Graduate programs in the Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions are described in detail in this chapter. See subsections for specific program information as well as policies and procedures.
5010 General Information
The Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions is committed to the preparation of professionals in the areas of Clinical Health Informatics, Nursing, Nutrition, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Respiratory Therapy. The graduate programs build on undergraduate education and prepare the students for advanced practice, research, and leadership. The programs are designed to meet the health and human service needs of the citizens of Georgia. Involvement in research and practice in the urban community is encouraged. The programs are responsive to the needs of both full-time and part-time students and to students entering both first and second careers. Courses are delivered through a variety of modes including classroom and laboratory instruction, web-based instruction, and distance technology.
5010.10 Office of the Dean
816 Urban Life
404-413-1100
lewis.gsu.edu
Huanbiao Mo, Interim Dean
Lynda Goodfellow, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
5010.20 Accreditation
The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. The Coordinated Program in Dietetics is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education In Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). The Integrated Program (IP) in the Division of Respiratory Therapy leading to the Master’s of Health Sciences with a concentration in Respiratory Therapy is accredited for entry into the profession of respiratory care by the Committee on Respiratory Care Education (CoARC).
5010.30 Degrees Offered
The College of Nursing and Health Professions offers the following graduate programs:
- Graduate Certificate in Clinical Health Informatics
- Master of Science: major in health sciences (concentrations in health informatics, nutrition, and respiratory therapy)
- Master of Science: major in nursing (concentrations in adult -gerontology NP, pediatric primary care NP, psychiatric/mental health NP, family nurse practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.)
- Post-Master’s Certificates in all clinical areas in nursing
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
- Doctor of Philosophy: major in Nursing (focus in health promotion, protection, and restoration invulnerable populations)
- Master of Occupational Therapy
- Doctor of Physical Therapy
5010.40 Academic Units
School of Nursing
900 Urban Life Building
404-413-1200
nursing.gsu.edu/
Regena Spratling, Associate Dean
Faculty: Adebayo, Atraga, Aycock, Bates, Breslin, Casseus, Chen, Clark Cranford, Cranwell-Bruce, Davis, DeMars, Eades, Faulkner, Grantham, Hawks, Hendry, Hires, Horne, Lee, Jones, Kelley, Killian, Kirkendoll, Long, Marcus, McGee, Nelson, Plitnick, Schwarze, Sims, Spratling, Summers, Townsend, White
Department of Health Informatics
1228 Urban Life Building
404-413-1226
healthinformatics.gsu.edu/
Cedric Truss, Program Director
Faculty: Lowell, McGlothen, Truss
Department of Nutrition
862 Urban Life Building
404-413-1226
nutrition.gsu.edu/
Anita Nucci, Interim Department Chair
Faculty: Feresin, Ji, Mayfield, Mo, Nucci, Shaikh, Thompson, Todd, Wanders, Wiley
Emeritus Faculty: Cody, Baxter, Benardot Kicklighter, Roman, Rosenbloom
Department of Occupational Therapy
935C Urban Life Building
404-413-1446
occupationaltherapy.gsu.edu/
Kinsuk Maitra, Department Chair
Faculty: Bhattachariya, Buchman, Chen, Goss, Maitra, Podolski, Rowe, Wen
Department of Physical Therapy
1228 Urban Life Building
404-413-1225
physicaltherapy.gsu.edu/
Sujay Galen, Department Chair
Faculty: Butler, Chen, Farrell, Galen, Garcia, Gore, Henderson, Huggins, Lorio, Morelli, Thompson, Tsai, Warren
Department of Respiratory Therapy
1228 Urban Life Building
404-413-1225
rt.gsu.edu/
Doug Gardenhire, Department Chair
Robert Pettignano MD, Medical Director
Faculty: Brandenberger, Colquitt, Frederick, Gardenhire, D, Gardenhire, R, Goodfellow, Murray, Shan, Zimmerman
5020 Admissions
A person seeking to pursue any of the college’s programs of graduate study must be admitted to Georgia State University through the Georgia State University Graduate School. The Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions makes all admissions decisions for its programs. The requirements for admission stated in the following sections are established by the College of Nursing and Health Professions and the department of the program. Acceptance into one of the programs in the College of Nursing and Health Professions does not imply acceptance into another College/School in the University.
Georgia State University welcomes applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, sex, religion, creed, age, sexual orientation, gender, disability, veteran status or national origin. Admission is based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, an applicant’s academic record, test scores, experience, circumstances, good conduct and character. Admission is a competitive, selective process and meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance.
Absent extenuating circumstances, good disciplinary standing at previously attended colleges and universities is a condition of admission for all applicants. For purposes of admission, good disciplinary standing means that the applicant has no pending disciplinary charges, outstanding disciplinary sanctions or disciplinary issues that would prevent the applicant from re-enrolling at previously attended post-secondary institutions.
Applicants with a criminal and/or disciplinary history who are determined to be otherwise admissible for a respective term based on their academic record and other credentials are required to complete an admissions background review process before an admission decision is made by the university. Instructions for completing that review process are communicated to the applicant after the university has determined that the applicant is otherwise admissible for that term.
Omissions or misrepresentations on an application for admission are grounds for automatically invalidating consideration by, acceptance to and continuation at Georgia State. Applicants have a duty to update their application with Georgia State when information changes after application submission.
Graduate Admissions Appeals
The Chair of the academic department of the graduate program and the dean of the relevant college are the President’s designees for purposes of hearing Graduate Admissions Appeals.
Applicants for graduate program admissions who are denied admission due to academic ineligibility may appeal the denial to the department chair within twenty (20) calendar days of the date of the denial letter. The college dean serves as the final level of appeal.
Applicants for graduate admission who are denied for reasons related to disciplinary/criminal history or falsification of application may appeal the denial to the Dean of the Georgia State University Graduate School within twenty (20) calendar days of the date of the denial letter. The decision of the Dean of the Georgia State University Graduate School is final.
Notice to applicant of background review requirements
The University requires applicants who have a criminal or disciplinary history to complete a background review. Please contact the Background Review Records Coordinator at 404-413-1515 for information regarding completion of the review process as soon as possible to ensure timely processing of yourapplication.* The Background Review Records Coordinator will let you know what supplemental documentation you will need to provide to complete the process. You may be required to provide documentation such as:
- a personal statement explaining the circumstances surrounding criminal or school disciplinary violations, and the current status of any charges and sanctions;
- copies of criminal or school disciplinary records; and
- a background check (if you have a criminal history);
Please note that a final admission decision cannot be made until you complete all requirements of the admissions background review process.
*Applications may be withdrawn from review if the background review process is not initiated within two weeks.
Regarding non-resident Georgia (out-of-state) students that are taking courses via distance education, please review the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) link on the Georgia State University’s website atoie.gsu.edu/assessment-and-review-academic-and-adminstrative/accreditation/state-authorization/ to determine if the courses you are planning to enroll in are accepted by your home state and/or home institution. If the courses are not authorized, you may not receive Georgia State credit taken in those states.” If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Academic Assistance.
Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics
The Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics is an 18-21 credit hour program of study. This is an online program and is designed for experienced healthcare professional or current students of the Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions graduate clinical programs in physical therapy respiratory therapy, nutrition, nursing or occupational therapy.
The program will consist of at least two courses per semester, and is one calendar year long (three semesters). Cohorts may be accepted each fall and spring semester. The deadline for fall semester is June 15and spring is October 15.
The following materials are required for admission:
- Online Application for Graduate Study.
- A $50 application fee.
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended.
- Two letters of recommendation from individuals knowledgeable of the applicant’s professional and academic abilities.
- Current resume including education, work experience and professional development, professional and/or community activities, research and publications.
- Official scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), for applicants whose native language is not English. See section on “International Admissions” for more information.
- For International Applicants, please provide all items listed above plus the items listed on this link: lewis.gsu.edu/academics-admissions/international-applicants/.
- Because this program is taught strictly online, it does not allow for F1 or 1 visa sponsorship for overseas students
- A personal statement identifying your educational/professional goals and the purpose for applying to the specific graduate option.
- A two page white-paper style writing sample on a health informatics topic (APA style).
- A Certificate of Immunization.
- At least two years of clinical experience as a clinician or health professional OR current enrollment in a clinical graduate program in the College of Nursing and Health Professions.
Health Informatics, Master of Science in Health Sciences
The Master of Science in Health Sciences, Health Informatics Concentration is a 36-credit hour program of study. All courses are available online through asynchronous and synchronous instruction. The courses are developed for students that have at least two years of experience in a healthcare or information technology (IT) setting. Students may pursue the program the program full-time or part-time. Since the Master’s degree is strictly online, F1/J1 visa sponsorship is not available.
There is no GRE requirement for admission into the program.
The program will consist of at least two courses per semester, and students may be accepted each fall and spring semester. The deadline for fall semester is June 15 and spring is October 15.
The following materials are required for admission:
- Online Application for Graduate Study.
- A $50 application fee.
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended.
- Two letters of recommendation from individuals knowledgeable of the applicant’s professional and academic abilities.
- Current resume including education, work experience and professional development, professional and/or community activities, research and publications.
- Official scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), for applicants whose native language is not English. See section on “International Admissions” for more information.
- For International Applicants, please provide all items listed above plus the items listed on this link: lewis.gsu.edu/admissions/international-applicants/.
- Because this program is taught strictly online, it does not allow for F1 or 1 visa sponsorship for overseas students
- A personal statement identifying your educational/professional goals and the purpose for applying to the specific graduate option.
- A two page white-paper style writing sample on a health informatics topic (APA style).
- A Certificate of Immunization.
- A bachelor’s degree in any field with at least two years’ experience in a healthcare or information technology (IT) setting.
Master of Science in Nursing
The master’s program in nursing is open to registered nurses who wish to continue their education by obtaining an advanced degree. There are two admission options: RNs with a baccalaureate degree in nursing and RNs prepared at the associate or diploma level that have had outstanding practice experience and professional involvement. RNs who do not have a baccalaureate degree in nursing must complete additional undergraduate course work as prerequisites to master’s course work. The determination of required undergraduate course work is based on an evaluation of each applicant’s past academic work and on current undergraduate requirements for the baccalaureate nursing program.
Nursing accepts students into the master’s degree options each semester with the exception of the Pediatric Primary Care concentration which only accepts in the spring and the Psychiatric Mental Health concentration which only accepts in the fall. The application deadline for both fall semester is February1st. The application deadline for spring semester is September 15th.
The following materials are required for admission:
- Online Application for Graduate Study.
- A $50 application fee.
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended.
- Two letters of recommendation from individuals knowledgeable of the applicant’s professional and academic abilities; if you have completed your undergraduate nursing degree within past five years, one letter must come from a former professor.
- Current vitae or resume including education, work experience and professional development, professional and/or community activities, research and publications.
- Official scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), for applicants whose native language is not English. See section on “International Admissions” for more information.
- The MS Nursing program with a concentration in Nursing Leadership in Healthcare Innovations is strictly online, therefore it does not allow for F1 or J1 visa sponsorship for overseas students
- A written statement identifying your educational/professional goals and the purpose for applying to the specific graduate option.
- A two-page position paper on a current social or health issue (APA style).
- A Certificate of Immunization.
- Official scores from either the Miller Analogies Test (MAT), which is preferred, or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). PLEASE NOTE: The entrance exam is only waived if you meet one of the following:
- If you hold a graduate degree in a non-nursing field.
- If you are applying to our Post-Master’s Certificate program (must hold a MSN degree).
- If you have a GPA of a 3.0 or higher from your Bachelor of Science in nursing degree.
Additional requirements include the following:
- Graduation from an accredited nursing program.
- A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale. The GPA is based on all undergraduate college-level course work attempted at regionally accredited institutions.
- Registration as a professional nurse in Georgia or another U.S. state and evidence of application to the Georgia Board of Nursing.
- One to two years of clinical practice in the specialty area for master’s education is preferred for applicants in the clinical practice specialist.
Application information and materials are available on the College’s website: nursing.gsu.edu/academics/admissions/.
Admission Status
Full Graduate Status: Admission to the master’s program is contingent upon the availability of faculty and clinical resources. Applicants who meet all admissions guidelines based upon faculty review may be admitted to full graduate status.
Provisional Graduate Status: Students who do not meet all admission criteria MAY be admitted on a provisional basis. These students are limited to nine semester hours of study. These nine hours of study are determined and authorized by the student’s faculty advisor. Courses that must be included in the program of study for provisional students include NURS 7310 - Advanced Pathophysiological Concepts in Nursing, Part 1 and NURS 7320 - Advanced Pathophysiological Concepts in Nursing, Part 2 and one of the following: NURS 7550 - Pharmacology for the Advanced Practice Nurse ), or NURS 7950 - Theoretical Foundations and Research Methods for Advanced Practice Nursing . A grade of B must be achieved in each course during the provisional status period (9 credits); no course may be repeated. If a B is not achieved in each course, then the student will be withdrawn from the program. If a GPA of 3.0 is achieved (with at least a B in each course in the 9 credit course plan), and upon recommendation of the Master’s Program Committee, the student is admitted to full graduate status and will receive a letter notifying him or her of the change in status.
Post-Master’s Certificate
The Post-Master’s certificate program is open to all registered nurses who hold a master’s degree in Nursing. Post-Master’s certificate applicants have to meet the same admissions requirements as Masters’ degree applicants. Both Master’s degree and Post-Master’s Certificate admissions requirements can be found in the Graduate Admissions section under Nursing, Master of Science or Post-Master’s Certificate. The length of time to complete the certificate varies depending on your academic history and the courses taken in the M.S. Nursing program, but generally takes one to two years.
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
The Nursing program accepts students into the doctoral program in the fall semester only. The application deadline is February 1st.
The following materials are required for admission:
- Online Application for Graduate Study.
- A $50 application fee.
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended.
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals knowledgeable of the applicant’s professional, intellectual, and academic abilities.
- Current vitae or resume including education, work experience and professional development, professional and/or community activities, research, and publications.
- Statements of professional goals and research area of interest.
- A two-page position paper on a current social or health issue (in APA style).
- Official scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
- Official scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), for applicants whose native language is not English. See section on “International Admissions” for more information.
- A Certificate of Immunization.
Additional requirements include the following:
- Master’s degree in nursing. Applicants who hold a master’s degree in an area other than nursing must have (1) a bachelor’s degree in nursing, (2) a background in advanced clinical nursing practice, and (3) evidence of either previous course work in nursing theory or an individualized learning program in nursing theory.
- Licensure/Certification. All applicants (including international applicants) must hold a license in the United States as a registered nurse (R.N. license) prior to acceptance to the doctoral program.
- An interview with a Nursing faculty member.
- Applicants must have completed a graduate-level intermediate statistics course within the past five years prior to admission, OR must complete a graduate-level intermediate statistics course by the end of the first enrolled semester in the doctoral program.
Doctor of Nursing Practice
The Doctor of Nursing program accepts students into the doctoral program in the fall semester only. The application deadline is February 1st.
The following materials are required for admission:
- Online Application for Graduate Study.
- A $50 application fee.
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended.
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals knowledgeable of the applicant’s professional, intellectual, and academic abilities.
- Current vitae or resume including education, work experience and professional development, professional and/or community activities, research, and practice scholarship.
- Statements of professional goals and advanced practice area of interest.
- A two-page position paper on a current social or health issue (in APA style).
- The GRE exam is waived for applicants who have an MSN degree. BS-DNP applicants will be required to take the GRE or MAT exam.
- Official scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), for applicants whose native language is not English. See section on “International Admissions” for more information.
- A Certificate of Immunization.
Additional requirements include the following:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in nursing from an accredited nursing program.
- Current, active and unencumbered RN licensure in state of residency and/or practice
- Current advance practice nurse certification for applicants MSN
- Recommended grade point average of 3.2 in master’s degree program for MSN to DNP applicants. Recommended grade point average minimum of 3.4 in bachelor’s degree program for BSN and DNP.
Nursing Non-Degree Admission
Non-degree status is granted on an individual basis in the graduate nursing programs. Applicants must possess a bachelor’s of science degree with a major in nursing to be eligible to take master’s courses. Applicants must have a GPA of 2.75 or greater to take master’s level nursing courses. Applicants wishing to take a doctoral course must have a master’s degree. Instructor permission is required for course enrollment. Admission to non-degree status does not warrant or secure admission to the degree program. Students with non-degree status may take up to a maximum of nine credit hours of graduate coursework without admission to the nursing program.
Application information and materials are available on the College’s website at lewis.gsu.edu/admissions/graduate/#nondegree
Nutrition, Master of Science in Health Sciences
IMPORTANT: The six courses listed below are required prerequisites to the M.S. degree program in Nutrition. These courses must be completed prior to admission. If you wish to complete or update the required prerequisites at Georgia State University, you can apply through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at admissions.gsu.edu for postbaccalaureate status.
Inorganic Chemistry (1 semester)
(GSU CHEM 1211k and CHEM 1212K or equivalent)
Organic Chemistry (1 semester)
(GSU CHEM 2400 and CHEM 2100 or equivalent)
Human Anatomy and Physiology (2 semesters)
(GSU BIOL 2110K and BIOL 2120K or GSU BIOL 2107K, BIOL 2108K, BIOL 3240 and BIOL 3250or equivalent)
Principles of Nutrition (1 semester)(GSU NUTR 2100 or equivalent)
NOTE: Online laboratory courses will not be accepted.
The selection of potential degree candidates for the Master of Science degree program in Health Sciences is competitive. Admission is based upon the quality of the undergraduate record, achievement on required admission tests, and suitable preparation for the specific degree program to be pursued All applicants must be graduates of accredited institutions with baccalaureate degrees and meet other requirements listed below.
The following materials are required for admission:
- Online Application for Graduate Study.
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended
- A $50 application fee’
- Two letters of recommendation from individuals knowledgeable of the applicant’s professional, intellectual, and academic abilities.
- Statement of Professional Goals.
In addition to the materials required for program admission, the Department of Nutrition requires the following for applicants to the specialization in nutrition:
- A minimum grade point average of 3.0 in all college-level coursework.
- A rank in the 50th percentile or greater on both the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning measures.
- A resume (curriculum vita) outlining professional, educational, and volunteer experience and special skills, such as proficiency in languages other than English
- College-level courses with laboratory experiences in anatomy, physiology, inorganic chemistry, and organic chemistry. These courses must have been completed within 10 years prior to taking graduate courses for which they are prerequisites.
Students may be admitted in Fall and Spring semesters to the specialization in nutrition. The application deadline for fall semester is May 15 and the application deadline for spring semester is October 1. Students planning full time course loads are strongly urged to enter in fall semester to maximize availability of courses due to sequencing.
Application information and materials are available at nutrition.gsu.edu/academics/graduate-admissions/.
Nutrition, Master of Science in Health Sciences, Coordinated Program
IMPORTANT: The six courses listed below are required prerequisites to the M.S. degree program in Nutrition. These courses must be completed prior to admission. If you wish to complete or update the required prerequisites at Georgia State University, you can apply through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at admissions.gsu.edu for postbaccalaureate status.
Inorganic Chemistry (1 semester)
(GSU CHEM 1211k and CHEM 1212K or equivalent)
Organic Chemistry (1 semester)
(GSU CHEM 2400 and CHEM 2100 or equivalent)
Human Anatomy and Physiology (2 semesters)
(GSU BIOL 2110K and BIOL 2120K or GSU BIOL 2107K, BIOL 2108K, BIOL 3240 and BIOL 3250or equivalent)
Principles of Nutrition (1 semester)
(GSU NUTR 2100 or equivalent)
NOTE: Online laboratory courses will not be accepted.
Applicants to this program must meet the requirements for admission to the Master of Science in Health Science in Nutrition, including the Nutrition Specialization requirements listed above. They must also have completed an undergraduate course in anthropology, psychology, or sociology. Undergraduate majors from Didactic Programs in Dietetics who hold a ACEND Verification Statement listing completion date or ACEND Declaration of Intent to Complete Form with anticipated completion date must apply for this program January 15.
The Coordinated Program accepts students once a year. The application deadline for fall semester is May15.
Master of Occupational Therapy
The mission of Georgia State University’s program of occupational therapy is to improve on human lives through innovations in research, community engagement, an education in occupational therapy and rehabilitation in general. We will prepare highly competent and ethical entry-level occupational therapists in the delivery of evidence based, culturally-competent, and compassionate care to improve health and independence of individual and community with a highly technological and globally diverse environment.
The Occupational Therapy Master’s program accepts students once a year in the fall semester.
Students are required to complete the following prerequisite courses:
- 2 courses in anatomy and/or physiology
- 1 course in human growth and development or developmental psychology
- 1 course in abnormal psychology
- 1 course in statistics
- 1 course in sociology or anthropology
- 1 course in medical terminology
The following courses are not required to be completed before the start of the program:
- Gross Human Anatomy with lab, 5000 level or higher, four credit hours or higher
- Pathology, 5000 level or higher, three credit hours or higher
Applicants must meet the following minimum admissions criteria:
- Take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing measures within five years of application to the program. The minimum required score of 150 on the Verbal section; 140 on the Quantitative Section; and 3.5 on the Analytic Writing section score.
- A cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 is recommended. A GPA of 3.0 in prerequisite courses is required. All prerequisites must be completed within the last five years
- Documentation of a minimum of 50 hours of work or volunteer experience in at least two different delivery systems demonstrating exposure to and understanding of the occupational therapist’s role.
The following materials are required for admission:
- A OTCAS Application and all associated OTCAS supplemental materials, including official transcripts from all colleges attended, and fees.
- Georgia State University Application for Graduate Study.
- A $50 Georgia State University application fee.
- A personal essay, no more than two pages, succinctly discussing how your academic background and life experiences will contribute to you success in the OT program while enhancing our program and the profession of occupational therapy.
- Three letters of recommendation. At least one from an OT, one from a professor, and one from a work supervisor, academic advisor or other healthcare professional (non-relatives).
- A current resume of professional and volunteer experiences.
- Official scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
- Official scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) taken in the last two years, for applicants whose native language is not English. Minimum scores: TOEFL a score of 90 with no less than 20 on each subset, IELTS a score of 6.5 with no less than 6 on each band score. See section on “International Admissions” in this chapter for more information.
- An interview on request from Georgia State.
- A Certificate of Immunization.
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Candidates for admission to the entry-level D.P.T. degree program must be able to demonstrate abilities to meet certain technical standards of performance necessary to carry out their activities as health professionals. They must demonstrate the functional use of their senses that will allow them to elicit appropriate information to perceive nonverbal communications from patients or clients. They must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in oral and in written form. Additionally, each candidate should be physically able to provide reasonable care and emergency treatment when necessary.
All candidates must possess those intellectual, ethical, physical, and emotional attributes required to undertake the full curriculum and to achieve the levels of competence required by the faculty. They must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of these abilities in order to exercise good judgment in their activities as health professionals.
Prerequisites
The D.P.T. curriculum demands rigorous scholarly effort. Students with diverse strengths and backgrounds are encouraged to apply to the program. To gain admission, students must possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. The baccalaureate degree must be completed prior to matriculation into the D.P.T. program. The baccalaureate degree should be in a student’s area of interest. The program is designed for the person with an undergraduate degree in a field other than physical therapy. Students are required to complete the following prerequisite courses:
- 2 courses in anatomy and/or physiology
- 2 courses in physics
- 2 courses in chemistry
- 1 course in statistics
- 1 course in biology
- 1 course in psychology
Applicants must meet the following minimum admissions criteria:
- A rank in the 50th percentile or greater on both the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning measures. The minimum required score on the Analytic Writing section score is 3.5.
- A cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 is recommended. A GPA of 3.0 in prerequisite courses is required.
- Documentation of volunteer and/or work experience in two physical therapy practice settings. A total of 80 hours of service is required with at least 20 hours of observation in each setting. The experience must be documented, and the documents must be signed by a supervisor who can attest to the applicant’s presence and the nature of the activities. The program is competitive, and the admissions application, cumulative GPA, prerequisite GPA, GRE scores, and Interview are utilized to rank applicants for admission.
The following materials are required for admission:
- A PTCAS Application and all associated PTCAS supplemental materials, including official transcripts from all colleges attended, and fees.
- Georgia State University Application for Graduate Study.
- A $50 application fee.
- Official scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
- Official scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), for applicants whose native language is not English. See section on “International Admissions” in this chapter for more information.
- A Certificate of Immunization.
Selected applicants are invited to campus for an interview with the faculty, clinical instructors and students of the Department of Physical Therapy.
Students are accepted into the program once a year and the program begins in the summer semester. The application deadline is generally nine to twelve months prior to the anticipated semester of entry. Application information is available on the College’s website at physicaltherapy.gsu.edu/graduate-admissions/.
Respiratory Therapy, Master of Science in Health Sciences
The selection of potential degree candidates for the Master of Science degree program in Health Sciences is competitive. Admission is based upon the quality of the undergraduate record, achievement on required admission tests, and suitable preparation for the specific degree program to be pursued. All applicants must be graduates of accredited institutions with baccalaureate degrees and meet other requirements listed below for the specialization areas.
Individuals are admitted into the program in one of two categories: full graduate status, which includes provisional status, or non-degree status.
Full Graduate Status
Full graduate status must be achieved in order to fulfill all degree requirements. Required materials include the following:
- Online Application for Graduate Study and supplemental applications, if applicable.
- A $50 application fee.
- Two copies of official transcripts from all colleges attended.
- Official scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
- Official scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), for applicants whose native language is not English. See section on “International Admissions” in this chapter for more information.
- A Certificate of Immunization.
Provisional Status
Applicants who do not meet one or more of the admissions standards for full graduate status and who, in the opinion of the faculty, have the potential to be successful in graduate study, may be admitted to provisional status. Students admitted to this status must satisfy the requirements stated on their admission letter to continue in full graduate status. Students are admitted to this status at the option of the division and when adequate facilities are available.
Respiratory Therapy Specialization
In addition to the materials required for program admission, the Department of Respiratory Therapy requires the following for applicants to the specialization in respiratory care:
- A minimum grade point average of 3.0 in all college-level coursework.
- A rank in the 50th percentile or greater on both the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning measures.
- Bachelor of Science/Arts degree in respiratory therapy or related field.
- Resumé (C.V.) outlining professional and educational experience, with two professional references listed.
- If you already have your bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy, evidence of credentialing as a registered respiratory therapist (RRT), a copy of National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC) credentials.
The MS RT Online track is strictly online, there for it does not allow for F1 or J1 visa sponsorship for overseas students. Student interested in F1 or J1 visa sponsorship should apply for the Traditional track. Provisional Status Applicants who do not meet one or more of the admissions standards for full graduate status and who, in the opinion of the faculty, have the potential to be successful in graduate study, may be admitted to provisional status. Students admitted to this status must satisfy the requirements stated on their admission letter to continue in full graduate status. Students are admitted to this status at the option of the department and when adequate facilities are available.
Respiratory Therapy Non-degree Status
Non-degree Status is provided to accommodate selected students who do not plan to seek the master’s degree. Additionally, this status may be used to accommodate selected students who have the potential for graduate study but, at the time of application, are not able to fulfill all the requirements for admission to full graduate status. A student is admitted to this status at the option of the department concerned. Admission to this status does not warrant or secure admission to the degree program. Students in non-degree status are limited to 12 semester hours of graduate course work.
Applications are accepted for the fall and spring semesters only. The application deadline for fall is May 15 and September 15 for spring and January 15 for summer. Application information and materials are available on the College’s website at https://lewis.gsu.edu/admissions/graduate/#nondegree.
5020.10 Transient Student Admission
A student enrolled in a graduate degree program at another accredited institution may seek admission as a transient student in the college. Admission requirements include an application, application fee, certificate of immunization, and a letter of good standing from the institution the applicant is presently attending. The letter must include the courses approved by the home institution. The application must be printed/downloaded from the website at lewis.gsu.edu/admissions/graduate/#transient.
Admission to transient status is normally for one semester only. A transient student who wishes to enroll for a subsequent semester at Georgia State must file an Application for Re-entry with the College of Nursing and Health Professions Office of Academic Assistance. Students must be in good Academic Standing at Georgia State University in order to continue as transient students at the University. Transient students who are not in good academic standing will not be allowed to continue taking courses as transient students in the College of Nursing and Health Professions per the University Re-entry Definition (see section 1110.10 in this catalog). If the student wishes to enroll in courses other than those listed in the original letter of good standing, the home institution must submit a new letter indicating approval of those courses.
Although the university cannot guarantee the availability of space in desired courses, every effort will be made to assist students in the registration process. The student is responsible for requesting that transcripts of grades earned at Georgia State be sent to the home institution. Transient students who do not remain in good academic standing at Georgia State University may not be allowed to continue taking courses in the College of Nursing and Health Professions.
5020.20 International Student Admission
It is the policy of Georgia State University to encourage the enrollment of students from other countries. The University subscribes to the principles of international education and to the basic concept that only through education and understanding can mutual respect, appreciation and tolerance of others be accomplished. The recognition of the values of cultural exchange is inherent in our philosophy of education and is predicated on an awareness of the need to foster better cooperation, friendship, and understanding among the peoples of the world. In this regard, we welcome international students to our campus because we believe in a cultural exchange program which will be beneficial to our own student body, to the international students involved, and to metropolitan Atlanta.
Academic Credentials: Applicants who have completed all or part of their education outside the United States are required to have their foreign credentials evaluated by an independent evaluation service. For graduate admissions, the College of Nursing and Health Professions recommends Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. (www.jsilny.com). The college will also accept evaluations of foreign credentials from Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (www.ece.org) and World Education Services (www.wes.org). If Josef Silny & Associates is used as the independent evaluation service, transcripts do not have to be provided by the applicant. Academic credentials must be original documents with authoritative signatures, seals, stamps, etc. Whenever possible, these should be sent by the institution responsible for issuing such documents. In cases where it is impossible for an applicant to have these credentials sent from such institutions, the applicant should forward a duly “notarized” or “attested to” copy. The notarization should be done by the proper institutional official or by the Ministry of Education in the home country. Documents in a language other than English must be accompanied by translations. Translations should be made by the home country embassy or an appropriate official, and the original copies of the translations, acceptably notarized as described above, must be provided. As a general rule, documents translated by the Office of the American Friends of the Middle East (AFME) or the Institute of International Education (IIE) will be acceptable.
English Proficiency:
In addition to meeting the regular admission requirements, international applicants whose native language is not English must submit proof of English proficiency through one of the following:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- International Language Testing System (IELTS)
- Documentation that the baccalaureate or a prior graduate degree was obtained in an English-speaking country
- Completion of a University System of Georgia approved ESL program
Financial Resources: Applicants who plan to attend Georgia State University on an F-1 or J-1 visa must submit a Financial Statement showing the financial support necessary for the costs associated with the first year of study.
Course Load: The international student with a student visa is required to carry a full course of study in fall and spring semester. A full course of study at Georgia State University is nine semester hours for graduate students. International students cannot be admitted as non degree students.
5020.30 Changing Semester of Entry
Admission to a graduate program in the College of Nursing and Health Professions is valid only for the semester, the degree, the major and the concentration specified in the letter of acceptance. A student who does not enroll for the semester for which acceptance was granted should notify the department they have been admitted to of their decision to change their semester of entry. In most programs, students who do not enroll for the semester they are accepted are not guaranteed admission in a subsequent semester. Students generally have to reapply to the program and must be reconsidered for admission.
5020.40 Re-entry Students
A re-entry student is a student who has been enrolled at Georgia State University and who:
- Has not registered for courses at Georgia State during the previous 12 months; or
- Attended any semester as a transient student and wishes to attend an additional semester as a transient student.
Graduate students in the College of Nursing and Health Professions may only re-enter the same graduate program or status in which they were last enrolled. Students must additionally be approved for re-entry through their division. Students who have attended Georgia State University in both undergraduate and graduate categories may apply to re-enter in either category. Reentry applications for Undergraduate Students are submitted online to the Office of Admissions at admissions.gsu.edu. Graduate students may obtain applications through the college website. Transient students should refer to the “Transient Student Admission” section in this chapter.
5020.50 Tuition Deposit
The Department of Physical Therapy requires students newly accepted into their program to submit a portion of their first semester’s tuition at the time of acceptance. The advanced tuition, which is nonrefundable, guarantees the student’s place in the class.
5030 Degree Regulations
Graduate students in the Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions are responsible for knowledge of all regulations and procedures of the school, the university, and of the program or status in which they are enrolled. Enrollment in a program constitutes a students’ acknowledgment that they are obligated to comply with all academic and administrative regulations and degree requirements. Students are encouraged to read carefully the general regulations that follow and those specifically pertaining to theirprogram.
5030.10 Transfer of Credit
Students who have completed graduate courses at other institutions prior to enrollment at Georgia State University may request that those courses be evaluated for transfer of credit to the College of Nursing and Health Professions. The request for transfer credit must be made by the student. Only those courses that are deemed to be appropriate to the student’s program of study in the college can be transferred. Transferred credits will be included in the year limitation placed on credits applicable to the degree.
Students who wish to enroll in courses at another institution after acceptance to a graduate program in the College of Nursing and Health Professions and wish to apply those courses to their graduate program at Georgia State University, must first obtain written approval from their adviser, the graduate director/coordinator, and any other appropriate persons. Students will not be allowed to enroll in courses to be transferred back to Georgia State University during the semester he or she expects to graduate from Georgia State University.
The maximum amount of credit that may be transferred is nine semester hours. Exceptions to this rule will be granted on an individual basis.
5030.20 Academic Warning and Suspension
Each student admitted to a graduate program in the Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00. A student whose cumulative grade point average falls below 3.00 at the end of a semester will be placed on Academic Warning. The student will be notified of this standing by the College of Nursing and Health Professions Office of Academic Assistance. If a 3.00 cumulative grade point average is not achieved by the end of the next twelve semester hours or two semesters, whichever is longer, of completed course work approved by the faculty adviser, the student will be suspended from the graduate program. Students in provisional status or non-degree status must achieve a 3.00 cumulative grade point average by the end of their period in that status, however individual programs may not allow students in these categories to continue if their cumulative grade point average falls below 3.00. Transient students must maintain a 3.00 cumulative grade point average in order to continue in that status. Transient students who do not maintain a 3.00 cumulative grade point average may be subject to academic suspension. A student may apply for reinstatement after one semester as a suspended student. Application for reinstatement must be made no later than six weeks prior to the first day of classes for the semester in which reinstatement is sought.
The academic standing policies for the Doctor in Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) and the Master’s and Doctoral Nursing programs differ from those above. Please refer to the section on the D.P.T. program for policies and the Nursing polices that pertain to students in those programs.
Each department may have additional policies related to academic progression. Students should refer to the applicable student handbooks.
5030.30 Changing Catalog Editions
Students will normally satisfy the degree requirements of the catalog in effect at the time they enter the graduate program in the College of Nursing and Health Professions. Revisions may be required to provide more effective programs. Degree requirements include the courses and grades required to earn the degree. A change in an academic regulation such as academic standing policy or appeals procedures will affect all students regardless of catalog edition.
Students will be required to change catalog editions when they reenter the university after a period of two or more consecutive years in which they have earned no academic credit at Georgia State University. Some graduate programs in the College of Nursing and Health Professions may have stricter requirements on changing catalog editions.
5030.40 Continuous Enrollment
Students in all graduate programs must maintain enrollment totaling 6 hours (or more) over all consecutive three semester periods (including summers). In other words, the total enrollment of the current term plus the two terms preceding it must add to 6 hours or more at all times. The status of all students will be checked by the midpoint of each term for compliance with the continuous enrollment requirement. Any student whose enrollment is out of compliance may receive a registration hold preventing all current and future registration. Those students will be notified by an email message sent to their official Georgia State University email account.
To resume their programs, students with continuous enrollment holds must file for re-entry by the published deadline and must enroll at a level sufficient to satisfy the continuous enrollment criterion. That is, their enrollment in the re-entry term plus the two terms preceding it must total to 6 hours or more. The maximum required enrollment level for the re-entry term is 6 hours. For more information on the re-entry process, see section 1110 .
5040 Degree Requirements
Degree requirements in the Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions are program specific and are listed under the individual programs.
5040.10 Thesis Hours
Students in Nutrition and Respiratory Therapy who are involved in writing a master’s thesis/research project shall register for at least three credit hours of thesis/research project credit each semester from the time they finish their course work until the time all requirements for the degree are completed. Master’s students in Nursing do not complete a thesis requirement.
All Ph.D students in the Nursing who are involved in writing a dissertation shall register for at least three credit hours of dissertation credit each semester from the time they are admitted to candidacy until the time the dissertation is successfully defended.
All D.N.P students must register for three credit hours of D.N.P Project Dissemination.
Doctor of Physical Therapy, Master of Occupational Therapy and Certificate or Master of Health Science in Clinical Health Informatic students are not required to complete a thesis or dissertation.
5050 Academic Advisement and Graduation Procedures
Academic Advisement for graduate students in the Byrdine F Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions is done by the faculty within the College.
All candidates for the M.S.,O.T.M., Ph.D, D.N.P or D.P.T degrees or certificates in Nursing or Clinical Health Informatics must file a formal application for graduation with the University’s Graduation Office at least two semesters in advance of the expected semester of graduation. Deadlines are published on the Georgia State website: registrar.gsu.edu/graduation/. The Graduation Office will inform the College when the application is filed. The College of Nursing and Health Professions will conduct an audit and inform the student of any remaining requirements. A degree/certificate will be awarded only to a student who meets the university academic and residence requirements as well as the standards of performance and academic requirements for the M.S.,O.T.M, Ph.D, D.N.P or D.P.T degrees or certificates in Nursing or Clinical Health Informatics. All credits, including transfer credits, presented for the Master of Science, Occupational Therapy Master, and Doctor of Physical Therapy degree must have been earned within six calendar years of the date of the degree. For the Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Nursing Practice degree credits, including transfer credits must be earned within seven years of the date of the degree. A student must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in order to receive a master’s degree in the College of Nursing and Health Professions. A student must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in order to receive a Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.
Please note that licensing boards or agencies for program-related occupations may deny, suspend or revoke a license if an applicant has a criminal history or licensee is convicted, pleads guilty or nolo contendre to a felony or other crime. Students should consult the licensing board corresponding to their intended occupations for more details. Successful completion of a program of study in the College of Nursing and Health Professions does not guarantee licensure, certification, or employment in the relevant occupation.
5060 Student Complaints, Petitions for Policy Waivers and Variances, and Appeals
The appeals procedure for students will follow different courses depending on the nature of the student’s appeal. Please refer to University Information Section 1050.80 under Polices and Disclosures in this catalog or visit enrollment.gsu.edu/assistance/ online for details.
5070 Clinical, Field Experience or Internship
As part of the degree completion requirements for some of the programs in the Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions, the student will be placed in a clinical setting which requires the student to care for and/or be exposed to individuals and patients of all ages and with a variety of diagnoses and symptoms, some of which are communicable and infectious. However, unless otherwise required by law, the Georgia State University College of Nursing and Health Professions does not grant special consideration or waiver of any degree completion requirements, including placement in a clinical setting.
Please note that majors in the School must complete a clinical program during their program. Some students will be placed with a clinical affiliate that gives care to vulnerable populations or deals with sensitive information. As a result, the affiliate may request a criminal background check or drug screen as a prerequisite for placement. If a student uses illegal drugs, has a criminal record before they declare their major or acquire a criminal record after declaring their major, they might be prohibited from participating in the clinical program. Since the program is a requirement, the student might be prevented from completing the degree program. The programs in the College of Nursing and Health Professions reserve the right to require the withdrawal of any student who, in the opinion of the faculty, does not maintain the standards of clinical performance or conduct.
5080 Graduate Assistants
A limited number of graduate assistant positions (GA) are available for qualified candidates in the Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions. Further information regarding availability and qualifications for these positions can be obtained by contacting the graduate director/coordinator in each department.
Any student chosen for an GA is required to have health insurance. There are two options for satisfying this requirement: students may provide proof of insurance if they already have coverage or they may apply for coverage through the University with either United Healthcare. For more information on student health insurance please go to this link: sfs.gsu.edu/tuition-fees/student-health-insurance/buy-student-health-insurance/. Students are also required to register for 3 hours of 7980 Research Practicum in the department where the GA position is funded.
