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The Doctor of Education degree with a major in Adult Learning & Development provides advanced, professional learning for individuals interested in technical and higher education, career and technical secondary education, community development, workplace training and development, and any other context in which adults are learning. This program prepares learners to engage thoughtfully and skillfully in their teaching-learning with adult learners by providing in-depth engagement in the theories of adult learning and development and curriculum design and facilitation, while also preparing learners to become independent practitioner-scholars with high-caliber research courses.

In today’s fast-paced world of ever-changing market dynamics, a ¹ú²úAV advertising and promotions minor learns the skills necessary to adapt to those changes as necessary while still keeping a firm grasp on the foundational skills of marketing. As such, our faculty focuses on teaching students the critical thinking, problem-solving, and learning skills necessary for today’s marketing and advertising practitioners and executives.

Africana Studies, an academic discipline, offers an intellectual approach to the study of African people both nationally and globally. Thus, it seeks to provide historically accurate assessments of the roles and contributions of people of African descent to America and to human history. As as interdisciplinary program, this minor offers students the opportunity to communicate more effectively across cultural lines as well as to explore the social, political, and economic reality of the black experience in the United States. In addition, the minor encourages creative research, the acquisition of practical experiences, and the development of intellectual expertise in Africana Studies. 

Sociology is a social science that involves the study of human society. Sociologists examine aspects of society and social behavior, including cultures, social institutions, groups and more. Anthropology also involves the study of people but focuses on humans and their immediate ancestors. Anthropologists examine patterns of culture and behavior in order to understand human diversity in the present and past. Students in the sociology and anthropology undergraduate program have the unique opportunity to take core classes in both disciplines, then select a concentration in either applied and clinical sociology or anthropology. The graduate program focuses on applied sociology, a field in which sociological knowledge is used to analyze real-world situations.

The minor is designed to prepare students for careers in research, education, industry, and government. If you are a STEM major; you are halfway toward a Mathematics or Statistics minor!

Artists have an eye for beauty, a vision for creativity and a knack for originality and use these skills and others to create commercial or fine art pieces in various mediums. Art students at ¹ú²úAV build their portfolios while developing the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue careers in art-related fields or to continue their studies at the graduate level. 

While images are omnipresent and influential in contemporary culture, they are rarely subjected to analysis. Course offerings in Art History teach students to analyze visual imagery – just like words and numbers – rather than simply consume the images that are all around us.​ In addition to instructing students in visual literacy, topics courses provide students with invaluable research, argumentation, writing, and prestation skills while also engaging meaningfully with important topics such as gender, race, and other social issues.​ Engaging deeply and meaningfully with the images of other times and places allows students to appreciate both similarities and differences between times, places, and people. Moreover, because postmodern visual culture so often appropriates styles and images from the past, students can learn to appreciate how the original context of an image informs and enriches its reuse.

Astronomy, one of the oldest sciences, is the study of celestial bodies including planets, stars, galaxies and other entities in space. Astronomers utilize principles in physics to learn about the universe and create theories based on their research. Astronomy majors at ¹ú²úAV gain knowledge of the fundamental branches of astronomy, including solar system astronomy, astrophysics and observational astronomy. 

A new Minor in Biology will be available starting in fall 2017. The minor requires fifteen hours of upper division biology courses including genetics, ecology and evolution, and eight hours of upper division biology electives.

Elevate your business acumen with a Minor in Business Analytics. Through courses like Applied Business Statistics, Introduction to Data Analytics, and Data Visualizations and Analytics, gain essential skills in statistical analysis and data interpretation. Customize your learning with elective courses such as Accounting Information Systems and Marketing Research. Prepare to navigate the data-driven landscape of modern business with confidence and precision.

Chemistry is all about imagining new solutions and solving problems. These skills are relevant in every field, which is why a Minor in Chemistry can be so useful. Chemistry relates to so many fields of science, engineering and mathematics. In addition, the chemical industry employs many graduates with business degrees. A Minor in Chemistry can give you a competitive advantage when applying to nursing school or other post-graduate health science programs.

This fully online coaching minor is based on the Coaching Education National Standards issued by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education. This minor is useful for those interested in sports programs, recreation, travel leagues, and more.  Students are not required to be in an education major to enroll in the coaching minor courses. 

Speech communication, a discipline with roots predating ancient Greece, has been one of the fastest-growing fields of study in the United States for nearly two decades. Effective communication is crucial to the success of organizations and businesses today and is central to several fields including public relations and politics. The speech communication program at ¹ú²úAV provides a balance of theory and practice, and students learn about communication in a variety of contexts.

Computer scientists and computer information systems professionals use computers to solve problems by programming, analyzing, designing and implementing software systems. They deal with theoretical components related to computers and to issues with hardware. Jobs in the field of computer science and computer information systems are in high demand and graduates in these disciplines are prepared for a variety of positions in the field of science, technology, engineering, education, business and more. The computer science and computer information systems majors at ¹ú²úAV prepare students to enter the workforce and many students in the program find part-time jobs in the field while they continue their studies.

English majors are good writers and effective communicators and possess the ability to process complex ideas and understand and successfully communicate with others. The English program at ¹ú²úAV builds upon the basic knowledge, skills and values provided by the core curriculum while preparing students for a wide range of careers and for graduate study in numerous fields

The Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction: P-12 Disciplinary Concentration degree offers an engaging and flexible educational model designed to fit the busy schedules of working professional educators in a variety of instructional fields. Our innovative program provides practical opportunities for students to relate theoretical foundations to curricular and instructional issues facing schools and other educational systems. You will enjoy learning from our quality faculty whose real-world experience and knowledge has been acquired through many years learning, researching, and working in the domains of our field. Our program delivery includes online and hybrid options. Additionally, 2 required one-day doctoral seminars are held on a Saturday in Valdosta, GA in June at the beginning of year one and beginning of year 2. Electives will vary in delivery format based on your approved selections, and they must align with your declared disciplinary concentration.

Advantages of this program are:

• Approved by the GaPSC as an advanced program, which will lead to a certificate upgrade but will add no new field to your certificate.
• Students holding a valid GaPSC Standard Professional certificate (or higher) qualify for the Alternate Level 6 Certification Option upon successful completion of 36 credit hours and an approved portfolio.
• Students holding a valid GaPSC Standard Professional certificate (or higher) qualify for a Level 7 Certification upon successful degree completion.
• No GACE exam required
• Available concentrations include:

Art	Architectural Drawing / Design	Behavioral Sciences
Business Ed.	Curriculum & Instruction	Elementary Education
English	ESOL	Gifted
Health & Physical ED	History	Instructional Technology
Mathematics	Media specialist	Middle Grades Fields
Music	Political Science	Reading
Science	Spanish	SP ED Adapted Curriculum
SP ED General Curriculum	Speech	Trade and Industrial Fields

 

Dancers use movement to tell stories, express themselves, provide entertainment and inspire others. There are numerous styles of dance, including ballet, tap, jazz and modern dance. The ¹ú²úAV dance program, one of only a handful of colleges in the state to offer a major in the field, fosters excellence in these areas of dance and prepares students to succeed as professional artists. 

A minor in Deaf Studies was established by ¹ú²úAV to provide students with knowledge and skills in American Sign Language (ASL) as well as Deaf Culture, linguistics. Students pursing a minor in Deaf Studies are exposed to the uniqueness of ASL as a world language while acquiring cultural knowledge that will enable them to successfully interact with the American Deaf community. The curriculum is designed to promote a cultural and linguistic understanding of Deaf individuals while encouraging students to analyze existing stereotypes pertaining to this population, so they in turn, can effectively educate hearing members of society.

The Deaf Studies Minor is housed in the Department of Teacher Education and is part of the ASL and Deaf Education programs.  

This minor complements any career in which you will be interacting with people.

Economists conduct research, collect and analyze economic data, monitor and write about trends in the economy and predict future trends. They study the production and distribution of goods, resources and services within society. The economics major at ¹ú²úAV prepares students for a variety of careers in government and in the private sector. Economics majors may also choose to pursue graduate studies in areas such as law, business, urban planning, journalism and more.

The Certification-Only Tier I Educational Leadership program is a comprehensive program of study including course work and related field experiences leading to a Tier I Georgia certificate in Educational Leadership. Candidates participating in the certification-only program may add the Tier I educational leadership certificate to an existing Level 5 Georgia certificate by completing the elements of this program not completed in another master’s program.

The minor in Entrepreneurship provides skills necessary for success in a wide variety of organizations.  Motivating people, communicating effectively, integrating technology, using data, critical thinking, and understanding other cultures prepare students for the demands of the 21st century. The minor provides non-business majors the basic skills to successfully start and manage a business.

Management graduates move into positions of responsibility in large and small organizations.  They are prepared for careers in manufacturing, retail, and service industries as well as government and not-for-profit organizations.

Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary minor focusing on how human systems have impacted the natural world. Our program draws from a variety of disciplines in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences that provide students with a wide range of perspectives on environmental issues. These issues are becoming a focus in public and private sectors.

French is the second most spoken language in the European Union and the seventh worldwide with more than 230 million native and non-native speakers.  It is the official language of 29 countries throughout the globe. College graduates who are proficient in French and who have a deep understanding of the richness and diversity of French and Francophone cultures have many advantages in the workforce and can pursue careers in education, humanities-related fields, fashion, and business, to name just a few.

A Minor in Geography is available to students of all majors. It consists of two specific core courses (GEOG 1112k and GEOG 1113k) and at least nine hours of upper-division elective courses. Geography is an interdisciplinary field that bridges both natural and social sciences so this Minor complements many other programs at ¹ú²úAV.  Geography teaches a variety of methods to analyze the natural environment and how it is impacted by humans.  Skills honed in this minor add breadth to students’ preparation for employment in the public or private sector or pursuit of graduate education.

A Minor in Geology is available to students of all majors.  This minor consists of two lower-level courses (GEOL 1121k and GEOL 1122k) as well as Mineralogy (GEOL 3101), Petrology (GEOL 3102) and at least three additional upper-division hours in geology.  Geology is the study of Earth’s materials, their composition, how they change over long spans of time, and ways that humans utilize natural resources.  These courses teach a variety of analytic techniques both in the classroom and in the field.  Skills honed in this minor augment students’ preparation for employment in the public or private sector or pursuit of graduate education.

Official language of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Luxembourg, German is the first language of the largest number of citizens of the European Union and a major world language.  High proficiency in the German language and a deep understanding of the richness and diversity of German culture will broaden your horizons and give you a competitive edge on the job market. They will prepare you for successful careers in education, the humanities, foreign service, sciences, and business, to name just a few.

The minor in Health and Physical Education is designed to develop your attitudes and behaviors by focusing on current health issues and strategies. It is open to students from any major who are interested in health, physical education, fitness, and wellness. Our program provides coursework that you can utilize to improve your personal health and physical fitness in conjunction with career preparation. It is not designed to meet requirements for Georgia public school certification in health and physical education.

The healthcare administration minor develops the skills needed to manage the human and fiscal resources of a healthcare facility.  Students who minor in healthcare administration develop decision-making skills needed for planning and coordinating department activities, communication skills essential to effectively working with diverse interest groups, and critical-thinking skills required to comply with government regulations, adhere to health care standards, and implement strategic policy decisions.

History is the study of past events, people and eras. The discipline involves research, reading and writing, with an emphasis on interpreting and analyzing information. The history program at ¹ú²úAV is a good choice for students interested in the discipline who want to broaden their educational horizons and prepare for a number of careers or graduate school.

The Human Resources minor provides skills necessary for success in a wide variety of organizations.  Motivating people, communicating effectively, integrating technology, using data, critical thinking, and understanding other cultures prepare students for the demands of the 21st century. The minor in Human Resources allows business majors to gain in-depth knowledge of these areas.

The international business minor combines coursework in economics, finance, management, marketing and general business with cross-cultural studies and study abroad to create future leaders in global business. By developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills and becoming proficient oral and written communicators, international business students at Valdosta State are prepared for a number of professions on a global level.

¹ú²úAV’s minor in international studies provides students with a fundamental understanding of international studies as an academic field and highlights the dynamics involved in international affairs. Students with minors in international studies also gain valuable exposure to world regions, transnational affairs, or a disciplinary specialty that is international in scope. Students will also have opportunities for undergraduate research, service, experiential learning, and community engagement in the international field.

The programs in the English Department build upon the basic knowledge, skills, and values provided by the University Core Curriculum while preparing students for a wide range of careers as well as for graduate study in numerous fields. The Journalism minor prepares students for careers in print journalism, editing, and in-house news writing. The minor in Journalism at Valdosta State offers courses in writing for newspapers, magazines, sports and features, with opportunities for publication through a close curriculum relationship with the student newspaper, The Spectator.

The doctoral program in leadership (Ed.D.) develops capable, ethical, and diverse leaders who wish to effectively lead 21st century educational institutions and other organizations. This program connects the knowledge and inquiry skills developed in the core curriculum and research courses to the increasingly complex world of restructuring and organizational improvement. Students work with their academic advisor to select a cognate area that best fits their professional and academic goals. Cognates include: Organizational Leadership, Curriculum Leadership, Technology Leadership, Higher Education Leadership, and Special Education Leadership.

Program of Study

The programs in the English Department build upon the basic knowledge, skills, and values provided by the University Core Curriculum while preparing students for a wide range of careers as well as for graduate study in numerous fields. The Literature and Language minor provides a pre-law and pre-theology education as well as prepares students for graduate study in English.

Mass media refers to all forms of communication that reach large audiences. Students who study mass media at ¹ú²úAV are exposed to a variety of disciplines within the field of mass media, including broadcast journalism, digital journalism, and video, audio and documentary production. Students with degrees in mass media are in high demand and enjoy successful careers in news, radio, television, sports broadcasting, corporate production and more.

Mathematicians study quantity, distance and space with the goal of problem solving, reasoning, making connections and communicating. They advance knowledge by developing new principles and recognizing previously unknown relationships between existing principles of mathematics. Applied mathematicians use mathematical theories and techniques, including mathematical modeling and computational methods, to formulate and solve real-world problems in business, government and engineering, and in the areas of physical, life and social sciences.

Arabic is the fifth most spoken language in the world with 420 million native and non-native speakers.  It is the official language of 28 countries throughout the globe and the liturgical language of Islam.  College graduates who are proficient in Arabic and who have a deep understanding of the richness and diversity of the cultures in the Arab world have many advantages in the workforce and can pursue careers in civil service, intelligence, the military, humanities-related fields, and business, to name just a few.

The Department of Aerospace Studies is the United States Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) detachment at ¹ú²úAV. Students seeking a commission into the active duty Air Force will take classes aimed at developing leadership, fostering teamwork, military history, and understanding the role of the US Air Force in national defense. The academic portion of AFROTC is also open to students who wish to only take the academic component without pursuing a commission.

Music is the art of combining vocal or instrumental sound to evoke emotion, produce beauty of form, or create harmony, melody or rhythm. Humans have been making music since the beginning of time, and music is present in some form in every culture and society around the world. The music department at ¹ú²úAV prepares students to have lifelong careers as musicians, music educators or professionals who work in the field of music.

The Native American Studies minor is committed to an interdisciplinary approach in the study of Native American cultures and their contributions to the global community. The program serves students of Native American descent as well as members of the larger University community. Course offerings include anthropology, art history, history, philosophy, religion, literature, and languages, providing the basis for a greater understanding of Native American cultures.

Nutritional science is an academic discipline that offers an intellectual approach to the study of nutrition as it contributes to health promotion by primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. The study of nutritional science provides accurate assessments of the roles of functional foods and nutrients as they affect and are affected by humans’ intellectual, biological, psychological, social, cultural, environmental, economic, and spiritual being. This minor includes the integration of holistic health concepts with alternative and complementary healing practices and contemporary medical regimes. This minor offers students the opportunity to explore research demonstrating the importance of nutritional balance (variety, moderation, and activity) to quality of life and holistic health. The nutritional status of Americans is compared and contrasted to other environments and cultures around the globe. The minor encourages the acquisition of practical experiences, the development of intellectual expertise in various aspects of nutritional science, and initiation of creative interventions to facilitate and motivate behavioral changes related to nutritional problems and diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and osteoporosis.

The Online Minor in Data Science equips students with essential skills in data analysis, statistical modeling, machine learning, and related computational techniques useful across various disciplines. This program provides a strong foundation in data-driven decision-making, preparing graduates to excel in an increasingly data-centric world.

Gain essential skills for optimizing business operations with a Minor in Operations Management. Core courses include Applied Business Statistics and Introduction to Data Analytics, supplemented by three elective options such as Production and Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, and Project Management. Prepare for a career in driving efficiency and strategic decision-making in various industries.

The Certification-Only Performance Based Leadership program is a comprehensive program of study including course work and related clinical experiences leading to a Tier II Georgia certificate in Educational Leadership.  Candidates participating in the certification-only program may add Tier II educational leadership certification to an existing Level 6 Georgia certificate by completing the elements of this program. Through the combination of course work and performance-based activities, candidates will develop the necessary competencies to become an educational leader. 

Philosophy is the discipline of learning about different ways of life and gaining an appreciation for the richness of culture. Religious studies focuses on the diversity of religious thought and practice from multicultural perspectives. Students in these two disciplines at ¹ú²úAV develop critical and objective thinking skills, become clear and effective writers and persuasive speakers, hone their organizational and analytical skills, and expand their political awareness.

Physics is a foundation science concerned with space, time, matter, energy, gravitation, electromagnetism, light, atoms, nuclei and the fundamental forces of the universe. Famous physicists such as Albert Einstein and Sir Isaac Newton responsible for some of the most profound scientific discoveries in history, and the discipline continues to produce great thinkers who uncover the inner-workings of the universe. The physics program at ¹ú²úAV helps students achieve their dreams of in the discipline and prepares them for careers in the field and for further graduate studies.

Political science is the study of systems of government, politics, political behavior and public policies. Political scientists study the stages of government, the process by which political decisions are made and various matters that affect government behavior. Political science students at ¹ú²úAV focus on subfields of the discipline, including the American government and politics, comparative government and politics, international relations, political theory, public law and public administration.

A minor in Professional and Applied Ethics provides students with skills for critical and objective thinking, clear and effective writing skills, the ability to present a convincing case, organizational & analytical skills, and political awareness.

Salespeople are responsible for selling products or services that meet customer needs. People in sales identify prospective customers, establish trust, build relationships, nurture prospects through the company's sales funnel, provide information on offerings, and bring in new customers.

The programs in the English Department build upon the basic knowledge, skills, and values provided by the University Core Curriculum while preparing students for a wide range of careers as well as for graduate study in numerous fields. The Professional Writing minor prepares students for graduate study as well as careers in law, business, advertising, and publishing. The Professional Writing minor emphasizes the importance of critical thinking skills, encourages an appreciation of diverse cultural perspectives, and develops a greater understanding of the cognitive, emotive, and aesthetic dimensions of language as an avenue of self-knowledge, cultural understanding, and social responsibility while providing the necessary skills to write for professional publication.

A minor in psychology can be an excellent academic supplement to many majors at ¹ú²úAV or if a student wants to apply to graduate school in psychology. Please contact the department for assistance in selecting courses most appropriate for your needs.

To complete a minor in Psychology,  is required along with 15 additional hours of PSYC courses. All courses selected for the minor must be completed with a grade of “C” or better, with a Psychology minor GPA of 2.50 or higher. At least 9 of the 18 hours must be taken at ¹ú²úAV.

The DPA a practitioner-based terminal degree designed for those wanting to advance their careers in government, non-profits, or non-government organizations (NGOs). Coursework further enhances the essential leadership, management, communication, and problem-solving skills required in today’s professional environment.

In a fundamental sense, public administration involves the implementation of government policies. As an academic discipline, public administration trains students to become effective leaders responsible for implementing policies in any type of public or private organization. Students in the public administration program at ¹ú²úAV learn administrative skills that may be used in a variety of administrative careers and settings in both the public and private sectors.

The Recreation and Leisure minor provides a variety of courses during the Fall and Spring semesters that prepare you for working in a sports facility, recreation facility, parks, and more.

Philosophy is the discipline of learning about different ways of life and gaining an appreciation for the richness of culture. Religious studies focuses on the diversity of religious thought and practice from multicultural perspectives. Students in these two disciplines at ¹ú²úAV develop critical and objective thinking skills, become clear and effective writers and persuasive speakers, hone their organizational and analytical skills, and expand their political awareness.

The Library Media Certification Only program offers an engaging and flexible educational model designed to fit the busy schedules of working educational professionals seeking certification in library media. Our program provides practical opportunities for students to practice the standards of the American Association of School Librarians; and to design, develop, utilize, manage, and evaluate instructional technology. You will enjoy learning from our quality faculty whose real-world experience and knowledge have been acquired through many years learning, researching, and working in instructional technology and school library media.

Sociology is a social science that involves the study of human society. Sociologists examine aspects of society and social behavior, including cultures, social institutions, groups and more. Anthropology also involves the study of people but focuses on humans and their immediate ancestors. Anthropologists examine patterns of culture and behavior in order to understand human diversity in the present and past. Students in the sociology and anthropology undergraduate program have the unique opportunity to take core classes in both disciplines, then select a concentration in either applied and clinical sociology or anthropology. The graduate program focuses on applied sociology, a field in which sociological knowledge is used to analyze real-world situations.

Spanish, a Romance language, is the primary language of Spain, Mexico, and most countries in Central and South America and the Caribbean. It is the second most spoken language worldwide as well as in the United States. Fluency in Spanish is an invaluable tool for those living and working in the United States and abroad. ¹ú²úAV students who are proficient in Spanish have numerous advantages in the workforce and can pursue a number of careers in areas such as teaching, translation and interpretation, health care, social services, law and law enforcement, and more.

Practitioners of theatre arts, whether they perform on stage or work behind the scenes, bring stories to life, entertain and inspire. The theatre arts major at ¹ú²úAV is an all-encompassing program that embraces various aspects of theatre, including theatre performance, theatre production and musical theatre. The program is designed to develop the skills, craft and imagination of students, in addition to providing them with a strong background in the history of theatre.

A Women's and Gender Studies (WGST) minor prepares students for life, work, and service in the 21st century. Students learn from women’s history, feminist theory, and gender analytics, how gender as a form of cultural identity shapes human thought, experience, expectations and interactions. Courses in the WGST minor focus on the historical and contemporary experiences of women as well as other populations vulnerable because of race, class, gender, or sexual identity often regarded in the mainstream as unconventional. Employers and graduate schools are actively seeking candidates who understand the positive value of diversity. Alumni minors report many practical applications of what they learn in their WGST coursework, field work, service learning projects and internships.