Degrees & Majors

The certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) equips students with skills that will enable them to teach English as a Foreign Language abroad. The TEFL certificate is designed as a credential for those who plan short-term stays overseas and is open to Georgia State University students in any undergraduate major.

The program requires students to complete a series of five undergraduate courses offered by the Department of Applied Linguistics & English as a Second Language.

Students who are likely to be interested in the certificate program include:

• Those in disciplines where an extended stay abroad would enhance their skills, employment or graduate school admission possibilities upon their return.
• People who are simply interested in the adventure of living in another culture and of gaining knowledge of the world.
• Individuals with a bachelor’s degree who are interested in working abroad but do not want to make the long term professional commitment involved in earning a graduate degree.
• Majors in Language Studies interested in further graduate study in applied linguistics. For these students, earning the certificate as part of their undergraduate degree requirements can enhance their graduate school potential.

Georgia State also offers a graduate certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). This certificate is likely a better choice for students interested in continuing on to earn an MA. For more information go to the TESOL program page.

The Textiles emphasis fosters personal exploration of subject matter, technical proficiency in a broad range of working methods and professional presentation. Textiles is presented in both historic and contemporary contexts, demonstrating the continuing relevance of the field and its many applications. The work produced in the Textiles B.F.A. has prepared students for careers in fine art, the textile industry, the film industry, and graduate study.

Once accepted into the program, students in the Textiles emphasis begin with basic textile design courses providing a foundation in surface design and basic sewn structures. At the intermediate and advanced levels, students broaden their technical experience by learning hand and digital processes in quilting, embroidery, pattern design, pattern printing. Students also learn soft sculpture processes, hand and machine tufting, on and off-loom weaving and other flexible forms.

Students are encouraged to develop multi-media and inter-disciplinary approaches, and take electives in other disciplines.

What Is Theatre?

Study in theatre offers exposure to creative dramatic expression, primarily in front of live audiences. It involves study of all types of artistic performance–in theaters, educational institutions, on TV, in movies and outdoors. Areas of specialization include acting, directing, theatre history and criticism, playwriting, design, theatre technology, theatre studies (education) and creative drama.

Why Study Theatre?

Perimeter College’s guided pathway in Theatre offers small class size, professional theatre faculty and “on the job” training as well as work on high-quality theatrical productions. Students are well-prepared for further college study or entry into the job market. Studying theatre allows students to develop the artistic depth and professional knowledge needed for pursuing careers in theatrical professions, non-profits, higher education and commercial enterprises.

Employers find theatre-trained applicants are valuable employees because they’re often energetic, enthusiastic and able to work under pressure. They generally have polished communications and human relations skills, and they’re experienced at working as members of a team toward a common goal. Most important, theatre graduates have developed self-confidence based on their experience of meeting difficult challenges.

A note on pathways: A pathway is an advising guide to help students prepare for their intended bachelor’s degree major. By following the course of study outlined in the appropriate Associate of Arts or Associate of Science pathway, students will have the necessary prerequisite courses to continue in their chosen disciplines. A pathway is not a major and will not be represented on the diploma.

Trustworthy AI is a new and fast-growing field that combines Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning with cybersecurity and privacy, two of the most in-demand subfields of computer science.

The complex nature of AI systems creates important challenges such as safety, security, privacy, fairness and ethics that must be addressed to ensure their trustworthiness which in turn will help accelerate their adoption for economic growth and future innovations.

This fully online graduate certificate program is designed primarily for working professionals who want to advance their careers. This is a unique program, one of the few of its kind in the nation.

In addition to machine learning and deep learning, online courses will cover topics such as robustness, reliability, security, privacy, fairness, accountability, transparency and ethics in AI systems. Students will gain knowledge and skills in trustworthy development, testing and deployment of AI systems.

This certificate program can also be stacked with the following Atlanta Campus master’s degree programs:

• Computer Science, M.S. (Security & Privacy Concentration)
• Data Science and Analytics, M.S. — Concentration in Big Data and Machine Learning

The minor in urban education provides undergraduate students with knowledge and experiences in urban education. Students select from course experiences offered from across departments in the College of Education & Human Development.

Looking to further your interest in urban topics? Ready for that next level? The Urban Studies Institute’s PhD in Urban Studies prepares students for academic and research careers at the forefront of urban analysis.Our doctoral students work alongside top faculty in their fields and join future leaders passionate about solving urban community issues.

The doctoral curriculum provides a rigorous grounding in urban theory and praxis and methodological training to analyze complex challenges emerging within urban environments and processes. Our program draws from the interdisciplinary expertise of core and affiliate faculty to enable students to build core analytical competencies and translational research skills needed to interpret, evaluate, and communicate across diverse urban domains. Students work with the support of faculty advisors to build a program of study tailored to their individual interests, objectives, and future goals.

The PhD in Urban Studies emphasizes the development of fundamental research competence, flexibility in the design of special area of study, and encouragement of joint student/faculty research and teaching.

The M.A. program in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies has three interrelated areas of concentration:

• Globalization
• Sexuality studies
• Social change

Our curriculum stands out for its emphasis on the intersections of gender and sexuality with race, nationalisms, ethnicity and transnationalism. We have a strong emphasis on queer theory and LGBTQ studies and the theory and practice of activism.

One distinction of our program is that students may complete one of three different kinds of theses:

• Research Thesis: an originally researched topic that contributes to a new area of gender and sexuality studies scholarship
• Creative Thesis: creative project in the arts, such as a play, an art exhibit or mixed-media work
• Action Research Thesis: an internship with a local social justice-oriented organization or other form of community and/or activist engagement

The World Language Teacher Graduate Certificate is for individuals who hold a university undergraduate or graduate degree (with a GPA higher than 2.50) to return for the preparation required to be recommended for clear and renewable certification (grades kindergarten through 12^th-grade) to the Georgia Performance Standards Commission (GaPSC) to teach a world language (Spanish, French, German, Chinese, Korean).

GSU World Languages and Cultures M.A. students may use nine credits from their program (FORL 6128 and electives FORL 8125 and FORL 8126), leaving only 9-12 more credits needed to be recommended for a renewable certificate.

This program is grounded in educational theory, research and best teaching practices, integrating principles of social justice and equity. Throughout the program, students take specialized education and content courses and gain practical experience in kindergarten through 12th grade. Faculty support teacher candidates in planning, instruction, assessment and reflection with colleagues, faculty and partner schools who are committed to excellence in education.

This program also includes the option of pursuing a  Dual Language Immersion endorsement for individuals with an interest in teaching elementary school courses (typically math, science and social science) in the target language with additional coursework.

For individuals seeking a Masters degree with teaching certification, the 30 credit Masters of Interdisciplinary Studies (MIS) in World Languages Education program affords program graduates the opportunity to explore multidisciplinary teaching with the possibility of an endorsement (ESOL, DLI, Urban Education) or to deepen their mastery of the target language. The World Language Teacher Graduate Certificate is embedded in the 30 credit MIS in World Languages Education. Thus, the MIS leads to a teaching degree with a clear and renewable (T5) induction certificate in the state of Georgia with a step advance on the pay scale above the (T4) certification only.

Education programs leading to professional licensure or certification (nursing, education, social work, counseling, accounting, allied health professions, etc.) may require additional approval from separate licensing boards, depending on the state. Students who live or plan to live outside Georgia and are considering a professional program should contact the appropriate board in their state of residency prior to beginning a course of study. To help students find the best-known contact information for the appropriate state licensing board and for a list of Georgia State program contacts, visit the Student Consumer Information website.