic research, focusing on research design, data collection and analysis, communication of results for diverse audiences, and policy analysis and writing. Ethnography is a field-based research methodology for the study of social and cultural patterns and practices. Ethnographers utilize participant-observation, direct observation and interaction, focus group interviews, and other qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques to uncover detailed patterns of human behavior in their cultural context. Ethnographic data are also relevant and useful in assessing community needs, addressing concerns of personnel, and enhancing cross-cultural communication. Ethnographic data analysis is especially productive in clarifying complex issues, informing policy, and designing data-driven innovative and effective solutions to organizational problems. As such, this signature methodology of cultural anthropology has broad application in a variety of academic disciplines, creative industries, professional fields, and employment settings. Ethnographic interviewing is a core skill that attorneys, therapists, social workers, administrators, and journalists adopt to understand and to serve an increasingly diverse population of colleagues, clients, interlocutors, and stakeholders. Ethnography encompasses basic and applied research, informs project planning and implementation, and illuminates assessment and impact analysis in areas that range from public health, education, and the arts to product design, user experience and marketing. The Certificate in Ethnography is ideal for MA and Ph.D. students in such fields as sociology, community psychology, education, nursing, linguistics, communication, business, and area studies who pursue qualitative research. For students who wish to pursue careers in academia, private business or the public sector, the Certificate offers applied and marketable skills in culture- and people-focused knowledge production and communication.
Applicants may obtain additional information about the Graduate Certificate in Ethnography by contacting the Director of Graduate Studies at the addresses above.
Additional Admission Requirements
Students must apply to the certificate program during either Fall or Spring semester. In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Anthropology has the following requirements for application for the Graduate Certificate in Ethnography program:
Certificate Requirements
Department of Applied Linguistics and English as a Second Language
15th Floor, 25 Park Place Bldg.
404-413-5200
alesl.gsu.edu
Diane Belcher, Chair
YouJin Kim, Director of Graduate Studies
Email: ykim39@gsu.edu
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 offers two concentrations: one in Adult Language Instruction and one in Research.
Students can also receive a Graduate TESOL Certificate during their course of study after completing the required coursework for the graduate certificate program.
Students may obtain additional information about the Department of Applied Linguistics and English as a Second Language by contacting the Director of Graduate Studies at the addresses above.
In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Applied Linguistics and English as a Second Language have the following requirements:
The Department offers a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program in response to societal needs resulting from the current status of English as the language of international communication. This worldwide use of English in programs and institutions of higher education has created a need in two areas. The first urgent need is research on an assortment of interrelated topics: language learning by adults who will use English for academic purposes, effective teaching of adult language learners, and the nature of English as an academic language. The second need is for doctoral faculty who can teach in educational programs that prepare master’s level teachers of English as a Second/Foreign Language.
Ph.D. students may focus on a range of topics. Research, for example, may be related to issues in second language writing, reading, listening, or speaking; analysis of academic language; assessment; teacher cognition; classroom dynamics; sociolinguistics; or the role of culture in second language acquisition.
Requirements for admission include (1) a master’s degree in applied linguistics or a related field, (2) teaching experience in a second or foreign language, and (3) GRE scores appropriate for doctoral level work. Non-native speakers of English must submit TOEFL scores of at least 600 on the paper-based test or 250 on the computer-based test and a score of at least 5 on the Test of Written English or the TOEFL Writing Test, or if the Internet-based TOEFL is taken, a composite score of 97 and writing score of 22 and speaking score of 24 are required. At the master’s level, successful Ph.D. applicants would have had at least a GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale with the strength of the M.A. program taken into consideration. Students who demonstrate prior experience with adult language learners and/or English for Academic Purposes will be preferred. In addition, students who demonstrate research potential based on an M.A. thesis or research papers submitted as part of the application process will be preferred. New students will be admitted only in the fall semester.
Applicants must submit the following materials:
The Ph.D. program in applied linguistics consists of five main components and requirements:
In the first two years of doctoral study, students will take three required core courses (9 semester hours) in conjunction with an additional 21 semester hours of coursework and at least 21 semester hours of dissertation credit. For students whose M.A. is not in Applied Linguistics, check the website for prerequisite courses.
The courses in the program over three content areas include the following:
The required core courses fall in Areas I and II and are the following:
Area I:
Area II:
*Students are required to fulfill breadth and depth requirements in linguistic theory. The preferred way to do this is by taking both versions of AL 8970. However, students may be exempted from one of the AL 8970 courses if they have taken AL 8240 General Linguistics or an equivalent course from another institution. (General Linguistics itself does not count toward the 30-hour requirement.) Those who wish to teach Introduction to Linguistics need to have taken both Linguistic Theory courses.
Additionally, all PhD students must have taken a course comparable to AL 8550 Second Language Evaluation and Assessment either at the MA level or while in the PhD program in AL/ESL. If it is taken during the PhD program, it counts as 3 of the 6 hours that can be taken in courses that are aimed at both MA and PhD students (see below).
Teacher-scholars who work in the field of applied linguistics need to experience second language study and use. This experience may take different forms.
Students whose language study does not fit one of these three categories are required to successfully complete four semesters of language study or an intensive program that covers at least four semesters of work.
Graduate Assistants
Graduate assistants are required to enroll for a minimum of 18 credit hours each semester. These credit hours will consist of courses required for the prescribed program of study, as well as additional hours of APL 8920, 8930, 8940, 8950, and 9900.
The purpose of the Qualifying Exam is for the PhD student to demonstrate theory and content knowledge, research and methodology competence, and communication skills, as well as to develop a plan of study. It consists of a Qualifying Paper and a meeting with a faculty committee (the “exam” proper).
The Qualifying Paper is an empirical paper that is completed in a course during their first year in the program. The goals of the meeting with the faculty are to discuss the paper and to advise the student on a plan for the rest of their program.
After students complete their coursework, they take comprehensive exams. Students receive three topics and have two weeks to write responses to all three. The questions will require the student to address issues in theory, research methodology, research topics of importance in the field, and/or topics related to the student’s intended dissertation research. At least one of the topics will require consideration of issues that overlap the boundaries between language, cognition & communication and language teaching & language teacher development.
When students have passed their comprehensive exams, they officially begin work on their dissertation. The dissertation process consists of three stages: a proposal, research and writing, and an oral defense.
Dual B.A./M.A. Program in Applied Linguistics
The department offers a dual Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics. The dual degree opportunity enables 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.
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. Additionally, 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 at cas.gsu.edu/dual-degrees/.
Graduate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
The Graduate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) will be awarded to students who successfully complete a series of five graduate courses (15 hours) offered by the Department of AL/ESL. The Graduate TESOL Certificate is an entry-level credential for those who plan short-term stays overseas or who are interested in employment in adult schools, private language institutes, or non-profit organizations that offer adult English language courses.
Through this certificate program, students will:
Program Requirements:
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Room 605, 25 Park Place
Atlanta, Georgia 30302-4106
404-413-6033
phy-astr.gsu.edu
Email (Director of Graduate Studies): white@astro.gsu.edu
Sebastien Lepine, Chair
Russel White, Director of Graduate Studies, Astronomy
The Department of Physics and Astronomy works closely with the graduate students on theoretical and experimental research in the following areas: atomic physics, biophysics, molecular physics, nuclear physics, condensed matter physics, astronomy, and astrophysics. See the Physics degree section for studies in the first five subjects.
Applicants may obtain additional information about the Department of Physics and Astronomy by contacting the Director of Graduate Studies at the address above. Applications should be submitted online through the Graduate Admissions system of the College of Arts and Sciences (cas.gsu.edu/graduate-studies/admissions/).
Doctor of Philosophy in Astronomy (Minimum of 71 hours beyond the baccalaureate degree)
Prior to registration each semester, students should be advised by either the chair of the department or the director of graduate studies. Please note, graduate assistants are required to enroll for a minimum of 18 credit hours each semester. These credit hours will consist of courses required for the prescribed 71 hour program of study, as well as additional hours of ASTR 9999, ASTR 8710, and ASTR 8910.
Programs Offered:
Department of Computer Science (see section 3210)
Department of Mathematics and Statistics (see section 3300)
The Big Data and Machine Learning (BDML) program enables students to gain the technical skills that industry increasingly expects from data scientists. Big Data comes from the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, autonomous vehicles, and other IT‐related fields such as scientific labs working with medical or remote‐sensing data, companies specializing in big data processing and analysis, cloud storage and computing services. These companies aggressively seek graduate‐level professionals who can 1) collect, clean, manage, analyze and interpret big data, 2) derive new knowledge from big data, 3) make sure these discoveries are transferred to the form of actionable items for upper administrators, and 4) clearly communicate to stakeholders through sophisticated but human‐friendly computer visualization techniques.
Degree Requirements (Minimum of 34-36 hours):
Department of Biology
Georgia State University
P.O. Box 4010
Atlanta, Georgia 30302-4010
Phone: 404-413-5300
Email: lallen47@gsu.edu
biology.gsu.edu
Geert de Vries, Chair
Ritu Aneja, Director of Doctoral Program
Casonya Johnson, Director of Master’s Program
Biology faculty members are actively engaged in a wide variety of research endeavors. Research efforts are concentrated in the following specific areas: applied and environmental microbiology (AEM), cellular and molecular biology and physiology (CMBP), molecular genetics and biochemistry (MGB), and neurobiology and behavior (NB&B).
Graduate research assistantships and teaching assistantships in the department are available to qualified students admitted to the graduate program. In addition, students may also qualify for support from grants and contracts in connection with their research programs.
The Department of Biology accepts applications for all semesters. In order to be considered for graduate assistantships, applicants must have all application materials to the department by the posted deadline. Foreign applicants should allow at least two months for processing of their application materials.
Applicants may obtain additional information about the Department of Biology or specific disciplines by contacting the Graduate Coordinator, Larialmy Allen, at the addresses above.
In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Biology has the following requirement. Applicants must complete and submit the Supplemental Application form for Biological Sciences to the Biology Department.
Students may choose between two degree options. The non-thesis option emphasizes coursework and the thesis option emphasizes research. However, all students enter under the non-thesis track. Transfer to the thesis option requires the approval of a thesis proposal by a three-member faculty committee that includes the thesis adviser.
In addition to the general degree plan, there are six discipline specific concentrations: applied and environmental microbiology (AEM), cellular and molecular biology and physiology (CMBP), medical science (MBMS), molecular genetics and biochemistry (MGB), neurobiology and behavior (NB&B), bioinformatics, and biotechnology. Students wishing to concentrate in AEM, MBMS, or Biotechnology must apply directly to those programs.
All entering M.S. students should obtain a copy of the departmental M.S. Policy Document. The document is available on the biology website or in the Graduate Coordinator’s office.
Non-Thesis Option (40 hours):
Thesis Option (40 hours):
M.S. in Biology with a concentration in Biotechnology
Application/Acceptance:
Interested students must apply for admission to the M.S. program and the biotechnology concentration. In addition to the personal statement, a second letter must be submitted that provides a rationale for entering this concentration and a description of three specific areas of training that the individual would like to pursue. In addition to the M.S. program admission requirements, applicants to the Biotechnology concentration must have completed CHEM 6600 (Biochemistry) or its equivalent with a grade of “B” or higher. Admission to the concentration will be made by the Biotechnology Area Committee on the basis of credentials and is dependent on space availability.
Non-Thesis Option (40 hours):
Thesis Option (40 hours):
For admission into the Thesis option, the student must have a Thesis proposal accepted.
Bioinformatics has grown from the creation of large biological databases that required computational approaches for efficient manipulation and analysis to a multi-faceted discipline that also includes microarray technology, statistical analysis, and molecular modeling. We offer non-thesis and thesis options for this interdisciplinary degree. The non-thesis option requires a minimum of 40 semester credit hours of coursework and a non-thesis report. The thesis option requires a minimum of 26 semester hours of coursework and 14 credit hours of research.
Biology and Chemistry courses must be selected from courses numbered 6000 and 8000. (Biol and Chem 7000-7999 are not applicable toward the M.S. Degree in Biology.) Math and Computer Science courses at the 7000 level that serve as prerequisites for 6000 and 8000-level interdisciplinary courses may be applied towards the coursework requirement.
Coursework must include:
For the Non-Thesis Option:
For the Thesis Option:
M.S. in Biology with a Concentration in Medical Science
The MBMS Program is designed to provide advanced medical instruction to students at GSU. The Master’s Program consists of three required courses, a choice of electives, and one capstone course for a total of 40 credit hours.
Degree Requirements (40 hours)
Financial Aid
Title IV Financial Aid provides assistance in the form of Work Study. Students can get assistance via teaching which builds leadership skills. Teaching does not count toward tuition waiver or course credit, however. Contact the advisors if interested in this option.
Dual B.S./M.S. Program in Biology
The department offers a dual Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Biology. The dual degree opportunity enables 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.
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. Additionally, 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 at cas.gsu.edu/dual-degrees/.
The Department of Biology offers programs leading to the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Biological Sciences. Specialized programs of study are provided in the following core disciplines: applied and environmental microbiology, cellular and molecular biology and physiology, molecular genetics and biochemistry, and neurobiology and behavior, molecular genetics & biochemistry with interdisciplinary specialization in bioinformatics.
General Requirements: At least 90 hours of graduate credit are required for the Ph.D. in Biological Sciences. To satisfy the minimum requirements for the degree, the student must complete successfully:
Specific Requirements: The following coursework constitutes the minimum core requirements for each discipline. Substitutions in the curriculum may be made based on the recommendation of the student’s research adviser and require the prior written approval of the Biology Graduate Committee. Students will be expected, however, to demonstrate knowledge of all material covered in discipline-specific core courses (below) during the qualifying examination.
Departmental Requirements (4 hours; may be used to meet Elective requirement)
Interdisciplinary Requirements (12 hours)
Courses in Bioinformatics offered by the Mathematics and Statistics and/or Computer Science Departments (specified prerequisites may be used to satisfy the 12 hour requirement). In consultation with the Major adviser, the student will submit a course plan to meet these requirements for approval by the MGB Graduate Director. Interdisciplinary courses include:
Programs Offered:
*Interdisciplinary Emphasis in Bioinformatics is available.
Department of Chemistry
Georgia State University
P.O. Box 4098
Atlanta, Georgia 30302-4098
Phone: 404-413-5500
Fax: 404-413-5505
Email: chemgradstudent@gsu.edu
chemistry.gsu.edu
Donald Hamelberg, Chair
Giovanni Gadda, Associate Chair
Suri Iyer, Director of Graduate Studies
Maged Henary, Associate Director of Graduate Studies
Chemistry faculty members are actively engaged in a wide variety of research projects. Active research programs are pursued in analytical, organic and biophysical/computational chemistry and biochemistry with an option in bioinformatics. The department currently brings in over five million dollars in external research funds annually.
Over 25 prestigious fellowships and assistantships are awarded by the department to outstanding Ph.D. students, including the Ambrose Pendergrast Fellowship, the David Withers Boykin Graduate Fellowship in Medicinal Chemistry, the Al Baumstark Award in Chemistry, the Robert “Pete” Pullen Family Scholarship in Analytical Chemistry, and the Harry P. Hopkins, Jr. Scholarship in Physical Chemistry. In addition graduate fellowships are offered in Molecular Basis of Disease (MBD) and Brains and Behavior (BB) research areas and include a stipend of at least $22,000 annually, waived tuition, and subsidized health insurance. Outstanding students may receive an initial offer of support as high as $25,000, with waived tuition and health insurance. Support is contingent on students remaining in good standing and maintaining satisfactory progress toward the degree. Inquiries concerning assistantships and other support should be made to the Graduate Coordinator in the Department of Chemistry. The Department of Chemistry accepts applications for all semesters. Early submission is encouraged for assistantship considerations.
Applicants may obtain additional information about the Department of Chemistry by contacting the Graduate Coordinator at chemgradstudent@gsu.edu.
Additional Admission Requirements
In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Chemistry has the following requirements:
Degree Requirements
Students should refer to the departmental program brochures for the specific details for each degree program. The following information is a brief overview of the various degree options.
Master of Science, thesis option (32 hours)
Satisfactory completion of:
Master of Science, non-thesis option (36)
Satisfactory completion of:
Chemistry M.S. Program with Interdisciplinary Emphasis in Bioinformatics
Bioinformatics has grown from the creation of large databases that required computational approaches for efficient manipulation and analysis to a multi-faceted discipline that also includes microarray technology, statistical analysis, and molecular modeling.
The department M.S. degree with emphasis in bioinformatics is available in both the non-thesis and thesis options described above with the following modifications.
Mathematics and computer science classes at the 7000 level that serve as prerequisites for 6000 and 8000-level interdisciplinary classes may be applied toward interdisciplinary coursework requirement. At least one course in biochemistry (CHEM 6600 or above) and CHEM 6640 or equivalent must be included in the above. In addition, 12 hours of interdisciplinary coursework may be applied toward the degree selected from the following partial listing:
For the non-thesis option, the approved laboratory or literature research paper must be on a topic within the area of bioinformatics. For the thesis option, one of the thesis committee members must be from outside the department.
Dual B.S./M.S. Program in Chemistry
The department offers a dual Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Chemistry. The dual degree opportunity enables 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.
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. Additionally, 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 at cas.gsu.edu/dual-degrees/.
Doctor of Philosophy
The Department of Chemistry offers a program leading to the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Chemistry. The Ph.D. degree is offered in biochemistry, organic chemistry, biophysical/computational chemistry, and analytical chemistry. A bioinformatics option is available in each of the four core disciplines. A Ph.D. is also offered in geochemistry in collaboration with the Department of Geosciences. Please contact the Department of Geosciences directly for details on the Ph.D. degree in geochemistry.
At least 80 hours of graduate credit are required for the Ph.D. degree. In order to satisfy the minimum requirements for the degree, students must complete successfully:
*World Language/Research Skill Requirement: A reading proficiency in French, German or Russian, or an equivalent research skill—e.g., computer language, technical writing, advanced statistics, electronics, etc.—(departmental approval necessary) is required. Students with M.S. degrees have already satisfied the language requirement. Credit hours used to fulfill this requirement do not count in the 80 hours.
Specific requirements: The following coursework illustrates the minimum curriculum requirements for each discipline. Substitutions in the curriculum may be made based on the recommendation of the student’s research adviser and require the prior written approval of the Director of Graduate Studies and the departmental chair. Students will be expected to demonstrate knowledge of all material covered in the core or designated courses during the qualifying examination.
Biochemistry
Biophysical Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Analytical Chemistry
Bioinformatics
Geochemistry
Please refer to the Geosciences section for Ph.D. degree requirements in Chemistry with a concentration in geochemistry.
Concentration in Nutritional Sciences
Please contact the graduate director for additional information about the Ph.D. degree concentration in Nutritional Sciences.
Programs Offered:
Department of Communication
Georgia State University
8th Floor, 25 Park Place Bldg.
Atlanta, GA 30302-4000
404-413-5600
communication.gsu.edu
Email: commgraddirector@gsu.edu
Greg Lisby, Chair
Jaye Atkinson, Associate Chair
Carrie P. Freeman, Graduate Director
Donna Krache, Associate Director, Digital Media Strategies
The Master of Arts degree in Communication is a multidisciplinary degree designed to prepare communication professionals and academicians for the demands of the twenty-first century. Each student may select an area of concentration from the following: 1) Digital Media Strategies, 2) Human Communication and Social Influence, or 3) Mass Communication. Required core classes are designed to provide coherence to the multidisciplinary offerings of the program by providing an overview of the communications field and by introducing concepts common and debated in all areas of communication.
The Ph.D. in Communication Studies is mainly designed to prepare students for positions in academia, but also equips those seeking professional advancement in research-based communication industry careers. Concentrations are offered in the areas of 1) Media and Society, 2) Public Communication, and 3) Rhetoric and Politics.
Based on theoretical perspectives from rhetoric, public argument, audience research, media studies, global communication, international communication, health communication, strategic communication, and new media, the Communication Studies program is engaged in the exploration of public discourse and mass-mediated environments, with the purpose of preparing students to investigate how persuasive practices are transforming culture at home and abroad.
Applicants may obtain additional information about the Department of Communication by contacting the Director of Graduate Studies at the email address above.
Additional Admission Requirements
In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Communication has the following requirements:
NOTE: All applicants for the Ph.D. in Communication must have earned a master’s degree before entering the program.
Students who have substantial records of professional experience in a communication field may also provide a one-page summary of their experience.
The Department of Communication reviews applications for spring and fall semesters for applicants to the M.A. programs. Applicants for the Ph.D. program will be admitted in the fall only.
Master of Arts (Research Thesis option: minimum 36 hours)
Master of Arts (Creative Thesis option: minimum 36 hours)
Master of Arts (Course-Intensive option: minimum 36 hours)
Master of Arts (Digital Media Strategies: minimum 36 hours)
Doctor of Philosophy in Communication Studies (Minimum of 68 hours beyond the master’s degree)
Graduate Assistants
Graduate assistants are required to enroll for a minimum of 18 credit hours each semester. These credit hours will consist of courses required for the prescribed program of study, as well additional hours of COMM 6990, COMM 8780, COMM 9999.
Department of Computer Science
Georgia State University
7th Floor, 25 Park Place Bldg.
P.O. Box 3994
Atlanta, GA 30302-3994
404-413-5700
cs.gsu.edu
Yi Pan, Chair
Yingshu Li, Director of Graduate Studies
The graduate programs offered by the Department of Computer Science include Master of Science (M.S.), Dual B.S./M.S., and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Computer Science. The programs focus on the technical aspects of both software and hardware. Computer Science faculty are actively engaged in a wide variety of research endeavors. Research efforts are concentrated in artificial intelligence and neural nets, computer architecture, database, data mining, big data, graphics and visualization, machine learning and deep learning, networks, security and privacy, parallel and distributed computing, cloud computing, cyber physical systems, Internet of Things (IoT), programming languages, simulation, and software engineering.
For the Ph.D. program, a Bioinformatics concentration is available. A baccalaureate or master’s degree in computer science, or its equivalent, is required for admission. The department encourages applications from high-tech and teaching professionals and those with non-computer science but closely related degrees. Pursuing the Ph.D. programs part-time is possible, so working professionals are encouraged to consider applying. Competitive financial aid is available for full-time Ph.D. students along with tuition waivers.
For the M.S. in Computer Science, Bioinformatics concentration and Security & Privacy concentration are available. The M.S. degree program in computer science provides students with advanced training in the fundamental principles and processes of computation. Graduate laboratory, research, and teaching assistantships are available to graduate students.
The computer science department accepts applications for the M.S. program each semester and for the Ph.D. program only fall semester with the general deadlines applying. However, in order to be considered for graduate assistantships, applicants must have all application materials in by February 15 for fall semester and by August 15 for spring semester.
Applicants may obtain additional information about the Department of Computer Science by contacting csgrad@gsu.edu.
Master of Science
In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Computer Science has the following requirements:
Doctor of Philosophy
In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Computer Science has the following requirements:
A grade of B must be earned for all courses counting toward Computer Science graduate degrees.
M.S. in Computer Science
M.S. in Computer Science (Bioinformatics Concentration)
M.S. in Computer Science (Security and Privacy Concentration)
Dual B.S./M.S. in Computer Science
The department offers a dual Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Computer Science. The dual degree opportunity enables 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.
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. Additionally, 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 at cas.gsu.edu/dual-degrees/.
Master of Science in Analytics Concentration in Big Data and Machine Learning
The Big Data and Machine Learning (BDML) program enables students to gain the technical skills that industry increasingly expects from data scientists. Big Data comes from the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, autonomous vehicles, and other IT‐related fields such as scientific labs working with medical or remote‐sensing data, companies specializing in big data processing and analysis, cloud storage and computing services. See section 3175 for additional information.
Ph.D. in Computer Science
Note: Students enrolled in this program must maintain 3.5 GPA in coursework at Georgia State University.
Ph.D. Computer Science (Bioinformatics Concentration)
Note: Must maintain 3.5 GPA in coursework at Georgia State University.
Department of English
23 Floor, 25 Park Place Building
404-413-5800
Email: ckocela@gsu.edu
english.gsu.edu
Lynée Gaillet, Chair
Audrey Goodman, Associate Chair
Chris Kocela, Director of Graduate Studies
Tanya Caldwell, Associate Director of Graduate Studies
Lori Howard, Assistant Director of Graduate Studies
The Department of English offers the Master of Arts (M.A.), the Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.), and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees. The M.A. degree program provides concentrations in literary studies and rhetoric and composition; the M.F.A. degree program allows students to concentrate in either poetry or fiction; and the Ph.D. degree program provides concentrations in literary studies, creative writing, and rhetoric and composition. The M.A. degree program prepares students for further graduate study or for careers in writing, editing, technical communications, research, or business. Time to degree for the M.A. program depends on whether students choose the M.A. thesis track or the M.A. independent study track). The M.A. thesis track usually requires two to three years of study, while the M.A. independent study track is designed to enable students to complete the degree within four semesters. The M.F.A. and Ph.D. degree programs prepare students to write, to teach at the college level, and to conduct scholarly research. The M.F.A. degree usually requires three to four years of study, including coursework, and a substantial creative thesis. The Ph.D. degree usually requires four to six years of study, including coursework, examinations, and a dissertation. In addition to its course offerings in British, American, and Transnational Literatures, as well as literary theory, folklore, rhetoric, composition, technical/professional writing, and creative writing, the department provides opportunities for training in scholarly and textual editing through several long-term publishing and editing projects.
Applicants may obtain additional information about the Department of English by contacting the Director of Graduate Studies at the addresses above.
No more than six semester hours or two courses of graduate work completed at another accredited college or university and approved by Georgia State University may be applied to a graduate degree in English. All transferred coursework must correspond to courses offered in the Georgia State Department of English. Such transferred coursework must have a grade of B (3.0 grade-point average) or higher and must not have been used toward the satisfaction of any previous degree requirements. Transferred credits will be included in the time limitations placed on credits applicable to graduate degrees.
Please note that the acceptance of transfer credit is not automatic; it must be approved and documented by the departmental director of graduate studies and the Office of Graduate Services for the College..
Students interested in scholarships and student loans should consult the Office of Student Financial Aid. The Department of English currently provides financial support primarily in the form of Graduate Teaching Assistantships, which carry full tuition waivers. Graduate Teaching Assistantships are available on a competitive basis to a limited number of M.F.A., Ph.D., and second-year M.A. students with superior qualifications (the department cannot generally fund M.A. students in their first years). The Paul Bowles Graduate Fellowship, the Virginia Spencer Carr Graduate Fellowship, and the Scholarship Endowment in Creative Writing are awarded to entering fiction writing students who have been admitted to the M.F.A. or Ph.D. program. Again, Graduate Teaching Assistantships are awarded on a competitive basis, and admission alone to any graduate program in English does not automatically guarantee funding. Further information and application forms are available from the Department of English.
Throughout their coursework students must maintain a B average or higher. Only those courses in which students earn an A or a B will be credited toward a degree.
A graduate student whose cumulative grade-point average (GPA) falls below 3.0 at the end of any semester will receive a warning from the associate dean for Graduate Studies of the College of Arts and Sciences. At the end of the next 18 hours of enrollment, the student must achieve a 3.0 cumulative GPA, or the College of Arts and Sciences will dismiss the student. As per the Graduate Assistant Policy of the College, students may not receive assistantship funding while on academic probation.
Students may be admitted on a non-degree status only if classroom space is available. Preference will be given to degree students. Students must complete an application, submit two transcripts of all previous college or university work, and provide a list of courses they wish to take. Only six credit hours earned while on non-degree status may later be applied to degree programs. Transient students must reapply each semester.
Application forms and information about the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and other materials are available at cas.gsu.edu/graduate-studies/admissions/. If you have any questions about graduate studies in English, please call 404-413-5800 to make an appointment to see the Director of Graduate Studies.
Admission
Applicants should be aware that admission is competitive and that meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the M.A. program. Before entering the program a student must have completed a bachelor’s degree with a major in English or its equivalent from an accredited college or university with at least a B average (3.0) in the undergraduate major. The Department of English admits students to its M.A. programs in the spring and fall semesters of the academic year; admission to the M.F.A. program occurs only in the fall semester. The Director of Graduate Studies in English will consider only complete admission files. Applicants are responsible for seeing that their admission files are complete by the deadlines for admission published in the current edition of this catalog.
The applicant should supply the following materials:
Registration and Advisement
Approximately one week before registration begins, the Office of the Registrar will post registration time-ticket assignments on the web and students can find out the date and time of their registration by entering the GoSOLAR website. The Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of English will act as advisor to all entering M.A. students. Students are responsible for making appointments with the Director of Graduate Studies for advisement and for being familiar with the requirements for their degree as set forth here. Students are encouraged to select a faculty advisor early in the program.
The Graduate Research Skill Requirement
The Graduate Research Skill Requirement will connect to, and further, a graduate student’s selected field of study and program emphases. Graduate Research Skill may be defined as the acquiring and practice of specialized skills, methods, and linguistic or language studies that include world languages (spoken fluency, written competency, reading knowledge, or translating from English into a world language, or translating from a world language into English), translation studies, or a specialized language system, such as digital humanities and/or emerging communication technologies. Note: The Graduate Research Skill is not a requirement of the M.F.A. program.
The Graduate Research Skill Requirement may be fulfilled with or by:
The Graduate Research Skill Requirement may be fulfilled at the level of the M.A. or Ph.D. Students who fulfill the requirement during their M.A. program will have no further research skill requirement to fulfill at the doctoral level. Doctoral students who did not satisfy the requirement during their M.A. program must do so before taking any doctoral exams.
Time Limit
All requirements for a master’s degree must be completed within seven years.
Candidates for the M.A. with concentration in literary studies may choose either the thesis or independent study track.
Thesis Track
This track requires completion of a minimum of 30 credit hours (10 courses), plus at least 6 hours of thesis credit, and a critical thesis (40-60 pages excluding notes and reference material) approved by a thesis committee consisting of a director and two other faculty members.
Coursework
In the interests of facilitating broad historical and disciplinary coverage across the areas of language, literature, and culture, the following courses are required:
Thesis
It is the student’s responsibility to select a topic and to find a faculty member who will direct the thesis and two others who will serve on the thesis committee. Only members of the graduate faculty may direct theses.
The semester before beginning to write the thesis, M.A. students must submit a written proposal for approval by their thesis committee. The proposal should include the following:
The thesis must conform in all matters of documentation to the most recent edition of The MLA Style Manual. The Office of Graduate Services of the College of Arts and Sciences has specific standard requirements for format. The student is responsible for conforming to those standards. The thesis must be between 40 and 60 pages in length, excluding notes and reference material. By the time the thesis is completed, a student must have registered for at least six hours of ENGL 8999 Thesis Research.
Independent Study Track
This track requires completion of a minimum of 27 hours of graduate coursework (9 courses), plus at least three hours of thesis credit, and an Independent Study Project (20-25 pages excluding notes and reference material) approved by a committee as described below.
Coursework
Independent Study Project:
This project will consist of a substantial, article-length treatment of a research topic 20-25 pages in length, excluding critical apparatus. The Independent Study Project could originate as an essay written in one of the courses taken by the student toward completion of the degree, in which case the Project Advisor may be the professor who taught that course. As per College of Arts and Sciences requirements, the Independent Study Project must also be read by two other faculty members in the department, one of whom, in addition to the Project Advisor, must approve the project by the appropriate College deadline for graduation. Readers of the Project are to be selected by the student in consultation with his/her Advisor.
Information about the rhetoric and composition program is available at sites.gsu.edu/rhetcomp/.
Candidates for the M.A. with concentration in rhetoric and composition may choose either the thesis or independent study track.
Thesis Track
This track requires completion of a minimum of 30 hours of graduate coursework (10 courses), plus at least 6 hours of thesis research credit, and a substantial (40–60 pages excluding notes and reference material) academic paper or a digital media project approved by a thesis committee consisting of a director and two other faculty members.
Coursework
In the interests of facilitating broad historical and disciplinary coverage across the areas of rhetoric, composition, professional writing, and technical communication, the following courses are required:
Thesis
Thesis research may involve digital and workplace projects as well as textual studies, and the thesis can be a substantial (40–60 pages) academic paper or a digital project with approval of the director. The proposal for thesis research must be submitted and approved by the student’s committee the semester prior to writing the thesis.
Graduate Research Skill Requirement
Candidates for the M.A. with an emphasis in rhetoric, composition, and technical and professional writing are expected to fulfill the graduate research requirement or to have received a grade of B or higher in either of the following course sets:
Independent Study Track
This track requires completion of a minimum of 27 hours of graduate coursework (9 courses), plus at least three hours of thesis credit, and an Independent Study Project (20-25 pages excluding notes and reference material) approved by a committee as described below. Completion of an internship as substitute for 3 to 6 hours of required coursework is strongly recommended.
Coursework
Independent Study Project:
This project may involve digital and workplace projects as well as textual studies, and can be either a substantial (20-25 pages) academic paper or equivalent digital project. In any event, the Independent Study Project must originate as a text/assignment within one of the courses taken by the student toward completion of the degree, and the Project Advisor will be the professor who taught the course in which the text/assignment originated. As per College of Arts and Sciences requirements, the Independent Study Project must also be read by two other faculty members in the department, at least one of whom, in addition to the Project Advisor, must approve the project by the appropriate College deadline for graduation. Readers of the Project are to be selected by the student in consultation with his/her Advisor.
Graduate Research Skill Requirement
Satisfaction of this requirement remains the same as for the thesis track M.A in English, Concentration in Rhetoric and Composition.
The Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing is a terminal degree that prepares students to write and to teach at the college level. It also provides students an excellent foundation if they choose to continue their graduate work at the doctoral level. Upon attaining the M.F.A. degree, students will have acquired a productive specific knowledge of their chosen genre/area of specialization (either Poetry or Fiction). Any student who receives more than one C during his or her program will be dropped from the M.F.A. program.
The M.F.A. student must complete satisfactorily a minimum of 42 hours of graduate coursework (14 courses), plus at least 6 hours of thesis research credit.
All Poetry and Fiction workshops (ENGL 8020 Poetry Writing, ENGL 8030 Fiction Writing), creative writing craft courses (ENGL 8201 Contemporary Poetry, ENGL 8202 Contemporary Fiction Craft, ENGL 8203 20th-Century American and British Poetry Craft I), and form and theory coursework (ENGL 8160 Form and Theory of Literary Craft ) must be completed at Georgia State University during the degree program.
Coursework
Fiction Writers:
* 36 hours are required for Areas 1 and 2 combined.
Students who enter the M.F.A. program with an M.A. in English or creative writing must satisfy a different set of course requirements totaling 36 hours:
* 24 hours are required for Areas 1 and 2 combined.
Poets:
* 33 hours are required for Areas 1 and 2 combined.
Students who enter the M.F.A. program with an M.A. in English or creative writing must satisfy a different set of course requirements totaling 36 hours:
Thesis
Shortly before, or directly after completing all required Creative Writing coursework, and no later than the semester before a student plans to graduate, she or he must submit to her or his director, and to the Director of Creative Writing, a written proposal that describes her or his thesis project. The M.F.A. thesis must be a minimum of 50 pages long for a manuscript of poems or a minimum of 150 pages for a manuscript of prose fiction. M.F.A. theses must include an introduction or an afterword in which the student discusses his or her approaches, styles, methods, and influences. The semester before beginning to write the thesis, students must submit for approval by their thesis director and the Director of Creative Writing a written proposal detailing the thesis project.
The Ph.D. degree programs prepare students to write, to teach on the college and university levels, and to conduct scholarly research. At the end of their Ph.D. coursework, students will have acquired a productive general knowledge of the various fields of literary study in English and will have developed a concentrated preparation in their areas of specialization.
Admission
Applicants should be aware that admission is competitive and that meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the Ph.D. program. Before entering the Ph.D. program, students are generally expected to have completed a master’s degree in English or a closely related discipline from an accredited college or university. The Department of English admits students to its doctoral programs only in the fall semester of the academic year. The Director of Graduate Studies in English will consider only complete admission files. Applicants are responsible for seeing that their admission files are complete by the deadlines for admission published in this catalog.
All applicants must submit the following materials:
Advisement
The Director of Graduate Studies will serve as the student’s initial faculty advisor, whom the student should consult regularly. However, very early in the program, the student should begin to design a course of study leading toward an area of specialization. The student will be tested on this specialization (the doctoral examination and the coursework required for taking it are described below). Optimally in the first semester of the doctoral program, but certainly before the end of the second semester, the student should form a three-member faculty advisory committee composed of at least two faculty members in the area of specialization. Working with this committee, the student will define and develop the area of specialization and determine the courses that can be used to satisfy the specialization requirements.
Doctoral Degree Plans
Students may choose to follow one of three plans. Plan 1 focuses on literary studies. Plan 2 emphasizes rhetoric and advanced writing courses. Plan 3 emphasizes creative writing.
Basic Coursework and Residency Requirements
Depending on the plan chosen by a student, the total credit hours required vary from a minimum of 50 to 59 beyond the M.A. (30-39 hours of coursework plus at least 20 hours of dissertation research). To fulfill the residency requirement for the Ph.D. degree, students must enroll for a minimum of 6 hours per term for 4 semesters. Two of these semesters must be consecutive. Each plan has further particular coursework requirements which are specified below. Please note, graduate assistants are required to enroll for a minimum of 18 credit hours each semester. These credit hours will consist of courses required for the prescribed program of study, as well as additional hours of thesis research and non-thesis individual research.
Doctoral Examinations
After completing coursework and the graduate research skill requirement (see above), students in all concentrations must pass the examination specific to their concentrations.
In the Creative Writing concentration, the doctoral examination in poetry is a two-day, on-site exam. Each examination period is four hours. The examination on Day 1 includes a section of identifications and either two or three essays dealing with the works and authors pre-1900 drawn from the Ph.D. reading list. The examination administered on Day 2 is comprised of three or four essays about the works and authors post-1900 drawn from the Ph.D. reading list. The examination director will decide on the final format for the examination.
In the Creative Writing concentration, the doctoral comprehensive examination in fiction is a two-day, on-site exam. Each day a four-hour examination is administered. The examination on Day 1 includes a section of identifications and either two or three essays dealing with works and authors pre-1900 drawn from the Ph.D. reading list. The examination director will decide on the final format for the examination.
In the Rhetoric and Composition concentration, the doctoral examination is a seven-day, off-site examination. The examination draws on both a primary field of specialization and a research focus within that field. Further information on the format of the doctoral examination in Rhetoric and Composition is available at sites.gsu.edu/rhetcomp/.
In the Literary Studies concentration, the doctoral examination will be in the area in which the student plans to write the dissertation. The examination consists of three parts: a two and a half hour on-site written, a seventy-two hour off-site written, and a ninety-minute oral. As described in the list of required courses below, in order to take the examination, the student must have completed 12 credit hours (4 courses) in or strongly related to that area. The exam itself will be based on a reading list composed of no fewer than forty texts, devised by the student in consultation with the faculty advisor who will be the primary reader of the exam. The examination reading list must be composed, and approved by the faculty advisor, at least one semester prior to the semester in which the student will take the exam. The examination questions must be approved by the Director and Associate Director of Graduate Studies.
Examinations are not offered in the summer. Students must give the Director of Graduate Studies in English written notification of their intention to take the primary examination by the departmental deadline. Each doctoral examination will be graded by at least three faculty members. A student must pass the examination on either the first or second try in order to remain in the Ph.D. program. Examples of past examination questions and of successful answers are available to students preparing for the examination.
Dissertation
Doctoral students must submit a dissertation acceptable to the Department of English and to the Office of Graduate Services of the College of Arts and Sciences. Stages in the preparation of the dissertation include the following: choosing a dissertation director and dissertation committee, submitting a dissertation proposal, defending the dissertation proposal, writing the dissertation, defending the dissertation.
Soon after completing the doctoral examination, a doctoral student must submit to his or her dissertation committee a written dissertation proposal that should include the following:
After consulting informally with the dissertation director and the other members of the student’s dissertation committee, the student must defend the proposal orally in a meeting with the committee and the Director of Graduate Studies. If the committee judges the student’s proposal to be acceptable, the student will be given permission to proceed with the project. While writing the dissertation, the student must register for at least 20 hours of ENGL 8999 Thesis Research.
Each student must pass a public oral defense of the dissertation open to all interested faculty and students. The structure of this defense will be determined by the student’s dissertation committee. After booking a room for the defense at a time agreeable to all members of the committee, the student must notify the graduate director and submit the completed dissertation to committee members at least two (2) weeks before the defense date (or earlier if required by the committee). The date, time, and location of the defense will be publicized by the graduate director. The student will bring to the defense a properly formatted Dissertation Title Page/ Signature Sheet. In the event of a successful defense, all committee members as well as the Department Chair must sign the Dissertation Title Page. It is the student’s responsibility ensure that the proper signatures are obtained and that the title page and dissertation are uploaded to the Office of Graduate Services before the graduation deadline.
Time Limit
Work on the doctorate must be completed within ten years of admission to the program.
Particular Requirements of Individual Ph.D. Plans:
Plan 1: Literary Studies:
In the interests of facilitating professional specialization within the broad fields of linguistic, literary, and cultural study, the following are required:
Plan 2: Rhetoric and Composition
Information about the rhetoric and composition program is available at sites.gsu.edu/rhetcomp/. Dissertation research may involve digital and workplace projects as well as textual studies, and the dissertation can be a substantial academic project or a digital project with approval of the director. In the interests of facilitating professional specialization within the broad fields of rhetoric, composition, professional writing, and technical communication, the following courses are required:
Graduate Research Skill Requirement
Satisfaction of this requirement remains the same as for the thesis track M.A in English, Concentration in Rhetoric and Composition.
Plan 3: Creative Writing:
Students in creative writing select either Poetry or Fiction as their primary specialization and the other genre as their secondary specialization.
No more than one month after passing comprehensive written examinations, a student must submit to her or his director, and to the Director of Creative Writing, a written proposal that describes her or his dissertation project. The creative writing dissertation must be a minimum of 50 pages long for a manuscript of poems or a minimum of 150 pages for a manuscript of prose fiction. It must include a critical introduction in which the student discusses his or her approaches, styles, methods, and influences that is acceptable to the Department of English and to the Office of Graduate Services of the College of Arts and Sciences.
All Poetry and Fiction workshops (ENGL 8020 Poetry Writing, ENGL 8030 Fiction Writing), creative writing craft courses (ENGL 8201 Contemporary Poetry, ENGL 8202 Contemporary Fiction Craft, ENGL 8203 20th-Century American and British Poetry Craft I) and form and theory coursework (ENGL 8160 Form and Theory of Literary Craft) must be completed at Georgia State University during the degree program.
In the interests of facilitating professional specialization within the field of creative writing, the following are required:
Fiction Writers:
The Ph.D. student in Fiction must complete satisfactorily at least 36 hours of graduate coursework beyond the M.A. or M.F.A. (12 courses), plus 20 hours of thesis research credit. Any student who receives more than one C during his or her program will be dropped from the Ph.D. program.
For fiction writers, the following courses and research hours are required:
Poets:
The Ph.D. student in Poetry must complete satisfactorily at least 39 hours of graduate coursework beyond the M.A. or M.F.A. (13 courses), plus 20 hours of thesis research credit. Any student who receives more than one C during his or her program will be dropped from the Ph.D. program.
For poets, the following courses and research hours are required:
Department of World Languages and Cultures
19th floor, 25 Park Place Bldg.
404-413-5980
Email: wlcgraduate@gsu.edu
wlc.gsu.edu
William Nichols, Chair
Faye Stewart, Associate Chair
Gladys Francis, Director of Graduate Studies (gfrancis5@gsu.edu)
The Department of World Languages and Cultures offers an interdisciplinary Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in French and a dual B.A./M.A. in French. In the B.A./M.A. program, B.A. students can take four graduate courses during their 3rd or 4th year (these courses count toward their B.A. and M.A.); they then complete their M.A. degree in 1 year after receiving their BA.
The Master of Arts in French degree emphasizes advanced study in the language and cultures of the French-speaking world, including courses of particular interest to foreign language teachers. We offer an innovative final portfolio model that encourages students to integrate the work they do inside and outside the classroom.
The Department of World Languages and Cultures sees itself as the gateway for students to internationalize their degree in a way that will not only help them better understand a globalized society but will also make them more competitive for career opportunities as they enter a global economy. World Languages and Cultures seeks to capitalize on the strategic location of the university at the heart of Atlanta, a global center of international commerce and culture, to offer students real world opportunities to combine and apply language abilities, cultural knowledge, and career skills. We are interested in graduate students who have a variety of lived experiences, knowledge, and linguistic/intercultural competences.
The Department of World Languages and Cultures recognizes that an active command of the world language and a thorough exploration of the related cultures form an essential basis for further study in the various areas of its curriculum. To this end, the department sponsors graduate exchange programs in France (Bordeaux and Paris), in the French Caribbean (Guadeloupe and Martinique), and in Africa (Senegal). Graduate students enrolled in the French M.A. program are uniquely provided with tailored career readiness opportunities in the francophone world through internships and externships during these exchange programs.
Applicants may obtain additional information about the Department of World Languages and Cultures by contacting the Director of Graduate Studies, Dr. Gladys M. Francis, at the above email address.
The department is home to the Center for International Resources and Collaborative Language Engagement (CIRCLE), a multi-purpose academic support center that offers walk-in tutoring in each of the languages taught at Georgia State and provides a variety of digital resources (i.e., software, apps, media and materials) to support the language studies of the university community. In addition, the CIRCLE hosts special events focused on cultural awareness and communication opportunities, such as conversation meetups, discussion groups, and other social events, as well as language and technology workshops. The center addresses the university and College of Arts and Sciences strategic goals of increasing internationalization in the curriculum and of enhancing the global competency (including the study of world languages) of students, faculty and staff.
In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of World Languages and Cultures has the following requirements:
At the discretion of the Graduate Committee, an entrance exam or interview may be required. Our program does not require the GRE as part of the application materials.
Within the M.A. in French, students may choose a concentration in French Studies or in Second Language Pedagogy and Applied Linguistics. Students are required to take a minimum of 30 hours among courses pertinent to the degree, as listed below. If writing a Thesis, students need only take 24 hours from courses pertinent to the degree, plus at least six credit hours of Thesis research FREN 8999. Courses pertinent to the degree may only be repeated if failed or special topics vary.
Students must have a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher in all courses counting towards the Master of Arts degree. Only courses passed with a grade of B or higher will count toward the degree.
Concentration in French Studies (Minimum of 30 credit hours)
Degree Requirements with either a Thesis or Non-Thesis Option:
Thesis Option:
Non-Thesis Option:
French Literature, Language, and Culture Sample Courses:
* May be repeated if topic varies
Additional Degree Requirements
Thesis Option:
A Master’s Thesis project may be submitted for final approval only during fall and spring semesters—not in the summer term. Students who choose the thesis option are required to submit an M.A. Research Paper at the end of their coursework. The total length of your non-thesis must be 50 pages, which includes a bibliography. Student are advised to contact their prospective Thesis Director at the end of their first year so they can work on their reading and thesis plan during their third semester and write/finalize their thesis during their fourth/last semester.
Non-Thesis Option:
A Master’s non-Thesis project may be submitted for final approval only during fall and spring semesters—not in the summer term. Students who choose the non-thesis option are required to submit an M.A. Research Paper at the end of their coursework. The total length of your non-thesis must be 25 pages, which includes a bibliography. It is normally an expanded, revised version of a paper previously submitted for a graduate course and presented in the format of an article prepared for scholarly publication. The final version must be approved by the faculty director of the project and a second reader, and submitted at the time of the written examination. Students must complete the Form for M.A. non-Thesis research project, have all readers and the Director of Graduate Studies sign the form, attach it to their completed paper, and turn in the signature form to the main office of the Department of World Languages and Cultures, 19th floor of 25 Park Place. Students are expected to use the format (MLA, APA, Chicago) agreed upon with the advisor in writing their Master’s Non-Thesis.
Concentration in Language, Pedagogy, and Applied Linguistics (Minmum of 30 credit hours)
Degree Requirements with either a Thesis or Non-Thesis Option:
Thesis Option:
Non-Thesis Option:
Language Pedagogy and Applied Linguistics Sample Courses:
Additional Degree Requirements
Thesis Option:
A Master’s Thesis project may be submitted for final approval only during fall and spring semesters—not in the summer term. Students who choose the thesis option are required to submit an M.A. Research Paper at the end of their coursework. The total length of your non-thesis must be 50 pages, which includes a bibliography. Student are advised to contact their prospective Thesis Director at the end of their first year so they can work on their reading and thesis plan during their third semester and write/finalize their thesis during their fourth/last semester.
Non-Thesis Option:
A Master’s non-Thesis project may be submitted for final approval only during fall and spring semesters—not in the summer term. Students who choose the non-thesis option are required to submit an M.A. Research Paper at the end of their coursework. The total length of your non-thesis must be 25 pages, which includes a bibliography. It is normally an expanded, revised version of a paper previously submitted for a graduate course and presented in the format of an article prepared for scholarly publication. The final version must be approved by the faculty director of the project and a second reader, and submitted at the time of the written examination. Students must complete the Form for M.A. non-Thesis research project, have all readers and the Director of Graduate Studies sign the form, attach it to their completed paper, and turn in the signature form to the main office of the Department of World Languages and Cultures, 19th floor of 25 Park Place. Students are expected to use the format (MLA, APA, Chicago) agreed upon with the advisor in writing their Master’s Non-Thesis.
Dual B.A./M.A. Program in French
The department offers a dual Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in French. The dual degree opportunity enables 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. More specifically, B.A. students can take four approved graduate courses during their third or fourth year (these courses count toward their B.A. and M.A.); they are then able to complete the M.A. degree in as little as one year after receiving the B.A.
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. Additionally, 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 at cas.gsu.edu/dual-degrees/. Contact Rene Mondy (reneprestimondy@gsu.edu, 404-413-5000, 25 Park Place 3rd Floor) for more information about the BA/MA dual degree program and your eligibility. Contact the Director of Graduate Studies to discuss course options once accepted into the dual B.A./M.A. program
Department of Geosciences
38 Peachtree Center Ave.
730 Langdale Hall
P.O. Box 3965
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Phone: 404-413-5750
Fax: 404-413-5768
geosciences.gsu.edu
Katherine Hankins, Chair, khankins@gsu.edu
Nadine Kabengi, Director of Graduate Studies for Geosciences, geosgraddirector@gsu.edu
Richard Milligan, Dual Degree Coordinator, rmilligan@gsu.edu
The Department of Geosciences offers the Master of Science (M.S.) in Geosciences in two tracks: thesis or capstone option. The thesis track offers a research-intensive experience for students seeking additional advanced degrees or research-based employment. The track culminates in a thesis project. The thesis track affords the experience of writing for publication and is suited for students with a project requiring more time to pursue. The capstone track is experiential in nature and is the appropriate choice for non-academic professionals or students seeking a more structured, time-confined project. The track culminates in a capstone project that covers a variety of options such as case studies, internships, surveys, or extensive literature reviews. The M.S. track is normally selected on the application. A switch between tracks is possible pending approval from the Director of Graduate Studies and as long as it is completed by the end of the first year of study at the latest. Applicants may obtain additional information about the Department of Geosciences by contacting the Director of Graduate Studies at the addresses above.
Program Overviews
Master of Science in Geosciences – Geography Concentration
Students seeking this degree and concentration are offered a broad range of courses that prepare students for research and professional careers that employ geographic methods, perspectives, and expertise. A wide range of areas of specialization in geography include: urban geography, geospatial science, physical geography, environmental studies, and human geography
Our Geography students find internship and employment opportunities in a diverse range of sectors including local and regional planning agencies; federal, state, and municipal governments; non-governmental organizations and community-based advocacy groups; as well as private industry and corporations. Applications and internship qualifications can be obtained from the department. Thirty-six hours are required for completion of this degree. Further information is provided at geosciences.gsu.edu.
The M.S. degree program with a Geology concentration offers a broad range of courses that prepare students for research and professional careers. Research efforts in either thesis or capstone projects are in the following broad areas: geochemistry (analytical, aqueous, environmental, igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary), mineralogy, hydrogeology, petrology, sedimentology, structural geology, and geoinformatics. Students that pursue the Geology concentration find employment in environmental consulting, mining and energy resource industries, state and federal agencies, non-governmental organizations, and related opportunities that utilize foundational skills and knowledge in geology. Thirty-six hours are required for completion of this degree. Further information is provided at geosciences.gsu.edu.
Master of Science in Geosciences – Water Sciences Concentration
A strong demand exists in public and private sectors for understanding of aquatic systems, hydrological processes, and water resources. The M.S. degree program with a Water Sciences concentration is designed to provide students with expertise in the quality, quantity, storage, and flow of water in diverse environments; techniques to assess, model, and remediate aquatic environmental problems; and paradigms for understanding the social contexts and implications of water governance. Thesis research and capstone projects with faculty are carried out in the following broad areas: aqueous geochemistry, hydrogeology, watershed hydrology, water resources, ecohydrology, urban hydrology, water governance, meteorology, and applied climatology. Thirty-six hours are required for completion of this degree. Further information is provided at geosciences.gsu.edu.
Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry – Geology Concentration
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Chemistry with a concentration in Geology is offered in collaboration with the Department of Chemistry. This program culminates in a dissertation containing the results of distinctive and original research scholarship carried out by the candidate. The dissertation must be defended publicly and judged to be a significant contribution in the advancement of science. PhD students are supported by external funding from competitive grants awarded to faculty in the Geosciences Department. This degree represents a collaborative agreement with the Chemistry Department at GSU, and is therefore primarily conceived as a program from students with a strong interest in chemistry-centric sub-disciplines of Geology (e.g. biogeochemistry or inorganic geochemistry).
Professional Certificate in Geographic Information Science (GIS)
Geographic Information Science (GIS) is a rapidly growing discipline, with applications in many fields. A strong demand exists for proficient users of geospatial technology. The graduate-level Professional Certificate Program in GIS is designed to facilitate those students working toward graduate degrees in a variety of disciplines, as well as those who use GIS in the workplace and would like to obtain systematic training in the field without having to complete a graduate degree. The Certificate Program consists of five courses with a total of 18-19 credit hours, including elective courses from a variety of departments/programs. Please contact the Department of Geosciences for more information.
The department offers a dual Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Sciences (B.S.) and Master of Science in Geosciences. The dual degree program is designed for high-achieving Georgia State undergraduate students majoring in Geosciences and allows students to complete both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in just five years. Students are able to take up to four graduate-level courses as they complete their undergraduate degree, which would then apply to both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
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. Additionally, 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 at cas.gsu.edu/dual-degrees/. Interested students may contact the dual-degree director at the address above.
Further information concerning specific courses applicable to each program, concentration and its disciplinary specializations is available in the departmental publication, Guide to Graduate Studies in Geosciences, which may be obtained from the department.
Admission Information
Deadlines
Applications for admission are accepted for all three semesters. The regular deadlines are April 1 admission to the fall semester and November 1 for the spring and summer semesters. International students and students requesting graduate assistantships are encouraged to apply by the priority deadlines of February 15 for fall admissions and October 1 for spring and summer admissions. The late deadline for application for fall admissions is June 1. There is no late deadline for spring and summer applications. Late applications may not be considered for graduate assistantships. Online applications must be submitted and all materials received to be reviewed for admission.
Graduate assistantships are available for qualified M.S. and Ph.D. students.
In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Geosciences has the following admission requirements:
In addition to the above departmental requirements that apply to all applicants, concentration-specific requirements are outlined below.
Early in their coursework, all students must select a thesis advisor or project director to direct their programs of study and help with course selections. Additionally, students should consult with faculty members to align their course of study with desired professional licensure and certification appropriate to their desired career trajectory – for example, either the American Institute of Hydrology’s Professional Hydrologist Certification, or the Association of State Boards of Geology’s Professional Geologist Licensure Examination.
Below is an overview of the degree requirements for specific program, concentration and track.
Master of Science in Geosciences – Geography Concentration
Thesis Track (Minimum of 36 hours)
Satisfactory completion of:
Capstone Track
Master of Science in Geosciences – Geology Concentration
Thesis Track (Minimum of 36 hours)
Capstone Track
Master of Science in Geosciences – Water Sciences Concentration
Thesis Track (Minimum of 36 credit hours)
Capstone Track
Graduate Assistants
Graduate assistants are required to enroll for a minimum of 18 credit hours each semester. These credit hours will consist of courses required for the prescribed program of study, as well as additional hours of GEOS 8999 and 8060.
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Chemistry with a concentration in Geology is offered in collaboration with the Department of Chemistry. At least 80 hours of graduate credit are required for the Ph.D. degree. In order to satisfy the minimum requirements for the degree, students must complete successfully:
Specific requirements: In the list of requirements that follows, the minimum number of credit hours required in each category is indicated and the courses that can be taken to fulfill these requirements are listed in parentheses. Credit will be given only for those Geology courses in which the student receives a grade of B or higher. Category C may be used as the minor area of specialization if approved by the examination committee. Substitutions may be made by the graduate director in Category C with written approval of the Department of Geosciences.
World language/research skill requirement: A reading proficiency in one world language is required. An equivalent research skill such as computer language, technical writing, advanced statistics, electronics, etc. may be substituted for the world language (departmental approval required). The world language requirement satisfied for a student’s M.S. degree can satisfy the PhD world language requirement. Note: credit hours used to fulfill the language requirement do not count in the 80 hours.
Graduate Assistants
Graduate assistants are required to enroll for a minimum of 18 credit hours each semester. These credit hours will consist of courses required for the prescribed program of study, as well as additional hours of GEOS 8097, GEOS 8060, and CHEM/GEOS 9999.
GIS Certificate Requirements
Satisfactory completion of:
Gerontology Institute
605 One Park Place
404-413-5210
Email: gerontology@gsu.edu
gerontology.gsu.edu
Elisabeth Burgess, Director
Wendy Simonds, Director of Graduate Studies
Gerontology is more than an academic subject; it provides a way of understanding ourselves and our families as we move across the life course, and it seeks to explain how our society and the world are being revolutionized by an aging population. We know that the aging process is universal. Gerontology shows us how this process is bounded by our genes, our mind, our culture, and our social networks. It acknowledges the realities that often beset old age, but recognizes that the aging process also is malleable and meaningful. Gerontology provides us with powerful tools for understanding the forces that are fundamentally altering our society as well as how they will shape our own future selves.
The Gerontology Institute offers a Master of Arts (M.A.) and a Certificate in Gerontology for students who wish to prepare for careers in the field of aging and focus their graduate studies in the area of gerontology. Students pursuing the M.A. degree may choose either the program administration concentration or the research concentration. The program administration concentration prepares students to work in aging services and administration and emphasizes program design and management. The research concentration prepares students to enter doctoral programs in gerontology, sociology, psychology, policy studies, family studies, or related fields and for beginning careers with organizations engaged in aging research.
The Graduate Certificate in Gerontology is designed to integrate knowledge of gerontology into students’ own disciplinary fields. It is offered for students preparing for a variety of careers in the aging field and for professionals already working in such areas as health care, social services, recreation, government, and business.
Applicants may obtain additional information about the Gerontology Institute by contacting the addresses above.
Master of Arts-Requirements for Admission
Graduate Certificate-Requirements for Admission
Master of Arts (Minimum of 36 credit hours)
Prerequisite required of students without previous coursework in statistics.
SOCI 3010 Social Statistics (3) or another approved statistics course
Dual B.A. in Sociology/M.A. in Gerontology Program
In partnership with the Department of Sociology, the Institute offers a dual Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Master of Arts in Gerontology. The dual degree opportunity enables 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.
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. Additionally, 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 at cas.gsu.edu/dual-degrees/.
The certificate program is open to students enrolled in graduate degree programs and in good standing at Georgia State University. In addition, non-enrolled students may apply for the certificate program.
Heritage Preservation Program
Department of History
20th floor, 25 Park Place Bldg.
404-413-6365
Chad Keller, Director, Heritage Preservation Program, ckeller@gsu.edu
Alexander Cummings, Director of Graduate Studies, alexcummings@gsu.edu
Robin Jackson, Graduate Program Coordinator, 404-413-6385, rmjackson@gsu.edu
The Master of Heritage Preservation (M.H.P.) degree program is designed to train professionals in the fields of cultural resource management and public history. The program seeks first to acquaint students with the broad range of disciplines that constitute the field of heritage preservation. Second, it seeks to develop skills in administration, research, analysis, field survey interpretation, and historic site management that will be necessary in professional practice. Third, it provides practical experience in heritage conservation and public history through classroom practica, team and individual research projects, and internships in the field.
The Program in Heritage Preservation offers a degree in which the student can choose to concentrate in either historic preservation or public history.
The program seeks to provide trained personnel for careers in (1) cultural resource planning and management on the local, state, and federal levels; (2) administration of historical sites, historical societies and commissions, and museums; and (3) historical research positions in public and private agencies.
The program consists of a series of overview courses in the field including archeology, public history, folklore, architectural history, and preservation planning that are complemented by specialized courses in preservation history, administration and law. Students can choose a specialty area for more coursework, such as archeology, planning, architectural history, public history, or historical research. Finally, students engage in research projects through an interdisciplinary research seminar and an internship with an agency or organization that specializes in historic preservation or public history.
Students in the Master of Heritage Preservation program must maintain a 3.0 grade point average in order to receive a degree.
Applicants may obtain additional information about the Program in Heritage Preservation by contacting the Director at the addresses above.
In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Program in Heritage Preservation has the following requirements:
Master of Heritage Preservation
Historic Preservation Track (42 hours minimum)
Area 1: Cultural Resources (3 courses)
To gain an overview of the field of heritage preservation, students must take four of the following courses. Students with undergraduate or graduate backgrounds in one of these disciplines may be exempted by the program director from one or more courses in Area 1.
Area 2: Buildings and Environment (5 courses)
In order to understand the preservation of building interiors, legal, cultural, and landscaped environments, students will take courses in the history of preservation law, interior design, and landscape architecture as well as courses in preservation planning and public archaeology. Students should select five out of the seven courses below.
Area 3: Area of Concentration (3 courses)
In order to tailor their programs to such career interests as neighborhood revitalization, preservation planning, preservation administration, research and analysis, restoration finance, or architectural evaluation, students will select appropriate elective courses from preservation disciplines represented in the program. Courses may be taken from one or several disciplines and will be selected with the approval of the program director. Below is a list of possible options:
Area 4: Applied Studies (2 courses)
In order to gain experience in the practical work of heritage preservation, students will take courses that require preservation research projects and that offer the opportunity to see the operations of preservation organizations. For these purposes, there are internships, directed studies, and thesis options available to students where classroom and seminar knowledge may be applied to actual preservation needs. Students will take the following courses, or appropriate substitutes, approved by the program director:
Area 5: Oral Examination
Students must pass a general oral examination in order to graduate.
Graduate assistants are required to enroll for a minimum of 18 credit hours each semester. These credit hours will consist of courses required for the prescribed program of study, as well as additional hours of HIST 8680.
Master of Heritage Preservation
Public History Track (42 hours minimum)
Area 1: Historical Foundations (5 courses)
To gain an overview of the field of public history, students must take five out of the courses listed.
Area 2: Professional Concentrations (5 courses)
In order to understand the diverse options in the field of public history, students will take courses in folk studies, archives, preservation, and museum operations. Students should select five out of the courses listed below.
Area 3: Electives (2 courses)
In order to tailor their programs to such career interests, students will select appropriate courses from preservation and public history disciplines represented in the program. Other graduate courses in history may be substituted at the discretion of the program director. Other courses in documentary film, etc., can be substituted at the discretion of program director and with permission of other program directors. Below is a list of possible options:
Area 4: Capstone Courses (2 courses)
In order to gain experience in the practical work of public history, students will take courses that require research projects and that offer the opportunity to see the operations of public history organizations. For these purposes, there are internships, directed studies, and thesis options available to students where classroom and seminar knowledge may be applied to actual preservation needs. Students will take the following courses, or appropriate substitutes, approved by the program director:
Area 5: Oral Examination
Students must pass a general oral examination in order to graduate.
Graduate assistants are required to enroll for a minimum of 18 credit hours each semester. These credit hours will consist of courses required for the prescribed program of study, as well as additional hours of HIST 8680.
The College of Arts and Sciences offers a graduate certificate in Heritage Preservation with tracks in Historic Preservation and in Public History. The certificate program is open to students who are enrolled in graduate degree programs and in good academic standing at Georgia State University or other graduate institutions in such programs as history, architecture, planning, anthropology, geography, urban studies, public administration, and real estate. Others may apply for the certificate program using the same procedure as that used to apply for the MHP degree, and the same standards will apply. Students accepted into the certificate program will have student standing, with all the attendant responsibilities and privileges.
The Certificate in Heritage Preservation requires completion of 18 hours of course work and successful completion of a general examination. Students must maintain a 3.0 grade-point average in order to receive a certificate. While graduate credit from other institutions may, by petition, be applied toward the certificate, normally not more than six hours will be accepted.
Historic Preservation Track
Students must complete a minimum of 18 hours of graduate study divided among the three following areas:
Area 1: Preservation Overview (2 courses)
Area 2: Cultural Resources (2 courses)
Area 3: Preservation Specialties (2 courses)
Other courses may be approved by the director of the program.
Students must pass a general written examination.
Public History Track
Students must complete a minimum of 18 hours of graduate study divided among the three following areas:
Area 1: Public History Overview (2 courses)
Area 2: Historical Foundations (2 courses)
Area 3: Public History Specialties (2 courses)
Other courses may be approved by the director of the program.
Students must pass a general written examination.
The Department of History offers a dual B.A. in History and Master of Historic Preservation. The dual degree opportunity enables 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.
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. Additionally, 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 at cas.gsu.edu/dual-degrees/.
Department of History
20th floor, 25 Park Place Bldg.
404-413-6385
Email: Director of Graduate Studies (DGShistory@gsu.edu)
history.gsu.edu
Michelle Brattain, Chair
Alexander Cummings, Director of Graduate Studies
Robin Jackson, Graduate Studies Program Coordinator
The Master of Arts (M.A.) degree program prepares students to teach in junior, community, or small liberal arts colleges; for careers in the management and use of historical records in archives or museums and in historic preservation; and for admission into a doctoral program in history.
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree program prepares students for positions in junior, community, small liberal arts, and senior colleges and universities; for productive postdoctoral research in history; and for careers in public service.
Major fields of study for the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees include: Colonial/Early National United States; 19th and 20th Century United States; Early Modern Europe; Modern Europe; World History; Regional and Global History; and Public History. The department also offers a number of regional fields as well as topical fields in a variety of subjects, including legal and constitutional history, labor history, urban studies, women’s and gender history, transnational and postcolonial studies, history of science, and historic preservation.
Applicants may obtain additional information about the Department of History by contacting the Director of Graduate Studies at the addresses above.
In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of History has the following requirements:
Combined Master of Arts/Doctor of Philosophy–Requirements for Full Graduate Status Admission
Admission requirements for the Combined M.A. / Ph.D. program are the same as for the Ph.D. track (omitting the M.A. in history), with the following additions:
Procedural Rules:
Degree Requirements
World History Concentration
The History Department offers a concentration in World History at the M.A. level. The concentration combines the theoretical and empirical frameworks of world history with opportunities to conduct more detailed research within chosen areas of interest. Students will apply theoretical approaches and empirical methodologies that support the comparative and global study of societies and cultures as well as the interconnections among different world regions. The requirements fit into the framework of a regular M.A. in history, with several more specific stipulations as noted below:
The Program Director will advise students on courses qualifying as world history. Students may petition the World History Committee for the inclusion of other courses with conspicuous world dimensions.
Master of Heritage Preservation / Certificate Program
The Department offers a master’s degree in Heritage Preservation. This program is divided into two tracks of study: one in Historic Preservation and one in Public History. The program is designed to train professionals in the fields of cultural resource management and the interpretation of history to a broad audience. The department also offers a certificate program, with a concentration in historic preservation or public history. For more information about the Heritage Preservation program and requirements, visit the program website at heritagepreservation.gsu.edu.
Dual Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Programs
The department offers the following dual degree program:
These 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.
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. Additionally, 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 at cas.gsu.edu/dual-degrees/.
Doctor of Philosophy
Combined Master of Arts / Doctor of Philosophy
The requirements for the M.A. / Ph.D. degree are the same as for the Ph.D., except in the area of coursework. Students are required to complete at least twelve graduate level courses, which are distributed as follows.
Department of World Languages and Cultures
19th floor, 25 Park Place Bldg.
404-413-5980
Email: wlcgraduate@gsu.edu
wlc.gsu.edu
Certificate program coordinator: Leslie L. Marsh (llmarsh@gsu.edu), Director, Center for Latin American and Latino/a Studies
The Graduate Certificate in Latin American Studies attests to the recipient’s knowledge and understanding of Latin American culture, economy, history, and politics, as well as to his or her competence in one or more of the principal languages of the region. Its purpose is to give students a broad knowledge and understanding of Latin America and U.S. Latino/as that will help prepare them to work or study in Latin America or to work with individuals and groups of U.S. Latino/as or of Latin American origin in the United States.
The certificate is particularly well suited to students pursuing graduate degrees in anthropology, art history, business, history, world languages, political science, or sociology (to name just a few) who have a concentration or a definite interest in Latin American and U.S. Latino/as or who want to expand their understanding by taking related course work. It is also well suited to individuals who desire to enhance their marketability and skills in relation to a region whose economy and culture have become increasingly important to the United States in recent years. The Certificate may be earned alone or in conjunction with a graduate program in one of the academic departments of Georgia State University; courses included in an academic program may be used for credit toward a Certificate. The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is not required for acceptance into the Certificate program.
Applicants may obtain additional information about the certificate by contacting the coordinator of the program at the addresses above.
Admission to the certificate program is on the basis of:
Competence is demonstrated by completion of a four-semester sequence of the language at the undergraduate level, by completion of at least one graduate course in Spanish, or by an entrance language exam administered by the Department of World Languages and Cultures. Candidates who have completed the four semester sequence more than three years before applying for admission to the certificate program will be required to take the entrance language exam. Students should consult with their advisor on how best to fulfill this requirement.
Applicants should apply online at the following: cas.gsu.edu/graduate-services/admissions/.
A committee chaired by the certificate coordinator/director of the CLALS will review the material, decide on admission, and assign an appropriate advisor.
The minimum requirements for the certificate are 15 graduate-level hours in courses with significant content addressing Latin America or U.S. Latino/as and a grade of B or better in each course. These courses must be selected from at least two different academic departments. For those students enrolled in a master’s degree program at Georgia State University, two courses from the student’s master’s degree may be used towards the certificate.
Courses addressing significant content on Latin America or U.S. Latino/as may include those offered in African-American Studies, Anthropology, Communication, Economics, History, International Business, Political Science, World Languages and Cultures (Spanish program) and other academic units at Georgia State.
The following is a list of a few — but not all — graduate courses from affiliated departments that may be taken for credit toward the Graduate Certificate in Latin American Studies. Students who are accepted into the program should contact the certificate coordinator/director of the CLALS to discuss an individual plan of study
Please note: some study abroad programs include graduate-level coursework that may count towards the Graduate Certificate in Latin American Studies. Students should contact the Office of Study Abroad to learn about study abroad programs and then discuss their options with the certificate coordinator/director of the CLALS.
Department of Mathematics and Statistics
25 Park Place, 14th Floor
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-3083, USA
Phone: (404) 413-6400
Web address: www.mathstat.gsu.edu
Guantao Chen, Chair
Alexandra Smirnova, Associate Chair
Zhongshan Li, Mathematics Graduate Director
Gengsheng Qin, Statistics Graduate Director
The Master of Science (M.S.) degree programs in mathematics provide education at the graduate level in algebra, analysis, applied mathematics, and statistics. Students completing these degrees are prepared for positions in industry, government, business, college teaching, and for advanced study in mathematics.
The M.S. degree in mathematics is offered with no concentration, or with one of six possible concentrations. Four of the concentrations are in statistics, one is in discrete mathematics, and one is in scientific computing. The concentrations in statistics are programs designed for persons who wish to prepare for careers as professional statisticians in industry, business, or government. These programs provide advanced 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 techniques, mathematical methods, and computation. The concentrations in discrete mathematics and scientific computing are designed for persons who wish to combine their study of mathematics with selected areas in discrete mathematics and computer science. Opportunities exist to apply this study to related areas outside the department.
The Ph.D. degree program in Mathematics and Statistics includes concentrations in bioinformatics, biostatistics, and mathematics. These concentrations address the critical need for mathematics faculty and the need for highly trained specialists in the areas of bioinformatics and biostatistics. The concentrations in bioinformatics and biostatistics will graduate strong bioinformaticians and biostatisticians with a broad background in applied areas for direct placement in business, industry, governmental institutions and research universities. The mathematics concentration will graduate mathematicians with broad knowledge of core areas of pure and applied mathematics.
Majors are encouraged to consider carefully the career objectives they wish to pursue after graduation. Early selection of these objectives may suggest the degree programs or concentrations that will prepare students for their chosen careers. Faculty who serve as advisers for graduate majors will discuss with majors the degree programs and concentrations available to them.
The Department of Mathematics and Statistics accepts applications for all three semesters. However, in order to be considered for graduate assistantships for the fall semester, applicants must complete the application process in the Office of Graduate Services in sufficient time for the department to receive it by March 1. This process often takes several weeks. International applicants should allow at least two additional months for processing of applications for admission.
Applicants may obtain additional information about the Department of Mathematics and Statistics by contacting the Directors of Graduate Studies at the addresses above.
Additional Admission Requirements
In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Mathematics and Statistics has the following requirements:
Degree Requirements
Additional Admission Requirements
In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Mathematics and Statistics has the following requirements:
Degree Requirements
Concentration in Bioinformatics (with thesis)
Additional Admission Requirements
In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Mathematics and Statistics has the following requirements:
Degree Requirements
Concentration in Bioinformatics (non-thesis option)
Additional Admission Requirements
In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Mathematics and Statistics has the following requirements:
Degree Requirements
Concentration in Biostatistics (with thesis)
Additional Admission Requirements
In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Mathematics and Statistics has the following requirements:
Degree Requirements
Concentration in Discrete Mathematics (with thesis)
Additional Admission Requirements
In addition to the general examinations of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Mathematics and Statistics has the following requirements:
Degree Requirements
Concentration in Discrete Mathematics (non-thesis option)
Additional Admission Requirements
In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Mathematics and Statistics has the following requirements:
Concentration in Scientific Computing (with thesis)
Additional Admission Requirements
In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Mathematics and Statistics has the following requirements:
Degree Requirements
Concentration in Scientific Computing (non-thesis option)
Additional Admission Requirements
In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Mathematics and Statistics has the following requirements:
Degree Requirements
Concentration in Statistics (with thesis)
Additional Admission Requirements
In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Mathematics and Statistics has the following requirements:
Degree Requirements
Concentration in Statistics (non-thesis option)
Additional Admission Requirements
In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Mathematics and Statistics have the following requirements:
Degree Requirements
Concentration in Statistics and Allied Field
Additional Admission Requirements
In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Mathematics and Statistics have the following requirements:
Degree Requirements
The department offers the following dual degree programs:
These 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.
Students must be formally accepted into the dual degree program by participating departments and colleges to be able to take graduate courses as an undergraduate. Additionally, 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 at cas.gsu.edu/dual-degrees/.
Master of Science in Analytics Concentration in Big Data and Machine Learning
The Big Data and Machine Learning (BDML) program enables students to gain the technical skills that industry increasingly expects from data scientists. Big Data comes from the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, autonomous vehicles, and other IT‐related fields such as scientific labs working with medical or remote‐sensing data, companies specializing in big data processing and analysis, cloud storage and computing services. See section 3175 for additional information.
Admission Requirements
In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Mathematics and Statistics have the following requirements for students who wish to enter into the Ph.D. program, regardless of concentration:
Students must have completed courses in mathematics equivalent to the following with a grade of B or higher:
Degree Requirements
Each of the concentrations requires A minimum of 54 hours of coursework and at least 30 hours of dissertation research.
Students must take four of the six following common core courses (12 credit hours):
Concentration in Bioinformatics
Concentration in Biostatistics
Concentration in Mathematics
Graduate Assistants
Graduate assistants are required to enroll for a minimum of 18 credit hours each semester. These credit hours will consist of courses required for the prescribed program of study, as well as additional hours of MATH 8801, MATH 8802, MATH 8900, MATH 8950, MATH 8999, MATH 9999, STAT 8691, STAT 8692, STAT 8900, STAT 8950, STAT 8999, and STAT 9999.
Transfer credit hours: Students can transfer at most 24 semester credit hours to the program with the approval of the appropriate Graduate Director of the Department. Petition documents include the transcript, the course syllabi, exams and course notes or the textbook.
Qualifying exam: Students must pass a qualifying exam set by the appropriate graduate committee in accordance with any further requirements specified in the previously described concentrations. Students who fail the exam on the first attempt may take it only one more time. Students must pass the qualifying exam within two calendar years of admission.
Candidacy exam: Students must pass an oral candidacy exam before a committee that includes at least two final members of the student’s dissertation committee. The candidacy exam is set by the committee and covers course material within the student’s area of specialization or a proposed topic of thesis research. The details are determined by the committee in a manner consistent with any guidelines stated above for the student’s concentration. A student must advance to candidacy by the fourth year. The candidacy exam can be taken only twice.
Dissertation Committee: The student and his/her dissertation adviser shall form a dissertation committee. The committee should consist of at least four faculty members. For students in the bioinformatics and biostatistics concentrations, one committee member should be from another department such as the School of Public Health, the Department of Biology or another institution.
Final dissertation defense: Upon completion of the research, the student must defend his/her dissertation publicly.
Neuroscience Institute
Georgia State University
P.O. Box 5030
Atlanta, Georgia 30302-5030
404-413-5445
neuroscience.gsu.edu
Nancy Forger, Director
Daniel N. Cox, Graduate Director
Aras Petrulis, Associate Graduate Director
Emily Hardy, Graduate Coordinator
The Neuroscience Institute emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach to graduate training. Using state of the art facilities and equipment, Neuroscience Institute faculty are actively engaged in basic research that includes molecular, cellular, behavioral, computational, and cognitive approaches. For more specific details about the Neuroscience Institute and for all application materials, please visit: neuroscience.gsu.edu.
The Neuroscience Institute offers a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and Master of Science degrees in Neuroscience. There are three options for the Master of Science degree. One is for Ph.D. students, who earn a M.S. en route to the Ph.D. degree. Second, there is also a stand-alone M.S. in Neuroscience, for applicants that prefer the M.S. option as the terminal degree. Third, there is the B.S./M.S. program for GSU undergraduate Neuroscience majors who want to earn the M.S.
Applications are considered for admission in the fall semester. The Application for Graduate Study, application fee, and all supporting materials (transcripts, GRE scores, letters, and Supplementary Form for Graduate Study in Neuroscience) must be received by December 1 for applicants to the Ph.D. program and by February 15 for applicants to the stand-alone M.S program.
In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Neuroscience Institute has the following additional requirements, especially for applicants to the Ph.D. program:
Master of Science en Route to Ph.D. Degree Requirements (Minimum of 36 credit hours)
A Master of Science is earned en route to the Neuroscience Ph.D. degree. A minimum of 36 hours of graduate coursework is required for the Master of Science Degree in Neuroscience. To satisfy the minimum requirements for the degree, the student must complete successfully:
Students admitted for graduate study who have already taken relevant graduate classes or who are in possession of a graduate degree may be accorded advanced standing after an evaluation of previous graduate work. This evaluation would normally be conducted by the Director of Graduate Studies before entry into the program or at the very latest during the first semester of enrollment.
Stand-alone Master of Science in Neuroscience Degree Requirements (Minimum of 36 credit hours)
A minimum of 36 hours of graduate coursework is required for the stand-alone Master of Science degree in Neuroscience. To satisfy the minimum requirements for the degree, the student must complete successfully:
Degree Requirements (Minimum of 90 credit hours)
A minimum of 90 hours of graduate credit is required for the Ph.D. degree in Neuroscience. To satisfy the minimum requirements for the degree, the student must complete successfully:
Students in the Neuroscience Ph.D. program can earn a concentration in Neurothics. This interdisciplinary field considers how ethical theories inform neuroscientific practice and how neuroscientific discoveries inform ethical theorizing. Neuroethics Ph.D. students must satisfy all requirements described above for the Ph.D. degree in Neuroscience plus take 12 hours of coursework in Neuroethics to satisfy the concentration, and receive a grade of B or better in each of these courses.
The Neuroscience Institute offers a dual Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Neuroscience. The dual degree opportunity enables qualified Georgia State University undergraduate students to enroll in graduate courses late in their undergraduate program and apply the coursework toward both the bachelor’s and master’s programs.
Students must be formally accepted into the dual degree program by the Neuroscience Institute and College of Arts and Sciences to be able to take graduate courses as an undergraduate. Additionally, 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 at cas.gsu.edu/dual-degrees/.
Department of Philosophy
16th floor, 25 Park Place Bldg.
404-413-6100
Email: philgrad@gsu.edu
philosophy.gsu.edu
Eddy Nahmias, Chair
Timothy O’Keefe, Director of Graduate Studies
The department’s M.A. program serves two different communities of students. First, it serves those who seek the M.A. as preparation before seeking admission to a philosophy Ph.D. program. Second, it serves those who seek the M.A. as a terminal degree to advance their chosen careers or as preparation for other degrees. In addition to a traditional M.A. in Philosophy, the Department offers two special programs: an M.A. in Philosophy with a specialization in empirically based philosophy of mind (the Neurophilosophy concentration); and an M.A. with a concentration in History of Philosophy, which is designed to prepare students to complete an M.A. in Teaching degree and become certified to teach history.
Applicants may obtain additional information about the Department of Philosophy by contacting the Director of Graduate Studies at the address above.
The non-thesis option requires a minimum of thirty-three hours of graduate coursework in philosophy (six more than the thesis option), and it has the same distribution requirements as the thesis option. It does not require six hours of thesis research, a thesis, or an oral thesis defense. Students taking the non-thesis option should not expect to receive letters of recommendation to philosophy Ph.D. programs.
History Courses
Value Theory Courses
Metaphysics and Epistemology Courses
In addition to meeting the requirements noted above, students seeking the M.A. with a Neurophilosophy concentration have the following additional requirements
The M.A. in Philosophy with Concentration in History of Philosophy is designed to prepare students to continue their education in history and pedagogy by transitioning into and obtaining the Masters in Teaching (M.A.T.) degree in Social Studies Education in GSU’s College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) and to become certified to teach Social Studies for grades 6-12.
In addition to meeting the requirements noted above, students seeking the M.A. with a Concentration in History of Philosophy have the following additional requirements:
These history content courses also satisfy the 12 hours of Advanced Studies in Social Studies required for the MAT degree. As their schedule allows, students are encouraged to take additional graduate-level history courses.
Graduate Assistants
Graduate assistants are required to enroll for a minimum of 18 credit hours each semester. These credit hours will consist of courses required for the prescribed program of study, as well as additional hours of PHIL 8960, PHIL, 8970, PHIL 8980, and PHIL 8985.
Students who meet all of the following three requirements shall be awarded the M.A. with distinction:
Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the additional information about the Department of Philosophy which has been placed on its website, philosophy.gsu.edu/.
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Georgia State University
Room 605, 25 Park Place
Atlanta, Georgia 30302-4106
404-413-6033
phy-astr.gsu.edu
Email (Director of Graduate Studies): msar@gsu.edu
Sebastien Lepine, Chair
Murad Sarsour, Director of Graduate Studies, Physics
The Department of Physics and Astronomy works closely with graduate students on theoretical and experimental research in the following areas: atomic physics, biophysics, molecular physics, nuclear physics, condensed matter physics, astronomy, and astrophysics.
Applicants may obtain additional information about the Department of Physics and Astronomy by visiting the departmental website or by contacting the Administrative Coordinator and/or Director of Graduate Studies at the addresses above. Applications should be submitted online through the Graduate Admissions system of the College of Arts and Sciences (cas.gsu.edu/graduate-studies/admissions/).
Master of Science in Physics (Minimum of 30 credit hours)
Master of Science in Physics, Concentration in Astronomy (Minimum of 30 credit hours)
Master of Science in Physics, Non-Thesis Option (Minimum of 36 credit hours)
Master of Science in Physics, Concentration in Astronomy, Non-Thesis Option (Minimum of 36 credit hours)
Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (Minimum of 71 hours beyond the baccalaureate degree)
Prior to registration each semester, students must be advised by either the chair of the department or the appropriate director of graduate studies. Please note, graduate assistants are required to enroll for a minimum of 18 credit hours each semester. These credit hours will consist of courses required for the prescribed 71-hour program of study, as well as additional hours of ASTR/PHYS 9999, ASTR/PHYS 8710, and ASTR/PHYS 8910.
Department of Political Science
1005 Langdale Hall
Tel: 404-413-6159
Fax: 404-413-6156
Email: polsci@gsu.edu
politicalscience.gsu.edu
Michael Herb, Chair
Ryan E. Carlin, Director of Graduate Studies
Charles R Hankla, M.A. Program Director
The purpose of the Master of Arts (M.A.) degree program is to guide students in the development of analytical and critical capabilities through inquiry into political and governmental processes. The objective of the program is to provide education for persons interested in pursuing careers in research, teaching, or the professional practice of public service and politics. Students can choose a degree program that will provide them with a general knowledge of the discipline, or one that will provide them with a specialization in American politics, international and comparative politics, or the professional practices of government and politics.
A Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) prepares students for careers in research and teaching. Students enhance their skills by furthering their knowledge of the literature of the discipline, increasing their methodological ability, and writing a publishable dissertation. The Ph.D. program produces scholars who are experts in their substantive field of study and who are able to combine theoretical sophistication with methodological rigor.
Applicants may obtain additional information about the Department of Political Science by contacting the Director of Graduate Studies at the addresses above.
In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Political Science has the following requirements:
Both masters and doctoral students must be registered for a minimum of three (3) semester hours the semester of completion of all degree requirements.
The department also includes an informal track that provides a specialization in Public Law (see below).
General Political Science (Minimum of 30 credit hours)
Concentration in American Politics (Minimum of 30 credit hours)
Concentration in International and Comparative Politics (Minimum of 30 credit hours)
This concentration provides the professional skills needed by those pursuing career paths in the teaching of the social sciences. It is offered as a terminal degree with a non-thesis option and can be undertaken in a traditional classroom setting, fully online, or hybridized.
Concentration in Professional Politics (Minimum of 30 credit hours)
This concentration provides the professional skills needed by those pursuing career paths in public service, politics, lobbying and advocacy. It is offered as a terminal degree with a non-thesis option and can be undertaken in a traditional classroom setting, fully online, or hybridized.
Dual B.A./M.A. Program in Political Science
The department offers a dual Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Political Science. The dual degree opportunity enables 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. Typically, students apply four graduate Political Science courses (12 hours) to their undergraduate degree requirements in Area H.
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. Additionally, 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. Once admitted, they will need to fulfill the regular M.A. requirements listed above for each concentration, though they may take up to 9 experiential learning hours (POLS 8995 Administrative and Policy Internship) as a substitute for general required courses.
Information about the dual program, including application instructions and program requirements, can be found at cas.gsu.edu/dual-degrees/.
No grade below a “C” may be used towards the M.A. or Ph.D. degrees. In addition, because the field of political science changes so quickly, the department will not normally support the use of coursework and other qualifications older than seven years towards the M.A. and ten years towards the Ph.D.
Graduate Assistants
Graduate assistants are required to enroll for a minimum of 18 credit hours each semester. These credit hours will consist of courses required for the prescribed program of study, as well as additional hours of POLS 8996, 8997, 8998, and 8999.
Georgia State University
Department of Psychology
P.O. Box 5010
Atlanta, Georgia 30302-5010
404-413-6200
Email: psycadmissions@gsu.edu
psychology.gsu.edu
Lindsey Cohen, Chair
Kevin Swartout, Co-Director of Graduate Studies
Erin Tully, Co-Director of Graduate Studies
The Department of Psychology offers courses of study leading primarily to the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree. A Master of Arts (M.A) degree is completed by students as part of their courses of study. The master’s level education of graduate students focuses upon basic psychological knowledge and methodologies common to the science and profession of psychology across program areas. Although students typically begin specialized coursework at this level, the master’s degree is intended as preparation for continued learning in pursuit of the doctoral degree. Doctoral-level study then provides students the opportunity to acquire the additional knowledge and skills necessary for professional careers in teaching, research, clinical service, and consultation.
The doctoral-level education of advanced graduate students focuses upon specialized coursework and supervised experiences in the department’s five program areas. The program areas are Clinical Psychology, Community Psychology, Clinical/Community Psychology, Clinical/Neuropsychology, Developmental Psychology, Concentration in Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, and Cognitive Sciences Psychology. The areas of specialization within the programs are defined by the interests and expertise of the faculty and, thus, will change within a scholarly context that encourages diversity, growth, and change.
The facilities of the department permit work in cognition, development, behavioral neuroscience, neuropsychology, learning, infant behavior, sensation and perception, motivation, aging, social psychology, assessment, individual psychotherapy, group and family therapy, behavior therapy, and community psychology. Students may work with both human and nonhuman populations. Human populations include all age ranges and a variety of ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Nonhuman populations include several rodent and primate species.
The graduate program in clinical psychology is accredited by the American Psychological Association.
Applicants may obtain additional information about the Department of Psychology by contacting the Director of Graduate Studies at the addresses above.
Students may take no more than six hours of coursework in non-degree status without petitioning the department for an exception to this policy. Students enrolled in non-degree status in a psychology graduate course may not at the same time be applicants to a degree program and may not apply for admission to a graduate degree program in the department for one year following the semester in which the non-degree course was taken. Applications for non-degree admission may be obtained from the College of Arts and Sciences. Application deadlines for non-degree status are the same as the general deadlines for the College of Arts and Sciences and can be found in the section of the catalog entitled “Admission Policies.”
Applications for all programs are considered for the fall semester only. The Application for Graduate Study, $50 application fee, and all supporting materials (transcripts, GRE scores, letters, and supplemental form) must be postmarked by the posted deadline for admission the following fall.
In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Psychology has the following requirements:
A complete statement of the departmental requirements for the Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees may be obtained from the Department of Psychology. General requirements are indicated below. Satisfactory progress through the program is expected in a timely manner, and when students fail to meet progress guidelines set by the department they may be dismissed. Furthermore, there are departmental regulations concerning maintenance of active status, leaves of absence, and reentry into the program. Graduate students must be aware of these regulations. The M.A. degree requires a thesis and at least 33 hours of coursework as outlined below:
A minimum of 95 post baccalaureate hours, the majority of which must be taken at Georgia State University, are required for the Doctor of Philosophy degree. Credit for up to 30 hours is possible for students with master’s degrees from other institutions with the approval of the departmental Graduate Program Committee and the Office of Graduate Services of the College of Arts and Sciences. Upon petition, 6 hours of work may be taken at other institutions. Students meeting particular program area requirements frequently find it necessary to take more than the minimum of 95 hours of credit.
Additional requirements include:
The PhD/MPH enables participating students to complete both programs in an average of four and half years rather than six. The SPH requires that all MPH candidates earn at least 42 credits hours: 24 hours of core requirements (16 hours of core courses, 3 hours of research methods, 2 hours of practica, and 3 hours to complete a thesis/capstone) and 18 hours filled by taking required concentration core and elective courses in the HPMB or EPID concentrations. For students enrolled in the PhD/MPH program, the SPH will accept as course credit 12 semester hours of qualifying Comm PSYC courses for the HPMB concentration and 9 credit semester hours for the EPID concentration. Students must earn a grade of B or better to receive MPH credit for Comm PSYC course work.
The CPP requires that all PhD candidates earn at least 95 credit hours (33 hours for the MA degree and then 62 hours for the PhD): 18 credit hours are core courses, 3 credit hours for a required research methods course, 6 hours of statistics, 5 hours to complete a thesis project, 12 hours of other PSYC courses, 12 hours of electives, 9 hours of practicum, 9 hours of reading for general exams and 20 hours of doctoral dissertation research. For students enrolled in the PhD/MPH program, the CPP will accept as course credit 30-33 hours (for HPMB) or 33-36 hours (for EPID) of qualifying public health courses from the MPH curriculum to be credited towards the requirement for the PhD in Comm PSYC. Students must earn a grade of B or better to receive CP credit for their MPH course work.
Department of Religious Studies
17th floor, 25 Park Place Bldg.
Georgia State University
P.O. Box 4089
Atlanta, Georgia 30302-4089
404-413-6110
religiousstudies.gsu.edu
Molly Bassett, Chair and Director of Graduate Studies
Founded in the past century, the modern field of Religious Studies endeavors to better understand religion by means of modern academic approaches. The Department of Religious Studies offers a Masters of Arts in Religious Studies that trains students in a range of world religious traditions and theoretical perspectives. All students gain a general understanding of comparative approaches to the study of religion while having the opportunity to specialize in one or more specific religion(s). The department offers four programs of study: a thesis track, a course work intensive track, the M.A. with a Concentration in Nonprofit Management, and the M.A. with a Concentration in Religion and Aging. These programs serve different student populations, including students preparing to enter doctoral programs and those wishing to enter careers.
Students who plan to seek a Ph.D. in the field are strongly encouraged to discuss their intentions with the Religious Studies faculty as soon as possible so that a course of study can be determined to prepare them for doctoral work. Students wishing to enter particular professions are encouraged to discuss their goals with the Graduate Director early in their program of study.
Applicants may obtain additional information about the Department of Religious Studies by contacting the Director of Graduate Studies.
Additional Admissions Requirements and Process–M.A. Programs
In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Religious Studies has the following requirements:
Admissions Requirements–M.A. with Concentration Programs
Applicants must meet the admission requirements of Master’s degree-seeking students in terms of test scores, transcripts, the application fee, forms, and goals statement. Admission may occur in one of two ways: (1) A candidate may apply to both the Graduate Certificate and the M.A. Program in Religious Studies simultaneously. Admission to the concentration is dependent on admission to both programs; or (2) a candidate may initially apply and be admitted to the M.A. in Religious Studies program. During the first year in that program, that student may apply to the Graduate Certificate program. Once admitted, students will complete the Certificate requirements as outlined below. The requirements for the Graduate Certificate are accepted as electives toward the M.A. in Religious Studies. At the end of two years, a student will graduate with:
Degree Requirements–Thesis Option
Degree Requirements–Course work Intensive Option
Degree Requirements–M.A. with Concentration in Nonprofit Management
The M.A. of Religious Studies with a Concentration in Nonprofit Management is designed to prepare students for work in the nonprofit sector. Conceived in collaboration with colleagues in the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, this program provides training in religious literacy and cultural competency while students acquire the professional skills necessary for managing nonprofit organizations. Students may earn the M.A. and Concentration without applying to the AYSPS certificate program, but students wishing to earn both the M.A. and certificate should apply to each separately either at the time of application to the M.A. program or after enrolling. The Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) in Religious Studies advises students in the concentrations and deviations to the course plans outlined below should be directed to the DGS.
Students who successfully complete the M.A. of Religious Studies with a Concentration in Nonprofit Management will be able to employ the theories and methods acquired in their study of religions and nonprofit management to design a final research project in which they:
In order to receive the M.A. of Religious Studies with a Concentration in Nonprofit Management, a student must complete:
Degree Requirements–M.A. with Concentration in Religion and Aging
The M.A. of Religious Studies with a Concentration in Religion and Aging is designed to prepare students for work in professions related to health and human resources. A collaboration with the College of Arts and Sciences Gerontology Institute, this program provides training in religious literacy and cultural competency while students acquire the professional skills necessary for work related to human development. Students may earn the M.A. and Concentration without applying to the Gerontology Institute’s certificate program, but students wishing to earn both the M.A. and certificate should apply to each separately either at the time of application to the M.A. program or after enrolling. The Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) in Religious Studies advises students in the concentrations and deviations to the course plans outlined below should be directed to the DGS.
Students who successfully complete the M.A. of Religious Studies with a Concentration in Religion and Aging will be able to employ the theories and methods acquired in their study of religions and aging to craft a final research project in which they:
In order to receive the M.A. of Religious Studies with a Concentration in Religion and Aging, a student must complete:
Sample of Courses by Distribution Area
An up-to-date list of courses by distribution area is available on the Department’s website under “Resources.”
History of Religions, Abrahamic
History of Religions non-Abrahamic
Comparative/Thematic Approaches
Religion and Ethics/Politics
Additional Notes for MA Program
Affiliated Courses
Most students will concentrate their coursework within the Religious Studies Department. (See course listings under Religious Studies later in this catalog.) Other departments and programs within Georgia State University also offer courses directly bearing on the academic study of religion. With the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies, students may apply up to two courses (6 credit hours) offered in other units to their degree in Religious Studies.
Depending upon their area(s) of concentration, students who wish to go on to pursue a Ph.D. in Religious Studies may need to initiate or complete studies in a particular language or languages before beginning doctoral studies. Students are urged to consult with their advisers for advice and direction concerning language competencies.
The department offers a dual Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Religious Studies. The dual degree opportunity enables 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.
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. Additionally, 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 at cas.gsu.edu/dual-degrees/.
Department of Sociology
1041 Langdale Hall
Tel: 404-413-6500
Fax: 404-413-6505
sociology.gsu.edu
Eric Wright, Chair
Jim Ainsworth, Director of Graduate Studies
Reginald Butler, Graduate Coordinator
The Department of Sociology offers three programs, the MA only professional program, the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree program for those who already have an M.A. degree, and the Joint Master of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) degree program for those entering with a B.A. degree. These programs provide students with both a broad exposure to the discipline of sociology as well as in-depth study in special areas of expertise. Qualified students are accepted into the Joint M.A./Ph.D. Program after their completion of a baccalaureate degree or are accepted into the Ph.D.-Only Program after their completion of a master’s degree in sociology or a closely related field. The broad knowledge of sociology comes through coursework in a variety of substantive areas, as well as through training in research methodology, statistics, and theory. Most of the faculty’s interest and expertise lie in six specialty areas: (1) Family; (2) Gender; (3) Health; (4) Life Course, (4) Race and Ethnic Relations; (5) Sexualities; and (6) Urban Studies. We have one interdisciplinary concentration in urban spaces and geography with the geosciences department for students who wish to specialize in urban sociology and geography. The department’s approach is to enable students to apply sociological principles in a real-world environment and to foster a close working relationship between faculty and graduate students.
The goals of the Department are to provide: (1) a general intellectual foundation that supports the student’s analytic understanding of social life; (2) a sound methodological background that prepares the student for social research; and (3) a rich and specialized body of knowledge that equips the student for the practice of sociology in both the public and private sectors. Students are offered many opportunities to become actively involved in the discipline at the state, regional, or national levels. Applicants may obtain additional information about the Department of Sociology by contacting the Director of Graduate Studies at the address above.
In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Sociology has the following requirements:
Professional Specialization in Data Analysis
The M.A. Only Program is a minimum 31 credit hour degree program beyond the Bachelor’s degree (25 credit hours of course work and 6 credit hours of internship and capstone paper). If a student needs to take SOCI 3010: Social Statistics, SOCI 3020: Research Methods, and/or SOCI 3030: Sociological Theory (or their equivalents, as determined by the Director of Graduate Studies), these courses must be taken as non-credit prerequisites for SOCI 8010, SOCI 8020, and SOCI 8030. The M.A.-Only Program consists of a Master’s Core (1), Master’s Electives (2), and Other Master’s Requirements (3).
Students with post-Bachelor’s degree course work from other accredited institutions may petition to transfer up to 6 hours (2 courses) of course work towards the M.A. degree following petition to, and approval by, the departmental Director of Graduate Studies. With the approval of the departmental Director of Graduate Studies, up to 6 hours (2 courses) of advanced data analysis may be taken in a related field or fields with approval of graduate director.
NOTES:
Minimum of ninety semester credit hours (52 semester hours of course work and at least 38 semester hours of non-course work) beyond the Baccalaureate degree, consisting of a Master’s Core (1), Master’s Electives (2), Other Master’s Requirements (3), Doctoral Core (4), Doctoral Specialty Core (5), Doctoral Electives (6), and Other Doctoral Requirements (7).
NOTES:
Minimum of sixty-three semester credit hours (31 semester hours of course work and at least 32 semester hours of non-course work) beyond the Master’s degree, consisting of a Doctoral Core (1), Doctoral Specialty Core (2), Doctoral Electives (3), and Other Doctoral Requirements (4).
NOTES:
The Ph.D. in Sociology with a concentration in Urban Spaces an Geography consists of a minimum of sixty-three semester credit hours (31-33 semester hours of course work and at least 32 semester hours of non-course work) beyond the Master’s degree, consisting of a Doctoral Core (1), Doctoral Specialty Core (2), Doctoral Electives (3), and Other Doctoral Requirements (4).
Department of World Languages and Cultures
19th floor, 25 Park Place Bldg.
404-413-5980
wlc.gsu.edu
William Nichols, Chair
Faye Stewart, Associate Chair
Gladys Francis, Director of Graduate Studies
The Department of World Languages and Cultures offers the Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Spanish. The Master of Arts degree emphasizes advanced study in the language and cultures of the Spanish-speaking world, including courses of particular interest to foreign language teachers.
Applicants may obtain additional information about the Department of World Languages and Cultures by contacting the Director of Graduate Studies at the address above.
In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts & Sciences, the Department of World Languages and Cultures has the following requirements:
Program Financial Information
Lab fees are assessed automatically for students who register for certain courses. As a result, students will no longer be required to purchase lab fee cards. For more information, please feel free to contact the department or review the GoSolar or catalog course listings to determine if a course includes a lab fee.
A student must have a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher in all courses counting towards the Master of Arts degree. Only courses passed with a grade of B or higher will count toward the degree.
The department offers a dual Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Spanish. The dual degree opportunity enables 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.
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. Additionally, 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 at cas.gsu.edu/dual-degrees/.
Department of World Languages and Cultures
19th floor, 25 Park Place Bldg.
404-413-5980
wlc.gsu.edu
P.O. Box 3970
Atlanta, Georgia 30302-3970
404-413-5980
Email: wclgraduate@gsu.edu
William Nichols, Chair
Faye Stewart, Associate Chair
Annette G. Cash, Director (acash@gsu.edu)
Qualification for entrance into either program is based on achievements on an appropriate proficiency examination. Candidates for the program in translation must pass a written examination in English and in the language of specialization. Candidates for the program in interpretation must pass written and oral examinations in both the source and target languages. Candidates who are not considered admissible because of insufficient knowledge of the proposed working language or deficiencies in their general backgrounds will be advised to consider preparatory courses in the Department of World Languages and Cultures or in another department. The entrance examination is offered at regular intervals each year for entrance in the fall semester. However, the course sequence in Translation or Interpretation cannot be initiated unless there is a sufficient enrollment. Thus, there is no guarantee that the Translation and Interpretation programs in French, German, and Spanish can be offered routinely every year. In some cases there will be a delay in initiating a sequence until a critical mass of qualified students is available.
In addition to demonstrating proficiency by means of the admission examination(s), candidates must demonstrate an appropriate educational background. Normally, applicants will be expected to have an American undergraduate degree or the equivalent. Candidates without a baccalaureate degree must provide evidence of educational and professional activities and accomplishments indicating that they have the prior experience needed to be successful in translation or interpretation. Students accepted into the program will not be permitted to enroll in graduate courses taught outside the Program in Translation and Interpretation unless they have applied and been admitted to the M. A. program in the Department of World Languages and Cultures. Students with a baccalaureate degree (or the equivalent) from an accredited institution are eligible to take undergraduate courses.
Applicants may obtain additional information about the Program in Translation and Interpretation by contacting the Director at the addresses above.
This program provides professional training in written translation for students who wish to acquire proficiency in a specific language combination. The student’s progress will be monitored closely, and the student’s potential for completing the program will be evaluated at the end of each individual course.
The program includes one class in comparative stylistics, one class in general translation, two classes in specialized translation, and a final translation workshop. Students must complete each one of these courses with a grade of B or higher and must receive a score of at least a grade of B on the exit examination in order to receive a certificate.
This program provides professional training in both medical and legal interpretation for those who wish to become interpreters. At the present time, the program is only offered in Spanish. Admission to the program in interpretation presupposes completion of the course of study in translation, or demonstration of proficiency in written translation at a comparable level, in addition to oral proficiency in the student’s source and target languages.
The program is comprised of classes in medical and legal (state court) interpretation. The interpretation program involves a class in the introduction to the field of interpretation, a class in consecutive, simultaneous and sight interpretation, a class in medical interpretation, and a class in legal interpretation (state court system). Each student’s progress and potential for successful completion of the program will be evaluated each semester. Students must complete these courses with a grade of B or higher, and must receive a score of at least a B on the exit examination in order to receive a certificate.
Although individual courses in both areas are assigned graduate credit, none of the 7000-level courses listed below may be used to fulfill requirements in regular degree programs of the World Languages and Cultures.
All courses in each program are required and should be taken in the prescribed sequence.
The following courses comprise the translation sequence in French, German, and Spanish: FREN 7135, FREN 7140, FREN 7142, FREN 7145, and FREN 7146; GRMN 7135, GRMN 7140, GRMN 7142, GRMN 7145, and GRMN 7146; SPAN 7135, SPAN 7140, SPAN 7142, SPAN 7145, and SPAN 7146.
The following courses comprise the interpretation sequence in Spanish: SPAN 7150, SPAN 7152, SPAN 7154, and SPAN 7157.
Institute for Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Georgia State University
22nd floor, 25 Park Place Bldg.
P.O. Box 3969
Atlanta, GA 30302-3969
Phone: 404-413-6587
Fax: 404-413-6585
Email: wgss@gsu.edu
wgss.gsu.edu
Stephanie Evans, Director
Megan Sinnott, Director of Graduate Studies
Our M.A. program offers innovative, interdisciplinary approaches to the study of gender, sexuality, race, class, and nation. The Institute for Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies’ cutting edge academic program focuses on three crucial areas: globalization, sexuality, and social change. The interests of our core faculty members span the globe, including the African diaspora, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and North America, with an emphasis on issues related to globalization, sexualities, and culture, as well as local and transnational articulations of feminism. The M.A. prepares students for doctoral work in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and other disciplines, as well as careers in non-profit organizations, the social service sector, the political arena, and private enterprise. Some of our students pursue work in creative fields as artists, musicians, poets, journalists, or filmmakers.
To prepare for these career possibilities, WGSS provides three research options:
Applicants may obtain additional information about the Institute for Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies by contacting the Director of Graduate Studies at the addresses above.
In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Institute for Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies has the following requirements:
Master of Arts Degree Requirements (36 hours):
Students must receive a B minus or above in all core and elective WGSS courses, and maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.0.
Dual B.A./M.A. Program
The department offers a dual Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. The dual degree opportunity enables 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.
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. Additionally, 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 at cas.gsu.edu/dual-degrees/.
A Graduate Certificate in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies is available to eligible graduate students who successfully complete five graduate courses (15 hours) in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Students must receive a grade of B or higher in each certificate course.
Graduate Certificate Requirements (15 hours):
All students seeking the WGSS Graduate Certificate must submit a formal application through the Office of Admissions-Graduate Programs. Applications are accepted three times per year: July 1 (for Fall semester), November 15 (for Spring semester), and April 1 (for Summer semester). The following individuals are eligible: