Degrees & Majors
Georgia State’s online programs are designed and taught by the same faculty who teach on-campus. Choose from dozens of degrees and certificates that will propel your career forward.
The information shared here is intended to provide an overview of Georgia State’s offerings. For official details on admissions requirements, tuition, courses and more please refer to the university catalogs.
Programs labeled offer all classes required to meet the degree requirements online. Note: Some programs may have in-person orientation and/or skills testing requirements.
Programs labeled as hybrid offer 50% or more of required courses online. The amount of in-person class or meeting times vary among the programs using this modality.
Sociology
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.
Speech Communication
What Is Speech Communication?
Speech communication explores the construction, diffusion, analysis and impact of messages as they occur among individuals, groups, organizations and cultures in the media age. Communication focuses on how people develop communication skills and examines communication phenomena and events. It studies how various persuasive tactics may influence members of diverse and globalized societies.
Why Study Speech Communication?
Speech communication offers a balanced educational curriculum of liberal arts and science courses focused on improving speaking and interpersonal skills and providing an introduction to business, intercultural and mass communication. The concepts and skills provided by speech communication are useful in a wide variety of occupations and in the world of communications.
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.
Sport Management Pathway, A.S.
Sport Management
What Is Sport Management?
The study of Sport Management examines the impact of economic, social and legal influences on the administration and management of sport organizations.
Why Study Sport Management?
The study of Sport Management provides students an opportunity to learn the multiple dimensions involved in managing a sports organization. Students will explore the practical and effective characteristics of a professional sport manager and be exposed to the major settings in which sport managers work. Information about sport marketing, communications, finances and economics will be shared. Business principles and the relationship between the industry of sport and business will be introduced and established. Students also will be exposed to current challenges and future trends to illustrate how consumer behavior, sociological patterns, globalization and laws affect sport management and the sport industry.
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.
STEM Education, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
Middle and Secondary Education
Georgia State’s graduate certificate in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education is 100 percent online and will help expand your STEM content knowledge in implementing standards-aligned and project-based curricula at the middle and secondary school levels.
Because we know you are being asked to integrate more STEM content into your curriculum, we have designed this post-baccalaureate certificate to help you:
- Understand more about students from diverse backgrounds
- Explore issues of justice and equity in STEM classrooms
- Expand your STEM knowledge through research and community-engaged scholarship
- Network with educators around the nation who are from the varied STEM disciplines
- Develop new digital teaching and learning techniques to better reach your students
The STEM Education certificate will help teachers develop science, mathematical and digital literacies and equip them with tools to better teach their students.
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), Graduate Certificate
Applied Linguistics and English as a Second Language
The online TESOL graduate certificate prepares students to teach English as a second or foreign language. Teaching English as a second language has been an expanding field for decades and continues to show persistent growth in job and educational opportunities. Because people globally continue to be interested in learning English and because local and national governments, non-governmental organizations and corporations continue to support English language education, potential career growth remains strong.
The online TESOL certificate prepares you to:
- Learn language teaching methodology and principles of second language acquisition.
- Study the nature of language and the structure of English.
- Gain insights into classroom teaching.
The TESOL Certificate is an entry-level credential for those who plan short-term stays overseas or who are interested in employment in schools for adults, private language institutes or nonprofit organizations that offer adult English language courses.
You will take five online courses to earn the certificate.
Tier I Educational Leadership, M.Ed.
Educational Policy Studies
The Tier I Educational Leadership M.Ed. program is designed around a set of academic and site-based experiences that provide knowledge and skills for candidates seeking a stronger understanding of the dynamics of educational leadership.
This self-select program leads to Tier I leadership certification in Georgia. This allows an individual to serve as an assistant principal or/in district-level leadership positions that do not supervise principals.
The program design gives students a comprehensive understanding of beginning leadership concepts and activities. Students develop the dispositions required to lead school and district improvement efforts by focusing on linking theory, research and practice to positively affect student outcomes.
If a student has a masters already and they wish to receive Tier I certification they can visit our Educational Leadership, Tier I Certificate page.
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.Tuition
Learn more about the cost of an online graduate certificate, 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 providing affordable and accessible programs for 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.
Trustworthy AI Systems, Graduate Certificate
Computer Science
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:
Georgia State’s online Urban Education Endorsement is offered at both the undergraduate and graduate level to provide you with specialized preparation for teaching in urban settings regardless of where you are in your teaching career. You will develop a broad understanding of urban schools and communities, emphasizing the social, economic, political and historical factors that shape urban schooling. You’ll learn culturally responsive teaching strategies that intellectually, socially and emotionally empower students. Teachers pursuing this endorsement may be enrolled as non-degree students or in specific programs.
This multidisciplinary online teaching endorsement is offered through the Department of Early Childhood and Elementary Education, the Department of Middle and Secondary Education and the Department of Educational Policy Studies. You will learn to create connections between theory and practice, moving beyond stories of school failure to identify and cultivate educational assets within urban schools and communities to empower learners.
The undergraduate-level endorsement can be added by undergraduates admitted to a teacher education program with a 2.5 undergraduate GPA and a pre-service teacher certificate. View the tab below or the undergraduate catalog for admissions requirements.
The graduate-level endorsement is offered to certified teachers or those admitted to a Georgia State initial teacher preparation program who hold a pre-service certificate. View the tab below or the graduate catalog for admissions requirements.
World Language Teacher Graduate Certificate, Online
Middle and Secondary Education
The Georgia State University online World Languages Teacher Graduate Certificate is essential to successful classroom teaching and student learning. Earning this online graduate certificate will not only improve your classroom practice but will also help you more effectively engage your students in learning activities that help your students develop proficiency in world languages.
This online certificate is for individuals who hold a university undergraduate or graduate degree (with a GPA higher than 2.50) who are interested in being recommended for clear and renewable k-12 teaching certification by the Georgia Performance Standards Commission (GaPSC) to teach a world language (Spanish, French, German, Chinese or Korean).
Students in the Department of World Languages and Cultures may apply 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.
The curriculum integrates social justice and equity principles and is grounded in educational theory, research and best teaching practices. Students take specialized education and content courses throughout the program 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 committed to excellence in education.
This program also includes the option of pursuing a Dual Language Immersion endorsement online and on campus 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 master's degree with teaching certification, the 30-credit Masters of Interdisciplinary Studies (MIS) in World Languages Education program, available online and on campus, allows program graduates to explore multidisciplinary teaching with the possibility of an endorsement (ESOL, DLI or Urban Education) or to deepen their mastery of the target language. The World Language Teacher Graduate Certificate is embedded in the 30-credit M.I.S. in World Languages Education. Thus, the M.I.S. 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.
World Languages Education, Master of Interdisciplinary Studies
Middle and Secondary Education
This online graduate program is for multilingual students who are seeking a master’s degree with an initial teaching certification in a world/ foreign language such as Chinese, French, German, Korean or Spanish (grades kindergarten through 12th grade). The Master of Interdisciplinary Studies in World Languages Education leads to a teaching degree with a clear and renewable (T5) induction certificate in Georgia with a step advance on the pay scale above the (T4) certification only. The interdisciplinary nature of this program affords the opportunity to explore multidisciplinary teaching with the possibility to pursue an endorsement (ESOL, DLI, Urban Education) or to deepen your mastery of the target language and cultures.
This program integrates principles of social justice and equity and is grounded in educational theory, research and best teaching practices. Throughout the program, students take specialized education and content courses and gain practical experience in kindergarten through 12th grade teaching. Faculty support teacher candidates in planning, instruction, assessment and reflection with colleagues, faculty and partner schools who are committed to excellence in education.
The program offers an advanced professional studies track in French or Spanish. This track is designed for T4-certified educators in French or Spanish seeking a Master's degree and T5 certification in French or Spanish. The track will parallel the existing MIS World Languages Education program, but instead of the nine credits of fieldwork, you'll take six credits in professional studies coursework and one language/culture course. This program leads to a step advance on the pay scale (T5) above the initial (T4) certification only.