Online Degrees Available at the University of West Georgia
The University of West Georgia appears in our ranking of the Top 50 Most Affordable Master’s in Computer Science Online.
The University of West Georgia offers an impressive array of degree programs at varying enrollment levels for those who need the flexibility and convenience of online education. Students here can choose from 12 undergraduate degree programs, 14 master’s degree programs, seven specialist degrees, four doctoral programs, nine certificates, and one endorsement. Some programs are offered partially or fully online. Highlights include the:
- Bachelor of Science with a Major in Organizational Leadership
- Master of Education with a Major in Early Childhood Education
- Doctor of Education with a Major in Nursing Education
The Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership requires 120 credit hours to complete, and classes are offered fully online. Within those 120 hours, students will complete 30 hours related to the major, including courses like Communications for the Workplace, Principles of Public Administration, and Public Finance. Students who complete the degree will be qualified for positions in the public sector, such as law enforcement, and state and local administration.
For those who want to work in early education, the Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education provides in-depth knowledge and instruction in topics related to a broader range of learners. The degree covers advanced methodologies in teaching to content areas, curriculum theory and development, and research in early childhood education, among other topics. Students will complete 36 semester hours over the course of 12 to 24 months, and classes are offered fully online.
Offered via the Department of Nursing and the Tanner Health System School of Nursing, the school’s fully online doctorate in nursing education is one of just a few programs of its kind in the country. Students will complete 60 hours for the degree, including 15 hours of dissertation. Graduates of the program will be qualified to teach and train other nurses.
About the University of West Georgia
Founded just over a century ago in 1906, the University of West Georgia has evolved into a fully accredited, four-year university from its humble beginnings as an agricultural and mechanical college. The school attained university status in 1996, and it’s one of only eight institutions in Georgia to achieve recognition by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as a doctoral university. Today, the university spans six colleges and one school; boasts over 13,000 students as of fall 2017; and offers a host of degree programs, including bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and post-degree programs, within 88 fields of study.
Students at the University of West Georgia benefit from the combination of a relatively small school with large aspirations. In fall 2017, the school’s incoming freshmen students boasted a record high average GPA of 3.21. It’s also a significant force in the local community. In 2016, the University System of Georgia Board of Regents reported that the University of West Georgia had an economic impact of $564 million, representing an increase of 22 percent in the last five years. Students from 38 states and 73 countries attend classes here.
Along with impressive statistics for a younger college of its kind, the University of Georgia also enjoys recognition from several organizations. In 2018, U.S. News & World Report ranked the school among the nation’s top institutions and Princeton Review recognized it among the Best Regional Colleges. The Center for Higher Education Enterprise named the school as one of the Most Promising Places to Work in Student Affairs in 2017, making the school one of just two universities in the country to hold this distinction for four consecutive years.
The University of West Georgia is the state’s sixth-largest public university. Located in Carrollton, within easy driving distance of Atlanta, the school offers students plenty of extracurricular opportunities on and off campus, including 150 student organizations.
University of West Georgia Accreditation
The University of West Georgia holds institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, most recently reaffirmed in December 2014. In addition, 11 accrediting agencies have accredited individual programs within the university. These include the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business – International, the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Students who want to attend classes in person or online should check with the program department for specific information about accreditation.
University of West Georgia Application Requirements
Students who want to apply to the University of West Georgia will submit various documents that prove academic achievement. For first-time freshmen students, this includes official high school transcripts and test scores from standardized testing, such as the SAT or ACT. Applications require a nonrefundable $40 fee.
Graduate students will also submit various documents, but documentation varies significantly depending on the program. Graduate applicants will fill out an online application, pay a nonrefundable fee of $39.99 and submit appropriate documents as required by the degree program. The school’s graduate admissions page offers a link to specific degree requirements by field.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition and fees at the University of West Georgia vary by enrollment status, program type and other factors, including whether you live in a residence hall as a freshman. For undergraduates, tuition costs about $178 per credit hour, and the school recommends 15 hours per semester to finish a bachelor’s degree in four years. Additional fees add up to about $981 for incoming freshmen. These rates are for in-state students. For out-of-state residents, tuition costs about $627 per credit hour, but the fees remain the same at $981.
In-state graduate students pay about $227 per credit hour while out-of-state graduate students pay around $882 per credit hour. Rates for graduate programs, including master’s and doctoral degrees, will vary widely by program type. Students should consult the appropriate department for accurate rates when applying.
The school does offer a waiver program for certain students to apply for in-state status, such as those from Alabama. Students who think they might qualify should submit the Border State Waiver application when applying for admission.
Online students have additional fees added to their enrollment fees for the school. For example, undergraduates enrolled in an online program would pay around $469 per credit hour, which covers the basic tuition rate plus online education fees. Likewise, graduate students can expect additional fees for online programs, adding up to approximately $517 per credit hour.
Students who need help paying for college can apply for scholarships, grants, work-study opportunities, and a variety of loans from private and public sources. Georgia participates in the HOPE program, which includes the HOPE Scholarship, the Zell Miller Scholarship, and Accel. Interested students should contact the University of West Georgia Financial Aid department for more information on requirements and deadlines.