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.
Political Science, M.A. – Concentrations in General Political Science, American Politics, International and Comparative Politics, or Public Law
Political Science
This program is geared towards students who want a deep foundation in the scholarship of political science. It can be taken as a terminal degree for someone seeking a career in government, politics, law or a related field, or it can be taken as the first step to a doctorate. Unlike our professional politics and educator concentrations, this M.A. focuses more on developing a student’s independent research. The Political Science master’s degree program offers a choice of four concentrations: General Political Science American Politics International and Comparative Politics Public Law Students with an interest in quantitative methods also have the option of choosing an advanced methods track. The degree is taught primarily in person through small seminars, but students also have the option of taking some of their courses online. All courses are taught by full-time faculty and emphasize interaction among students and professors.
This program is geared towards students who want a deep foundation in the scholarship of political science. It can be taken as a terminal degree for someone seeking a career in government, politics, law or a related field, or it can be taken as the first step to a doctorate. Unlike our professional politics and educator concentrations, this M.A. focuses more on developing a student’s independent research. The Political Science master’s degree program offers a choice of four concentrations:- General Political Science
- American Politics
- International and Comparative Politics
- Public Law
Political Science, M.A. – Concentration in Political Science for Educators
Political Science
PROGRAM OVERVIEW The Political Science Department at Georgia State University offers an M.A. concentration in Political Science for Educators which can be completed fully online, fully in-person, or as a mix of the two. Offered entirely online for elementary, middle and high school social studies teachers. Degree can be completed during six seven-week minimesters, extending just 15 months with the majority of the work in the summers. Exposes K-12 educators to cutting-edge research in political science. Provides educators with the tools to engage their students in evidence-based conversations about democracy, citizenship and public policy. All courses are taught by full-time faculty and emphasize interaction among students and professors. This program is geared towards current teachers who want to advance in their profession rather than to pursue a doctorate. Also, it may be of interest to students contemplating a career in teaching or to current or former teachers seeking the qualifications to be an adjunct at the university level. TAKING THE NEXT STEPS After completing the degree, current Georgia teachers working in districts using the traditional pay scale may be eligible to upgrade their certification status and receive a raise (see the Georgia Professional Standards Commission for more details). The degree also may help lead to an Advanced Professional Certificate. Teachers from other states also may be eligible for an upgrade after completing the degree and should check the professional standards in your home state.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Political Science Department at Georgia State University offers an M.A. concentration in Political Science for Educators which can be completed fully online, fully in-person, or as a mix of the two.- Offered entirely online for elementary, middle and high school social studies teachers.
- Degree can be completed during six seven-week minimesters, extending just 15 months with the majority of the work in the summers.
- Exposes K-12 educators to cutting-edge research in political science.
- Provides educators with the tools to engage their students in evidence-based conversations about democracy, citizenship and public policy.
- All courses are taught by full-time faculty and emphasize interaction among students and professors.
TAKING THE NEXT STEPS
After completing the degree, current Georgia teachers working in districts using the traditional pay scale may be eligible to upgrade their certification status and receive a raise (see the Georgia Professional Standards Commission for more details). The degree also may help lead to an Advanced Professional Certificate. Teachers from other states also may be eligible for an upgrade after completing the degree and should check the professional standards in your home state.Political Science, M.A. – Concentration in Professional Politics
Political Science
The Political Science Department at Georgia State University offers an M.A. concentration in Professional Politics which can be completed fully online, fully in-person, or with a mix of the two. Degree can be completed during six minimesters. Each minimester is seven-weeks long, meaning the program can be completed in just 15 months. All courses are taught by full-time faculty and emphasize interaction among students and professors. This concentration provides the professional skills needed by those pursuing career paths in public service and politics. 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. Students with an interest in quantitative methods also have the option of choosing an advanced methods track. Additional details about the program can be found here, and any questions can be directed to the M.A. Program Director, Dr. Charles Hankla, at chankla@gsu.edu.
The Political Science Department at Georgia State University offers an M.A. concentration in Professional Politics which can be completed fully online, fully in-person, or with a mix of the two.- Degree can be completed during six minimesters. Each minimester is seven-weeks long, meaning the program can be completed in just 15 months.
- All courses are taught by full-time faculty and emphasize interaction among students and professors.
Political Science, Ph.D.
This program offers training for careers in research and teaching in the heart of Atlanta. It has particular strengths in Political Behavior, Public Law and Democratization. Our Ph.D. program is methodologically, demographically and geographically diverse. Students receive careful mentoring from their first day. Alumni work in academic, private, governmental, non-governmental and policy agencies worldwide.
This program offers training for careers in research and teaching in the heart of Atlanta. It has particular strengths in Political Behavior, Public Law and Democratization. Our Ph.D. program is methodologically, demographically and geographically diverse. Students receive careful mentoring from their first day. Alumni work in academic, private, governmental, non-governmental and policy agencies worldwide.Psychology, M.A./Ph.D.
The Department of Psychology has five program areas, which oversee the seven concentrations. All graduate students in Psychology complete core psychology courses (i.e., History of Psychology, Ethics, Statistics I, Statistics II, Research Methods), a general exam, a master’s thesis project, and a dissertation project. Additional courses and requirements (e.g., practica, internship) are unique to the separate concentrations, which are administered by the program areas. Graduate students earn a master’s degree en route to the doctoral (PhD) degree (there is no terminal master’s program in the Department of Psychology). At the completion of training, graduates earn a PhD in Psychology with a specific Concentration (Clinical, Cognitive Sciences, Community, Developmental, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, Clinical-Community, or Clinical-Neuropsychology). For the latest information about required courses, view the Psychology Department website.
The Department of Psychology has five program areas, which oversee the seven concentrations. All graduate students in Psychology complete core psychology courses (i.e., History of Psychology, Ethics, Statistics I, Statistics II, Research Methods), a general exam, a master’s thesis project, and a dissertation project. Additional courses and requirements (e.g., practica, internship) are unique to the separate concentrations, which are administered by the program areas. Graduate students earn a master’s degree en route to the doctoral (PhD) degree (there is no terminal master’s program in the Department of Psychology). At the completion of training, graduates earn a PhD in Psychology with a specific Concentration (Clinical, Cognitive Sciences, Community, Developmental, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, Clinical-Community, or Clinical-Neuropsychology). For the latest information about required courses, view the Psychology Department website.Religious Studies, M.A.
Studying world religions prepares you for economic success in professions where culturally diverse points of view are valued, and to succeed personally in an international city such as Atlanta or anywhere else in the world. The program introduces you to ideas, practices and values you’ve never encountered. Choose from two tracks and two career-oriented concentrations: Thesis Track: Students work with a thesis director and committee to research and write a thesis of publishable length Final project: Thesis Coursework Intensive Track: Students take more classes to gain more depth in their field or breadth across Religious Studies Final project: Research paper or project Concentration in Nonprofit Management: Students in this concentration earn the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies Certificate in Nonprofit Management while they complete their M.A. in Religious Studies Final project: Research paper or project that integrates work in Nonprofit Management, an internship and Religious Studies Concentration in Religion and Aging: Students in this concentration earn the Gerontology Institute’s Graduate Certificate while they complete their M.A. in Religious Studies Final project: Research paper or project that integrates work in Gerontology, an internship and Religious Studies
Studying world religions prepares you for economic success in professions where culturally diverse points of view are valued, and to succeed personally in an international city such as Atlanta or anywhere else in the world. The program introduces you to ideas, practices and values you’ve never encountered. Choose from two tracks and two career-oriented concentrations:- Thesis Track: Students work with a thesis director and committee to research and write a thesis of publishable length
- Final project: Thesis
- Coursework Intensive Track: Students take more classes to gain more depth in their field or breadth across Religious Studies
- Final project: Research paper or project
- Concentration in Nonprofit Management: Students in this concentration earn the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies Certificate in Nonprofit Management while they complete their M.A. in Religious Studies
- Final project: Research paper or project that integrates work in Nonprofit Management, an internship and Religious Studies
- Concentration in Religion and Aging: Students in this concentration earn the Gerontology Institute’s Graduate Certificate while they complete their M.A. in Religious Studies
- Final project: Research paper or project that integrates work in Gerontology, an internship and Religious Studies
Sociology, M.A.
Our standalone M.A. program trains social researchers who do not necessarily plan to pursue a career in academia. Students in this program can receive training in social research skills that can allow them to work in industry or the non-profit sector as qualitative and quantitative researchers. The Department and individual faculty members have consulted and engaged in research projects with many different agencies, including the National Science Foundation, U.S. Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Aging, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, American Educational Research Association, U.S. Attorney’s Office, U.S. Bureau of the Census, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Georgia Department of Human Resources, Georgia Narcotics Treatment Center, Georgia Mental Health Institute, Atlanta Regional Commission, the City of Atlanta Bureau of Planning, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Pew Charitable Trust and numerous other government agencies, as well as private concerns.
Our standalone M.A. program trains social researchers who do not necessarily plan to pursue a career in academia. Students in this program can receive training in social research skills that can allow them to work in industry or the non-profit sector as qualitative and quantitative researchers. The Department and individual faculty members have consulted and engaged in research projects with many different agencies, including the National Science Foundation, U.S. Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Aging, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, American Educational Research Association, U.S. Attorney’s Office, U.S. Bureau of the Census, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Georgia Department of Human Resources, Georgia Narcotics Treatment Center, Georgia Mental Health Institute, Atlanta Regional Commission, the City of Atlanta Bureau of Planning, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Pew Charitable Trust and numerous other government agencies, as well as private concerns.Sociology, M.A./Ph.D.
he Joint Master of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree program, provides 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. 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. For information on degree requirements, visit the program page.
he Joint Master of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree program, provides 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. 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. For information on degree requirements, visit the program page.Sociology, Ph.D.
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree program, provides 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 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. For information on degree requirements, visit the program page.
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree program, provides 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 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. For information on degree requirements, visit the program page.Spanish, M.A.
Spanish, M.A.
Eligible for the Dual Undergraduate/Graduate Program
Through an emphasis on Spanish language, literature, and culture, our program fosters communicative abilities, intercultural competence and global awareness among students. The interdisciplinary focus of the faculty enhances graduate education by encouraging alternate cultural perspectives that complement such areas of study as Business, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Law, Education, and the Humanities among others. Our Spanish M.A. program is a 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. We offer students real world opportunities to combine and apply Spanish language ability, cultural knowledge, and career skills. The ability to speak Spanish fluently can be an asset in today’s global economy and make individuals more competitive in the job market. Graduates in Spanish, one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, pursue careers in business, education, government, and the nonprofit sector, while others pursue Ph.D. & Ed.D. degrees. We offer competitive Graduate Teaching Assistantships with a full tuition waiver.