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The information shared here is intended to provide an overview of Georgia State University’s offerings. For official details on admissions requirements, tuition, courses and more please refer to the university catalogs.
Psychology, Ph.D., Cognitive & Affective Neuroscience
The Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience (CAN) concentration focuses on the neural bases for cognitive and affective processes in humans, and typically uses a combination of psychological experimental methods and non-invasive imaging techniques in healthy populations. Our program is unique in that some faculty also focus on clinical populations or the translational components of noninvasive nonhuman primate-based research. The focus of this work is on its direct or translational value to human cognition and emotional systems. Graduate students earn a master’s degree en route to the Ph.D. degree. The CAN Ph.D. concentration does not provide clinical training nor is the primary work in behavioral neuroscience. Students interested in neuropsychology and clinical licensure should apply to the Clinical Neuropsychology (CLN) concentration. Students interested in behavioral neuroscience and/or research on basic model organisms should apply to the Neuroscience Institute. The CAN and other faculty with neuroimaging research interests are involved in the Center for Translational Research in Neuroimaging and Data Science (TReNDS) with regular presentations and speaker series, collaborative projects and research initiatives. Georgia State has a rich neuroscience community that fosters collaboration among our colleagues in the Neuroscience Institute and the Georgia State/Georgia Tech Center for Advanced Brain Imaging. Welcome from the Directors of Graduate Studies FAQs for Graduate Program Applicants Faculty Accepting Students
Psychology, Ph.D., Cognitive Sciences
The Cognitive Sciences concentration encompasses interdisciplinary interests in experimental psychology, neuroscience, philosophy, computer science and translational science. With cognition as its unifying thread, the program provides opportunities to specialize in research and training in basic or applied cognitive psychology, cognitive neuroscience, social cognition, language and cognitive development, psycholinguistics and comparative cognition. Research methods include noninvasive behavioral and cognitive testing with children, adults and non-human primates, as well as electroencephalography, magnetic resonance imaging, transcranial magnetic stimulation, diffusion tensor imaging, eye-tracking, virtual reality/virtual environment testing, neurogenomics and cognitive neuroinformatics. We accept students with wide-ranging interests across the cognitive sciences for this terminal Ph.D. program. Students shape their own programs of research in consultation with their advisers. Prospective applicants should contact faculty for more information about individual research programs. Specific faculty interests include learning and memory; language acquisition and use, including the roles of experience, gesture and specific brain structures and processes; economic decision-making; attention and executive functioning (such as metacognition, planning, cognitive control); false memories and eyewitness accuracy; decision-making, including speeded judgments, economic decision-making and reasoning; inequity perception and response; comparative cognition; individual and group differences (such as species, race, gender, diagnostic category, age); cooperation and prosocial behavior; and brain-behavior relations that underlie various cognitive competencies. Welcome from the Directors of Graduate Studies FAQs for Graduate Program Applicants Faculty Accepting Students
Psychology, Ph.D., Community Psychology
Ph.D. students in the Community Psychology concentration receive training that will enable them to conduct research and collaborate with communities to improve the well-being of individuals and social settings. Community psychologists: Seek to expand "helping" beyond traditional psychotherapy to promote wellness. Engage in action-oriented research to develop, implement and evaluate programs. Base their work on a scientific foundation to better understand the multiple influences of the social environment on health and wellness. Build collaborative relationships with community members, groups and organizations to solve social problems. Consult with and provide tools to organizations to build capacity to address social problems such as exploitation and victimization. Analyze government, civic life and workplace settings to understand and improve fair and diverse participation. Fight oppression, seek to reduce social inequalities and work with marginalized people toward their empowerment. The department also offers a joint concentration in community-clinical psychology and a dual program in public health and community psychology. Students in the Clinical-Community (CLC) concentration seek training in clinical and community psychology and aim to be eligible for clinical licensure following graduation. Dual enrollment provides a strengths-based, culturally competent approach to mental health and healthy development that emphasizes theory, research and practice at multiple levels of analysis — psychological, sociopolitical and ecological. The dual M.P.H.-Ph.D. program in Public Health and Community Psychology provides professional and graduate students with a solid and well-rounded background across two disciplines. Successful candidates will earn a master of public health degree upon completion of the graduate health behavior and promotion concentration or the epidemiology concentration offered by the School of Public Health and a Doctor of Philosophy degree (Ph.D.) upon completion of the community psychology concentration. Our faculty share a common perspective as researchers rooted in psychology and informed by related disciplines, such as education, public health, sociology and women’s studies. We share an emphasis on changing resources, social norms and public policies that affect individuals and the contexts surrounding people’s lives (for example, social institutions, neighborhoods, families). We are involved at the local, state, national and international levels and work with community and governmental organizations to design, implement and investigate the efficacy of social interventions using a variety of research methods ranging from rigorous experimental designs to qualitative case studies. We collaborate with community partners to evaluate and improve existing programs. Welcome from the Directors of Graduate Studies FAQs for Graduate Program Applicants Faculty Accepting Students
Public Administration, M.P.A.
Andrew Young School of Policy Studies
The Georgia State Master of Public Administration (MPA) is the degree of choice for individuals with an interest in public affairs and professional management in the public and nonprofit sectors. Whether you’re seeking a first job in government or with a nonprofit organization, or are interested in advancing in an existing career, Georgia State's MPA program provides the skills and knowledge government and nonprofit agencies seek. Join us as we explore new ideas and perspectives on public and nonprofit administration, policy and governance in the 21st century. Our MPA program is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA). Read the NASPAA Code of Good Practice. The college is also a member of the Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management. Recent national studies have ranked our overall public affairs curriculum among the top 21 programs nationwide, and among the top 10 for public finance and budgeting, urban policy, nonprofit management and local government management. Our Department of Public Management and Policy provides access to a community of research and teaching scholars with national and international reputations for their expertise and contributions to knowledge and practice across a broad range of administrative processes and policy concerns. For answers to frequently asked questions about the MPP program (and its sibling MPA program), check here.
Public Administration/Juris Doctor, M.P.A./J.D.
Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, College of Law
The College of Law and the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies offer a joint Master of Public Administration/Juris Doctor degree. This joint program provides an opportunity to pursue studies in law and public affairs and public management concurrently. Students in the program use credit hours earned in one program to satisfy some or all of the elective course requirements for the other program, earning both degrees one to two terms earlier than would be required to earn each separately.
Public Health, Accelerated B.S./MPH
Public Health, Accelerated B.S./MPH
School of Public Health
The School of Public Health at Georgia State University offers the accelerated 4+1 Bachelor of Science/Master of Public Health program to eligible undergraduate students. The program is rigorous, demanding and designed to provide high-achieving students the opportunity to earn up to 16 graduate credits while completing their Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree.
Tuition
Learn more about the cost of a degree, or use Georgia State’s Cost Calculator to get an idea of the investment required for your path of study. For information on how to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and to determine eligibility, visit the FAFSA tips page.
Georgia State is dedicated to making our programs affordable and accessible to all prospective students because we value the investment each student makes in their education. We understand that the path to a student's future shouldn’t be blocked due to finances and we pride ourselves on offering financial assistance and scholarships that can support students through their education.
Public Health, B.S.
School of Public Health
Located in the heart of Atlanta, a global hub of public health expertise, Georgia State’s School of Public Health provides a practice-based education in a thriving global city, creating leaders who are prepared to advance health equity and address urgent challenges. Our location facilitates real-world learning opportunities with the CDC, American Cancer Society and international organizations such as CARE and the Task Force for Global Health, as well as a range of private sector companies and community non-profits. As a public institution, we are committed to both excellence and value. Georgia State is ranked the #2 most innovative university in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, and The New York Times has called our institution an “engine of social mobility.” The Bachelor of Science in Public Health program includes elements of the life and biological sciences, social sciences and humanities to provide students with an understanding of public health from a broad spectrum of approaches. Students will build the knowledge and skills needed to excel in a wide array of public health professions, or to continue on to graduate school in any number of medical, science, social science or public health fields. About the School of Public Health Located in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia State’s School of Public Health provides a practice-based education in a thriving global city, creating leaders who are prepared to advance health equity and address urgent challenges. Public Health students engage in practicum opportunities throughout greater Atlanta’s vibrant public health community in places such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, local government agencies and international non-governmental organizations. Learn more about the School of Public Health
Public Management and Leadership Graduate Certificate
Andrew Young School of Policy Studies
The Graduate Certificate program in Public Management and Leadership provides basic preparation for students seeking a role as a leader at a government agency or a nonprofit organization. Students who pursue a certificate in Public Management and Leadership benefit in several ways: Enhanced Management and Leadership Skills: Specialized training in management and leadership principles specifically tailored for the public sector. The knowledge and skills necessary to lead teams effectively, manage resources, make strategic decisions, and navigate complex organizational challenges. Competitive Advantage: Demonstration of professional development and commitment to contemporary methodologies. Employers value candidates with a strong foundation in leadership and management practices. Career Advancement: Certification can serve as a catalyst for career advancement within the public sector. Students become better equipped to tackle complex challenges and drive organizational change. Understanding of Public Sector Dynamics: Insights into the political, social, and economic contexts in which public organizations operate enabling students to navigate the intricacies of public policy, stakeholder engagement, budgeting, and public service delivery. Professional Networking: Valuable connections, mentorship opportunities, and access to job openings. Building a strong professional network enhances career prospects and provides ongoing support for personal and professional growth. Effective Public Service Delivery: Crucial skills for ensuring the effective delivery of public services. Students are equipped with the knowledge and tools to improve organizational performance, implement innovative strategies, and enhance public services.
Public Policy, B.S.
By pursuing a degree in Public Management and Policy students will acquire skills in professional writing, evidence-based critical thinking and policy analysis in the policy core coursework and in elective concentrations. Students can choose from three distinct concentrations: Nonprofit Leadership, Planning and Economics Development, and Public Management and Governance. Students also will gain valuable skills during the internship course portion of their program. This program prepares students for a leadership or management career in public services.
Public Policy, M.P.P.
Andrew Young School of Policy Studies
The Georgia State Master of Public Policy (M.P.P.) is an interdisciplinary degree program that prepares students for work in the analysis, development and evaluation of public policies. In all levels of government and on a global scale, public needs and limited resources require public policy choices that are economically efficient, socially and technically effective, and politically responsive. Such choices confront policymakers in a broad range of critical issues, including health, education, economic development, public finance, social policy, nonprofit policy and disaster policy. The Andrew Young School is a member of the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management, the principal professional organization for scholars and practitioners in the field of public policy. Our public policy and public affairs programs were recently ranked #19 among all programs nationwide, and among the top 10 for public finance and budgeting, urban policy, nonprofit management and local government management. Our Department of Public Management and Policy provides access to a community of research and teaching scholars with national and international reputations for their expertise and contributions to knowledge and practice across a broad range of administrative processes and policy concerns in the arena of public service. For answers to frequently asked questions about the MPP program (and its sibling MPA program), check here.
Public Policy, P.h.D.
Societal needs—for economic growth, better health care, environmental protection, etc.—and resource limitations challenge policymakers to make difficult public policy choices. The doctoral program in public policy prepares its graduates to conduct original research to help scholars and policymakers understand the trade-offs involved in such choices across a broad range of critical issues. Students can focus on: Policy analysis and program evaluation: How can we predict the consequences of our policy choices? What values should drive those choices? How can we determine which government and nonprofit programs work – producing benefits that exceed their costs? Public budgeting and finance: How can governments raise the funds necessary to provide public services in as equitable a manner as possible without impeding economic growth? How should and do governments decide which services and programs to fund? How can taxes achieve socially desirable goals? Public and nonprofit management: How should functions be divided among the governmental, nonprofit and for-profit sectors? How should managers allocate financial and human resources to meet public needs? How should managers balance equity and efficiency claims? Urban and regional planning and development: How can we assess and evaluate the complex and dynamic context and forces that shape the growth of cities, communities and regions? What strategies can be employed to promote equitable and sustainable development? What roles do systems (for example, transportation, housing) play in creating the environments and communities we desire?
Public Policy, P.h.D. (Joint with Georgia Tech)
The joint doctoral program in public policy combines the strengths of Georgia State's Andrew Young School of Policy Studies and the Georgia Institute of Technology’s School of Public Policy. The Andrew Young School ranked 19th overall among graduate programs in public affairs in a recent U.S. News & World Report ranking, as well as No. 8 in local government management, No. 5 in public finance and budgeting, No. 4 in urban policy, No. 8 in nonprofit management, No. 16 in public management and leadership, and No. 17 in public policy analysis. Our faculty was the 5th most prolific in public administration journals over the past decade. U.S. News & World Report has ranked Georgia Tech’s School of Public Policy No. 4 in information and technology management and No. 11 in environmental policy and management.
Qualitative Research in Education, Graduate Certificate
If you’re enrolled in a doctoral program at Georgia State, you’re eligible to study for a graduate certificate in Qualitative Research in Education. The program is for those interested in conducting research or gaining expertise in qualitative research. To earn the certificate, you must complete a minimum of eight 3-credit-hour doctoral-level qualitative research methods courses with a collective GPA of 3.5 or higher in those courses, with no grade lower than a B in any course to be counted toward the certificate.
The Quality Assurance in Life Science Industries certificate program is designed to help students develop the skills needed to increase the assurance of quality, safety and efficacy of medical products and consumer goods. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5.4% growth in job openings in this field over the next 10 years, making quality assurance a useful area of study for students majoring in neuroscience, biology, chemistry, biomedical science, health administration, and other STEM disciplines. The curriculum was developed in partnership with Pathway for Patient Health, a nonprofit organization that provides a multitude of resources to prepare students for quality assurance jobs in life science industries. The key benefits to students in the certificate program are: Unique classes that enable students to learn the in-demand skills that life science industries are seeking in their workforce A Certified Quality Science Professionals micro-credential to ensure employers are aware of your skillset Access to mentorship and internship opportunities Access to a life science industries job portal A curriculum designed to keep you on track to graduate on time. By consulting with an advisor, your course selections for this certificate should not cause you to take longer to graduate.
Quantitative Research in Education, Graduate Certificate
If you're enrolled in a doctoral program at Georgia State, you're eligible to study for a graduate certificate in Quantitative Research in Education. The program is for those interested in conducting research or gaining expertise in quantitative research. To earn the certificate, you must complete a minimum of eight 3-credit-hour doctoral-level quantitative research methods courses with a collective GPA of 3.5 or higher in those courses, with no grade lower than a B in any course to be counted toward the certificate.
Reading Endorsement
College of Education & Human Development
The Reading Endorsement qualifies an individual to be considered "in field" in reading at the level of the base certificate. Teachers pursuing the reading endorsement may be enrolled as non-degree students or may be enrolled in specific programs. We offer graduate courses in literacy, which apply to Georgia’s Reading Endorsement for classroom teachers. These courses focus on three areas (a) understanding readers and the reading process, (b) linking assessment and instruction and (c) using instructional strategies in specific content areas. Successful completion of the three courses and the portfolio qualifies a person for the bachelor’s, master’s or specialist endorsement, depending on the level of certification. *We also offer a Reading Endorsement Online course of nine semester hours. In our Department of Early Childhood and Elementary Education, courses in Reading Recovery and literacy are also offered. To learn details about this program, visit the Urban Literacy Clinic.