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.
Education — Middle Grades Education Pathway, A.S.
Education
What Is Teacher Education?
Education is a pathway that helps to prepare future teachers by learning educational philosophies, policies, attitudes, behaviors, and instruction in order to effectively perform the duties associated with the position of a classroom teacher. Through introductory courses in the field, students will learn to think critically about key issues that affect 21st-century learners in pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade classrooms.
Why Education as a Pathway?
At Perimeter College, students take introductory gateway courses in education that help them to explore issues related to the teaching profession. The courses include the history and foundation of the field of education, critical issues associated with the field, diversity issues strategies and education to support 21st-century learners.
If you are excited by the idea of working with children and introducing them to ideas they will carry for a lifetime, the educational field may be for you. At Perimeter College, students may study Early Childhood, Middle Grades, Secondary School or Special Education. Students also may study Health/Physical Education.
Students focusing on Early Childhood, Secondary Education or Health/PE may take many courses online, but some courses may require campus attendance. Students concentrating in Special Education or Middle Grades or Health/PE may take required classes online.
Students should consult with their advisors to confirm availability of online courses and find out about requirements or additional costs that may be associated with those courses.
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.
Education
What Is Teacher Education?
Education is a pathway that helps to prepare future teachers by learning educational philosophies, policies, attitudes, behaviors and instruction in order to effectively perform the duties associated with the position of a classroom teacher. Through introductory courses in the field, students will learn to think critically about key issues that affect 21st-century learners in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade classrooms.
Why Education as a Pathway?
At Perimeter College, students take introductory gateway courses in education that help them to explore issues related to the teaching profession. The courses include the history and foundation of the field of education, critical issues associated with the field, diversity issues in strategies and education to support 21st-century learners.
If you are excited by the idea of working with children and introducing them to ideas they will carry for a lifetime, the educational field may be for you. At Perimeter College, students may study Early Childhood, Middle Grades, Secondary School or Special Education. Students also may study Health/Physical Education.
Students focusing on Early Childhood, Secondary Education or Health/PE may take many courses online, but some courses may require campus attendance. Students concentrating in Special Education or Middle Grades or Health/PE may take required classes online.
Students should consult with their advisors to confirm availability of online courses and find out about requirements or additional costs that may be associated with those courses.
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.
Education
What Is Teacher Education?
Education is a pathway that helps to prepare future teachers by learning educational philosophies, policies, attitudes, behaviors and instruction in order to effectively perform the duties associated with the position of a classroom teacher. Through introductory courses in the field, students will learn to think critically about key issues that affect 21st-century learners in pre-kindergarten through 12th Grade classrooms.
Why Education as a Pathway?
At Perimeter College, students take introductory gateway courses in education that help them to explore issues related to the teaching profession. The courses include the history and foundation of the field of education, critical issues associated with the field, diversity issues in strategies and education to support 21st-century learners.
If you are excited by the idea of working with children and introducing them to ideas they will carry for a lifetime, the educational field may be for you. At Perimeter College, students may study Early Childhood, Middle Grades, Secondary School or Special Education. Students also may study Health/Physical Education.
Students focusing on Early Childhood, Secondary Education or Health/PE may take many courses online, but some courses may require campus attendance. Students concentrating in Special Education or Middle Grades or Health/PE may take required classes online.
Students should consult with their advisors to confirm availability of online courses and find out about requirements or additional costs that may be associated with those courses.
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.
Educational Leadership, Tier I Certificate
Educational Policy Studies
The Georgia State online Tier I Educational Leadership Certificate program is for those with an education-related master’s degree who are passionate about leading and ready to take the next step towards becoming an entry-level leader in a school or school district such as an assistant principal. The courses introduce students to educational leadership theory and practice. Students participate in 300 hours of varied leadership experiences supported by a school or district mentor in addition to completing advanced coursework. Upon completion of the program, students will receive a program certificate from the Board of Regents and will be eligible to apply to the Professional Standards Commission for a Tier I Educational Leadership add-on certificate.
Our Voices, Our Stories, Our Faculty
- Graduate highlight on Amanda Lynch
- Five questions with Kareem Dunlap
- Recent graduate's children's book
- The Educational Leadership Unit is composed of eight faculty members with practitioner and academic expertise.
Educational Policy Studies
The online M.S. in educational research prepares you to conduct research, evaluate programs and policies and translate current research into practical language. Our graduates are working in research units housed in educational agencies at the state and local level, non-profits and private employers who value internal research capacity.
- Statistics
- Measurement
- Program evaluation
- Survey research
- Computer applications
- Policy research
If you have an interest in applying skills in statistics and research methodology to address educational problems in today’s world, our program will help you advance.
Early Childhood and Elementary Education
Our online M.Ed. in Elementary Education program is designed for teachers looking for an advanced degree with a concentrated study in a specific area through an endorsement. You complete your chosen endorsement as a part of the M.Ed. program, with no additional courses required. Program experiences provide you with instructional capabilities, pedagogical content knowledge and the mindsets needed to serve as effective and equitable teachers and teacher leaders in your schools and communities.
Open Endorsements
- Kindergarten through 5th-grade mathematics endorsement
- Dual language endorsement (only for M.Ed. applicants who hold a Foreign Language Education Certificate from the state of Georgia, otherwise M.Ed. applicants can choose this as a concentration)
- Reading endorsement
English
What Is English?
English is an academic discipline that includes the study of rhetoric and composition, English literature and creative writing. The study of English is essential to global communication. Successful English students use language to cultivate the skills and habits of interpretation, analysis and research. They gather information, understand multiple perspectives, formulate effective arguments and conceive imaginative solutions to problems they face.
Why Study English?
English students learn how to use words to communicate effectively, think creatively and interpret the immense variety of messages in our media-saturated world. A command of language is a skill in high demand, not only in writing and education, but in business, entertainment, advertising, public relations, journalism and the legal profession. Students who enroll in English courses can become corporate leaders, lawyers, journalists, screen writers, as well as politicians and actors. The study of English can prepare students to be exceptional critical and creative thinkers, sharp analysts and effective communicators. A degree in English provides a solid foundation for further achievement in a variety of disciplines and industries.
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.
English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), M.A.T.
Middle and Secondary Education
Want to make a difference for immigrant students and families who are new to the U.S. while learning the art and science of teaching? Did you know this population represents 10% of all schoolchildren and continues to grow rapidly?
You can be the change agent who makes a difference in providing skills and access to academic achievement. And you can learn it all online. The Georgia State Master of Arts in Teaching with a major in English to Speakers of Other Languages is designed for students with bachelor’s degrees seeking initial teaching certification in ESOL –grades kindergarten through 12th grade.
The ESOL degree program is grounded in educational theory, research and best practice, integrating principles of social justice and equity throughout. Throughout the program, students take specialized education, content courses and gain practical teaching experience, mostly in middle or high school.
Graduates of this program earn a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree and a clear and renewable (T5) induction certificate in the state of Georgia.
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.
The program also includes the option of receiving a reading endorsement that qualifies graduates to teach reading courses to all students (not just English language learners) at the middle or secondary level (grades 6-12). Our dynamic program features technology integration. Faculty support teacher candidates in planning, instruction, assessment and reflection with colleagues, faculty and partner schools who are committed to excellence in education.
Environmental Epidemiology Concentration, MPH
Population Health Sciences
Georgia State's Online Master of Public Health (MPH) with a concentration in Environmental Epidemiology prepares students for research and practice in identifying and analyzing the distribution and determinants of disease, with a particular focus on diseases that are linked to a broad range of environmental conditions and exposures. This concentration provides students with foundational knowledge in epidemiologic methods together with fundamental skills in the disciplines essential to the practice of environmental health.
The knowledge and skills obtained in the environmental epidemiology MPH concentration allow graduates to seek employment in areas that require:
- A fundamental understanding of environmental contributions to the epidemiology of non-communicable and communicable disease.
- The ability to formulate strategies to evaluate the impact of environmental health related interventions.
- The application of epidemiologic methods to investigate and address environmental problems.
Tuition
- $450 tuition per credit hour (same for all students, regardless of geographic location)
- $660 per semester online learning fee (if enrolled in 6 or more credit hours)
Learn more about the cost of an online master’s 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.
Environmental Health Concentration, MPH
Population Health Sciences
Georgia State's Online Master of Public Health (MPH) with a concentration in Environmental Health prepares students for research and practice in the study of environmental factors, including the biological, physical and chemical factors that affect the health of a community.
Environmental health investigates how environmental agents, from the molecular to the ecological level, as well as natural and human-created environments, affect health. Addressing all the physical, chemical and biological factors external to a person, coupled with all related factors affecting behaviors, environmental health seeks to assess and control these factors to prevent disease and create health-supportive environments.
The concentration teaches the core environmental health disciplines—exposure assessment, toxicology, risk assessment, and air and water pollution—and offers additional areas of specialization, including food safety, occupational health, infectious diseases, environmental epidemiology and urban health.
Tuition
- $450 tuition per credit hour (same for all students, regardless of geographic location)
- $660 per semester online learning fee (if enrolled in 6 or more credit hours)
Learn more about the cost of an online master’s 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.