School Details
The University of North Georgia is a leading institution within Georgia’s education system, serving around 20,000 students across five campuses and online. UNG’s mission and vision statements focus on academic excellence, leadership development, and research. Its core values include promoting excellence, focusing on students, integrity, engagement, and service.
The institution provides challenging courses taught by faculty experts. UNG’s online degree programs offer flexible options for students to pursue education while balancing other commitments. The online courses at the University of North Georgia maintain the same quality and accreditation as on-campus equivalents.
Choose from programs in the following academic units:
- College of Arts & Letters
- Mike Cottrell College of Business
- College of Education
- College of Health Sciences & Professions
- College of Science & Mathematics
- University College
- Lewis F. Rogers Institute for Environmental & Spatial Analysis (IESA)
Accreditation & Licensing
University of North Georgia is accredited by:
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
All Programs
Art & Liberal Arts
UNG offers this online AA in Political Science to jump-start your education in government. You’ll learn the function and roles of government in today’s society and gain a strong introduction to the political process. If you think you may want to pursue a career involving the government or politics, this degree can be a great starting point. Samples of required courses, include:
- American Government
- Global Issues
- Introduction to Political Science
Earn your AA or AS in General Studies from UNG 100% online. You can knock out your core curriculum, in all areas, through the convenience of distance learning. With this broad education in liberal arts and general coursework, you’ll have the knowledge and skills that it takes to advance your current position or pursue new paths.
It makes sense that your degree should align with your professional and personal goals. This online BS in Interdisciplinary Studies from UNG enables you to base your curriculum on your interests. You’ll pull combinations from eight different concentrations that include:
- Health & Human Services
- Fine & Performing Arts
- Business
- Military Science & Leadership
- Mathematics & Technology
Broaden your scope of political systems and policies, with this online MA in International Affairs from the University of North Georgia. The focus of this graduate degree lies in security issues, alongside global economic policies. You’ll improve your research and analytical skills, as you advance your current career or start a new one. Sample core courses include:
- Theory of International Political Economy
- Research Methods for International Affairs
- Global Governance
The MA in Teaching / Secondary Education – History from UNG works on the cohort system that starts in the summer. Designed for those without a teaching certificate, this online teaching master’s degree program provides a full-time internship in the first year and advanced content in the second year.
Graduates receive their initial teaching certification upon completion of the teaching program that offers online coursework with in-person practicums. The coursework is delivered in both synchronous and asynchronous formats.
Business
Creativity is a valuable asset in the business world, whether you’re starting your own business or trying to keep your company competitive in the marketplace. The Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation can give you the skills and mindset necessary to keep your business at the forefront. Start a new business venture, develop corporate innovations, or enhance your career with this online graduate program. This online Entrepreneurship program can be completed in just one summer semester, so you can apply techniques to the real world immediately.
Courses cover topics such as:
- Creativity and innovation
- New venture creation and growth
- Corporate entrepreneurship
- Innovation management
The Master of Public Administration program is designed to help those who want to work in the public sector, in a nonprofit organization, or in a business that interacts with governmental agencies. This graduate degree is open to students from all undergraduate majors and can be completed either part-time or full-time, completely online.
Coursework enhances both theoretical and practical skills in public policy and public administration. Classes cover topics in public budgeting and financing, the ethics and legalities of public administration, and how to conduct applied research. Students gain the leadership skills they need to succeed in their field.
Students can customize their degree plan by choosing electives such as the ones below:
- State and local government
- Information and operations management
- Public and private partnerships
- The role of nonprofits in society
- Government and business
- Collaboration
Criminal Justice, Safety & Law
The online Master of Science in Criminal Justice provides students with an extensive overview of the criminal justice system. Students study the processes of investigation, prosecution, defense, and corrections. There are many online academic resources available to students for research.
Courses include:
- Global Crime and Justice
- Police and Society
- Family Violence
Classes are taught by expert faculty who are committed to the academic success of every student. Career opportunities for graduates include jobs in law enforcement, corrections, probation, parole, courts, and more. Graduates are prepared to make a positive impact on society by serving communities and making them safer to live in.
Education
Teachers in Georgia can earn an Autism Endorsement with UNG’s Autism Education Teacher Certificate Endorsement. This online special education program advances pedagogical knowledge about autism spectrum disorders.
Both special and general education teachers benefit from this fully online certificate program. The endorsement provides graduate college credit. It can also apply towards PLU credit.
UNG offers a cross-disciplinary curriculum with its Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership & Practice (HELP). This online higher education doctoral degree program appeals to college-level administrators and professionals. Graduates find new career opportunities with their expanded professional knowledge.
Through the online coursework and research classes, the HELP program strives to better the field of education for all. The three tenets of the vision of this online doctoral degree include the following:
- Educational equity
- Integration of policy and theory with practice
- Cultivation of a community of scholars who encourage novelty and creativity, question prevailing norms, and supports constructive conflict
Students of this online higher education program study leadership, administration, and program development. Other study topics include high-impact teaching and promoting inclusive environments for students.
You can earn your Tier II Education Specialist in Educational Leadership (Ed.S.) from UNG with the post-graduate certificate in Education Specialist in Educational Leadership. This online education administration program sets the following requirements for admission:
- Three years of teaching experience
- Currently serve in a leadership position that requires a Tier I certification within a P-12 setting
- Master’s degree or higher in educational leadership
Through asynchronous classes led by expert educators, you will gain expertise in education administration to boost your career. Within the Social Foundations & Leadership Education department, this online education administration certification program provides rigorous academic training that imparts creativity and inclusivity.
You can prepare for entry-level leadership roles in public schools through UNG’s Tier I Educational Leadership Certification-School Leadership and Administration. This online education administration certification requires educators to have a master’s degree and three years of teaching experience.
Students of this online program enjoy a cohort model comprised of small groups to enhance their learning experience. Classes follow an asynchronous schedule with some synchronous meetings.
Upon completing this educational administration certificate program and meeting all the requirements, you qualify for the Georgia Tier I certification in Educational Leadership. For those with accreditation at Level 6 or 7, some coursework you have already completed may count towards this certificate.
For those in Georgia, you can earn the English to Speakers of Other Languages Endorsement through UNG’s ESOL Teacher Certificate Endorsement. Those in other states should verify acceptance of this program. The online ESL program provides graduate college credits and PLU credits.
You must hold current teacher certification for this program. Courses follow an asynchronous schedule with some synchronous meetings. Candidates start this online ESL program in the summer semester.
This ESOL graduate-level endorsement follows the standards of the state of Georgia in the following areas:
- Professionalism
- Planning and implementing
- Language as a system
- Culture
You can train as a teacher in gifted education with UNG’s Gifted In-Field Education Teacher Certificate Endorsement. This online gifted education certificate program counts as graduate college credits or PLU credits for certified teachers in Georgia.
Through asynchronous classes, you will develop the knowledge and skills needed to teach gifted students effectively. The online gifted education program requires some synchronous meetings and a field-based experience for hands-on practice.
UNG provides graduate-level training through its Graduate Certificate in Diversity. This online general education certificate program appeals to those in various settings, including the following:
- K-12 schools
- Higher education
- Healthcare organizations
- Business and industry
Students of this online higher education program learn to make a difference in their workplaces. Study topics cover issues in diversity as well as current issues and trends in diversity.
As one of the four Master of the Arts in teaching programs offering all online coursework, the Health & PE concentration provides initial teacher certification. All candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in physical education or a related field. This online physical education and coaching master’s degree program uses a practicum/internship to help students put theories into practice.
As online learning comes with its own challenges, UNG has online support services for all students. Some of the benefits include the following:
- Academic advising
- Career services
- Counseling and psychological services
- Distance education and technology integration
UNG’s MA in Teaching / Middle Grades Education offers initial teaching licensure for those with bachelor’s degrees. This secondary education master’s degree program requires two concentrations. Choices include:
- Social science
- Science
- Mathematics
- Language arts
By focusing on curriculum and pedagogy, the online secondary education program advances the knowledge and skills of those wanting to teach in middle school. All students participate in a capstone project, an internship, and educational research.
UNG’s MA in Teaching / Secondary Education – Mathematics combines online coursework with in-person field experiences. This online STEAM education master’s degree program requires educational research, a practicum/internship, and a capstone project.
Students of this online STEAM education program focus on pedagogy and curriculum courses. Candidates must have an undergraduate degree within mathematics.
To facilitate online learning, UNG’s student support services include such assistance as:
- Information technology services
- Learning support
- Multicultural services
- Student success program
Certified teachers can expand their pedagogical content knowledge with UNG’s Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction. This online program follows a cohort format with asynchronous classes and a few synchronous meetings.
The online curriculum and instruction coursework can provide certificate endorsements. Candidates can choose a Focus Area of Study to align their education with their career goals. Choices of Focus Strands include the following:
- Autism
- Reading
- Gifted education
- English to speakers of other languages
Certified teachers with an early childhood education undergraduate degree find an advanced education in this area from UNG. This online early childhood education graduate program offers cross-functional knowledge application and sharing.
Designed with flexibility in mind for working teachers, this program delivers in many ways. Students appreciate such features as:
- Asynchronous classes (and a few synchronous meetings)
- Cohort format
- Virtual orientation at the start of the program
- Certificate endorsements embedded within the early childhood education coursework
The Master of Education in Middle Grades Math and Science provides current math and science teachers a means to expand their knowledge and skills in STEAM education. Students can opt for full-time or part-time enrollment to fit their personal schedules.
With all exams and coursework delivered online, working teachers can complete this degree to further their careers. To put theory into practice, students must have contact with a middle-grade classroom throughout their STEAM education program.
UNG’s Library Technology Center provides online academic resources to assist learners in their goals. All classes are delivered asynchronously. Students may schedule time with peers for group work.
The online M.Ed. in Middle Grades Math and Science degree provides an opportunity for licensed teachers to gain advanced training and further professions. This accredited program is jointly offered through Valdosta State University and the University of North Georgia. Students apply to either school, and faculty from both schools work in partnership to teach courses.
You can prepare for leadership positions in public schools with the Educational Leadership Certificate Add-on, Tier II from UNG. This online education administration certificate has several requirements for admission, including the following:
- Tier I certification at the Level 5
- Current leadership role requiring the Tier I certification
- Educational Specialist degree or higher in a related field
Upon completion, you qualify for a Tier II credential in Educational Leadership. This credential is at the Georgia PL-6 certification as a School District Leader or a School Building Leader.
UNG’s Reading Education Teacher Certificate Endorsement helps certified teachers obtain their Reading Endorsement in Georgia. This program is intended for P-12 classroom teachers, and credits apply to needed graduate college credits or PLU credits.
As a fully online program, students take asynchronous classes. Some synchronous meetings occur in this reading and literacy certificate program. A field experience provides hands-on practice. Students may enter the program throughout the year.
Healthcare
For a well-rounded education in health informatics that goes beyond data, students turn to the University of North Georgia’s BS in Healthcare Services & Informatics Administration. Graduates gain the skills and knowledge to bridge the gap between clinical workers and patient data.
Within the health informatics curriculum, students can choose a concentration from areas such as:
- Healthcare data privacy and cybersecurity
- Healthcare data analytics
- Healthcare information systems implementation and administration
To ensure you receive a quality education, the college employs specialists from many areas, with teaching excellence as a top trait. Furthermore, the professors have industry experience to teach from a broad knowledge base.
As a multi-faceted health informatics program, your degree offers versatility to address the combined technical, clinical, and business needs of health-related professionals. Graduates use information management and technology to improve healthcare outcomes and delivery.
For those interested in working with our aging population, the University of North Georgia offers a Graduate Certificate in Gerontology. This program is entirely online with asynchronous classes for maximum flexibility with your schedule.
Students can opt for a practicum or a research option. The practicum can be completed virtually. Topics covered in this online gerontology graduate certificate curriculum include:
- Resource planning for aging populations
- Communicating with older adults
- Psychology of aging
- Contemporary issues in aging
Through its Department of Kinesiology, the University of North Georgia provides a Master of Science in Kinesiology. This online kinesiology degree leads to careers in personal training, strength and conditioning, commercial fitness, cardiac rehabilitation, or teaching.
Students may start classes any semester. The outcomes of this online kinesiology program include advanced knowledge and skills in health and exercise science with the ability to conduct research and assess professional practices.
Students can focus their studies in either Health and Physical Education or Exercise Science. Topics within the program include:
- Advanced exercise physiology
- Exercise prescription and program design
- Biomechanics
- Nutrition in exercise and sports
Nursing
In the online RN to BSN degree program from the University of North Georgia, students expand their foundation in the arts and sciences as they study advanced topics in nursing and health care services. The curriculum provides an understanding of the theoretical and practical foundations of advanced nursing care, nursing practices, and responsibilities in advanced roles and leadership roles in nursing. Additionally, students have the potential to develop their understanding of the role of nursing in the community in order to better understand the contextual care they give.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice, an online nurse practitioner degree from the University of North Georgia, is a terminal degree for those nurses interested in advancing their careers. This is an advanced nursing degree for those with degrees in master’s nursing programs. Students will find that this degree offers many choices. While preparing to become a leader in healthcare, you can choose an area of concentration in nursing education or executive leadership depending on your interests and career goals. All students learn ways to improve healthcare, working to ensure optimal patient care and safe and innovative evidence-based practices.
The Graduate Certificate in Nurse Executive Leader is an online nursing administration degree from the University of North Georgia. This program is designed for those with a BSN degree who are looking to further advance their nursing careers. With this certification program, you will study the multi-dimensions of administrative responsibilities in various healthcare environments. Courses provide advanced knowledge and skills while enhancing your performance as a leader in healthcare, teaching students ways to ensure optimal heath care for patients and the protection of financial and employee assets in various clinical and administrative environments. Graduates are leaders in the field, prepared for the Nurse Executive Board Certification exam.
The master of nursing education online program from the University of North Georgia is designed for RNs seeking to advance their careers. While this is beneficial to your career, it is also beneficial to the next generation of nurses. Nurse educators are able to pass along the knowledge and skills that can only be gained through years of experience.
The curriculum helps students learn to create their own curriculums, tests, assessments, and more, teaching them the best ways to teach others. Graduates are able to work in colleges and universities, vocational technical schools, and hospital education departments.
This program can be used as a stepping-stone for further doctoral knowledge.
Psychology & Human Services
If you plan a career path to help others and intervene to improve their lives, consider this online AA in Social Work from UNG. Intended as a bridge to a 4-year degree or as an education to support an entry-level position, this program will introduce you to basic principles of social work, as you complete your general education credits. Introductory coursework offered may include these areas:
- Social Problems
- Marriage and Family
- Criminal Justice
- Developmental Psychology
This online AA pathway in Sociology is intended for entry-level career positions or as a bridge to a 4-year degree program. At UNG, you’ll take general education classes to give you a strong learning foundation that can be used in counseling, social work, law, or any number of areas. You’ll also take introductory classes related to sociology and learn how humans interact with organizations and communities. Examples of coursework include:
- Social Theory
- Constructions of Difference
- Introduction to Social Science Research Methods