Other Programs and Requirements

Academic Advisement

Overview

Undergraduate Academic Advisement at Georgia Southern is provided to all degree-seeking undergraduate students and dual enrolled students by professional advisors. Academic Advisors are located on all three Georgia Southern University campuses. Students are expected to engage with their academic advisor regularly based upon individualized need and progress through their program of study.

In addition to primary Academic Advisement, students may be assigned a secondary advisor. Secondary advisors provide supplemental advisement related to a specialized topic such as the Honors College, Learning Support, Student Athletes, TRiO, Pre-Professional Advisement, and more. These advisors partner with the student’s primary advisor to help the student navigate their path forward through college.

Questions regarding Undergraduate Academic Advising should be directed to the Center for Advising, Retention and Completion at advising@georgiasouthern.edu.  Additional information, including who is required to meet with their advisor and advisor locations, can be accessed at https://georgiasouthern.edu/advising.

Philosophy

Academic Advising provides holistic advisement tailored to students’ needs and experiences. It creates collaborative relationships between advisor and student and promotes academic excellence, empowering students to develop and implement sound educational plans that are consistent with their personal values, goals, and career aspirations. 

Georgia Southern accepts the premise that ultimately a student’s program of study is their own responsibility.  Academic Advising respects the students’ freedom of choice and their right to make their own decisions.  Advisors will guide students to complete their program of study in the most efficient way possible within the bounds of the curriculum. Registration for classes is the student’s responsibility. Taking courses outside of the advised plan may delay the student’s pathway to graduation and/or impact financial aid. 

Definition of the Role of Advisors

Advisors should fill three roles. They should serve as a resource, providing information about university programs and institutional requirements, to assist students in developing the most coherent plan for their college years. Second, they should serve as a link between students and the university community, referring them to areas of assistance and familiarizing them with the resources provided by the institution to meet their needs and goals. Finally, they should serve as a guide, assisting students in understanding the nature and purpose of higher education and helping them develop self-direction in decision making. 

Responsibility for Advisement

Advisors are expected to:

• Effectively communicate the degree curriculum, academic policies, and graduation requirements
• Provide students with available academic resources on campus
• Guide and support students in developing clear and attainable educational plans 
• Monitor and accurately document student progress toward meeting educational goals
• Respond to questions and concerns in a timely manner (typically within two business days excepting high volume time periods such as, but not limited to, Drop/Add, Registration Week, SOAR)
• Ensure that every undergraduate student receives advising and class registration assistance for every semester until graduation

Students are expected to: 

• Check their Georgia Southern email daily
• When required to meet with their academic advisor, schedule an advisement appointment early using the online scheduling program in MyGeorgiaSouthern
• Come prepared to their appointment ready to honestly discuss their current courses, future plans, concerns, and questions
• Engage with their academic advisor to establish educational goals and build an academic plan to reach them
• Review advising materials and discuss any concerns they may have with their advisor
• Keep a personal record of their degree progress
• Register for classes within a day of your registration time ticket opening

General Education Outcomes

http://academics.georgiasouthern.edu/student-learning-outcomes/

Board of Regents Policy

https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section3/C344

Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education

http://www.cas.edu

National Academic Advising Association (NACADA)

http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/

Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s

The Accelerated Bachelor’s Master’s (ABM) program provides qualified undergraduate students the opportunity to begin graduate studies in their senior year and to simultaneously satisfy some remaining requirements for the bachelor’s degree.

A student must apply and be admitted into this program in the semester preceding the beginning of the ABM program. Students must have completed at least 24 hours of coursework in the discipline or related field of the Master’s degree to be eligible. Prospective students should consult the program of study for admission deadlines and admission requirements.

A student may use up to 9 credit hours of graduate-level courses offered within a single degree program in meeting the requirements of both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree. However, there must be at least 150 unique hours between the two programs.

An undergraduate student enrolled in graduate classes is limited to six semester hours of graduate course work per term.

**Admission to an Accelerated Bachelor’s Master’s degree program is different than Senior Privilege. Please refer to the policy on Senior Privilege  for more information. 

Educational Opportunity Programs

TRIO Student Support Services (SSS)

The Student Support Services program is a U.S. Department of Education TRIO program supported and funded 100% in federal funds each year over a five year period. Through a grant competition, funds are awarded to institutions of higher education to provide opportunities for academic development, assist students with basic college requirements, and to motivate students toward the successful completion of their postsecondary education.

The Georgia Southern University, TRIO Student Support Services program offers the following services:

• Academic advising. Participants are paired with a SSS supplemental academic advisor to assist with their academic, career, and personal growth throughout their college career.
• Tutoring. Participants have access to individual or group tutoring in numerous subjects at no cost.
• Financial aid assistance. SSS staff assist participants with information on the full range of student financial aid programs, the benefits and resources for locating public and private scholarships; and in completing financial aid applications.
• Financial literacy counseling. Through workshops, participants learn how to understand debt, budget their fiscal resources, make informed financial decisions and improve their financial and economic literacy.
• Career exploration opportunities. In collaboration with on and off campus partners, participants are provided with opportunities to better position themselves for a career after graduation.
• Graduate and professional school admission assistance. SSS staff assist participants in applying for admission to graduate and professional programs, taking admission exams and arrange campus visits/tours.
• Cultural enrichment experiences. SSS sponsors cultural events designed to give students the opportunity to be exposed to, engage in, and/or embrace other cultures or culturally enriching experiences.
• Mentoring. Participants cultivate a one-on-one relationship with staff which aids in the facilitation of academic and personal support throughout their academic career.
• Grant Aid. Participants who are Pell grant recipients are eligible to apply for grant aid. Due to limited funds, meeting application requirements does not guarantee an award will be given.
• Temporary Housing. Depending on the availability of funds, SSS may also secure temporary housing during breaks for participants who are homeless youths and participants who are in foster care or are aging out of the foster care system.

How to Apply

A student is eligible to participate in the Georgia Southern University, TRIO Student Support Services program if they have not earned a baccalaureate degree, is enrolled at or accepted to Georgia Southern and meets the TRIO eligibility criteria below. TRIO SSS is only available for students whose home campus is Armstrong or Liberty.

Apply to the Armstrong/Liberty Campuses

The following students are considered to be TRIO eligible:

• First-generation college students,
• Low income students, and
• Students with a documented disability.

Please note for TRIO Student Support Services eligibility purposes:

• First-generation college student is defined as:
  1. A student neither of whose natural or adoptive parents received a baccalaureate degree;
  2. A student who, prior to the age of 18, regularly resided with and received support from only one parent and whose supporting parent did not receive a baccalaureate degree; or
  3. An individual who, prior to the age of 18, did not regularly reside with or receive support from a natural or an adoptive parent.
• Low income is based on Federal Income Guidelines.
• Students with disabilities are not required to register with the Student Accessibility Resource Center (SARC) but, you are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this invaluable resource.

For more information please contact us:

TRIO Student Support Services, Armstrong/Liberty Campuses
Student Succcess Complex
912-344-3023/trio@georgiasouthern.edu
Visit our website at: https://president.georgiasouthern.edu/sss/

Experiential Learning Program

The Experiential Learning Program at Georgia Southern University encompasses both cooperative education and internship opportunities for students in all majors. Co-ops and internships provide an opportunity for students to evaluate whether their chosen career path or field of study is a good fit for them, develop their professional skills, and apply their academic knowledge while obtaining valuable real-world experience in their field. The Office of Career and Professional Development at Georgia Southern University is committed to recruiting and promoting co-op and internship opportunities for all students and provides a centralized contact for both academic and non-academic related issues associated with experiential learning for all colleges and majors.

In order to participate in the Experiential Learning Program, students must be in good academic standing with the University. In addition, students must complete an Experiences application in Handshake, agree to the Code of Conduct and Waiver of Liability forms, and provide the Office of Career and Professional Development with an offer letter from their employer. The compensation package offered to the student is determined by the employer, and board and lodging are the responsibility of the student. If students are not completing a co-op or internship for academic credit, then they will be enrolled in non-academic, tuition-free COOP hours that will denote their experience on their student transcript. Because these hours are free and non-tuition-bearing, they are not able to be used toward Financial Aid requirements. Students will be registered for the course through the Office of Career and Professional Development. Students and employers are required to submit evaluations at two identified points during their work term. Successful completion of the requirements will result in a completion grade awarded to the student.

For more information about our Experiential Learning Program, please refer to the program page, visit the Office of Career and Professional Development, or call (912) 478-5197.

First Year Seminar

FYE 1220 First-Year Seminar , is an introduction to college that fosters academic engagement, information literacy, and global citizenship. This course allows students to develop and apply information literacy skills and to engage with their degree programs, campus resources, and the university community.

First & Second Year Experience 
1001 Williams Center
(912) 478-5544
https://academics.georgiasouthern.edu/fysyprograms/

Graduation Requirements

Subject to the limitations and qualifications stated elsewhere in this catalog, the requirements for the baccalaureate degree are as follows:

• Undergraduate students should have their programs of study reviewed with their academic advisors at least three semesters before the anticipated completion of degree requirements and submit an “Application for Graduation” through their WINGS account.  All degree seeking undergraduate students expecting to graduate must apply for graduation no later than the semester before degree requirements are expected to be completed.
• To have a degree awarded, the graduation fee should be paid and all other financial obligations or “holds” must be satisfied or removed before the end of the semester that the student is planning to graduate. 
• A student must fulfill all major, minor, and specific requirements prescribed for the degree and satisfy the legislative requirements with regard to evidence of an understanding of the History and Constitutions of Georgia and of the United States.

Institutional Residency Requirements

• Degree - Students must earn at least 25 percent of their baccalaureate degree requirements in residence at Georgia Southern. Students must earn at least 25 percent of their associate degree requirements in residence at Georgia Southern. A student cannot complete requirements immediately following the term the student is in attendance as a transient student at another institution unless an official transcript of transient credit is received by the Office of the Registrar prior to the end of the semester at Georgia Southern. In addition, a student cannot receive a second degree with the same major field of study regardless of where the degree was earned.
• Minor - At least 9 credit hours of the 15 to 18 required in the minor must be taken at Georgia Southern. Courses taken to satisfy Core IMPACTS or major requirements may not be counted towards the minor. 
• Concentration - At least 12 credit hours of the 18 required in the concentration must be taken at Georgia Southern. This requirement does not apply to the concentrations in the BIS degree.

Institutional GPA, Grades, and Course Requirements

• The total institutional cumulative GPA of all courses (at least 124 credit hours for bachelor degrees and 64 for associate degrees) applying to the degree must be 2.0.
• A minimum grade of “C” is required in all Communicating in Writing and Mathematics and Quantitative Skills courses.    
• All outstanding “I” or “IP” grades must be cleared and all transcripts from other institutions must be received before the end of the term the student plans to graduate.
• Courses earned with a “C” or higher grade to satisfy the Required High School Curriculum (RHSC) will count towards degree requirements.
• Courses that have a D# grade due to academic renewal will not count towards degree requirements.
• For students whose initial enrollment is Fall 1998 and after, Strategies for Success (GSU 1120 ) will not apply to the degree.
• A maximum of five physical activity credit hours may be applied to the requirements for the degree.
• Advisors may recommend course substitutions in the major when deemed necessary by submitting the request for approval to their Associate Dean. The substitution is then submitted to the Registrar who will review each request in accordance with the Board of Regents and institutional policies.
• For students whose initial enrollment is Fall 1998 and after, Strategies for Success (GSU 1120 ) will not apply to the degree.

Degree Completion/Degree Awarding Policy

In compliance with Federal Guidelines effective Fall 2017, a student’s academic degree in their declared program of study will be awarded at the end of the term in which all degree requirements are successfully completed by the student. 

Catalog for Graduation Evaluation

Students are assigned a catalog year when they initially enroll at Georgia Southern and typically satisfy the degree requirements in effect at that time. However, there are several instances when a student will be required to change catalog editions and meet the curricular degree requirements of the catalog in effect at the time he or she: 

• Officially changes his or her degree or major; 
• Officially changes from non-degree seeking to degree-seeking status; 
• Re-enters the university after an absence of three or more consecutive terms; or
• Has not graduated by the time his or her catalog edition is ten years old.

Students may choose to satisfy the degree requirements of a later catalog by notifying his or her advisor, but if they decide to do so, they must meet all the requirements of the later catalog. Degree requirements of more than one catalog year cannot be combined, and students may not elect a discontinued/deactivated degree program. Any exceptions to this policy require the approval of the advisor, department chair, and dean.

Double Majors

A double major consists of two separate majors in the same baccalaureate degree (for example, a student earns a B.S. with majors in Criminal Justice and Psychology or a B.A. with majors in History and World Languages). A double major is earned when the student completes all requirements concurrently for the degree and each major (including the pre-major Field of Study). In addition, at least one-half of the courses comprising both majors must be taken at Georgia Southern. 

The minimum residence requirement of 21 credit hours in courses numbered 3000 or above in the major field of study must be met. If both majors are completed concurrently, this requirement shall be deemed to have been satisfied for both majors. If the two majors are not completed and awarded simultaneously, a student will not be eligible for some types of financial aid after completing the initial degree.  Only one diploma will be issued for the degree.

Whether in one degree or two, a student may not graduate with more than two majors. For example, a student may not earn a B.S. with a double major in Biology and Psychology and also a B.A. in Writing & Linguistics. This would constitute three majors and would not be permissible.

Dual Degrees

Dual degrees are earned when a student satisfies all requirements for two different baccalaureate degrees (for example, a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science) at Georgia Southern University. 

The minimum residence requirement of 21 credit hours in courses numbered 3000 or above in the major field of study must be met. If the second degree is completed concurrently with the first degree, this requirement shall be deemed to have been satisfied for both degrees. Both degrees require that at least one-half of the courses comprising the major and at least 25 percent of the total credit hours required for each baccalaureate degree must be taken in residence at Georgia Southern regardless of when the second degree is completed. A second major will satisfy the requirement for a minor if either major requires a minor. Please note that if a department offers more than one degree, it may prohibit a student from earning more than one degree in that department. A diploma will be issued for each degree.

Returning Students

Second Major

To earn a second major, both have to be under the same degree (for example, a student earns a B.S. with majors in Criminal Justice and Psychology or a B.A. with majors in History and World Languages). Students seeking a second major within the same degree program must complete the specific requirements for both majors (including the pre-major Field of Study). An application for the second major must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar. Both majors will be noted on the transcript. However, only one diploma will be issued for the degree.

The minimum residence requirement of 21 credit hours in courses numbered 3000 or above in the major field of study must be met. If a second major is completed within five years of the first, this requirement shall be deemed to have been satisfied for the second major. After five years from the date of the awarding of the first major, credit that was used to satisfy the university’s residence requirement cannot be applied toward the university’s residence requirement for the second major, regardless of when the second major is completed.

Second Degree

The minimum residence requirement of 21 credit hours in courses numbered 3000 or above in the major field of study must be met. If a second degree is completed within five years of the first, this requirement shall be deemed to have been satisfied for the second degree. After five years from the date of the award of the first degree, credit that has been used to satisfy the university’s academic residence requirement for this degree cannot be applied toward the university’s minimum academic residence requirement for the second degree.  If a second degree is not completed at the time of the first degree, the student will not be eligible for certain types of financial aid.  The second degree will be noted on the transcript when awarded. A diploma will be issued for each degree.

Minor(s) Sought for Completion after Primary Degree is Completed

No minor designation will be posted on the transcript after the completion of a primary degree; only courses taken for the minor will appear. 

Graduating With Academic Honors

Georgia Southern University only awards baccalaureate degrees with academic honors to those students that meet the minimum institutional and overall grade point average.  The lowest of these two GPAs will be used in determining the level of honors. The academic honors announced at commencement will be based on the GPA calculated the semester prior to the commencement ceremony.  After commencement, and all final grades are recorded and honors are re-calculated and will be added to diplomas and transcripts if honors are achieved by the student.

Baccalaureate Honors Designation
Summa cum laude 3.90 - 4.00
Magna cum laude 3.70 - 3.89
Cum laude 3.50 - 3.69

Sharing of Courses for Degree Requirements

The following information covers the guidelines for the sharing of courses between different areas of a student’s program of study.

Honors College

The Honors College is an inclusive community of scholars that fosters intellectual and professional development through undergraduate research and creative scholarship, experiential learning, global engagement, and personalized mentorship. Students in the Honors College have the opportunity to enroll in honors sections of courses which are smaller and more dynamic than the typical class. Honors courses involve innovative approaches and pedagogies and are open to talented non-honors students where space is available. Honors College students also develop their competencies in community engagement, leadership, service, and professional development by participating in experiential learning activities.  Students seeking to graduate with distinction have the opportunity to complete one of three pathways in Upper Division Honors. 

Admission to the Honors College is competitive. Students may apply as incoming freshmen, incoming transfer students, and as current Georgia Southern students. Full details about the Honors College, its requirements, and the application process are found at the website: https://www.georgiasouthern.edu/honors/.

To graduate as an Honors College Scholar:

All honors students, regardless of the number of credits earned prior to admission to the Honors College, must complete the following to graduate as an Honors College Scholar:

1. Courses: Complete at least 18 hours of honors credit.  These credits can be earned through honors courses, honors contracts, or graduate coursework.  Students must take at least 3 honors credits per semester until they reach the 18-credit requirement.

2. Experiential Learning: One Experiential Learning Activity in each of four categories: 1) Community Engagement, 2) Leadership, 3) Service, 4) Professional Development.

3. Grade Point Average: Must maintain a minimum 3.3 cumulative Georgia Southern University grade point average.

To graduate as an Honors College Scholar with Distinction:

1. Complete the requirements to graduate as an Honors College Scholar.  

2. In addition, complete one Upper Division Honors pathway:

a. Honors Thesis: Completion of at least 3 credits of independent research. Includes submission and presentation. 

b. Capstone Experience: Completion of an Honors College approved capstone of at least three credit hours. Includes submission and presentation. 

c. Graduate Coursework: Acceptance into an Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Program and completion of at least 6 credit hours of graduate credit OR completion of at least 6 credit hours of graduate credit (6000 level or higher). Includes submission and presentation.

​Learning Support Program

According to USG policy 2.9.1 “Learning Support is a generic term for programs designed to assist students with collegiate work. USG institutions may serve students who fall below USG collegiate placement standards but also have the flexibility to develop more rigorous academic criteria with which their students must comply. Learning Support programs are intended to serve students who need additional support in mathematics or English (reading/writing). Students who may be served within the Learning Support program are:

A. Students who do not meet USG criteria to exempt Learning Support placement.

B. Students who are determined by the institution to need academic assistance even though they are eligible to be admitted without Learning Support requirements under USG policy.

C. Students who elect to enroll in Learning Support courses to gain additional support while they are enrolled in entry-level English and mathematics courses.”

Learning Support courses carry institutional credit but not credit toward a degree. If the diagnostic tests so indicate, a student may be allowed to enroll in one or more college-level courses for degree credit concurrently with Learning Support courses. The student’s first obligation, however, is to satisfy Learning Support requirements.

Students’ progress will be assessed periodically, and they may move out of Learning Support courses at the end of any semester, provided satisfactory levels of proficiency have been reached. A Learning Support student who enrolls at another institution before completing Learning Support requirements at Georgia Southern may apply for readmission as a transfer student after satisfying Learning Support requirements and completing 30 hours of college-level work with a minimum GPA of 2.0.

Additional requirements for students enrolled in Learning Support courses:

• Learning Support students will be assigned an Education Specialist in the Academic Success Center and must see this Education Specialist for drop/add and registration (even if the student has declared a major).
• Students are not allowed to drop any required Learning Support classes. Students may withdraw from the Learning Support corequisite class and corresponding collegiate-level course if they are failing the collegiate-level course at the time of the withdrawal deadline.
• Students who have earned 30-credit hours of college-level credit at Georgia Southern University and have not completed required Learning Support courses may enroll in only Learning Support courses and the corresponding collegiate-level course until requirements are completed.
• Students who apply for or receive financial aid and who are enrolled as Learning Support students will receive the same consideration and awards as any other student.
• Students who are not required to enroll in a Learning Support course may voluntarily enroll by submitting the request in writing to the Academic Success Center. They will be expected to participate in the course and take the tests, but they will not be subject to the Learning Support exit requirements.

To exempt placement in corequisite Learning Support students must meet or exceed USG (2.9.1.2) and Georgia Southern University criteria.

See Course Descriptions  for:

Office of Global Engagement

Director: Mrs. Kristin R. Kasting-Karam

Statesboro Campus:
Veazey Hall 2020
P.O. Box 8027
Phone: (912)478-0332

Armstrong Campus:
Gamble Hall 110
Phone: (912)344-3128
academics.georgiasouthern.edu/global/
GlobalEngagement@georgiasouthern.edu

The Office of Global Engagement (OGE) is responsible for the strategic execution of Georgia Southern’s internationalization process and provides oversight for the international activities of the campus. The OGE aims to create a global awareness on campus and within the community. To prepare students and faculty with the global knowledge, attitudes and skills that will enable them to function as citizens of the world. We aim to infuse a global dimension throughout the University’s teaching, research, and service activities, and improve the breadth and depth of Georgia Southern’s global reach and engagement. These aspirations are achieved by managing international strategic partnerships; providing study abroad and exchange programming for students; offering professional development and service activities for faculty; maintaining high-quality, federally compliant international student and scholar services; and hosting programs and events to promote international awareness and an appreciation of global cultures. This infusion of internationalized educational activities extends beyond the scope of the University to support global learning, business, and economic development in Southeast Georgia.

Study Abroad and Exchange Programs

Studying abroad provides students with a trans-cultural experience that has many major benefits: discovering the culture and institutions of other lands, facilitating the development of relevant career skills, making important connections with overseas professionals, and enhancing language skills. In addition, studying abroad contributes to personal maturity, a sense of independence, self-knowledge, and self-confidence. Semester, and year-long exchange, summer, language immersion, and alternative break programs are available. All disciplines are eligible to participate, and programs are offered in more than 30 locations world-wide. For more information, visit academics.georgiasouthern.edu/global or email globalEngagement@georgiasouthern.edu.

International Visitor Student and Scholar Services

J-1 (exchange visitor) visa status join us from our partner institutions around the globe. Our visiting scholars play a pivotal role to the campus research and classroom experience. The Office of Global Engagement helps visiting students and scholars acclimate to their new environment at Georgia Southern, provides support services, processes visa-related documents, educates students and scholars on the visa laws to help them maintain their status with U.S. Homeland Security, and maintains the university’s compliance with the visa laws. Services provided include: orientation (including academic advisement and registration), English proficiency testing/placement, assistance with health insurance coverage, and visa and cultural advisement.

Office of International Student Admissions and Programs

Statesboro Campus:
Rosenwald 1306
P.O. Box 8106
Phone: (912)478-0154

Armstrong Campus:
Victor Hall 
Phone: (912)344-2772 
em.georgiasouthern.edu/international/

The Office of International Student Admissions and Programs (ISAP) champions and supports the international student community of Georgia Southern University, supporting the University’s value of inclusive excellence. ISAP assists, guides, and serves international student prospects/families, enrolled international students, and alumni through admissions counseling, immigration advising and compliance, individual support services, and intercultural programming. ISAP seeks to recruit, retain and graduate international students while broadening global awareness on campus and within the local community.

International Student Services

ISAP assists over 400 international students in F-1 (student) visa status from around 70 countries. Georgia Southern provides support services, processes visa-related documents, educates students on the visa laws to help them maintain their status with U.S. Homeland Security, and maintains the university’s compliance with the visa laws. Services provided include: admissions and enrollment services, orientation, student programming and visa and cultural advisement.

Other Degree Requirements

B.A. and B.S. Degree Requirements in World Languages and Cultures

B.A. and B.S degree students whose program specifies a foreign language or allows for the option of a foreign language through Intermediate I (2001) or Intermediate II (2002) may receive credit or demonstrate equivalency by one of the following:

• Completion with a grade of “C” or better of a fourth-year language course at the secondary level (note that this satisfies the Language requirement through Intermediate II (2002), but it does not grant the student credit);

• Completion with a grade of “C” or better of a third-year language course at the secondary level (note that this satisfies the Language requirement through Intermediate I (2001), but it does not grant the student credit);

• Receive the GaDOE Seal of Biliteracy (either Tier 1 or Tier 2; note that students receive credit through Intermediate II (1001, 1002, 2001, 2002) for the language;

• Passing the CLEP/AP/IB test with a score high enough to place out Intermediate II (1001, 1002, 2001, 2002); note that students do receive credit for passing these tests with a high enough score;

• Complete the language sequence for a single language through Intermediate I (1001, 1002, 2001 or Intermediate II (1001, 1002, 2001, 2002). Students with prior experience in a language must visit with a language instructor in order to be placed into the correct level. Once a student has passed the course that they are placed into, they may petition for credit for the courses they skipped (see https://cah.georgiasouthern.edu/foreign-languages/languages/credit-by-proficiency/). Although students are not required to purchase the credit for the courses they skip, if they do, the courses count toward graduation.

BA and B.S. degree programs may require a course with significant international content in lieu of a foreign language requirement.

Minor Requirements

All Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree programs require a minor field of study. Students in other baccalaureate programs who wish to add an optional minor may do so. However, some financial aid options may not cover the additional minor course cost.

The courses that make up the minor should be planned with the major advisor, unless otherwise noted. Minors and second minors may be declared as early as the freshman year but should always be declared as soon as possible so that students have adequate time to plan the completion of their minor(s). 
Minors may be declared by requesting a minor via the online Change of Major/Minor form. 

Requirements for All Degrees

The total credit hour requirement for the RN-BSN program is 120 credit hours and excludes the Additional Requirements.

Some programs require more than 124 credit hours.

Definition of a Major

A major is a primary field of study within a baccalaureate degree program. For baccalaureate degrees, majors require a minimum of 21 upper division (3000 or above) semester credit hours in the major field of study.

History and Constitution (U.S. and Georgia) Requirements

Georgia law requires that each candidate for a degree or certificate demonstrate knowledge of the history and constitution of the United States and Georgia. These requirements may be met by passing examinations offered by the Testing Office (912) 478-5415, academics.georgiasouthern.edu/success/testing/legislative-exemption-exams/ or by receiving a passing grade (D grade or higher) in certain courses at Georgia Southern University. The courses and the requirement(s) each course satisfies are as follows:

The following previous Armstrong State University courses and the requirements each course satisfies are as follows:

• HIST 2110 U.S. A Comprehensive Survey  /HIST 2110H/HIST 2110S satisfies Georgia History and United States History;
• HIST 2111 History of the United States to 1877  satisfies Georgia History and United States History;
• HIST 2112 Survey of US History II  satisfies Georgia History and United States History;
• HIST 3133 United States Constitutional History  satisfies United States Constitution;
• HIST 4130 Georgia History  satisfies Georgia Constitution and Georgia History;
• POLS 1101 American Government /POLS 1101H satisfies Georgia Constitution and United States Constitution;
• POLS 3330 State and Local Government  satisfies Georgia Constitution.
• HIST 1100 satisfies United States History, United States Constitution, Georgia History, and Georgia Constitution
• HIST 1100H satisfies United States History, United States Constitution, Georgia History, and Georgia Constitution
• HIST 2001/2001H satisfies United States History, United States Constitution, Georgia History, and Georgia Constitution
• POLS 1100 satisfies United States History, United States Constitution, Georgia History, and Georgia Constitution
• POLS 2001 satisfies United States History, United States Constitution, Georgia History, and Georgia Constitution
• POLS 2200 satisfies United States Constitution and Georgia Constitution

Equivalent courses taken at an out-of-state institution will not satisfy the Georgia History or the Georgia Constitution requirements.

If the student has transfer courses from colleges in the State of Georgia or has questions about their History or Constitution requirements, the student may contact their advisement center or academic advisor to determine how to satisfy the remaining requirements.

These requirements may be met if the student has already received credit for the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and/or the Advanced Placement Program (AP) and/or the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO). Credit is awarded as follows:

• CLEP for POLS 1101 American Government  satisfies United States Constitution
• CLEP for HIST 2110 U.S. A Comprehensive Survey  satisfies United States History
• AP for POLS 1101 American Government  satisfies United States Constitution
• AP for HIST 2110 U.S. A Comprehensive Survey  satisfies United States History
• IBO for HIST 2110 U.S. A Comprehensive Survey  satisfies United States History 

Information concerning examination preparation materials are offered through FOLIO. To request access to the materials, please visit the link https://forms.gle/rKpyih8U6AG78dxy5 or contact the Testing Office using the contact info:

Testing Office - Armstrong Campus:

912-344-2582
testingsav@georgiasouthern.edu
Memorial College Ctr. Bldg. Room 206

Testing Office - Statesboro campus

912-478-5415
testing@georgiasouthern.edu
Cone Hall Room 2004

If you have any questions, contact your academic advisor: http://academics.georgiasouthern.edu/advisement/

Undergraduate Program Definitions

Associate Degree

An associate degree can be a standalone degree or used as a pathway towards a baccalaureate degree. Associate degree programs consist of 60 credit hours (exclusive of physical education activity/basic health or orientation course requirements). Of these hours, 42 satisfy the University’s core curriculum requirements. In addition, students will select 18 credit hours of lower-division (1000 and 2000-level) courses to satisfy the remaining degree requirements. Those planning to work towards a baccalaureate degree should select courses meeting Field of Study requirements of their anticipated baccalaureate degree program.

Baccalaureate Degree

Baccalaureate degree programs consist of a minimum of 120 semester credit hours (exclusive of physical education activity/basic health or orientation course requirements) with a minimum of 39 upper division credit hours. Of these 120 credit hours, 42 are lower division (1000 and 2000-level) credit hours taken to satisfy the University’s core curriculum requirements. Remaining hours are used to satisfy course requirements in at least one major field of study, including that major’s Field of Study requirements (18 credit hours of lower-division courses) and any additional degree-specific course requirements. 

Major

A major is a primary field of study within a baccalaureate degree program. For baccalaureate degrees, majors require a minimum of 21 upper division (3000 or above) semester credit hours in the major field of study.

Emphasis

An emphasis is a sub-specialization within some major field of study and consists of at least 9 semester credit hours and no more than 17 semester credit hours of coursework with a minimum of 2/3 of the credit hours at the upper-division level (3000 or above).

Concentration

A concentration is a specific sub-field within some major fields of study consisting of at least 18 semester credit hours of coursework with a minimum of 2/3 of the credit hours at the upper-division level (3000 or above) for baccalaureate degrees. Concentrations at the associate level consist of 18 hours of lower-division (1000 and 2000-level) coursework satisfying a subset of course requirements associated with a single baccalaureate degree program.

Minor

A minor is a secondary field of study distinct from the primary major. The intent of establishing minor fields of study is to offer students the opportunity to broaden their education through the minor field. A minor consists of 15 to 18 semester credit hours of coursework with at least 9 hours of upper-division courses (3000 or above). Courses taken to satisfy Core IMPACTS may not be counted as coursework in the minor.

Within the course work presented for the required minor in the B.A. programs or the optional minor in any bachelor’s degree program, the student must have a minimum total institutional GPA of 2.0, with no more than three credits of “D” work. A second major will satisfy the requirement for a minor if either major requires a minor. A minimum of 9 credits must be earned at Georgia Southern University. Credit hours earned from an approved Georgia Southern University study abroad program may be used to satisfy the residential credits required for the minor.

Certificates

A certificate is a concentrated set of courses within a particular field of study. Certificates consist of at least 9 semester credit hours and no more than 59 semester credit hours. Certificates may be embedded in a degree program or stand-alone. Embedded certificates are awarded upon completion of a degree program and are a self-contained set of courses within a major. Once completed, an official notation is made on the student’s transcript.

Endorsements

A planned sequence of courses and experiences, typically three (3) to four (4) courses in length, designed to provide educators with an additional, specific set of knowledge and skills, or to expand and enhance existing knowledge and skills. Successful completion of an endorsements program results in the addition of the endorsement field to the Georgia educator certificate designating expertise in the field.