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.

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 Valdosta State University 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

Criminal justice is a rapidly expanding field of academic study. Many governmental agencies are requiring advanced degrees for those seeking administrative and managerial positions. The Master’s Degree is designed to broaden the perspectives of criminal justice practitioners, to equip practitioners with advanced knowledge and administrative skills, and to prepare students with further graduate work and scholarship. Graduates are provided the necessary skills to succeed in the governmental agencies and private sectors.

Applications for the MS degree are accepted during the Spring, Summer and Fall semesters.

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 Valdosta State University 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 VSU ESOL Endorsement is a fully online, three-course sequence, endorsement for certified teachers in Georgia. The endorsement curriculum prepares students to respond to the growing number of English language learners in regular content classrooms. The ESOL endorsement is an asset to professionals in all teaching fields. The Endorsement may be completed independently and can be integrated into a graduate program of study for degree-seeking students.

The Department of Modern and Classical Languages offers the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Education – English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). The MAT in Education with a concentration in ESOL is a 36 semester hour, fifth-year program beyond the bachelor’s degree in which candidates may earn a master’s degree (MAT) and become eligible for initial teaching certification in English as a Second Language. This program can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. Graduates will also earn the English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Endorsement for Georgia certified teachers, speech and language pathologists, or school counselors.

The MAT is for candidate seeking initial certification only! Teachers with current certification in any subject matter are not suitable for this program.

The MAT in Education – ESOL can be completed on a fully online basis.

The certificate in European Union Studies is operated under the supervision of the European Council of the University System of Georgia. The program is open to all institutions and students of the University System as well as to professionals with an undergraduate degree. The program’s purpose is to promote knowledge of the European Union (EU) and certify individuals as competent in the subject area of EU studies. Since the EU is the most important economic and political partner of the United States, this certification demonstrates valuable professional expertise to potential employers. For students in the academic track, the interdisciplinary certificate can be earned as a supplement to any conventional undergraduate degree. The certificate can be earned fully online or by taking approved traditional classroom courses, or with a combination of traditional and online courses.

The Department of Modern and Classical Languages offers the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Education – Foreign Language Education (FLED) (French or Spanish). The MAT in Education with a concentration in FLED is a 36 semester hour, fifth-year program beyond the bachelor’s degree in which candidates may earn a master’s degree (MAT) and become eligible for initial teaching certification in French or Spanish. Successful candidates may receive the ESOL endorsement for certified teachers. This program can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis.

The MAT is for candidate seeking initial certification only! Teachers with current certification in any subject matter are not suitable for this program.

The MAT in Education – FLED can be completed on a fully online basis. 

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.

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.

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 Valdosta State University 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 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.

This institutional certificate allows Journalism and Mass Media students to develop skills and cross-training in the areas, providing opportunities for greater employability and professional development. To complete, Mass Media majors or minors are required to take 3 Journalism courses; English majors with a Journalism emphasis must take 3 Mass Media courses.

The development of the understanding of at least one culture other than their own and communicative proficiency in the language of that culture is an essential element in the educational preparation for citizens who live in the global society of the 21st century. Courses in Latin American studies are offered in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and focus on the acquisition of language skills and cultural knowledge that enable individuals to live or travel in a society where the language is spoken. Additionally, second language skills and cultural knowledge are advantageous to those who plan to pursue careers in business, health-related fields, social service and education agencies, law and law enforcement, and science- or humanities-related fields at home or abroad.

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.

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 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.

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 Valdosta State University 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.

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 Valdosta State University 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.

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.

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.

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 Valdosta State University learn administrative skills that may be used in a variety of administrative careers and settings in both the public and private sectors.

The Public Administration Graduate Certificate Program is ideal for those interested in reinvigorating careers in government, non-profits, or non-government organizations (NGOs). Coursework provides the skills and qualifications that focus on essential leadership, management, finance, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills and designed for those unsure about a long-term commitment to a full graduate program. Students take a two core courses and two elective courses depending on the certificate desired.

The Public Administration Graduate Certificate Program is ideal for those interested in reinvigorating careers in government, non-profits, or non-government organizations (NGOs). Coursework provides the skills and qualifications that focus on essential leadership, management, finance, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills and designed for those unsure about a long-term commitment to a full graduate program. Students take a two core courses and two elective courses depending on the certificate desired.

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 Valdosta State University 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.

Sociology is a social science that involves the study of human society. It’s an expansive discipline, encompassing a range of research areas and potential careers. Broadly, sociologists examine how societies and social institutions maintain cohesion and a sense of collectivity, and how individuals and groups organize collectively to create social change. They do this through pairing theoretical arguments with empirical data. The graduate program focuses on applied sociology, a field in which sociological knowledge is used to analyze real-world situations. Students in the program will learn to skillfully design their own research studies. To do this, they will collect and analyze original data collected through surveys, interviews, and observations, or, they will systematically examine human-created content, such as written documents or online discussion forums. Students will also further develop skills in analyzing and interpreting existing data, such as from the Census Bureau, the General Social Survey, or the World Values Survey. Students have the opportunity to take a diversity of graduate courses, from those examining the role of race, class, and gender in shaping access to societal resources and inequality, to environmental sociology, sociology of law, sociology of the family, and sociology of religion.

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. Valdosta State University 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.

The Spanish for Professionals Certificate offers instruction through task-based communicative projects. Designed for the intermediate-mid to high-level student, courses in the certificate prepare students for successful communication in the Spanish-speaking professional world. This program builds on students’ grammatical and vocabulary knowledge while emphasizing the application of Spanish within a professional setting.

This online certificate prepares majors from any discipline to pursue teaching opportunities with English Language Learners (ELLs) in corporate settings and in private language schools in the United States and internationally. It combines a theoretical foundation in Second Language Acquisition (SLA) with practical experience. No previous background in linguistics is required for admission. Some background in a second language is recommended. It may be combined with any degree program.

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.