Degrees & Majors

The Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Creative Writing is a terminal degree that prepares students for careers in writing, publishing and academia. It also provides students with an excellent foundation if they choose to continue their graduate work at the doctoral level.

The M.F.A. program offers concentrations in fiction and poetry, offering graduate students the opportunity to work closely with our award-winning faculty while living and writing in Atlanta, an international city with a vibrant literary culture.

Our faculty includes Danielle Cadena Deulen, Beth Gylys, John Holman, Sheri Joseph, and Josh Russell. Visiting writers & editors enrich the program by giving readings and leading workshops and Q&As.

We also offer a Ph.D. in English with a Concentration in Creative Writing, one of the top 15 programs of its kind in the U.S., as ranked by Poets & Writers.

The Master of Science Analytics (M.S.A.) in Data Science and Analytics with a Concentration in Big Data and Machine Learning at Georgia State University blends advanced coursework in data science and machine learning with practical applications designed to meet the demands of today's data-driven world.

The field of data science lies at the intersection of computer science, statistical methodologies, and a wide range of application domains, focusing on the generation, processing, and analysis of vast amounts of data. This program is specifically designed to train professionals in the rapidly growing field of data science, equipping them with the skills needed to transform big data into actionable insights.

The field of data science and analytics, particularly in the context of big data and machine learning, is profoundly influenced by technological advancements and the increasing importance of data-driven decision-making. The MSA Data Science and Analytics program at Georgia State University focuses on these critical aspects, including:

• The role of big data in contemporary analytics.
• The impact of machine learning and data science on various industries.
• Strategies for effective data management and analysis.
• Understanding the ethical implications and responsibilities in data science.

The MSA in Data Science and Analytics prepares you to:

• Lead and manage data-driven projects in diverse sectors.
• Apply critical thinking to solve complex problems and make informed decisions.
• Adhere to ethical standards in data handling and analysis.
• Utilize advanced tools and techniques for data analysis and interpretation.
• Communicate effectively with a diverse team and stakeholders in data-centric environments.

The certificate in data science is designed to help meet the demand for computer scientists trained in managing large data sets, developing and utilizing computer systems/software to process data, extracting knowledge or insights from data in various forms and modeling predictive analytics.

Generating and collecting data has become ubiquitous with the proliferation of social networks and mobile computing, along with emerging areas such as the Internet of Things and cyber sensing and networking technologies. Businesses and industries are striving to use data analytics, data mining, machine learning and statistical models to make better data-driven decisions using vast amounts of data.

The certificate in data science consists of 16 credit hours at the 4000 level from a restricted set of courses. Students in the program are typically declared as computer science majors to meet the requirements of this certificate. See the course catalog for more details.

Georgia State University's Digital Humanities interdisciplinary certificate program prepares students with the skills to navigate the intersection of technology and the humanities by combining traditional studies in critical thinking, communication and cultural analysis with modern digital tools. Students earning a Digital Humanities certificate will be well-positioned for a wide range of careers that blend technology with humanistic inquiry.

The program’s interdisciplinary approach provides valuable skills for careers in media, digital content creation and communication. In fields like education and academia, students can pursue roles in digital pedagogy, online course design or archival work that require knowledge of digital preservation and curation. The program also prepares students for roles in tech industries, such as user experience (UX) design, web development, data analysis and digital marketing, that rely on a strong understanding of human behavior and cultural trends.

English majors study language and literature alongside the craft of writing, developing skills considered integral to education in the humanities and prized by employers around the world. We examine language, literature and culture in ways that help communities connect with broader audiences, expand access to knowledge and address pressing social issues.

Undergraduate coursework in English guides students in thinking critically, reading widely and writing imaginatively. Many classes also explore practices that are not, strictly speaking, “writing” at all, such as oral compositions, hypertexts, podcasts and folk art.

At Georgia State, English majors can select from several areas of concentration:

• Literature,
• Rhetoric and Composition,
• Creative Writing,
• Pre-education and
• British-American Joint Studies (partnership with Northumbria University)

Majors in each concentration complete their course of study with a focused Senior Seminar that invites students to demonstrate their abilities as writers and thinkers working in a specific discipline.