Graduate Studies
A graduate division was created in 1967 by action of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. In 1973, the division was given the status of a Graduate School in accordance with the new organizational structure approved by the Board of Regents. In June 1996, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia officially changed the name of West Georgia College to State University of West Georgia, which was then changed to University of West Georgia in 2005.
Master’s degrees include the Master of Arts with majors in Criminology, English, History, Psychology, and Sociology; the Master of Music with concentrations in Music Education and Performance; and the Master of Public Administration. There is the Master of Science degree with majors in Applied Computer Science, Biology, Digital and Social Media Communication, Integrative Health and Wellness, and Sport Management and the Master of Science in Nursing. The Master of Professional Accounting, Master of Business Administration, and Master of Arts in Teaching in Secondary Education (Biology, Broad Field Science, Business Education, Chemistry, Economics, English, History, Mathematics, Political Science, and Physics) and Special Education (General Curriculum and Adapted Curriculum) are offered as well. The Master of Education degree is offered with majors in College Student Affairs; Elementary Education; Professional Counseling (Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling); Instructional Technology, Media, and Design (Instructional Technology and Media Specialist); Physical Education; Reading Instruction; Special Education; and Speech-Language Pathology.
The College of Education offers the Specialist in Education degree with majors in Educational Leadership; Elementary Education; Secondary Education (Biology, Broad Field Science, Business, Chemistry, Economics, English, History, Mathematics, Physics, and Political Science); Professional Counseling; Instructional Technology, Media, and Design (Instructional Technology and Media Specialist); and Special Education.
UWG has five doctoral programs. The College of Education offers a Doctor of Education with three majors: (1) School Improvement, (2) Professional Counseling and Supervision, and (3) Higher Education Administration. In collaboration with the College of Education, the Tanner Health System School of Nursing offers a Doctor of Education with a major in Nursing Education. The College of Arts, Culture, and Scientific Inquiry offers a Ph.D. in Psychology with a focus in Consciousness and Society.
UWG graduate certificate programs are offered in selected areas of the arts and sciences, as well as education.
Students can complete nondegree initial certification, post-baccalaureate, and post-graduate (add-on) programs in selected areas.
Accreditations and Affiliations
The University of West Georgia is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, educational specialist, and doctorate degrees. The University of West Georgia also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of the University of West Georgia may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
The purpose of publishing the Commission’s address and contact numbers is to enable interested constituents (1) to learn about the accreditation status of the institution, (2) to file a third-party comment at the time of the institution’s decennial review, or (3) to file a complaint against the institution for alleged non-compliance with a standard or requirement. However, normal inquiries about the institution, such as admission requirements, financial aid, educational programs, etc., should be addressed directly to the institution and not to the Commission’s office.
Accreditations also include the following:
AACSB International-The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
Georgia Board of Nursing
National Association of Schools of Art and Design
National Association of Schools of Music
National Association of Schools of Theatre
Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration
Organizations in which the University holds institutional membership include the American Council on Education, the American Chemical Society, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning, the Council on Graduate Schools, the National Association for Business Teacher Education, the Council for Undergraduate Education, and the National Collegiate Honors Council.
Information Technology Services
www.westga.edu/its/
Information Technology Services’ (ITS) central office and Service Desk are located on the second floor of Cobb Hall on Front Campus Drive. SITS (Student Information Technology Services), located on the first floor of Ingram Library, provides IT assistance and support for current students’ personal computers and mobile devices.
ITS provides technology leadership and support to all areas of the University community. ITS offers a wide variety of technical services from the support of your UWG ID to the planning and maintenance of the campus technology infrastructure. This includes:
- The campus wireless network
- Computer labs
- Classroom technology
- The Service Desk
- Remote and on-premise support
- Collaborative services and email powered by Google
- Microsoft 365
- OneLogin Protect, Self-Service Tools
- Banner - the student information system
International Student Admissions and Programs (ISAP)
The International Student Admissions and Programs (ISAP) office recruits, advises and provides support for international students applying to UWG and those already studying at UWG. The office provides assistance and advice regarding housing, immigration matters, finances, personal adjustment, and referrals to appropriate members of the University and the Carrollton community.
Office of Education Abroad
The Office of Education Abroad provides advising and support for undergraduate and graduate students seeking to study abroad. Students have a range of options including short-term programs and more in-depth experiences with our partner institutions overseas. The Office of Education Abroad provides advising to help each student choose the program and coursework that best fits their academic needs and interests. Short-term program offerings vary from year to year, and students should visit the study abroad website (http://studyabroad.westga.edu/) or the Office of Education Abroad (Mandeville 115) for a complete list of opportunities. Many short term programs are designed for students who have not traveled extensively and provide a mix of classroom instruction and site-specific field trips, with airfare, housing, and some meals usually included in the program fee. For students interested in specialized semester-long programs, the university offers exchange programs in several European countries, South America, Asia, and Australia. Exchange students generally pay on-campus tuition and fees while studying at the exchange partner institution. Students who participate in study abroad programs or semester exchanges may apply their current financial aid to their study abroad program fees. In addition, students may apply for study abroad scholarships through the study abroad website. The office also works with faculty interested in developing education abroad programs, working with international partner schools, or sponsoring visiting international scholars.
Irvine Sullivan Ingram Library
www.westga.edu/library/
Ingram Library is located in the center of campus and offers four floors with varying noise levels - from social to quiet - with group study rooms and other collaborative work areas, instructional spaces, soft seating for study, a lactation room, and a Starbucks. Computers and an array of equipment to support student learning and production are available for check out.
Ingram Library provides online and onsite collections and services to meet the research and educational needs of the UWG community. Library users have access to an extensive range of electronic and print materials selected to support the University’s academic programs, to University System of Georgia resources through GIL (GALILEO Interconnected Libraries) Express, and to an academic version of GALILEO, which is an online library of databases, full-text electronic journals, and reference resources. In addition, the Library’s Resource Sharing department provides users with access to materials through a global network of libraries and institutions. Ingram Library is also a depository for federal documents, housing a collection of United States government publications. The University is a member of the Atlanta Regional Council for Higher Education (ARCHE), which allows students, faculty, and staff to utilize the resources of other member libraries in the Atlanta area. Special Collections in Ingram Library includes archival collections, rare books, and other unique materials. Its mission is to gather, preserve, and publicly share primary sources to advance teaching, learning, scholarship, and community engagement in service to the University of West Georgia, regional community, scholars, and members of the general public.
On-site and online library faculty and staff assist students in the research process and help connect them to research materials and collections. This includes working with students to increase their information literacy skills and to help them effectively engage with relevant information resources. The library provides a variety of learning pathways, including the credit-bearing course LIBR2100: Information Literacy, and Research and course or topic-specific workshops.
The University of West Georgia Foundation
The University of West Georgia Foundation, Inc. (Foundation) is a Georgia charitable corporation. It receives and manages private contributions (gifts) made for the benefit of the University of West Georgia. The Foundation has been recognized as an organization exempt from Federal Income Tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and gifts to the Foundation are deductible as provided for in section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code. The Foundation encourages both restricted (specific purpose) and unrestricted (general use) gifts from donors.
The University of West Georgia Alumni Association
Graduates of the University of West Georgia constitute the largest single constituency and represent the most valuable resource for the University. Membership in the Alumni Association is open to all former students of the University of West Georgia, the State University of West Georgia, West Georgia College, or the Fourth District Agricultural and Mechanical School. A volunteer-driven 36-member Board of Directors works closely with the professional staff to develop and support opportunities that steward the relationships between alumni and the University. The Association informs alumni of institutional plans, progress, opportunities, and needs.
Through the Alumni Relations and Annual Giving department, communication with alumni is achieved through the website, social media, email and mailed communications, and the Forever West digital monthly newsletter. Major activities sponsored by the Alumni Association include Alumni Weekend, Homecoming, local/regional/national events, and many other reunions and special events that involve thousands of alumni each year.
The University of West Georgia Athletic Foundation
The University of West Georgia Athletic Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization that strives to support a preeminent intercollegiate athletics program at the University of West Georgia by providing student athletes the opportunity to achieve excellence in academics, community service, and athletic competition.
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