4000 College of Education and Human Development

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(Additional Educator Preparation information is found in 1600 Educator Preparation ) 

Graduate programs in the College of Education and Human Development are described in detail in this chapter. See subsections for specific program information as well as policies and procedures.

General Information

The information contained in this chapter applies to programs, course offerings, and requirements specific to the College of Education and Human Development. However, the information in this chapter is to be considered supplemental to the general university information found in the preceding chapters of this catalog. Therefore, students should familiarize themselves thoroughly with general information on registration, fees and refunds, academic regulations, student life, and campus services. All policies, regulations, and requirements explained in the preceding chapters of this catalog also apply to the College of Education and Human Development.

Accreditation

The Professional Education Faculty governs all educator preparation programs leading to licensure by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. The GaPSC approval process covers all initial teacher preparation programs, programs leading to service and educational leadership certificates, and endorsements in teaching or service fields offered at Georgia State University.

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.S., the Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling M.S., the School Counseling M.Ed., and the Counselor Education and Practice Ph.D. programs are accredited by The Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The American Psychological Association (APA) accredits the doctoral programs in Counseling Psychology and School Psychology.

The Master of Science (M.S.) program in Communication Sciences and Disorders (speech-language pathology) at Georgia State University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200Research Boulevard #310, Rockville, Maryland 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.

4010 Research and Outreach

Many of the college’s programs involve student and faculty participation and interaction with metropolitan Atlanta community schools and agencies. Atlanta offers an ideal laboratory for the development of our students. To view the college’s list of opportunities, go to the Research and Outreach websites.

4020 Students’ Responsibilities

Knowledge of Regulations

Graduate students must assume full responsibility for knowledge of the policies, rules, and regulations of the College of Education and Human Development and the university as well as the departmental requirements concerning their individual programs.

It is the responsibility of the students to become knowledgeable of and to observe all regulations and procedures required by the program being pursued. In no case will a regulation be waived or an exception granted because a student pleads ignorance of the regulation or asserts that an advisor or other university authority did not inform the individual of a specific requirement. Each student should become especially familiar with the chapters of this catalog that present the academic requirements for the degree being sought, the offerings and requirements of the students’ major department, and any changes published in the online Schedule of Classes each academic term.

While the provisions set forth in this catalog will ordinarily be applied as stated, Georgia State University and the College of Education and Human Development have the right to change any provision, including but not limited to academic requirements for graduation, without actual notice to individual students. Every effort will be made to keep students advised of any such changes. Information on changes will be available in the Office of the Dean and Graduate Services when changes are made by the College of Education and Human Development. It is especially important that each student note that it is the individual student’s responsibility to keep apprised of current graduation requirements for his or her particular degree program.

Criteria on Academic and Professional Integrity

The College of Education and Human Development is committed to upholding standards of academic and professional integrity. These standards require that students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs within the College of Education and Human Development adhere to both the University’s Student Code of Conduct as described online at codeofconduct.gsu.edu/ as well as their individual degree program’s Policy on Student Professionalism, Integrity and Retention. Students should contact their department for a copy of their degree program’s policy.

Continuous Enrollment

Graduate students must register for at least a total of six semester hours of course work during any period of three consecutive terms (fall, spring, summer) until completion of degree. In other words, the total enrollment of the current term plus the two terms preceding it must add to six hours or more at all times. In order to graduate, students must be actively enrolled in the program of study during the semester they finish degree requirements for graduation.

The minimum registration for the semester of completion of all degree requirements is one semester hour. This could be for a course, a special topics seminar, or thesis research, etc. If only an incomplete “I” grade is pending, the student will not have to register for the term of graduation.

In addition to this university policy, the College of Education and Human Development has a specific requirement for all Ph.D. candidates. Enrollment for a minimum of three semester hours of credit is required during at least two out of each three-term period following successful completion of the comprehensive examination until graduation. These hours of credit must include a minimum of 15 semester hours of dissertation (9990) credit but may also include other coursework.

4030 Teacher Certification

Authority to recommend for certification rests with the dean of the College of Education and Human Development. Questions about certification and certification requirements should be directed to the appropriate department. Instructions for applying for certification can be found here: education.gsu.edu/admissions/certification-requirements/.

Graduate admission information may be obtained from Graduate Student Services, 300 College of Education and Human Development Building, 30 Pryor Street 404-413-8000 or online. Teachers interested in adding art or music certification should contact the College of the Arts Office of Academic Assistance, 55Park Place, Suite 990, 404-413-5855, COTAadvise@gsu.edu.

Add-on certification at the master’s and specialist degree levels requires admission at the graduate level. Certification at either of these degree levels requires a grade point average of “B” or higher in the certification courses. Some programs require a grade of “B” or higher in specific courses.

4040 Graduate Student Services

300 College of Education and Human Development Building
404-413-8000
education.gsu.edu/admissions/advising-services/

• Provides graduate application information and processes completed applications for graduate admission consideration;
• Receives and evaluates application materials for graduate study in the College of Education and Human Development;
• Explains catalog regulations;
• Recommends candidates for certification by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission;
• Audits and clears students for graduation;
• Administers appropriate policies for the college and the university; and
• Refers students to other sources of assistance in the university.

Graduate Student Services will counsel applicants who are denied admission into the College’s graduate programs, as needed, by appointment only.

Any student or applicant needing assistance may send questions via email to cehdgrad@gsu.edu or call404-413-8000. Students should always provide their Panther ID number when seeking advice or assistance.

Department and Faculty Advisement

Each department in the college provides advisement and counseling to students enrolled in its graduate programs. All admitted students are assigned a faculty advisor for academic and career development, the selection of electives, and any aspect of a student’s major area of study. The initiative for contact with the faculty advisor lies with the student, who may also have ready access to other members of the faculty.

4050 Changing Major or Degree Status

Georgia State University graduate students in the College of Education and Human Development who wish to change to a different graduate major must submit a new application for admission and supply all required admission materials for the new major. In the College of Education and Human Development, coursework completed in the previous program may be counted toward the requirements for the new major if the courses match those described in the new major’s program description and the credits meet all other College of Education and Human Development guidelines for degree completion and if the student’s new program advisor approves the use of previously earned credits toward the new program. If another college offers the new major, the student should contact the appropriate graduate office in that college for information about applying to its graduate program. If a College of Education and Human Development graduate student requests to change their major concentration, they can do so with approval from their faculty advisor and notification to Graduate Student Services.

Graduate students admitted in non-degree status who wish to become admitted in a degree-seeking status must complete the online application, pay the $50 application fee, and supply all required admission materials for the new degree program. No more than nine (9) semester hours of coursework taken in a non-degree status may be applied to a master’s or doctoral program in the College of Education and Human Development. Non-degree credits may not apply to any specialist degree program.

4060 Required Change of Catalog Edition

College of Education and Human Development students (a) who re-enter the university after a period of one or more years during which time they did not earn academic credit at Georgia State University or (b)who re-enroll at Georgia State University after having attended another institution in any status other than as a college-approved transient student must change to the current catalog edition, or petition with their re-entry application to retain their current catalog. They must meet all requirements of the current catalog edition.

4070 Courses

Prerequisite Courses

The faculty have designated prerequisites for many College of Education and Human Development courses. Students are expected to have completed a course’s prerequisites prior to the first day of class. If students have appropriate academic and professional experience, they may ask the instructor or department to allow them to register for a course without having completed the published prerequisites for a course; however, the instructor and department are under no obligation to allow the students to enroll without having completed the prerequisites. In some courses, the students may be administratively withdrawn from the course if the instructor or department discovers that they have not completed the course’s prerequisites.

Separate Graduate and Undergraduate Programs

The graduate and undergraduate programs of the college are entirely separate and only those persons who have been admitted to a graduate program may enroll in courses numbered 6000 or higher.

Level of Courses

No undergraduate course credit may be applied toward any of the graduate-level program degree requirements. Undergraduate courses may be used to satisfy program prerequisites, if approved by the advisor. No course numbered 5000 to 5999 may be applied toward the requirements of any degree program offered by the college.

Only those persons who have been admitted to a graduate program may enroll in courses numbered 6000 or higher.

College of Education and Human Development courses numbered 9000 or higher are restricted to students admitted to a doctoral program. Other graduate students may be eligible to enroll with consent of the instructor.

Minimum Grade in Courses

The formal coursework requirement is satisfied through successful completion of each course in the program of study with a grade of “C” or higher. Coursework in which a grade below “C” is earned may not be applied to a program.

Directed Readings Course

A directed readings course is assigned for an individual project or readings under supervision. An application for a directed readings course is available online and requires consultation with the instructor of choice to develop the topic of study, approval of the students’ advisor, and approval of the department chair of the chosen instructor’s department. Directed reading courses may not substitute for courses that are part of the regular course offerings of the college.

4080 Practicum and Student Teaching Internships

Pre-Service Certificate

All Georgia State University students who are accepted into an educator preparation program and will be completing a field placement must complete the requirements to obtain a Pre-Service Certificate from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (which includes a criminal background check and the ethics module).

Once students are admitted to an educator preparation program, they will receive an email from the Office of Field Placements and Certification with instructions on how to apply for the Pre-Service certificate. Do not apply for the Pre-Service Certificate prior to admission.

Application Deadlines

Graduate students enrolled in initial teacher preparation programs will receive information from their department faculty regarding the process to request a field placement associated with the required courses in their program of study including the type of experience needed and application deadlines. The Georgia State University Office of Field Placements and Certification will assist the departments by processing the paperwork required for the placements and will notify the department of the approved placements when received. Information for the Office of Field Placements and Certification can be found online at education.gsu.edu/office-of-field-placements/.

Policies and Criteria

Specific information regarding policies related to practicum and student teaching internship placements may be obtained from the student’s department. In addition, all students are required to contact their advisors and chair of the department in which the internship is to take place for additional criteria and specific requirements of the experience.

The practicum or student teaching supervisor has the authority to withdraw students from a classroom experience if the students’ performance constitutes a detriment to the students in the class, and if such removal is necessary, the students will be given a grade of “F” for the course. If a student is removed from their practicum or student teaching placement, it is not guaranteed that an alternate placement will be obtained for the student in the same semester which may result in delaying the students’ completion of their program.

4090 Student Complaints, Petitions for Policy Waivers and Variances, and Appeals

The appeals procedure for students will follow different courses of action depending on the nature of the student’s appeal. Please refer to section 1050 Policies and Disclosures  in this catalog or visit registrar.gsu.edu/contact-us/student-assistance/ for details.

Georgia State University seeks to maintain the highest standards of integrity and fairness in its relationships with students. The Undergraduate Catalog and the Graduate Catalog Student Code of Conduct set forth policies and requirements for Georgia State students. Students are expected to know and comply with these policies. Students may, however, seek relief or resolution when they believe that:

• The application of these policies and procedures will create undue hardship for them or will not recognize their extraordinary or extenuating circumstances; or
• Specific actions, practices, or decisions on academic or non-academic matters have been made or carried out in an arbitrary, discriminatory, or inequitable manner.

To adhere to University policy, the College of Education and Human Development has developed three forms: Petition for Graduate Admission, Petition for Waiver or Variance, and Student Petition for Resolution. 

Students should complete these forms and submit to the appropriate department for review. Forms are available at https://education.gsu.edu/admissions/graduate-student-resources/

Petition for Admissions

Applicants denied admissions who wish to appeal an admission decision or who desire a request for exception should complete the Petition for Graduate Admission Form available with Graduate Student Services in the College of Education and Human Development. Petitioning the admission decision does not guarantee admission.

Petition for Waiver or Variance

Any student in the College of Education and Human Development may petition for a waiver or variance of established policy, procedure, rule, or guideline governed by the college. This form should be used for requests of substitutions of required courses, waivers of college policies governing graduate students, or waivers of college policies governing doctoral students. The Student Petition for Waiver or Variance form must be submitted by the end of the term prior to the term in which the exception is needed.

Student Petition for Resolution

Students are encouraged to discuss academic or non-academic problems or grade concerns with the instructor prior to filing a formal petition, in an effort to gain understanding about the basis of the treatment or grade. If the issue is not resolved informally, students should complete the Student Petition for Resolution process.

4100 Academic Discipline

Scholastic Warning

Graduate students whose cumulative grade point average (GPA) falls below a 3.00 at the end of a term or who fail to maintain the level of academic performance required by the department of their major will be placed on scholastic warning. GPA will be calculated based on all attempts at courses numbered 6000 or higher and will include any such courses whether or not they are required in the students’ program of study. The original grade in a course that has been repeated is not dropped from the cumulative GPA for purposes of determining academic standing. Upon completion of the subsequent term of required coursework, if the cumulative GPA is at least 3.00, then the students will return to good standing.

Students who wish to take a course or courses for personal enrichment or for other purposes not related to pursuit of a degree or certification program may audit those courses unless he or she wishes to have grades from that course or courses included in the cumulative grade point average for academic standing purposes.

Graduate students on scholastic warning whose GPA is not at least 3.00 upon completion of the subsequent term of required coursework but whose latest term’s grade point average is at least 3.00 will remain on scholastic warning until the cumulative grade point average of 3.00 is achieved. At that time, the students will return to good standing. Students may not graduate while on scholastic warning.

Scholastic Suspension

Graduate students on scholastic warning whose grade point average is not at least 3.00 and whose latest term’s GPA is not at least 3.00 will be suspended from the university for one academic term. During the term of suspension, the students may petition for readmission by completing a Petition for Readmission After Scholastic Suspension form and a re-entry form and submitting them to Graduate Student Services (300 College of Education and Human Development Building) by the following deadlines:

• To re-enter Fall Semester: August 1
• To re-enter Spring Semester: December 1
• To re-enter Summer Semester: April 1

There is no guarantee that students will be readmitted.

Scholastic Probation

Students who are reinstated after scholastic suspension will be on scholastic probation. If the students’ graduate grade point average for any term following reinstatement falls below 3.00, the students will be scholastically excluded from the College of Education and Human Development. If the students’ cumulative GPA is less than 3.00, they will be given 12 semester hours in which to raise the cumulative grade point average to at least 3.00.

Scholastic Exclusion

Students may be scholastically excluded from the College of Education and Human Development for one or more of the following three reasons:

1. The students completed an academic term in which they did not earn a term GPA of at least 3.00while they were on academic probation.
2. The students did not achieve or maintain a cumulative graduate GPA of at least 3.00 by the end of the first 12 semester hours completed following reinstatement.
3. The students failed to maintain the level of academic performance required by the department of their major.

Students scholastically excluded from the College of Education and Human Development will not be admitted to any College of Education and Human Development program and may never enroll in any College of Education and Human Development course offerings.

4110 Graduate Admissions

All documents and other materials submitted by or for persons in connection with their interest inconsideration for graduate admission to a program become the property of this institution and cannot be returned at any time. It is the responsibility of each applicant to follow the application procedures completely and correctly and to be certain that all materials have been submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions-Graduate School by the application deadline. Incomplete application files will not be reviewed and will be subject to being withdrawn from admission consideration.

Admission is for entry in a specific major and concentration, when appropriate. Students who have been admitted to a graduate degree program may not change to a different major without receiving formal approval of an application for the new major. The applicant must meet all College of Education and Human Development and departmental minimum criteria and all prerequisites for the new major.

General Application Procedures and Information

Applications for graduate study are available online at graduate.gsu.edu. 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 made by the university. Please refer to section 1100 Graduate Admissions  for details.

Applications and supporting materials must be filed with the Office of Graduate Admissions at the addresses listed at graduate.gsu.edu well in advance of the desired term of entry. Each applicant must allow adequate lead-time for admissions processing. International applicants should refer to the “International Applicant Admission” section of this chapter for additional admissions information.

Application deadlines vary by program. Please check the application completion date for your program of interest at education.gsu.edu/academics/. The closing dates for receipt of applications and all supporting documents for each of the academic terms are listed in the information about each program. Materials submitted are not returned to the applicant and are not transferable to other institutions.

College of Education and Human Development Policy on Admissions

A person seeking to pursue any of the programs of graduate study described in this section of this catalog must be admitted to Georgia State University through the College of Education and Human Development. The requirements for admission stated in the following sections are those established by the University and the College. Additional requirements, if any, established by the separate departments/schools can be found in the descriptions of their programs and on their respective websites.

Visit the admissions section of the college website for detailed information on college requirements, program requirements, and deadlines.

Admission is based upon a variety of factors among which is the quality of the applicant’s undergraduate record (and graduate record if appropriate), achievement on required admissions tests, the degree of preparation for the specific academic program to be pursued, and available space in the program. In addition to these general criteria, individual departments may consider additional factors in making admission decisions.

Each applicant must complete and submit the online application for admission to graduate study, required application materials, and the non-refundable $50.00 application fee.

All applicants must submit the following items and meet stated college minimum criteria:

1. Official transcript from each college or university from which they received a degree, or where they were enrolled in undergraduate or graduate level coursework. This may include courses taken in non-degree status, in transient status, or in post-baccalaureate status and is regardless of whether or not the courses led to a degree or are listed on another institution’s transcript.
2. Applicants must hold a degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a major in or with coursework that meets prerequisites for the planned graduate field of study.
   1. Applicants for initial certification educator preparation programs must have earned a grade point average of no less than 2.50 calculated on all undergraduate work attempted in which letter grades were awarded. Individual programs may have a higher standard.
   2. Individual master’s programs may have an undergraduate grade point average requirement. Visit application deadlines and requirements for GPA requirements
   3. Applicants for the Specialist in Education (Ed.S.) programs must hold a graduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university unless specified otherwise by the program and have a grade point average of no less than 3.25 on all graduate coursework for which letter grades were awarded.
   4. Applicants for the Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programs must have a grade point average of no less than 3.30 on all graduate coursework for which letter grades were awarded.
3. If required by the program, copies of scores on the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Test scores must be from an examination taken within the last five years prior to the term of admission of the program. In addition to these copies, the applicant must have records of the scores directed specifically to Georgia State University (use University code only; do not use a department code) from their testing agencies. Some departments also require a minimum score or percentile on the Graduate Record Examination.
4. Some programs accept the Miller Analogies Test in lieu of the GRE. Test scores must be from an examination taken within the last five years prior to term of admission of the program.
5. Applicants who plan to complete a program for initial certification must complete the Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment. Completion of this assessment is required for admission, though there is no “Pass/Fail” grade assigned.
6. Any supplemental application materials required by the major department. Programs may have additional application requirements.

The above list is a general guide. Applicants should visit the college graduate admissions website and the academic programs website to discover the full list of materials required.

Admissions Appeals and Requests for Exceptions to Admissions Criteria

Applicants denied admissions who wish to appeal an admission decision or who desire a request for exception should complete the Petition for Admission Form. Contact Graduate Student Services for more information and the necessary petition form. Petitioning does not guarantee admission. It only allows an applicant to be reviewed alongside the pool of applicants who have also applied to that graduate program.

Re-entry

A re-entry student is a graduate student who has been enrolled at Georgia State and who meets at least one of these criteria:

• is on inactive status as a result of three or more semesters of non-registration;
• has not registered for six or more credit hours for the current and the preceding two semesters (per the university’s Continuous Enrollment Policy);
• has been on scholastic suspension after an absence of one calendar year;
• has been on scholastic exclusion after an absence of five or more years.

Application Procedures for Re-entry

The re-entry application is available online. Students will need to submit a $25.00 application fee with their applications. Re-entry students who are accepted but do not attend the semester in which they were admitted must contact Graduate Student Services if they wish to attend the succeeding semester.

Re-entry admission is not automatic. A student must re-enter the program into which he or she was most recently admitted, and he or she must be able to meet all current admissions criteria for that program. Some graduate programs do not accept re-entry students. Students interested in one of these programs must complete a new graduate application and follow the application procedures for that program. Students who have not registered for one calendar year or more must satisfy the degree requirements of the graduate catalog in effect at the time of re-entry. If their academic program no longer exists at the time of re-entry, they may not reenter but instead apply for a new degree program.

International and Immigrant Status Applicant 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 grounded 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 such a cultural exchange will be beneficial to our entire student body, to our international students in particular, and to metropolitan Atlanta.

Georgia State reserves the right to admit only those international applicants who are academically qualified. Applicants needing a student visa are required to document the availability of funds equal to the estimated cost of the first academic year at Georgia State before a certificate of eligibility will be issued.

International Academic Credentials

Applicants who completed their baccalaureate degree outside of the United States are subject to additional application requirements. International credentials must be equivalent to a U.S. four-year baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. We understand that in some countries, because of a natural disaster or political strife, it is difficult to get an original transcript. International applicants who do not have access to their transcripts are invited to reach out to the Office of Graduate Admissions-Graduate School for assistance.

How degree equivalency is evaluated will differ depending on the program to which you apply.

Applicants for graduate programs other than educator certification may either submit an evaluation from one of the agencies listed below or have their credentials evaluated by Georgia State University’s Office of Graduate Admissions-Graduate School. If that office cannot clearly determine an equivalency, a professional evaluation for degree equivalency will be requested by email.

Submit your documents well in advance of the deadline to allow time for evaluation.

• Academic credentials (or transcripts) should be issued in English by the institution and include course listings with grades, degree certification, and the institution’s official seal/signature. If the institution does not provide an English translation, a copy of a certified English translation should be included with transcripts.
• If available, the grading scale and student’s GPA (grade point average) should be noted on the official credentials.
• Notarized copies are acceptable or you may bring your credentials to the Office of Graduate Admissions-Graduate School to be copied.

Applicants who have international credentials and apply to a graduate program where a minimum GPA is required for admission must have their official transcripts translated and evaluated course-by-course with GPA (grade point average) calculation by one of the outside agencies listed below:

• Josef Silny & Associates International Consultants
• International Education Evaluations Inc.
• Educational Perspectives
• SpanTran: The Evaluation Company
• Institute of Foreign Credential Services

In addition to meeting the regular admission requirements, prospective international and immigrant status applicants who come from non-English speaking countries must demonstrate proficiency in the English language by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test. The TOEFL or IELTS are not required for an applicant holding a degree from a U.S. college or university or whose native language is English. The College of Education and Human Development requires a minimum TOEFL score of 79 or a minimum IELTS score of 6.5.

Prior to registration for the first term, each international student is required to attend an international student orientation offered by International Student and Scholar Services.

The College of Education and Human Development reserves the right to test international applicants with regard to their skills in English. Accepted applicants will be notified if any testing is required.

Transient (Visiting) Student Admission

Students enrolled as regular students in a degree program in another accredited college or university may apply to register for a particular academic term at Georgia State University as transient (visiting) students. Such students are ones who expect to return to the college or university in which previously enrolled and must have permission from that institution to attend Georgia State University. Although the university cannot guarantee the availability of specific courses for transient students nor assume responsibility for advisement, every effort will be made to assist students unfamiliar with the university. Visiting student admission is valid for one term only. Enrollment in subsequent terms requires a new application. Visiting student status is limited to nine semester hours of credit.

Applicants desiring to enroll as transient students must follow the application instructions and submit by the deadlines outlined in the transient section of the website. Transient applicants submit an online application, pay a $50 application fee, upload a “Letter of Good Standing” to the graduate application from the institution the applicant is currently attending, and indicate which specific Georgia State University course(s) they would like to enroll in.

Georgia State University students currently pursuing degree programs in the College of Education and Human Development and seeking transient (visiting) status at another institution must first secure permission from their academic advisor. Once permission is secured, Graduate Student Services provides a letter of good standing for the student.

Admission for Persons 62 Years of Age or Older

Pursuant to the provisions of an amendment to the Georgia Constitution adopted November 2, 1976, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia has established rules with respect to enrollment of persons 62 years of age or older. To establish eligibility for such enrollment, one must:

• Be classified as a resident student under the residency regulations of the Board of Regents; be 62years of age or older at the time of registration; and present a birth certificate or other comparable written documentation of age to the residence auditor, and
• Meet all regular Georgia State University admissions requirements as an entering undergraduate, transient, or graduate student.

Having established eligibility, individuals may enroll as a graduate student, for graduate credit, and may have the option to audit courses as well. GSU-62 students will register on a space available basis during late registration. No tuition and fees will be assessed except for certain classes which require supplies or laboratory fees. All usual student and institutional records will be maintained.

These students must meet all regular, appropriate degree requirements before receiving a degree.

Admission Decisions and Notifications

Admission decisions are based upon official transcripts of all prior college-level work, official results of standardized tests, and other pertinent sources of information. The College of Education and Human Development reserves the right to investigate the health, character, and personality of each applicant.

Admission decisions are securely posted online and communicated in writing to applicants as soon as practical after all application materials have been received and evaluated. Admission decisions cannot be given by telephone, nor can they be given to any person other than the applicant without a written release from the applicant to do so.

Changing Term of Entry

Admission is for the specific academic term the applicant indicates on his or her graduate application unless otherwise indicated by the acceptance letter. An accepted applicant who does not attend the academic term for which acceptance has been granted may, working closely with their college admission advisor, reactivate his or her application for up to two academic terms immediately following the original academic term of acceptance, provided the program being applied for admits new students during at least one of those terms. Some programs only admit students one term during the academic year; therefore, postponing enrollment delays beginning the program by a calendar year. In this case, the applicant may not reactivate the application, but must submit a new online application instead (in keeping with university requirements for residency status verification). The applicant must meet current admission criteria and may also be required to resubmit supporting materials.

A written request for reactivation is required to cehdgrad@gsu.edu. Admission for a subsequent term is not automatic or guaranteed.

Retention of Records

If an applicant fails to complete enrollment for the term in which admission was sought, the application must be renewed, and submission of such additional credentials and information as may be requested by the Office of Graduate Admissions-Graduate School will be required. Incomplete application files are retained for one year. Denied applications are retained for two years.

Any student who earns credit in a master’s or specialist level program and later becomes inactive may be required to reestablish his or her file. The Office of the Registrar will maintain a transcript of graduate credit earned at Georgia State University indefinitely.

4150 Master’s Degree Regulations 

Dual Enrollment Admission

A dual enrollment option is available for master’s students who wish to earn simultaneously a Master of Science with majors in Educational Research and Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Only these two majors may be combined in this manner. A description of program requirements for the Educational Research/Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is provided following the program description for the master’s program in Educational Research later in this chapter.

Dual enrollment applicants to the M.S. major in Educational Research and the M.S. major in Clinical Mental Health Counseling must meet all entrance requirements and follow the application procedures for each of the separate majors. Participation in the dual enrollment program is contingent upon students being admitted to both majors prior to completion of either program and approval of the program director. Students who apply simultaneously for both majors but who are admitted to only one will be admitted to that major and may reapply for the other by the deadline for a subsequent academic term.

Concurrent Master’s/Ed.S. Admission

Applicants for the Master of Education degree with a major in School Psychology must concurrently apply for the Specialist in Education degree with the same major. Completion of both the M.Ed. and Ed.S. in School Psychology can lead to a recommendation for initial certification in School Psychology in the State of Georgia. Admission to these programs is concurrent; however, completion of degree requirements occurs sequentially.

Concurrent Master’s/Ph.D. Admission

At the time of admission to the doctoral program in Educational Psychology students entering without a master’s degree in a related field are expected to enroll concurrently in the M.S. and Ph.D. programs. The applicant for concurrent Master’s/Ph.D. admission must have an undergraduate grade point average of 3.30 and meet the relevant admission requirements listed for the doctoral program in Educational Psychology.

Those applying to the doctoral program in School Psychology may apply for admissions after having successfully completed a bachelor’s degree with a major in psychology, education, or a related field; a master’s degree in a related field; or a specialist degree in a related field. Those applying with a bachelor’s degree must have an undergraduate GPA of 2.5. Those applying with a master’s degree must have a GPA of 3.3. Students admitted to concurrent enrollment will not be eligible to advance to doctoral candidacy until they have successfully completed the master’s degree.

Multiple Master’s Degrees

Students who hold a degree from the College of Education and Human Development may qualify for a different master’s degree of this college. To qualify, they must meet all admission requirements for the second degree and thereafter fulfill all requirements for the second master’s degree. Along with all other requirements, the students must have received satisfactory credit for a minimum of 27 semester hours of coursework that have not been applied to satisfy the requirements of any other degree.

Minimum Requirements for All Master’s Degrees

• Students must earn a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 calculated on all graduate coursework attempted at Georgia State University. The formal coursework requirement is satisfied through successful completion of each course in the program of study with a grade of “C” or higher.
• Coursework in which a grade below “C” is earned may not be applied to the master’s programs.
• Some departments require a grade of “B” or higher in specific courses and program areas. Students are responsible for contacting their departments regarding specific academic requirements that exceed college-wide minimums.
• A minimum of 36 semester hours of coursework is required.
• Students must take a minimum of 27 semester hours of coursework at Georgia State University.
• No coursework may be more than six calendar years old at the time of graduation except for coursework applied to the degree requirements in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, School Counseling, or School Psychology, which may be no more than seven calendar years old.
• Each student must meet the master’s degree exit requirement of his or her program

Exit Requirement

All master’s-degree students must successfully complete an exit requirement in at least one of the following ways as determined by program faculty:

• Students successfully complete a written comprehensive examination which can be taken only after they have completed at least 27 semester hours of coursework in his or her program and which must be passed within three attempts. Students who do not pass their comprehensive examinations after three attempts will be scholastically excluded from the College of Education and Human Development master’s degree program for which they were being examined.
• Students complete and defend a project, portfolio, or thesis.

Electronic Master’s Theses and Doctoral Dissertations Policy

In order to insure that all master’s theses and doctoral dissertations produced at Georgia State University are captured, preserved, and appropriately made available, the University requires all students who produce a master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation in fulfillment of his/her degree to upload the final version of these documents to ScholarWorks@GeorgiaStateUniversity as a condition of the award of the degree.

4160 Specialist (Ed.S.) Degree Regulations

The Specialist in Education (Ed.S.) degree for Educator Preparation Programs is a terminal degree that advances educators in their instructional and leadership skills beyond the master’s level of competence. The purpose of this applied degree is to extend the academic preparation and teaching skills of experienced classroom teachers and instructional leaders and to foster the application of these skills and abilities to a variety of educational settings. Persons interested in a research degree and a career in higher education are encouraged to consider a doctoral degree offered by the College of Education and Human Development.

Educator preparation Ed.S. programs address the following objectives:

• To develop advanced theoretical and practical knowledge in the areas of human growth and development, foundations of education, curriculum development, classroom practice, and educational measurement.
• To develop and apply knowledge of theory and research in the areas of supervision and school organization to the development and assessment of staff in-service and supervision.
• To develop and apply knowledge of research methodology to the assessment of curriculum content and organization and classroom practice.

Minimum Requirements for All Specialist Degrees

• Only courses taken after admission to the Specialist in Education degree program may be used to fulfill program requirements for the Ed.S. degree.
• Students must earn a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 calculated on all graduate coursework attempted while admitted to the Ed.S. program. The formal coursework requirement is satisfied through successful completion of each course in the program of study with a grade of “C” or higher.
• Coursework in which a grade below “C” is earned may not be applied to the specialist programs.
• Some departments require a grade of “B” or higher in specific courses and program areas. Students are responsible for contacting their departments regarding specific academic requirements that exceed college-wide minimums.
• Students must complete a minimum of 27 semester hours of program coursework at Georgia State University.
• Students seeking specialist-level teacher certification must have completed three years of appropriate school experience prior to completion of the Specialist in Education degree.
• No coursework may be more than six calendar years old at the time of graduation.

4170 Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) General Information 

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate teaching assistantships (GTAs) and graduate research assistantships (GRAs) are available to selected doctoral students who demonstrate outstanding academic skills and expertise. Assistantships are made available through the student’s department. The number of GTA and GRA positions available depends on current class loads and research needs.

Term of Admission and Term of First Matriculation

All doctoral students’ term of admission is the term for which they were accepted into the program. The term of admission is identified on the students’ letters of acceptance. Students are held responsible for the coursework requirements published in the catalog corresponding to their term of admission.

Term of first matriculation refers to the academic term in which the students took the first course they will include in their program of study. For many students, the term of admission and the term of first matriculation will be the same. However, students who wish to include coursework taken prior to the term of admission will have an earlier term of first matriculation. The seven-year time limit for completion of all non-dissertation requirements and the nine-year time limit for completing all requirements both begin the term of first matriculation.

Doctoral Advisory Committee

Upon admission to a cohort, the student is assigned a major advisor. An additional faculty member will become a member of the student’s Doctoral Advisory Committee. Prior to the student’s defense of his or her dissertation, he or she must secure a minimum of one additional member of his or her Doctoral Advisory Committee. This additional member may be a university faculty member or a field-based practitioner who meets the university requirements for membership on a doctoral advisory committee. The major advisor and one of the two additional faculty members must hold graduate faculty status; one of who must hold Graduate Research Faculty Status.

The major advisor serves as the chair of the Doctoral Advisory Committee, is a full-time member of the College of Education and Human Development faculty, holds primary appointment in the College of Education and Human Development, has been a faculty member at Georgia State University for at least one academic year, and holds an earned doctorate. Faculty with approved Joint Academic Appointments and University Graduate Professional Faculty Membership can serve as the chair of an Ed.D. Doctoral Advisory Committee.

A second member of the Doctoral Advisory Committee must be a full-time member of the College of Education and Human Development faculty  (or have a joint appointment) holding an earned doctorate.

A third member of the Doctoral Advisory Committee is an individual who can support the student’s dissertation research. The third member must also hold an earned doctorate. After the Doctoral Advisory Committee has been established, the committee, the student, and the department chair must approve any subsequent change of membership.

Any part-time instructor in the College of Education and Human Development or member outside of the college must be approved by the Associate Dean of Research and Doctoral Studies.

All committee members must hold a terminal degree.

All appointments to the Doctoral Advisory Committee, including its chair, are subject to approval by each student, the department chair, and the Associate Dean of Research and Doctoral Studies of the College of Education and Human Development. After the Doctoral Advisory Committee has been established, the committee, student, department chair, and the Associate Dean of Research and Doctoral Studies of the College of Education and Human Development must approve any subsequent change of membership.

Dissertation

In addition to the minimum requirements described above, each doctoral student must enroll in a minimum of nine semester hours of dissertation credit. The final grade will be assigned the term the student successfully defends the dissertation.

Comprehensive Examination

The purpose of the comprehensive examination is to evaluate the students’ ability to use the subject content defined in the approved program of study to prepare a dissertation using the “Review and Research Format,” which is currently one of the approved formats in the College of Education and Human Development.

The comprehensive examination includes a written examination and may also include an oral portion. The students have two opportunities to pass the comprehensive examination. Students who do not pass the examination on the second attempt are not permitted to continue in the doctoral program.

Requirements Following Successful Completion of the Comprehensive Examination

Enrollment for a minimum of three semester hours of credit is required during at least two out of each three-term period following successful completion of the comprehensive examination until the students have graduated. This enrollment must include a minimum of nine semester hours of dissertation (9990) credit but may also include other coursework.

Enrollment for dissertation credit is permitted only after the successful completion of the comprehensive examination.

Dissertation Prospectus

The purpose of the dissertation prospectus is to offer the Doctoral Advisory Committee evidence of the significance and rationale of the proposed study. The prospectus presents a statement of the problem or issue, describes the philosophical/theoretical knowledge base within which the dissertation topic is developed, the methodology or procedures to be employed, and the expected implications of findings or conclusions. The prospectus reflects each student’s preparedness to conduct the investigation and write the dissertation. Before beginning work on the prospectus, students should review the college’s Guidelines for Preparing Dissertations.

Presentation of the Dissertation Prospectus

Students shall publicly present the dissertation prospectus to provide an opportunity for College of Education and Human Development faculty to contribute to a scholarly critique of the proposed research. The announcement of the prospectus presentation includes the date and location of the presentation and an abstract of the prospectus. No fewer than three members of the Doctoral Advisory Committee must attend the prospectus presentation.

Admission to Doctoral Candidacy

When students have completed all coursework requirements for the degree except the dissertation the students’ Doctoral Advisory Committee may recommend to the Dean of the College of Education and Human Development that the students are admitted to candidacy for the Professional Doctorate of Education degree. To be recommended for candidacy, students must additionally have successfully completed the comprehensive examination, and submitted and presented an approved dissertation prospectus.

Dissertation and Final Dissertation Defense

The dissertation and defense are the culminating activities in the students’ doctoral program, demonstrating high levels of scholarly and intellectual activity. The dissertation is an original contribution to knowledge in the field of study through disciplined inquiry. Conducting, writing, and defending the dissertation are done in accordance with the highest professional standards.

Enrollment for a minimum of three semester hours of credit is required during at least two out of each three-term period following successful completion of the comprehensive examination until graduation. These hours of credit must include a minimum of nine semester hours of dissertation (9990) credit but may also include other coursework. Per university policy, students must be actively enrolled in their program of study during the semester in which they finish degree requirements for graduation. Doctoral students typically are enrolled in dissertation hours.

All doctoral dissertations must comply with the format, style, and procedural instructions established by the College of Education and Human Development in its Guidelines for Preparing Dissertations. The guide should be consulted soon after the students complete their comprehensive examination successfully.

The purpose of the oral defense of the dissertation is to enable the Doctoral Advisory Committee to judge the quality of the investigation and the students’ ability to defend their work.

When the dissertation is completed, a public announcement of the oral defense of the dissertation is disseminated via Graduate Student Services to the College of Education and Human Development faculty. Additionally, the dissertation must be defended between the first day of classes and the last day of final examinations; it cannot be defended between academic terms. Students should consult the current deadlines for doctoral candidates to plan the timely announcement of the dissertation defense.

At the same time the announcement of the oral defense is submitted, a copy of the completed dissertation is uploaded to coedissertations@gsu.edu for faculty review in Graduate Student Services. The announcement of the oral defense includes the date and location of the defense and an abstract of the dissertation of no more than 350 words.

The oral defense will be scheduled during regular dates of operation (i.e., between the first day of classes and the last day of final examinations each term, excluding official holidays). The oral defense must be attended by no fewer than three (3) members of the Doctoral Advisory Committee and is open to all College of Education and Human Development faculty and invited guests. The committee will invite other faculty and guests present to question the candidate and to communicate to the committee their professional reactions.

Approval and acceptance of the doctoral dissertation requires a favorable vote of a majority of the Doctoral Advisory Committee.

Electronic Master’s Theses and Doctoral Dissertations Policy

In order to insure that all master’s theses and doctoral dissertations produced at Georgia State University are captured, preserved, and appropriately made available, the University requires all students who produce a master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation in fulfillment of his/her degree to upload the final version of these documents to ScholarWorks@Georgia State University as a condition of the award of the degree.

Requirements for Degree Completion

The purpose of requiring completion of all degree requirements within a fixed period of time is to ensure currency, continuity, and coherence in the academic experiences leading to the degree.

All degree requirements must be successfully completed within five years of the students’ term of first matriculation. Moreover, all requirements for doctoral candidacy (coursework, comprehensive examination, prospectus approval) must be completed within four years of the students’ first term of matriculation. No coursework that was completed more than four years prior to admission to candidacy may be used to meet any doctoral degree requirement with the exception of courses transferred into the program. Transfer credits may be applied to the program if completed no more than seven years prior to admission to candidacy.

Enrollment for a minimum of three semester hours of credit is required during at least two out of each three term period following successful completion of the comprehensive examination until graduation. This enrollment must include a minimum of nine semester hours of dissertation (9990) credit but may also include other coursework.

Per university policy, students must be actively enrolled in their program of study during the semester in which they finish degree requirements for graduation. Doctoral students typically are enrolled in dissertation hours.

Graduation

Graduate degree candidates must file a formal application for graduation with the Graduation Office at least two academic terms in advance of their expected graduation dates. Students receiving the Ed.D. degree may have some additional cost relative to graduation and should contact Graduate Student Services for further information.

Forms for changing the date of graduation may be obtained from the Graduation Office.

4180 Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) General Information

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree offered by the Georgia State University College of Education and Human Development is congruent in purpose with the following statement of the Council of Graduate Schools in the United States:

The Doctor of Philosophy degree is the highest academic degree granted by American universities. It is awarded to those who have demonstrated mastery of the field and successfully completed and defended a dissertation. The degree is a clear recognition that the student has the ability to complete a substantial piece of research work, to present formally the results of this work, and to appreciate its significance in the general field. The degree has always been considered the most significant achievement in preparation for an active career in scholarship and research. The requirements set by American universities for attainment of the Ph.D. degree may vary considerably among universities, but all have a common set of experiences and tasks designed to produce a scholar and researcher with recognized competence in the chosen field. The successful candidate for the Ph.D. is then considered prepared to undertake a career of scholarship, research, and service to society.

Each doctoral major field of study offered by the College of Education and Human Development provides preparation for careers of scholarship, research, and service to society.

Doctoral Assistantships, Instructorships, and Fellowships

Graduate teaching assistantships (GTAs) and graduate research assistantships (GRAs) are available to selected doctoral students who demonstrate outstanding academic skills, expertise, and departmental or college need. Assistantships are made available through the student’s department and a limited number through the Office of the Dean.

Term of Admission and Term of First Matriculation

All doctoral students’ term of admission is the term for which they were accepted into the program. The term of admission is identified on the students’ letters of acceptance. Students are held responsible for the coursework requirements published in the catalog corresponding to their term of admission.

Term of first matriculation refers to the academic term in which the students took the first course they will include in their program of study. For many students, the term of admission and the term of first matriculation will be the same. However, students who wish to include coursework taken prior to the term of admission will have an earlier term of first matriculation. The seven-year time limit for completion of all non-dissertation requirements and the nine-year time limit for completing all requirements both begin the term of first matriculation.

Minimum Requirements for Degree Completion

Each doctoral student admitted to the College of Education and Human Development will (a) complete a program of coursework approved by his or her Doctoral Advisory Committee, (b) complete an approved residency, (c) perform successfully on a comprehensive examination, (d) develop and present a dissertation research prospectus, (e) gain admission to candidacy, and (f) submit and successfully defend a doctoral dissertation. Individual programs may have additional requirements that the students must complete. All requirements must be completed within a nine-year time period as described below.

Doctoral Advisory Committee

The Doctoral Advisory Committee assist the students in planning an appropriate program of study and preparing for completion of non-coursework requirements, including the comprehensive examination. The Doctoral Advisory Committee has the supervisory responsibility for approving program coursework and non-coursework requirements up to the point of candidacy to the degree.

Upon admission to a doctoral major in the College of Education and Human Development, each student is assigned a temporary advisor from among the faculty of the major field of study in which admission has been granted. This temporary advisor assists the student until a Doctoral Advisory Committee is established. The student should establish a permanent doctoral advisor and advisory committee early but not later than the accrual of 27 semester hours of coursework nor later than one calendar year from the date of matriculation.

The Doctoral Advisory Committee consists of a minimum of three members:

• The major advisor serves as the chair of the Doctoral Advisory Committee, is a full-time, tenure track member of the College of Education and Human Development faculty, holds primary appointment in the College of Education and Human Development, has been a faculty member at Georgia State University for at least one academic year, is a member of the faculty of the major to which the students have been admitted, holds an earned doctorate, and holds Graduate Research Faculty Membership. Faculty with approved Joint Academic Appointments and University Graduate Research Faculty Membership can serve as the chair of a Ph.D. Doctoral Advisory Committee.
• A second member of the Doctoral Advisory Committee must be a full-time member of the College of Education and Human Development faculty holding an earned doctorate and Graduate Research Faculty Membership.
• A third member of the Doctoral Advisory Committee must represent a major outside the student’s major and holds an earned terminal degree.
• Any part-time instructor in the College of Education and Human Development or member outside of the college must be approved by the Associate Dean of Research and Doctoral Studies.
• All committee members must hold a terminal degree.

All appointments to the Doctoral Advisory Committee, including its chair, are subject to approval by each student, the department chair, and the Associate Dean for Research and Doctoral Studies in the College of Education and Human Development. After the Doctoral Advisory Committee has been established, the committee, student, department chair, and the Associate Dean of Research and Doctoral Studies of the College of Education and Human Development must approve any subsequent change of membership.

Program of Study

The primary emphasis of the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree is the preparation of students as researchers, scholars, and scientist practitioners. Research experiences will be a continual part of students’ learning including completion of substantial coursework focused on research and scholarship as well as participation in research activities. Congruent with this perspective, students will be active participants in ongoing research activities and scholarship with faculty and/or in research teams from the beginning of their enrollment in the doctoral program. Students in College of Education and Human Development Ph.D. programs will continually participate in such activities throughout their doctoral program resulting in conference presentations and scholarship submitted for publication. While these experiences will be time-intensive and may overlap with some coursework, these efforts are expected to occur above and beyond doctoral students’ coursework.

The formal coursework requirement is satisfied through successful completion of each course in the program of study with a grade of “C” or higher (including S), with an overall cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or better. Coursework in which a grade below “C” is earned may not be applied to the doctoral program.

A minimum of 36 semester hours, excluding dissertation credit, is required in each student’s doctoral program. To meet coursework requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy degree, a minimum of 24 semester hours must be earned in the doctoral program of study at Georgia State University. The 24 semester hour minimum may not include credits transferred from other institutions, from other doctoral programs within the college or university, from a specialist program, or from a nondegree status. All coursework applied to the doctoral program of study must be post-master’s work. The use of credits earned beyond the master’s degree while in a nondegree status is limited to a maximum of nine semester hours and should be counted as part of the 12 semester hours allowed in transfer.

No coursework (transferred or from Georgia State University) that has been completed more than seven years prior to admission to candidacy, after successful completion of coursework and the comprehensive examination, may be used to meet any doctoral degree requirement.

Planning of coursework for doctoral study is done individually with consideration of each student’s career goals, prior academic work, and professional experience; however, all programs of study will foster the development of skills and abilities in a major area and a core area. This catalog is the sole source for approved program requirements. Programs of study should be planned to conform to requirements stated in this catalog. A minimum of 36 semester hours of coursework is required in each student’s doctoral program. College of Education and Human Development courses applied to meet these requirements must be at the 8000 or 9000 level. No dissertation credit may be applied to the minimum requirement of 36 semester hours of coursework. The minimally required 36 semester hours are distributed among the core and major areas as follows:

Core area

A minimum of 18 semester hours; the purpose of the core area requirement is to develop general research competence, including expertise in at least one particular research method appropriate to the major field and/or dissertation research. The general requirements of the core area are described later in this chapter. Variations for each program are included with the program’s description.

Major area

A minimum of 18 semester hours; the purpose of the major area requirement is to increase the doctoral student’s knowledge base in the academic discipline in which scholarly activity is to be pursued.

Dissertation

In addition to the minimum requirements described above, each doctoral student must enroll in a minimum of 15 semester hours of dissertation credit. The final grade will be assigned the term the student successfully defends the dissertation.

Research

A minimum of 30 semester hours of research must be completed, which includes 15 semester hours of dissertation and 15 semester hours of coursework as identified by the Doctoral Advisory Committee.

Doctoral Residency

The purpose of residency is (a) to provide close and continuous involvement with faculty, professional colleagues, and other graduate students; (b) to provide a supervised opportunity for development in the areas of scholarship, teaching, and service; and (c) to provide a period of time for concentrated study and coursework, reading, reflecting, and research appropriate for the advanced degree.

Doctoral students must complete five of the following six elements for their Residency Program Plan:

1. Participate in ongoing research and scholarly experiences,
2. Submit a research/scholarly manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal as primary or lead author (or as an author with substantial contribution to the research study and manuscript),
3. Participate in identifying and applying for a grant/fellowship,
4. Present at a research/scholarly conference,
5. Engage in university teaching, or
6. Serve the institution and/or profession.

Comprehensive Examination

The purpose of the comprehensive examination is to evaluate the students’ ability to use the subject content of the major, core, and cognate areas (if applicable) as defined in the approved program of study to perform cognitive tasks including recall and application and especially focusing on analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of that content.

The comprehensive examination includes a written examination and may also include an oral examination. Students have two opportunities to pass the comprehensive examination. Those who do not pass the examination on the second attempt are not permitted to continue in the doctoral program.

To be eligible to take the comprehensive examination, the students’ cumulative grade point average in the doctoral program of study must be no less than 3.50. Each student’s doctoral committee determines what coursework must be completed before he or she may take the comprehensive examination.

Requirements Following Successful Completion of the Comprehensive Examination

Enrollment for a minimum of three semester hours of credit is required during at least two out of each three term period following successful completion of the comprehensive examination until the students have graduated. This enrollment must include a minimum of 15 semester hours of dissertation (9990) credit but may also include other coursework.

Enrollment for dissertation credit is permitted only after successful completion of the comprehensive examination.

Review of Research for the Protection of Human Subjects or Animals

Students, faculty, or staff who are planning to conduct research involving human subjects must submit pertinent information for review by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) or Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). These committees are charged with protecting the rights and welfare of human subjects and animals by reviewing the background, purpose, methodology, and instrumentation of all research conducted by faculty, staff, students, and employees of Georgia State University.

All research requires review by the IRB or IACUC. Procedures and the necessary forms for submitting proposals are available from each student’s department.

For further information regarding this review process, students should contact their respective departments.

Dissertation Prospectus and Dissertation Advisory Committee

The purpose of the dissertation prospectus is to offer the Dissertation Advisory Committee evidence of the significance and rationale of the proposed study. The prospectus describes the philosophical/theoretical knowledge base within which the dissertation topic is developed, the methodology or procedures to be employed, and the expected implications of findings or conclusions. The prospectus reflects each student’s preparedness to conduct the investigation and write the dissertation. Before beginning work on the prospectus, students should review the college’s Guidelines for Preparing Dissertations.

Following completion of the student’s comprehensive examination but before approval of the prospectus, the student and the student’s advisor will recommend formation of the Dissertation Advisory Committee. The majority of the committee, including the committee chair, must hold graduate research faculty status in the College of Education and Human Development.  Faculty with approved Joint Academic Appointments and University Graduate Research Faculty Membership can serve as the chair of a Ph.D. Dissertation Advisory Committee. The resulting Dissertation Advisory Committee should represent expertise in both the area of the research topic and the proposed research methodology and consist of no fewer than four members with earned doctorates, which means that at least three Dissertation Advisory Committee members must be College of Education and Human Development faculty who hold graduate faculty research status. Any proposed member of the Dissertation Advisory Committee not meeting these requirements must be approved by the Associate Dean of Research and Doctoral Programs. Any part-time instructor in the College of Education and Human Development or member outside of the college must be approved by the Associate Dean of Research and Doctoral Studies. All committee members must hold a terminal degree.

The Dissertation Advisory Committee aids each student in developing the dissertation prospectus and later the dissertation. The committee is responsible for judging the significance and acceptability of the dissertation prospectus, the soundness and acceptability of the dissertation, and the competence and acceptability of the students’ oral defense of the dissertation.

Presentation of the Dissertation Prospectus

Students shall publicly present the dissertation prospectus to provide an opportunity for College of Education and Human Development faculty to contribute to a scholarly critique of the proposed research. The announcement of the prospectus presentation includes the date and location of the presentation and an abstract of the prospectus. No fewer than four members of the Dissertation Advisory Committee must attend the prospectus presentation.

Announcement of the prospectus presentation must be made at least 15 calendar days prior to the date of the scheduled prospectus presentation. Additionally, the prospectus must be presented between the first day of classes and the last day of final examinations; it cannot be presented between academic terms. Students should consult the current deadlines for doctoral students to plan the timely announcement of the prospectus presentation.

Approval and acceptance of the dissertation prospectus requires a favorable vote of a majority of the Dissertation Advisory Committee.

Admission to Doctoral Candidacy

When students have completed all coursework requirements for the degree except the dissertation and, in the case of counseling psychology and counselor education and practice majors only, the internship, the students’ Dissertation Advisory Committee may recommend to the Dean of the College of Education and Human Development that they are admitted to candidacy for the Doctor of Philosophy degree. To be recommended for candidacy, students must additionally have fulfilled their department’s residency requirement, completed all required examinations during the comprehensive examination, and submitted and presented an approved dissertation prospectus. Students must be recommended for candidacy within seven years of their term of first matriculation, that is, when they took the first course to be counted toward completion of degree requirements.

Dissertation and Final Dissertation Defense

The dissertation and defense are the culminating activities in the students’ doctoral program, demonstrating high levels of scholarly and intellectual activity. The dissertation is an original contribution to knowledge in the field of study through disciplined inquiry. Conducting, writing, and defending the dissertation are done in accordance with the highest professional standards.

Enrollment for a minimum of three semester hours of credit is required during at least two out of each three-term period following successful completion of the comprehensive examination until graduation. These hours of credit must include a minimum of 15 semester hours of dissertation (9990) but may also include other coursework. Per university policy, students must be actively enrolled in the program of study during the semester in which they finish degree requirements for graduation. Doctoral students typically are enrolled in dissertation hours.

All doctoral dissertations must comply with the format, style, and procedural instructions established by the College of Education and Human Development in its Guidelines for Preparing Dissertations. The guide should be consulted soon after the students complete their comprehensive examination successfully.

The purpose of the oral defense of the dissertation is to enable the Dissertation Advisory Committee to judge the quality of the investigation and the students’ ability to defend their work.

When the dissertation is completed and ready to defend, a public announcement of the oral defense of the dissertation is disseminated by Graduate Student Services to the College of Education and Human Development faculty. The announcement must be submitted to the Associate Dean of Research and Doctoral Studies at least 15 calendar days prior to the scheduled defense. Additionally, the dissertation must be defended between the first day of classes and the last day of final examinations; it cannot be defended between academic terms. Students should consult the current deadlines for doctoral candidates to plan the timely announcement of the dissertation defense.

At the same time the announcement of the oral defense is submitted, a copy of the completed dissertation is uploaded to coedissertations@gsu.edu for faculty review in Graduate Student Services. The announcement of the oral defense includes the date and location of the defense and an abstract of the dissertation of no more than 350 words.

The oral defense is scheduled on the main campus of the university during regular dates of operation (i.e., between the first day of classes and the last day of final examinations each term, excluding official holidays). The oral defense must be attended by no fewer than four (4) members of the Dissertation Advisory Committee and is open to all College of Education and Human Development faculty and invited guests. The committee will invite other faculty and guests present to question the candidate and to communicate to the committee their professional reactions.

Approval and acceptance of the doctoral dissertation requires a favorable vote of a majority of the Dissertation Advisory Committee.

Electronic Master’s Theses and Doctoral Dissertations Policy

In order to insure that all master’s theses and doctoral dissertations produced at Georgia State University are captured, preserved, and appropriately made available, the University requires all students who produce a master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation in fulfillment of his/her degree to upload the final version of these documents to ScholarWorks@Georgia State University as a condition of the award of the degree.

Requirements for Degree Completion

The purpose of requiring completion of all degree requirements within a fixed period of time is to ensure currency, continuity, and coherence in the academic experiences leading to the degree.

All degree requirements must be successfully completed within nine years of the students’ term of first matriculation. Moreover, all requirements for doctoral candidacy (coursework, comprehensive examination, prospectus approval) must be completed within seven years of the students’ first term of matriculation. No coursework that was completed more than seven years prior to admission to candidacy may be used to meet any doctoral degree requirement.

Enrollment for a minimum of three semester hours of credit is required during at least two out of each three term period following successful completion of the comprehensive examination until graduation. This enrollment must include a minimum of 15 semester hours of dissertation (9990) credit but may also include other coursework.

Per university policy, students must be actively enrolled in the program of study during the semester in which they finish degree requirements for graduation. Doctoral students typically are enrolled in dissertation hours.

Graduation

Graduate degree candidates must file a formal application for graduation with the Graduation Office at least two academic terms in advance of their expected graduation dates. Students receiving the Ph.D. degree may have some additional cost relative to graduation.

Forms for changing the date of graduation may be obtained from the Graduation Office. 

General Core Area Requirements (18 hours)

The Core Area consists of 15 semester hours of research coursework and 3 semester hours of Social Foundation of Education and Psychology of Learning coursework.

Research Core (15 hours)

Choose one course(3):

• EPRS 8500  - Qualitative/Interpretive Research in Education I (3)
• EPRS 8530  - Quantitative Methods and Analysis in Education I (3)

Required (12):

• A two course sequence (6 hours) in research methodology (see below for specific tracks/courses)
• Two courses (6 hours) in advanced research methods as identified by the Doctoral Advisory Committee

Quantitative Methodology

• EPRS 8540  - Quantitative Methods and Analysis in Education II (3)
• EPRS 8550  - Quantitative Methods and Analysis in Education III (3)
• EPRS 8600  - Computer Use in Educational Research (3)
• EPRS 8660  - Bayesian Statistics (3)
• EPRS 8820  - Program Evaluation and Institutional Research (3)
• EPRS 8830  - Survey Research, Sampling Principles and Questionnaire Design (3)
• EPRS 8840  - Meta-Analysis (3)
• EPRS 9550  - Multivariate Analysis (3)
• EPRS 9560  - Structural Equation Modeling (3)
• EPRS 9570  - Hierarchical Linear Modeling I (3)
• EPRS 9571  - Hierarchical Linear Modeling II (3)
• EPRS 9900  - Research Design (3)

Qualitative Methodology

• ANTH 8010  - Qualitative Methods in Anthropology (3)
• EPRS 8510  - Qualitative Research in Education II (3)
• EPRS 8520  - Qualitative Research in Education III (3)
• EPRS 8640  - Case Study Methods (3)
• EPRS 8700  - Visual Research Methods (3)
• EPRS 9120  - Poststructural Inquiry (3)
• EPRS 9400  - Writing Qualitative Research Manuscripts (3)
• EPRS 9820  - Advanced Qualitative Data Analysis (3)

Single-Case Methodology

• EPY 8850  - Introduction to Single-Case Methodology (3)
• EPY 8860  - Applications of Single-Case Methodology (3)

Historical/Philosophical Methodology

• EPSF 9850  - Historical Research in American Education (3)
• EPSF 9930  - Philosophical Analysis and Method (3)

Measurement Methodology

• EPRS 7920  - Classroom Testing, Grading, and Assessment (3)
• EPRS 8920  - Educational Measurement (3)
• EPRS 9350  - Introduction to Item Response Theory (3)
• EPRS 9360  - Advanced Item Response Theory (3)

Mixed Methodology

• EPRS 8850  - Introduction to Mixed Methods (3)
• EPRS 8860  - Advanced Mixed Methods (3)

Social Foundations of Education and Psychology of Learning Core (3 hours)

In addition to highly specialized research in specific areas, doctoral students in the College of Education and Human Development must possess a deep understanding of comprehensive, theoretical principles and broad ideological conceptualizations.

Through historical, philosophical, sociological, and anthropological inquiry, knowledge of social foundations fosters the types of speculative investigations essential for thorough understandings of those theoretical principles and ideological conceptualizations necessary to uphold the integrity of the Ph.D. degree.

The psychology of learning component is based on the following guiding principles: (1) Educational leaders make judgments that affect learning. (2) Doctoral students should have a substantial understanding of the psychology of learning.

Select one (3):

• EPSF 8270  - Philosophy of Education (3)
• EPSF 8280  - Anthropology of Education (3)
• EPSF 8310  - Sociology of Education (3)
• EPSF 8320  - Politics and Policy in Education (3)
• EPSF 8340  - History of American Education (3)
• EPSF 9260  - Epistemology and Learning (3)
• EPY 8030  - Advanced Applied Behavior Analysis (3)
• EPY 8050  - The Psychology of Instruction (3)
• EPY 8070  - Understanding and Facilitating Adult Learning (3)
• EPY 8080  - Memory and Cognition (3)
• EPY 8180  - Learning and the School-Age Child (5 to 18 Years) (3)
• EPY 8200  - Advanced Development Psychology: Cognition and Intellect (3)
• EPY 8220  - Advanced Development Psychology: Personality and Socialization (3)

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