General Information

Statement of Purpose

Georgia State University promotes the advancement of knowledge through excellence in teaching, research, and public service. The university meets the need for a broad range of educational opportunities in the international atmosphere of the largest population center in Georgia. This location affords students the opportunity to participate in a thriving artistic, economic, scientific, and social learning laboratory. The university serves individual students, other institutions of higher learning, social and government agencies, and a society at large in a creative climate of academic freedom and responsibility. Thus, the university provides direction and leadership by extending the boundaries of knowledge through research, teaching, and scholarly activity.

     Georgia State University endeavors to develop in each student a respect for the dignity and worth of the individual; a desire and capacity for critical reasoning; an appreciation and understanding of scholarship and creativity in the arts, humanities, and sciences; the ability to communicate; and the skills for continuing to acquire new knowledge. The university assists individuals of all ages to discover and to realize their potential to become a learning people rather than just learned people by offering undergraduate, graduate, and advanced professional programs, as well as expanded credit and noncredit educational opportunities in the continuing learning experience. The institution focuses on developing the requisites for competence, personal fulfillment, and responsible leadership in business and the professions, in the sciences, in the creative and performing arts, in government, and in public service.

Accreditaton

Georgia State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award Bachelor's, Master's, Educational Specialist, and Doctoral degrees.
     In the College of Arts and Sciences the School of Art and Design is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. The Department of Chemistry is accredited by the American Chemical Society. The School of Music is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. The clinical program in psychology is accredited by the American Psychological Association.

Graduate Degrees Offered by Georgia State University

College of Arts and Sciences

MASTER OF ART EDUCATION
MASTER OF ARTS
     with majors in anthropology, art history, communication, economics, English, French, geography, German, history, mathematics, philosophy, political science, psychology, sociology, Spanish, women's studies
MASTER OF ARTS FOR TEACHERS with a concentration in mathematics
MASTER OF FINE ARTS
     with majors in creative writing, studio art (seven areas of concentration)
MASTER OF HERITAGE PRESERVATION
MASTER OF MUSIC with concentrations in choral conducting, composition, instrumental conducting, jazz  studies, keyboard performance, music education, music theory, orchestral
  instrument performance, piano pedagogy, sacred music, voice performance
MASTER OF SCIENCE with majors in biology, chemistry, computer science, geology,
 mathematics, physics,  teaching english as a second language
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in astronomy, biological sciences, chemistry, English, history,
  physics, political  science, psychology, sociology

College of Business Administration

MASTER OF ACTUARIAL SCIENCE
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION with majors in accounting, decision sciences, economics, finance,      general business, information systems, international business, management, marketing, personnel and  employment relations, real estate, risk management and insurance MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION / JURIS DOCTOR
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION / MASTER OF HEALTH  ADMINISTRATION
MASTER OF PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANCY
MASTER OF SCIENCE with majors in business economics, computer information systems, decision sciences, finance, management, marketing, personal financial planning, personnel and  employment relations, risk management and insurance
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN REAL ESTATE
MASTER OF TAXATION
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in business administration with majors in accountancy, computer information systems, decision sciences, finance, health administration (inactive in 1996-98),  international business (inactive in 1996-98), management, marketing, operations management,  personnel and employment  relations,  real estate, risk management and insurance
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in economics

College of Education

MASTER OF EDUCATION with majors in behavior/learning disabilities, communication disorders,  early childhood education, education of students with hearing impairments, educational  administration and supervision, English education, health and physical education, mathematics education, middle childhood education, multiple and severe disabilities, reading instruction, school counseling, school psychometry, science education, social studies education, vocational education MASTER OF LIBRARY MEDIA with a major in library media technology
MASTER OF SCIENCE with majors in community counseling, educational psychology,  educational research, exercise science, human resource development, instructional technology,  recreation, rehabilitation counseling, social foundations of education, sports administration, sports  medicine
SPECIALIST IN EDUCATION with majors in art education, community counseling, early childhood education, educational administration and supervision, English education, health and  physical education, library media technology, mathematics education, middle childhood education, music education, pastoral counseling, reading instruction, rehabilitation counseling, school counseling, school psychology, science education, social studies education, special education, vocational education
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in counseling, counseling psychology, curriculum development and instructional processes, early childhood education, education of students with exceptionalities, educational administration and supervision, educational psychology, higher education, human resource development, instructional technology, language and literacy education, library media technology, mathematics education; research, measurement and statistics; school psychology, science education, social foundations of education, social studies education, sport science, vocational leadership

College of Health Sciences

MASTER OF SCIENCE with majors in allied health professions (concentrations in medical technology, nutrition and dietetics, physical therapy and respiratory therapy) ,criminal justice, nursing (concentration in adult health nursing, gerontological nursing, perinatal/women's health  CNS/NP, child health CNS/NP, adult psychiatric/mental health nursing, child and adolescent psychiatric/mental health nursing, and family nurse practitioner).
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in nursing (community nursing focus, family nursing focus, and  nursing education focus).

College of Law

JURIS DOCTOR
JURIS DOCTOR/MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
JURIS DOCTOR/MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

School of Policy Studies

MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION / JURIS DOCTOR
MASTER OF SCIENCE with a major in urban studies (with career tracks in community planning  and development, gerontology, human resources, nonprofit administration)
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in economics

Major Off-Campus Instruction Sites

North Metro Center

The North Metro Center, an off-campus site operated by Georgia State University, offers a variety of credit and noncredit programs to people living and working in the northern metropolitan area. The center is located at Corporate Campus III, 1140 Hammond Drive, Building J, Atlanta, Georgia, near Perimeter Mall.

Gwinnett Center

The Gwinnett Center, established as a classroom facility in fall 1989, is a cooperative effort among Georgia State University, the University of Georgia, and DeKalb College. The center is located at 1301 Atkinson Road, Lawrenceville, Georgia.

The Academic Common Market

Georgia State University participates in the Academic Common Market program managed by the Southern Regional Education Board. By interstate agreement, this structure enables southern states to share academic programs. Residents of the participating states who qualify for admission and gain the approval of their state coordinators may enroll on an in-state tuition basis for programs specified for their states.
     GSU programs include the M.A.S. in actuarial science, the Ph.D. in family/community nursing, the M.S. in geography (cartography), the M.B.A./M.H.A. and the Ph.D. in health administration, the M.S. in medical technology, the Ph.D. in nursing education, the M.S. in physical therapy, the M.S.R.E. in real estate, and the M.Tx. in taxation.

Libraries

William R. Pullen Library

The university's William R. Pullen Library houses more than 1,000,000 volumes and subscribes to more than 7,000 periodicals. The carefully selected collections are designed to serve not only the varied needs of undergraduate students, but also the special needs of professional and graduate students engaged in research. The library's catalog and selected periodical indexes are available to dial-up users of the GSU Computer Center.    
     It is a distinct advantage to the university that it is situated in a rich literary and cultural area. The library's book collections are supplemented by book collections of institutions of the University Center situated in the Atlanta-Athens area.
     The Special Collections Department of the library houses the Southern Labor Archives, one of the foremost national repositories for documenting the development of labor-management relations. The Popular Music Collection is also one of the leading centers of its type in the United States. Its holdings include the papers of the late world renowned lyricist, Johnny Mercer. Other components of Special Collections are the University Archives, the Rare Book Collection, the Photograph Collection, and the Georgia Government Documentation Project.
     The Pullen Library is open from 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday; and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday while school is in session. The library is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday between quarters.

College of Law Library

The College of Law Library is designed and equipped to meet the demanding research needs of today's students, faculty members, staff, and members of the legal community. With a collection of more than 130,000 hard-copy volumes and over 100,000 microform equivalent volumes, the library provides research materials in American, British, Canadian and international law. Holding 3,500 serial subscriptions, a large treatise collection, federal documents, and a considerable legal audio and video collection, the library provides the primary and secondary sources needed for legal research. The materials in the library are easy to locate by using the online catalog, OLLI, which also accesses materials in other libraries throughout Georgia.
     Experienced service-oriented librarians staff the reference desk during most of the library's 105 hours of operation each week. The College of Law Library is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Friday; from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday; and from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sunday. The Law Library maintains the same number of hours throughout the year, including breaks.

Information Systems and Technology

The office of Information Systems and Technology (IS&T), under the direction of the associate provost, IS&T, administers the work of the offices of Administrative Information Systems, Institutional Research, Telecommunication Services, and Wells Computer Center. Through these offices, IS&T provides campus-wide customer service for information technology, and among other assignments is responsible for: 1) implementing university-wide IS&T planning, 2) establishing effective advisory structures of information technology (IT), 3) improving the institution's networking and computing infrastructure, 4) planning and implementing a movement to client/server-based applications, and 5) facilitating the provision of consistent information for effective decision making throughout the university community.
     IS&T provides support and assistance to the university community in the effective use of information technology through the operation of groups charged with the responsibility for addressing client services, information presentation services, networking, systems programming, database administration, operation, and technology-enhanced classrooms. It provides collaborative assistance for specific academic or administrative information technology initiatives and infrastructure support. It administers the records of students' formal programs of instruction and provides the capability of administering the business-related activities of the university.
     IS&T is a liaison between state telecommunications office and the university community. This service includes administering telephone installations and changes, providing consultation and advice to the university community on telecommunication projects, services, and prices, and providing directory and operator assistance to the public, students, faculty and staff.
     IS&T staff provide training and computer-assisted instruction and short courses. Consultants are available to assist users on an individual basis and telephone help lines for faculty and general users are maintained. Communication with the user community is further implemented through a newsletter, technical publications, and an online electronic mail box for user problems and questions.
     The basic elements of the infrastructure are large scale computers, network file servers, open access labs, central printing services, and the campus network that connects all these elements together and to the outside world through PeachNet and the InterNet. Related services include installation and support for departmental local area networks connected to the campus network, minicomputer hardware maintenance, training, consulting, and publications.
     Large-scale computing is offered via an Amdahl 5995-500 using IBM'S MVS/XA operating system and a Unisys 2200/500, which supports the library. A Silicon Graphics Power Challenge L provides support for research and instructional use. A Sun Sparc Server 1000 supports Unix-based E-mail services.
     More than 100 network fileservers provide access to centrally supplied software, support electronic mail (GroupWise) and provide services to more than 4,000 microcomputer workstations, including more than 450 workstations in open and instructional labs.
     Campus printing resources include more than 250 low-speed remote network printers, and a central printing complex consisting of a Xerox Docuprint network printer, a Xerox Docutech Publisher, a Xerox 4850 spot color printer, and a Xerox 4700 full-color printer.

Information Systems and Technology Open Labs

The IS&T has two open access labs on the downtown campus and one open access lab at the North Metro Center.

109 Library South
     Open 24 hours per day, seven days a week (Hours during quarter break and holidays are different).
 120  Kell Hall
     9am-9pm, Monday Thursday. 9am-5pm, Friday.
North Metro Center
     9am-9pm, Monday Friday.

All labs contain IBM-compatible microcomputers connected to a local area network and a high-speed dot matrix printer. In addition, each lab on campus has a laser printer available. The main lab located in 109 Library South also has five MacIntosh computers and a list of software available in all labs.

Division of Continuing Education

Georgia State University with its unique urban setting offers to the community a full range of academic resources, beyond the confines of the formal academic classroom. The Division of Continuing Education aids in the utilization of these resources. The university's response to the needs of the urban area is found in the effective use of public service programs such as workshops, seminars, conferences and short courses. By coordinating the individual efforts of the colleges and support units within the university and by providing logistical support, the Division of Continuing Education strives to enhance the service activities of Georgia State University as it addresses itself to the needs of a growing community.

External Affairs

GSU Welcome Center

The GSU Welcome Center, located in Alumni Hall, was created to provide an official reception area for visitors to the university. Prospective students, visitors, and alumni are welcomed and furnished directions and information about GSU and its programs and activities. The Welcome Center staff provides personalized tours of the campus for individuals and groups and offers a variety of printed materials of interest and information on GSU and other points of interest in Atlanta. For tours or information, contact the Welcome Center, 134 Alumni Hall, University Plaza, Atlanta, Georgia 30303-3083, telephone 404/651-3900.

Department of University Relations

Promoting and providing those are the two basic functions of the Department of University Relations. The department serves as Georgia State's ambassador of information by promoting the university and providing information to key constituents.
     To fulfill these two functions, the Department of University Relations produces publications ( The Insider, The Source, GSU Magazine , to internal and external audiences; strengthens Georgia State's connections to the community through The Speakers Bureau and other special projects; responds to inquiries from the media and promotes the "Georgia State story" to the press; and coordinates advertising and marketing projects to advance the university's image.
     By taking the lead in communicating stories about the university's programs and people, the Department of University Relations helps build support for Georgia State's goals and ambitions.

Alumni Association

The Georgia State University Alumni Association, Inc., serves as the link between former students and the university. Membership in the association is conferred at the time of graduation, and is also open to former students who have not graduated from the university. The alumni newsletter, The Source, is mailed to alumni and provides current information about the university and alumni.
     The association exists to support and strengthen the objectives of Georgia State University. Control of the association is vested in a volunteer board of directors. Through the fund-raising efforts of staff and volunteers, financial support is provided to scholarship and loan programs for current students, an Alumni Distinguished Professor award to recognize outstanding teaching, and grants to a variety of university departments and programs.
     Association activities, such as alumni club activities, volunteer identification and cultivation events, faculty and staff recognitions, Spring Festival and the Student Alumni Association, are planned to encourage interaction between alumni and the various communities of the university. Records are maintained through a computerized data system. This system provides the university's colleges and departments, as well as the association, with access to alumni addresses and other data. Association offices are located in Alumni Hall.

University Development

The Office of University Development conducts activities to secure funds from the private sector (alumni, faculty, corporations, foundations, and others) to support GSU programs and needs. University Development works with volunteers, the Georgia State University Foundation, the Alumni Association, the Athletics Association, the Education Foundation, the Pullen Library, and the GSU colleges and other units: (1) to maintain a list of university priorities to be met with private funds; (2) to identify prospective funding sources; and (3) to plan and implement strategies to cultivate, educate, involve and solicit the private sector for annual and special gifts.
     University Development is organized as a centralized division operating in a decentralized institutional environment and is responsible for the university-wide coordination of all private gift solicitation. All university development activities are under the direction of the vice president for development, with development directors assigned to the colleges, library, athletics and other units.The GSU Annual Fund campaign was started in 1966 by the Alumni Association, and now a combination of development staff and volunteers (alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends) solicit annual gifts to support both university-wide and discipline-based programs. Capital, endowment and other special campaigns are also conducted to obtain major gifts to support university priorities and specific needs in the academic disciplines. During the late 1990s, the first GSU comprehensive campaign will be launched and completed.

The GSU Foundation

The Georgia State Foundation, Inc. is an independent, nonprofit, tax exempt charity incorporated under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and a gift to the foundation qualifies as a tax deductible charitable donation. The GSU Foundation was originally chartered on January 13, 1958 as the Georgia State College Foundation, Inc. and changed its name in 1969 after Georgia State College became Georgia State University. Management of the GSU Foundation is vested in a self-perpetuating Board of Trustees, and the foundation receives an annual independent audit. Through its board and committee structure, the GSU Foundation gives alumni and other volunteer friends a personal opportunity to help Georgia State accomplish its mission and goals.
     The GSU Foundation exists solely to raise, receive, manage, and disburse private gift funds for the benefit of Georgia State University. The vast majority of private support from individuals and organizations is contributed through the GSU Foundation, and the university receives 100 percent of the income from GSU Foundation assets. The private support generated by the GSU Foundation for scholarships, academic disciplines, endowments and other programs provides essential extra funds to help Georgia State University attain its goals of excellence and distinctiveness . Other smaller nonprofit entities which may receive gifts on behalf of Georgia State University include the Athletics Association, the Education Foundation, and the Research Foundation.

University Non-Discrimination Policies

Georgia State University is an equal educational opportunity institution. Faculty, staff and students are admitted, employed and treated without regard to race, sex, color, age, religion, national origin, or disability. Georgia State University complies with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, Sections 503/504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act, as well as other applicable federal and state laws. In compliance with these laws and regulations, Georgia State University has established the following specific policies:

(A) Disabilities:

     Pursuant to Sections 503/504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Georgia State University provides program accessibility and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. Specifically, Georgia State University provides evaluation of individual needs, advisement, and appropriate support for academic programs of identified persons with disabilities. Students with disabilities have the responsibility of contacting the Office of Disability Services for an in-take interview to assess their needs prior to their first quarter of enrollment at Georgia State University. Subsequently, these students have the responsibility of submitting a class schedule each quarter to the Office of Disability Services (Room 153 Sparks Hall), identifying themselves and their needs to each professor no later than the first day of class each quarter, and notifying the Office of Disability Services as soon as possible should any problems arise concerning their academic program. Faculty and staff members with disabilities have the responsibility of contacting the Affirmative Action Office (Room 344, One Park Place South) for an in-take interview to assess their needs.

(B) Civil Rights and Equal Employment Opportunities:

     Georgia State University provides equal employment and educational opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, sex, age, religion, color, national origin or disability. All Georgia State University educational and personnel actions will be governed by an affirmative action program developed in compliance with applicable federal and state law and regulations, as well as policies of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.

(C) Discriminatory and Sexual Harassment:

     In an effort to foster a community in which there can be a free and open development of ideas, Georgia State University is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free of discriminatory and sexual harassment. Georgia State University has adopted a Harassment Policy and Procedures, a copy of which can be obtained from the offices of the Georgia State University Affirmative Action Director, Ombudsperson and/or Dean of Students. In addition to the procedures obtained in the Georgia State University Harassment policy, discriminatory and sexual harassment complaints may also be filed with the appropriate state and federal agencies.
     A complaint covered by the above laws and regulations may be filed with the Georgia State University Affirmative Action Office, the Ombudsperson, the Dean of Students and/or the respective administrative unit and college. Complaints may also be filed with the appropriate state or federal agencies.

Policy on Disruptive Behavior

     The following is an excerpt from the policy of the Board of Regents regarding disruptive behavior in any institution of the University System of Georgia:
     "...the Board of Regents stipulates that any student, faculty member, administrator or employee, acting individually or in concert with others, who clearly obstructs or disrupts, or attempts to obstruct or disrupt any teaching, research, administrative, disciplinary or public service activity, or any other activity, authorized to be discharged or held on any campus of the University System of Georgia is considered by the Board to have committed an act of gross irresponsibility and shall be subject to disciplinary procedures, possibly resulting in dismissal or termination of employment.
     "The Board reaffirms its belief that all segments of the academic community are under a strong obligation and have a mutual responsibility to protect the campus community from disorderly, disruptive, or obstructive actions which interfere with academic pursuits of teaching, learning and other campus activities.
     "The Board of Regents understands that this policy is consistent with resolutions adopted by the American Association of University Professors in April, 1968, by the Association of American Colleges in January, 1968, and by the Executive Committee of the Association for Higher Education in March, 1968, condemning actions taken to disrupt the operations of institutions of higher education."

University Code of Conduct

Membership in the community of scholars known as Georgia State University as a student, faculty member, or staff member is a privilege and carries with it obligations to participate in and contribute to the educational mission of the institution.
     Concurrent with these obligations are rights and freedoms for each individual as guaranteed by the United States Constitution, including but not limited to the right to inquire, to learn, to communicate by speech of action, to assemble peaceably and the right to due process for grievances. These rights are more specifically provided in the Student Code of Conduct and Policies. The Student Code of Conduct and Policies, the Regulations and Laws Regarding Drugs and Alcohol, and the information required by the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act can be found in the student handbook, On Campus.

Federal and State Law Disclosure Requirements

Federal and state laws require all colleges and universities receiving federal funds to establish certain programs, policies, and procedures, and to distribute an annual report describing them and providing statistics regarding: graduation rates; drug, alcohol and weapon violations; and certain crimes on campus, which include murder, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft and sex offenses. Georgia State University's annual report and information regarding these programs, policies, procedures and statistics are available upon a written request directed to the Georgia State University Office of Public Information; One Park Place South; Suite 503; Atlanta, Georgia 30303.

Integrity in Research

Georgia State University maintains high ethical standards in research and requires all faculty, staff, and students engaged in research to comply with those standards. Cases of misconduct in research present a serious threat to continued public confidence in the integrity of the research process and the stewardship of federal funds. Misconduct is defined as fabrication, falsification, plagiarism or other practices that seriously deviate from those that are commonly accepted within the scholarly community for proposing, conducting, or reporting research. Georgia State will investigate and resolve promptly and fairly all instances of alleged or apparent misconduct. To obtain a copy of the Integrity in Research Policy, contact the Office of the Vice President for Research.

Intellectual Property

In complying with the policies of the Board of Regents, Georgia State Universtiy has adopted policies concerning the ownership and subsequent rights to intellectual property created by faculty, staff, and students. Intellectual property pertains to any patentable materials, copyrightable materials, trademarks, software and trade secrets, whether or not formal protection is sought. It is the responsibility of the individual to ascertain whether Georgia State University owns the intellectual property. To obtain a copy of the Intellectual Property Policy, contact the Office of the Vice President for Research.