Degrees & Majors

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.

The Minor in Special Education High Incidence Disabilities provides undergraduate students with knowledge and experiences with the most common eligibility categories in special education. This program will explore the needs of students with behavior and/or learning disabilities (for example, learning disabilities, behavioral disorders, ADHD and mild intellectual disabilities) and will study the issues related to the settings and learning environments in which they are served. Completion of the minor does not lead to certification in special education. Students interested in teacher certification in special education should review the certification page and contact the College of Education & Human Development’s Office of Academic Assistance.

The Georgia State University Department of Learning Sciences offers several endorsements for advanced study in specific areas within special education for currently certified teachers or teacher candidates currently enrolled in a teacher certification program. Endorsements add to the body of knowledge that special education teachers possess and are offered as a supplement to teacher certification rather than a replacement. Teacher candidates seeking initial certification in special education should pursue the M.A.T. in special education. Our special education endorsements include: Special Education Autism Endorsement This endorsement provides general and special education teachers with advanced knowledge in teaching students with autism. This endorsement does not replace the requirement of holding either a special education general curriculum or special education adapted curriculum certificate. Special Education Preschool Endorsement This endorsement provides special education teachers with advanced knowledge in teaching preschool-aged learners with disabilities. To be eligible for the endorsement, individuals must hold a level four (4) or higher renewable professional certificate or be concurrently enrolled in a special education teacher certification program at Georgia State. Dyslexia and Other Reading Disabilities Endorsement – Online This endorsement provides general and special education teachers along with other school-based practitioners with advanced study in dyslexia and other reading disabilities. The endorsement provides foundational reading skills and theories, and provides educators with deep and broad knowledge of instruction and assessment related to reading and writing with an emphasis on dyslexia and other reading disabilities. This endorsement is offered as a fully online endorsement for students enrolled in the dyslexia and other reading disabilities endorsement (who are not also seeking teacher certification or a higher degree).

The Georgia State University Bachelor of Science in Education in Special Education degree prepares students to teach children and youth with disabilities who receive special education services in schools. Students in the program work closely with faculty who have extensive experience working with children and youth with disabilities and participate in both rigorous, practical coursework and applied classroom experiences. Teacher candidates who complete the program and receive a passing score on the appropriate GACE test(s) will be certified to teach in one of three special education areas. Our graduates go on to teach in charter, public, private, and specialized schools. Our two special education certification areas are: Adapted Curriculum Students on an adapted curriculum often have a diagnosed intellectual disability, and learn academic skills and functional life skills tailored to their individual needs. In Georgia schools, students on an adapted curriculum receive most of their academic instruction in small-group settings. General Curriculum Students with disabilities in the general curriculum follow the same curriculum as their peers without disabilities, but with specialized support and accommodations to meet their needs. In Georgia schools, students on a general curriculum receive most of their academic instruction in general education classroom settings. 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 …

The Master of Education in Special Education program provides students with a depth of knowledge and breadth of skill in educating students with disabilities required of a “master teacher” or an advanced service provider. Typically, individuals who enroll in this program are classroom teachers, behavior support specialists, instructional coaches or related service providers who have experience working with students with disabilities. These experiences may be in public schools, private schools or other alternative learning environments. The M.Ed. in special education does not lead to teacher certification. Applicants to the MED should carry a teacher certification. Students seeking initial teacher certification should consider our M.A.T. in Special Education. New for 2020 – We have a new initiative that hopes to recruit, train and support graduate students interested in graduating with an M.Ed. in Special Education. Project BEES scholars will learn to address the academic, behavioral and communication needs of children with high-intensity needs, such as those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) using evidence-based practices grounded in ABA, and will receive mentoring and professional development opportunities. The program is called Project Behavioral Early Education Scholars (BEES) and it can help provide financial support as you study for this degree. Learn more about this funding opportunity. CAREERS IN THIS FIELD: Special education teachers School and district-level leaders School-based consultants Continue to Ph.D. in Special Education

Georgia State University’s B.A. in Speech Communications focuses on how people develop communication skills, how we study communication phenomena, how we critically examine communication events and how various persuasive tactics may influence members of diverse and globalized societies. Elective courses examine such areas as nonverbal communication, media and politics, visual communication, communication disorders, health communication, mediation and conflict resolution, and communication and aging. The concepts and skills provided by this Georgia State major in speech are useful in a wide variety of occupations and will prove useful in the world of communications. In the heart of Atlanta, one of the world’s most vibrant media centers, the Department of Communication offers educational programs with the goal of producing productive and socially responsible citizens who understand communication theory and deploy communication skills to improve the human condition.

Georgia State University’s Master of Science in Sport Administration degree program prepares students with professional skills and knowledge to thrive in careers in the $300 billion sports business industry. Graduates who successfully complete this program work in a variety of sport industry segments, including professional sport, collegiate sport, event management, public relations, marketing agencies, non-profits, as well as international sport organizations. In 2023, the Sport Administration M.S. program was ranked as the #12 graduate program globally and #8 Graduates’ Choice by SportBusiness International.