ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

 


North Georgia College & State University offers varied programs of study leading to degrees at the associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s levels. At the undergraduate level, degrees offered include the B.A., B.S., B.B.A., B.S.N., and A.S.N.

At the graduate level, degrees offered include the Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree, the Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Community Counseling, the Master of Science degree in Nursing-Rural Family Nurse Practioner, the Master of Science degree in Physical Therapy, the Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) degree, and the Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in Teacher Leadership. Refer to northgeorgia.edu (Graduate Programs) for more specific information or contact the Office of Graduate Studies and External Programs (706-864-1543).

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS

BACHELOR OF ARTS (B.A.)

The Bachelor of Arts degree is offered in art, English, English education, French, French education, history, history education, music, political science, Spanish and Spanish education.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (B.S.)
The Bachelor of Science degree is offered in art education, art marketing, biology, chemistry, computer information systems, computer science, criminal justice, education (early childhood education, middle grades education, and a dual degree in early childhood and special education P-5), mathematics, music education, physical education, physics, political science, psychology, social sciences, sociology, athletic training, and exercise science.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ATHLETIC TRAINING (B.S.A.T.)
Admission to the Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP) is required to enroll in ATEP classes. The Athletic Training Education Program prepares the student to take the National Athletic Trainer's Association Board of Certification Examination.

BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (B.B.A.)
The Bachelor of Business Administration degree is offered in accounting, finance, management, and marketing.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING (B.S.N.)
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is offered to selected registered nurses from associate degree in nursing programs and to selected registered nurses from diploma programs.

ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE IN NURSING (A.S.N.)
The Associate of Science in Nursing degree is a two-year program. Academic instruction is given on the campus of North Georgia College & State University, while clinical training is given in area hospitals and nursing homes.

TEACHER LICENSURE
Teacher education graduates apply for certification through the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. North Georgia College & State University prepares students for licensure through approved programs in early childhood education, middle grades education, special education, art education, French education, health and physical education, music education, Spanish education, and secondary education (biology, chemistry, physics, English, French, mathematics, political science and history).

REGENTS ENGINEERING TRANSFER PROGRAM
Qualified students seeking a Bachelor of Engineering degree may begin their university studies at North Georgia College & State University through the Regents Engineering Transfer Program. Upon successful completion of the pre-engineering curriculum, students may transfer to the Georgia Institute of Technology to complete the degree requirements. It is expected that students in this program, as with other Georgia Tech students, will normally require four to five and one-half years to complete the degree requirements, depending on their pre-university preparation, involvement in extracurricular activities, and choice of engineering major.

DUAL DEGREE PROGRAMS WITH GEORGIA TECH AND CLEMSON
The dual degree program in engineering is offered by NGCSU’s Departments of Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics and Computer Science. This program is offered to provide students with a strong liberal arts background before completing academic course work at another institution. Interested students are referred to the appropriate department for further guidance.

PRE-PROFESSIONAL STUDY
In addition to associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s programs, the university offers pre-professional study in law and pre-forestry and a variety of two-year programs in allied health including pre-medicine, pre-dental, and pre-veterinary medicine.

HONORS PROGRAM
The mission of the Honors Program is to provide selected students the opportunity to obtain an education designed to foster maximum intellectual growth while at the same time encouraging the development of the whole person. The Honors Program seeks students willing to take an increased level of responsibility for their own education; students open to challenge and new ideas; students wishing to develop their full potential, not only as students but also as members of society as a whole. To this end, the Honors Program provides selected students with the opportunity to take courses designed to develop such capabilities as effective writing; speaking; such nonverbal texts as mathematics, art, music, etc.; comprehension of quantitative reasoning; ethical reasoning; critical and creative thinking; and the ability to use technology. The program emphasizes independent learning, curricular coherence, teamwork, initiative, responsibility, and respect for all persons.

Honors does not mean taking additional courses or credits; rather, it involves taking Honors sections (with limited enrollment of 20-25 students), or existing courses converted to Honors credit, of some of the student's required and/or elective courses.
Admission into the program depends on a different set of rules than those that apply to admission into the university. The program is open to students of all academic majors who may apply as high school seniors or as students of the university. For more information, go to northgeorgia.edu/honors.

DEFENSE LANGUAGE INSTITUTE PROGRAM (DLI)
The Department of Modern Languages and the Department of Military Science offer students in the Corps of Cadets who are attached to a reserve unit the unique opportunity to combine course work at the University with study done at the Defense Language Institute (DLI) in Monterey, California, in order to fulfill the Bachelor's degree requirements while training as military linguists.* Such students will receive their AA degree upon completion of language course work at the DLI. On returning to NGCSU, students will maintain and enhance the skills learned in the language studied at the DLI via distance learning and will complete a major of their choice for the Bachelor's degree, including any remaining core curriculum requirements needed.

* Admission to NGCSU and to the Corps of Cadets does not guarantee acceptance to DLI language study. The DLI controls its own admission policy and sets its own quota each admission period. Part of the admission requirements to the DLI involves making an appropriate score on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB).

CENTER OF INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
The Center of International Programs (CIP) provides a central location for information regarding international education opportunities for both faculty and students at NGCSU. The CIP is a source of information regarding study abroad, scholarships, and international initiatives both on and off campus. Through coordination among departments, the CIP helps guide the student through the registration process for study abroad and strives to inform students regarding study abroad opportunities throughout the world. Programs sponsored by the CIP range from language-intensive to English speaking, and from short-term to semester and year long programs. The CIP also supports both European Union Certificate and the Latin American Certificate. If you are interested in finding out more about the services of the Center of International Programs, please stop by our office at 202 Young Hall or e-mail us at studyabroad@northgeorgia.edu, or you may contact the Director of the Center, Dr. Dlynn Armstrong Williams at DFArmstrong@northgeorgia.edu.

The following faculty members oversee the fulfillment of the requirements for the certificate programs, as well as assist the student in enrollment in the on-line components of the certificates.

Latin American Certificate - Dr. Victoria McCard (Language and Literature)
EU Certificate - Dr. Brian Murphy (Political Science and Criminal Justice)

The Center of International Programs also facilitates International Studies courses to assist students through the process of enrollment in study abroad courses. The following list of courses is used for students wishing to experience a general education while abroad.

INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

INTL 1001 International Studies I (1-3 credit hours)
Prerequisite: None. This course is taken by students choosing to study abroad. The course will introduce students to cultures and experiences not available on the NGCSU campus.
INTL 2001 International Studies II (1-3 credit hours)
Prerequisite: None. This course can be taken in conjunction with INTL 1001. This course also utilizes international experiences to further students' cultural understanding of the world around them.

INTL 3001 International Studies III (1-3 credit hours)
Prerequisite: None. This course is for more advanced students in International Studies. This course will focus on an in-depth study abroad experience. Students will examine how culture relates to their particular field of study.

INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
NGCSU, in conjunction with other universities throughout the University System of Georgia, offers students the opportunity to diversify their college experience through concentrating their studies in a particular geographic area. As part of our goal to better prepare students for the increasingly global marketplace, NGCSU offers certificate programs in both European Union studies and in Latin American studies.
If you need more information about either of these certificates, please stop by the Center of International Programs (CIP) in 202 Young Hall for further information.

The European Union Certificate
The European Union Certificate is open to all academic majors. Professionals can also audit courses with the permission of the instructor. Students can apply to be accepted into the certificate program after the successful completion of all of the following:
1) Course in World or Western Civilization;
2) Introductory course on the European Union (with a grade of "C" or better);
3) 2.75 cumulative GPA;
4) 30 semester hours of academic credit.

After the student has obtained an application from the International Programs Office (202 Young Hall), and has been accepted in the program, he/she can continue to fulfill the remainder of the program through the completion of the following courses:
• Four discipline-specific courses (3 courses must be from different
disciplines). Choose from the following disciplines:
Business and Economics
Humanities and Fine Arts
Natural and Health Sciences
Social Sciences
• No more than one course at the 1000-2000 level
• A practicum experience either in the form of an overseas program or profes- sional internship
• Capstone Seminar

If interested, the student can also have a notation of distinction on the certificate for language proficiency or an honors thesis.

The Latin American Studies Certificate
The Latin American Studies Certificate is also offered in conjunction with other universities within the University System of Georgia. Students from all majors can apply to be accepted into the certificate program following successful completion of the following:
1) 30 hours of academic credit at a four year institution, or 15 hours of academic credit at a two year institution;
2) Cumulative GPA of 2.80;
3) One 3 hour interdisciplinary course which focuses on Latin America or a 3 hour course on Latin American culture and civilization or a CD module based course on Latin America or a web-based or GSAMS course on Latin America. In all of the above courses, the student must have earned a grade of C or better.

Following the completion of the introductory course, students must be able to demonstrate oral and written proficiency in Spanish, Portuguese, French, Haitian Creole, or Quechua. This requirement can be fulfilled by any of the following:
1) Six hours of course work at the 3000 level with a grade of C or better. These hours may be taken as part of an approved study abroad program.
2) Demonstration of language proficiency above the intermediate level as de- fined by ACTFL standards through examination.
3) Successful completion of an oral and written examination evaluated by
a qualified University System of Georgia faculty member.

In addition to the language proficiency component, students must also complete 9 hours of coursework beyond the introductory course in disciplines related to Latin America. Six of these hours must come from outside the major. These hours can be earned in the following ways:
1) any Latin American upper division courses offered in the University
System of Georgia;
2) courses that have a minimum 25% Latin American component;
3) study abroad or internships.

Note: All study abroad programs and internships must be approved by the Center of International Programs Director, and require a grade of C or better. No more than one course may be taken at the 1000-2000 level.

GERONTOLOGY CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
The Gerontology Certificate Program at North Georgia College & State University is designed to enable students at the undergraduate and graduate level, non-degree students, and residents of the community to obtain a certificate in 2-3 semesters of course work. Students will complete a total of eighteen (18) semester hours of upper level undergraduate, or graduate level courses to meet the requirements of the certificate program. Twelve (12) of the hours must arise from the four certificate courses associated with the Georgia Statewide Academic and Medical System (GSAMS) and the Gerontology Distance Learning Partnership grant from the University of Georgia (UGA). These four courses are the Seminar of Aging, the Biology of Aging, the Sociology of Aging, and the Psychology of Aging. For additional information, contact The Department of Nursing.

ACADEMIC ASSESSMENT
The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia in 1989 approved
a policy on planning and assessment. In keeping with this policy, assessment at North Georgia College & State University shall include the assessment of (1) basic academic skills at entry, (2) general education, (3) specific academic program areas, and (4) all academic support programs.
An assessment of the specific academic program areas will be in the form of an exit examination to be administered during spring semester of the senior year by the department of major. The format for this senior comprehensive examination will be determined and announced by each academic department.

GOVERNMENTAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS
North Georgia College & State University cooperates with the Governor’s Intern Program in creating opportunities for students to be actively involved in specific projects in public agencies. Interns work within state and local agencies for a full semester and may receive up to 12 hours of academic credit for the intern experience. Credit may be given by any department in the university with the permission of the department head and the vice president for academic affairs. Information is available in the Department of Political Science/Criminal Justice.
Each year a student is awarded a Legislative Internship with the Georgia Assembly. The award includes a stipend. In addition, each congressional office is allocated funds for internships. Students compete for internships in the district in which they reside.

The university also participates in the Senate Intern Program. Juniors, seniors, and graduate students who are U.S. citizens and residents of Georgia may participate in the program for academic credit. Interns selected by competitive application will work in the Georgia or Washington, D.C. offices of Senator Paul Coverdell for one academic semester and will receive a small stipend to offset additional living expenses. Application materials are available in the Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice.

CONTINUING EDUCATION/PUBLIC SERVICE 

Continuing Education and Public Service is the University's outreach effort to deliver and share its resources and expertise with the general population, business and industry, associations, governmental groups, and others in order to enhance the intellectual capital of all those in need of development and lifelong learning.
Continuing Education offers an array of non-credit educational programs (short courses, seminars, workshops, lectures, camps, etc.) that focus on professional development and personal enrichment. The continuing education approach to learning makes it possible for adults to learn in an informal and non-competitive environment where interest is the primary consideration.

The Continuing Education Unit (CEU) represents ten contact hours of participation in an organized activity under reasonable sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction. Individuals who successfully complete the course requirements will receive individual CEU's. The CEU cannot be converted into academic credit.

As a member of the University System of Georgia, North Georgia College & State University fully accepts its responsibility of service to the Northeast Georgia community as an integral part of the overall university mission. The goal of this service is greater public accessibility to North Georgia College & State University. Various university cultural activities are made available to the public. Through its H. M. Stewart Center for Continuing Education, the university also provides administrative and auxiliary support for educational efforts by non-university groups and assists in public use of university facilities and services.

ACADEMIC YEAR
North Georgia College & State University operates on a two-semester system (fall and spring) plus summer sessions. Freshmen may enter any term. Most required freshmen and sophomore subjects are offered every term.