Degrees & Majors
Still Not Sure?
The information shared here is intended to provide an overview of Georgia State's offerings. For details on admissions requirements, tuition, courses and more please refer to the university catalogs.
Search results are alphabetized
Applied Linguistics, M.A.
Applied Linguistics & English as a Second Language
We are a multifaceted applied linguistics department that focuses on post-secondary/adult language learning, teaching and use.
Our faculty specialize in a number of sub-disciplines, including second language (L2) acquisition, L2 writing, sociolinguistics, language assessment, corpus linguistics, educational technology and L2 teacher education.
Applied Linguistics, Ph.D.
Applied Linguistics & English as a Second Language
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program in Applied Linguistics is a response to societal needs resulting from the status of English as the language of international communication. This worldwide use of English in programs and institutions of higher education has created needs in two areas:
- Research on an assortment of interrelated topics, including 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.
- 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.
Applied Statistics, M.S.
Mathematics and Statistics
The Master of Science degree program in Applied Statistics focuses on applications of statistics to the solution of functional problems in business, engineering, medicine, applied sciences, and other fields. It includes instruction in statistical techniques such as inference, probability theory, regression analysis, descriptive statistics, stochastic processes, Monte Carlo method, Bayesian statistics, non-parametric statistics, sampling theory, and statistical computing. The program builds critical thinking and real-world problems solving skills in data analysis and empirical research. Our applied statistics graduates are expected to find jobs as statisticians, biostatisticians, data scientists, and data analysts in healthcare, finance, industry, government, academia, and other fields.
- No Concentration
- Biostatistics
- Statistics and Allied Field
Arabic Language and Literature, Minor
Arabic Language and Literature, Minor
The Middle East Institute offers an interdisciplinary major in Middle East Studies, a minor in Middle East Studies and a minor in Arabic. The major is ideal for students who want a well-rounded understanding of the Middle East along with the opportunity to study languages of the region. Students take courses on the Middle East in a variety of disciplines, including history, political science, religious studies, communication and women’s studies. Each student selects the specific courses included in his or her program of study in consultation with an MEI adviser. The MES major prepares students for graduate school or for careers in government, business, the non-profit sector or the military.
For the latest information about required courses, view the enrollment program page.
Asian Studies, B.I.S.
The Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) program in Asian Studies provides students an opportunity to acquire a career-oriented range of skills and knowledge of this important and unique region of the world. Students can choose from a wide range of courses offered at Georgia State University.
Students have flexibility to craft a degree program that fits their interests and goals. Options include:
- A concentration in international business and economy.
- A minor in international business.
- A concentration in English as a Second Language (ESL) with an option to obtain a certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language (TEFL).
- Concentration in Chinese, Japanese or Indian/South Asian studies.
Astronomy, Ph.D.
Astronomers at Georgia State are involved in four main areas of research:
Black Holes and Active Galaxies: Monster black holes, with masses that are a million to a billion times more than our Sun, live at the centers of most galaxies. We specialize in observational studies of these massive compact monsters to measure their masses, study the accretion process and understand their effects on their host galaxy.
Stars and Extrasolar Planets: Stars are the beacons of the universe, and it is around stars that planets are formed and that life may exist. Using ground and space-based facilities, we are creating the most detailed maps to date of the distances, distribution and space motions of stars nearby, and in our galaxy. We use the Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy (CHARA) Array to measure the properties of stars in exquisite detail and test the predictions of how stars evolve. We are also leading searches for exoplanets around young and nearby stars.
Solar Physics: The solar wind consists of charged particles streaming away from the surface of the Sun at high velocities. Occasionally, energetic events release million-degree plasma into space in a process called a solar flare. The solar wind and solar flares are the key influence on space weather, and ultimately space climate and Earth. We are developing data-mining techniques to predict solar flares and solar eruptions, and developing computational models of coronal loops and magnetic reconnection. We develop simulations of the plasma flows deep inside of stars that ultimately produce their magnetic fields via the dynamo mechanism. We test theoretical models of the Sun's interior by observing oscillation of its surface, an area called helioseismology.
High Angular Resolution Imaging: Georgia State owns and operates the CHARA Array, the world's highest resolution optical interferometer. This facility is able to image the surfaces of stars, revealing for the first time temperature variations across their surface caused by star spots and rapid rotation. We develop techniques for image restoration/reconstruction when observed with interferometric techniques, and for ultra high-resolution imaging done through strong turbulence in the atmosphere.
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Political science is the study of “who gets what, when and how” in the distribution of goods and values in society and in groups. Political scientists study the forces that determine such distributions, including political parties and voters, public opinion, interest groups, bureaucracies and administrative behavior, public law, international relations, international law and organizations, national security, intergovernmental relations, political behavior, political philosophy, comparative politics, public policy and conflict.
Students may specialize in any of the five fields of the discipline:
- American politics and government
- Comparative politics
- International politics
- Political theory, or
- Public policy and administration
The department also provides specific concentrations for majors and minors in pre-law and in international affairs.
The department sponsors intercollegiate academic teams for Mock Trial, Model United Nations and Model Arab League. The department sponsors student honor societies and clubs in pre-law, international relations, and political science. The department also provides advisement for pre-law students.
Students also have the option to earn an undergraduate certificate in European Union Studies in cooperation with the University System of Georgia. Courses that count towards the certificate can also be applied to their political science major and towards the International Affairs concentration. For more information, visit European Union Studies Program. The Georgia State faculty representative for the certificate program is Dr. Jeannie Grussendorf.
Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) concentration in Arts & Sciences, Online
Are you looking for…
- Increased Job Advancement and Marketability?
- Increased Income Potential?
- Providing a Higher Quality of Life for Yourself and Your Dependents?
- Fulfilling a Personal Milestone?
- All within a flexible online curriculum specialized for your interests and goals while maximizing previously earned college credits, with dedicated faculty and staff to support you.
Look no further than our Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Arts and Sciences (BIS). A Georgia State University degree with endless opportunities.
The online BIS degree empowers you with a flexible curriculum while providing an avenue to an interdisciplinary educational experience that builds on various foundations for different career options, including graduate study.
With this program, you will further develop your skills* in:
- Critical Thinking
- Problem-Solving
- Leadership
- Oral and Written Communication
*Key competencies that employers and graduate programs are looking for in their applicants.
Whether you are new to Georgia State or returning to complete your degree, you are closer than you think to earning your bachelor’s degree at Georgia State with the online BIS program.
What is Interdisciplinary Studies?
Interdisciplinary studies combine different areas of study to give students flexibility in choosing their coursework. Unlike a liberal arts degree, an interdisciplinary studies degree allows students to concentrate and connect their studies into several focus areas to prepare for the next steps in industry or graduate study.
What are some examples of an interdisciplinary curriculum?
One example is a student returning to complete their degree to move into a leadership role in their current position. With this career interest in mind, the student takes courses in Sociology, Philosophy and Ethics, Speech Communication, and Counseling and Psychological Services coursework to strengthen their skills to prepare them holistically for their next career move.
Another example is a student who was previously a Biology major, went into the workforce, is currently serving as a healthcare administrator and is returning to complete their degree. Utilizing previous credits in Biology, the student takes Public Health, Business Communication and Non-Profit Leadership coursework to build upon their career experiences and further broaden their knowledge, move into more advanced healthcare administration positions and complete their bachelor’s degree.
Who should consider the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary (BIS) with a concentration in Arts and Sciences?
Only some students are a good fit for the BIS with a concentration in Arts & Sciences. Many students will have clearly defined academic programs chosen, leading to a specific career path. This program supports students that have goals that require students to combine and explore various academic subjects.
This program is also a fit for students who have not been able to progress successfully in a clearly defined academic program and are looking for an avenue to earn a bachelor’s degree. The BIS with a concentration in Arts & Sciences offers the ability to maximize already-earned credits toward completing a bachelor’s degree.
Lastly, this program is also a good fit for the student who is already in a career and needs the credential or wants to make a career change and needs the flexibility of a fully online program while maximizing prior coursework taken.
Can students add a minor to this program? Pursue an undergraduate certificate?
Students can declare a minor and will be encouraged to explore one. The minor is in addition to Area G (major) requirements. Students cannot use credits satisfied in Area G towards the minor. Many students who qualify for the BIS program have already completed enough credits for a minor in a specific discipline.
Students can add an undergraduate certificate(s) to their program if they wish to. They must follow the curriculum and the process to earn an undergraduate certificate.
Refer to the University catalog for minor and undergraduate certificate offerings.
Biological Sciences, M.S.
Earning an M.S. degree in biology can be a stepping stone to a career in the biosciences or in preparation for a professional degree. Georgia State's Master of Science (M.S.) in Biological Sciences is designed to offer a flexible program to suit students with a wide variety of interests in biology. In addition to the general program, concentrations are offered in Biotechnology, Bioinformatics and Research.
Students may apply under a specific area/concentration, though a concentration is not required. Upon admission, a master's student is assumed to be non-thesis until acceptance into the thesis option. The non-thesis program emphasizes coursework, and a capstone paper or project is required. The capstone can either be literature-based or laboratory-based.
The thesis option emphasizes research. Acceptance into the thesis option requires approval of a thesis proposal. Completion of the thesis option requires an approved thesis as well as a successful defense of the thesis. The thesis option is only recommended for students who are planning to pursue a Ph.D.
For information about the M.S. in Medical Sciences in Biology program, which is designed for students who plan to apply to medical school, go to https://cas.gsu.edu/program/medical-sciences-in-biology-ms/.
Biological Sciences, Ph.D.
A graduate degree in biological sciences can open doors to many rewarding careers. Georgia State University's Biological Sciences, Ph.D. program prepares graduates for a range of positions in private industry, public agencies and academia, among others. Potential job titles include principal scientist, research associate, microbiologist, research biologist, field application scientist and analytical staff scientist.
There are many benefits to getting a graduate degree. It makes you a more competitive candidate whether you are seeking a job or admission to another professional school. A graduate degree can also increase your earning potential and help you develop a professional network.