University System of Georgia

Twenty-six public colleges and universities of the University System of Georgia offer almost unlimited opportunities for citizens of the state to attend college. Programs of study and degrees are offered in almost every field available anywhere in the world. Students can choose programs to fit their talents and interests, ranging from one-year certificate programs to doctoral programs.

The 9 state colleges and 9 state universities offer bachelor degrees and, in many cases, some graduate degrees. Degree programs include hundreds of fields of interest including business administration, teacher education, mathematics, sciences, history and other social sciences, engineering, art, and music. Some of these institutions also offer many of the two-year career programs offered by community colleges.

The 4 comprehensive and 4 research universities offer graduate programs leading to master’s and doctor’s degrees, four-year programs leading to bachelor degrees, and some two-year programs. Offerings include programs ranging from aerospace and nuclear engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology; economics and health administration at Georgia State University; medicine and dentistry at Augusta University; to forestry, law, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine at the University of Georgia. Students may begin their freshman year of studies leading to these graduate and professional degrees at any of the 28 colleges and universities of the University System of Georgia.

One or more of these public colleges and universities is located in every section of the state, from Brunswick in the Southeast and Bainbridge in the Southwest, to Dalton and Rome in the Northwest and Dahlonega and Gainesville in the Northeast. In fact, most Georgians live within commuting distance of one or more colleges.

All colleges and universities are accredited and offer quality courses. Freshman and sophomore credits toward bachelor degrees which are earned with satisfactory grades at any of these colleges are accepted by all other University System institutions. Fees charged to residents of Georgia for attending college, exclusive of living expenses, are low by most standards.

In addition to college courses and programs, non-credit offerings are made available in almost every area of human interest. Many courses and programs are designed to improve job skills, while others provide opportunities for self-improvement in areas unrelated to work. The four universities also conduct extensive programs of research directed primarily toward improving the economic and human welfare of the people of Georgia. The thirty institutions of the University System of Georgia stand ready to encourage and assist citizens interested in college studies.

A 19-member constitutional Board of Regents governs the University System, which has been in operation since 1932. Appointments of Board members are made by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the State Senate. Regular terms of Board members are seven years. The Board of Regents also has oversight of the Georgia Archives, located adjacent to the campus of Clayton State University, and the Georgia Public Library System.