The Doctor of Education degree with a major in Adult and Career Education provides advanced, professional learning for individuals pursuing careers in teaching and leadership of adult and career education and related fields.  This program prepares students for working with adult learners in career education fields in the secondary and postsecondary education and private workforce education and government agency contexts. 

Criminal justice majors study the structure and function of the criminal justice system as it applies to adults and juveniles, focusing on criminal laws on the federal, state and local level and how they relate to the Constitution of the United States. Criminal justice students at Valdosta State University study various theories of criminology, learn how to apply scientific research techniques and related statistical techniques to the study of crime, and examine the criminal justice systems of countries around the world. 

Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (FPMHNP) are advanced practice registered nurses who assess, diagnose, and treat mental health issues across the lifespan through pharmacotherapeutic and psychotherapeutic interventions. FPMHNPs work in clinical settings that include private, state or Veterans Administration in-patient or outpatient psychiatric facilities, private psychiatric practices, and community mental health centers. PMHMPs also provide services in settings such as correctional facilities, domestic violence shelters, residential substance abuse facilities, and schools.

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 Master of Education in Higher Education Leadership Program allows students to develop as scholars and professionals through a blend of classroom learning and practical experience. Students are immersed in the operations of academic affairs as well as student services in the higher education field. Faculty members will maintain commitment in the areas of service and research for the sharing of knowledge and will provide leadership to students. Students will experience learning that will enhance the appreciation and knowledge of diversity in the classroom and workplace including numerous hands-on experiences.

The Leadership Program (Ed.D.) seeks to develop doctoral candidates who are effective, ethical, and diverse leaders seeking to maximize achievement in schools and other organizations. Skill applications serve as the connection between knowledge and inquiry skills developed in the core curriculum and research courses and the increasingly complex world of restructured practice and school or organizational improvement. Students work with their advisors to select a cognate area that fits with their professional and academic goals. Cognate areas include: Organizational Leadership, Curriculum Leadership, Technology Leadership, and Higher Education Leadership. Students working in the P-12 setting who wish to add-on a professional Leadership certificate may do so in consultation with their advisor.

Program of Study

• Ed.D. Degree in Leadership Program of Study

The field of library and information science combines the disciplines of traditional library science and technology to meet the needs of today’s ever-changing library system. The Master of Library and Information Science program at Valdosta State University focuses on educating librarians for academic, public and special libraries in Georgia and beyond.

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 is delivered through a combination of online and hybrid courses. 10 of the required courses are taught completely online requiring you to never physically come to our campus. There are five research sequence courses that are offered in both online and hybrid formats. Courses that are taught in a hybrid format require up to four Saturday face-to-face meetings per semester at our satellite campus in Macon, GA. Electives will vary in delivery format based on your approved selections, and they must align with your certification field.

Advantages of this program are:

• Approved by the GaPSC.
• 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: 

Future (or Potential) MSN students: The GRE/MAT admission requirement is being waived for Summer & Fall 2018 applicants. Read more about applying for this program.

Nurse Practitioners (NPs) play a crucial role in the medical system as clinicians with expertise in diagnosing and treating health conditions. NP’s emphasis is on health promotion, management, and disease prevention. They work in a variety of settings including hospitals, health care provider offices, clinics, schools, academia, and other environments in which medical care is rendered. Students in the Valdosta State University MSN program develop critical thinking skills, gain an appreciation for diverse cultural perspectives, and learn how to address policy disputes and social problems related to health care. Upon graduation, Valdosta State MSN students assume leadership in the fields of nursing and health care, making a positive impact on their communities and touching people’s lives every day.

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree is a non-thesis program. Applicants for admission to the MPA program are considered for acceptance regardless of their undergraduate degree area. This program is designed to allow in-service professionals the opportunity to meet the degree requirements in a swift, convenient manner. The MPA is offered in three concentrations: Public Sector Management, Public Sector Human Resource Management, and Public Policy. The Public Sector Management and Public Policy concentrations are offered fully online, while the Public Sector Human Resource Management is offered in a traditional setting at the Moody Air Force Base Campus.

Master of Education (M.Ed.) students are trained to become scholars/practitioners, who think critically and apply their knowledge with skills and compassion. This program requires a total of 48 semester hours along with competency in curriculum, special education, and computer usage. The M.Ed. School Counseling Program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

Social workers help individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities restore and enhance their capacity for social functioning. Social Workers care about their fellow citizens, want to help people improve their situations and strive to make a positive difference in people’s lives. The social work program at Valdosta State University prepares students for clinical practice and licensure in social work and produces graduates who are qualified to practice with diverse populations in multiple settings.