Degrees & Majors

The Sign Language Interpreting undergraduate post-baccalaureate certificate prepares students with the theoretical and practical knowledge needed to enter the field of American Sign Language/English interpretation. Students develop confidence in American Sign Language and English, proficiency in linguistic and cultural analysis, and the interpersonal skills needed to develop a relevant and sound professional practice. Interpreters work within a variety of venues and settings, including kindergarten through grade 12 and post-secondary educational settings, video relay service, community events, medical and mental health settings, and performance and theatrical interpreting. This certificate program is for students who have previously earned a bachelor’s degree.

Social Foundations of Education is an interdisciplinary master’s program that examines the historical and contemporary factors that shape educational inequity and injustice in our society. Course topics engage students in discourse about the influence race, class, disability and gender have on education and school systems.

Students are prepared to:

• Develop critical perspectives on education, inside and outside school.
• Evaluate the complex interrelationships among school, society, education and culture.
• Incorporate a number of disciplines, including history, philosophy, sociology, anthropology, political science and cultural studies.
• M.S. students in Social Foundations work closely with their advisors to craft a program of study that is individualized according to student interests. Customizing student coursework allows students to take courses in the university’s other colleges and schools (for example, Arts and Sciences, Public Policy, Public Health and so on).

Some of the courses are online

The Social Studies Education M.A.T. program is designed for students who hold a bachelor’s degree and seek an initial teaching certification in Secondary Social Studies, grades 6-12.  This program leads to a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) and a clear and renewable (T5) Induction Certificate in Georgia.

Social studies educators teach learners intellectual skills and knowledge across the history, geography, political science and economic content areas. Our urban communities need highly skilled, compassionate and advocacy-oriented social studies teachers whose content knowledge and instructional practice honor students’ diversity and promote equity. Social studies teachers create learning environments that develop young citizens who can productively participate in our democracy and the global community.

The secondary Social Studies degree program is grounded in educational theory, research and best practice, integrating principles of social justice and equity. Throughout the program, students take specialized education and content courses and gain practical teaching experience in grades 6-12. Our dynamic program features technology integration and offers study-abroad opportunities. Faculty support planning, instruction, assessment and reflection with colleagues, faculty and partner schools who are committed to excellence in education.

Concentrations include: History, Geography, Political Science and Economics content areas.

The Master of Social Work program strives to prepare students for social work leadership roles in the effort to solve, in partnerships with others, the existing and developing challenges that confront communities in the United States and internationally. Community partnerships, based on a generalist practice model, is the sole focus of the M.S.W. program. Students in the Community Partnerships specialization are educated to advance the needs and capacities of the total community by promoting social and economic justice and maximizing human potential. They are educated to commit themselves to addressing the life circumstances, such as poverty, violence, discrimination, and disparities in social and economic justice that fall disproportionately on vulnerable groups and challenge the spirit of the entire community. This unique focus provides students with the opportunity to learn about social issues facing urban communities through a social and economic justice framework. Our graduates have become leaders in various service delivery sectors including health care, public child welfare services, non profit management, and numerous other contexts.

To accomplish the mission of the M.S.W. program, the School of Social Work has set forth these goals: (1) students will be able to think critically and communicate effectively in the application of social work knowledge, skills, and values to community partnerships practice; and (2) students will be able to engage as social work leaders to build and strengthen communities.

Social workers fight for social justice, help children and families, improve connections in communities and improve lives. It’s a noble profession and it can lead to a rewarding career for you. Jobs are numerous, including roles in hospitals, community health centers, schools, homeless shelters, nursing homes and nonprofit organizations. The bachelor of social work will prepare you for entry level work with these types of employers and also will make you ready to enter a master of social work program in the future.

Our curriculum is focused on nine competencies that are connected to our accreditation and licensure rules in Georgia.

• You will have a foundation for understanding human behavior in a variety of different contexts and social settings.
• You will practice methods for intervention with individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations, and systems.
• The curriculum is designed to develop your skill in:
  • critical thinking and ethics
  • intervention approaches with diverse populations
  • understanding of human functioning and the social environment
  • practice evaluation and research.

Getting started: You can apply to the BSW program for admission after you completed your lower division classes, which typically takes two years. You can start at Georgia State as an “Exploratory Social Work” status student while you gather the necessary credits and then apply to be a BSW student the spring before your junior year.

Your success matters: You will work with the undergraduate advisement center throughout your time at Georgia State to make sure you are enrolling in the correct courses.

Georgia State Baccalaureate Social Work Program Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes.

What Is Sociology?

Sociology, one of the youngest of the social sciences, is the study of social interaction, social change and the social causes and consequences of group behavior. The range of topics explored by sociologists is broad, including social stratification and inequality, race relations, gender and sexuality, marriage and family, crime and violence, economics and politics, and religion.

Why Study Sociology?

Students studying sociology explore fascinating and controversial topics such as crime, deviance, social inequity, gender roles, family life, racism and prejudice, globalization, work and occupations. Understanding what drives human interactions gives students a new perspective on their place in society. By studying social relationships and exploring controversial topics, students will have a greater understanding of the forces that drive social behaviors and have the opportunity to make a positive impact on society. Sociologists often examine and address issues related to:

• Domestic Violence
• Poverty
• Homelessness
• Government Assistance Programs
• Refugees

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.

The B.A. /M.A. Program is appropriate for qualified Georgia State University undergraduate students who have completed two years as a Sociology major with a GPA of 3.5. Students may pursue a dual Bachelor of Arts in sociology and either a Master of Arts in Sociology or Master of Arts in Gerontology.

Dual undergraduate/graduate programs enable admitted undergraduate students to begin taking specified graduate courses during their senior year (or earlier in some cases) and count the coursework toward both the undergraduate and graduate degrees. Students in dual programs are enrolled in each degree program either concurrently or in close succession. Dual degrees may, therefore, be awarded at the same time, or one degree may be awarded prior to the second.

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.