College of Graduate Studies

About COGS

Georgia Southern University, founded in 1906, is the largest and leading center of higher education in the southern half of Georgia and is third in student enrollment among state universities. The university's population of over 19,000 includes approximately 12 percent graduate students representing almost every state and more than 60 nations. The College of Graduate Studies was established at Georgia Southern University in 1969. The College administers graduate degree programs in the following: D.N.P., M.A., M.M., M.B.A., M. Acc., Ph.D., M.F.A., M.P.A., M.P.H, M.H.A., M.S., M.Ed., Ed.S., Dr.P.H., Ed.D. and the Psy.D.

Graduate Studies

The evolution of the College of Graduate Studies is a story of vision, challenge, persistence, and hope. In 1958 the Board of Regents authorized the first graduate degree, the Master of Education (M.Ed.) to be offered at Georgia Southern College. In 1969, the President of Georgia Southern University, Dr. Edison, established the Graduate School under the leadership of Dr. Jack N. Averitt. In 1998, in honor of his many contributions to the development of graduate studies at the University, the College was named the Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies. Currently, 42 degree majors are offered to over 2,000 students by over 500 graduate faculty members. In addition to the offerings at the University's main campus in Statesboro, graduate courses/programs are also offered at our off-campus centers: the Coastal Georgia Center in Savannah, the Brunswick Center in Brunswick, and the Dublin Center in Dublin.

In 1990 the Board of Regents directed Georgia Southern University, Savannah State University and Armstrong Atlantic University to form one graduate college to serve all three institutions. As the lead institution in this consortium, Georgia Southern University created the position of Vice President of Graduate Research and Dean of Graduate Studies. In addition to graduate studies and research services, this position administrated all continuing education and public service activities. After five years, the plan was abandoned by the Board of Regents, the three schools disaffiliated, and ultimately reorganization at Georgia Southern University resulted in the creation of the current administrative structure.

The Off-Campus Centers

Coastal Georgia Center. The Coastal Georgia Center is 45 minutes from the campus of Georgia Southern, is located in Historic Downtown Savannah, Georgia, adjacent to the Savannah Visitor's Center. This 40,000 sq. ft. full service conference center includes a tiered Assembly Hall with desk-front seating for 360, a 4000 sq. ft. dividable multipurpose room, and 7 meeting rooms seating from 12 to 65.

Brunswick Center. The Brunswick Center is a consortium composed of the Coastal Georgia Community College in Brunswick, Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah, Georgia Southern University in Statesboro and the Coastal Georgia Community College at Brunswick. The Center serves as a residence center for the two institutions and its staff assists students enrolled in either primarily undergraduate programs at Armstrong or primarily graduate programs at Georgia Southern University.

Dublin Center. The Dublin Center is located in Dublin, GA. Georgia Southern offers junior and senior level courses, and some graduate courses. Middle Georgia College offers freshman and sophomore level courses leading to two year associate degrees in more than 50 areas of study.

Dean Chronology