Focus Areas
Focus areas are clusters of majors that share a lot of characteristics including some coursework. Even if you’re not ready to declare a specific major, identifying a focus area is a great first step that puts you on the path toward graduating on time. There are nine different focus areas at Georgia Southern.
Click on the blue boxes below to learn more about your focus area of interest. Additionally, you will be able to view program maps for each major. Remember program maps show just one way you can reach your academic goal!
Arts Focus Area
Students focusing in the Arts are trained to use the creative side of their brain, which enhances their symbiotic thinking capabilities, their oral and written communication skills, their critical thinking capacity, and their ability to kick-start a new idea and bring it to fruition. They are well prepared for careers in the Visual, Musical, and Theatre Arts, as well as other career paths and occupations. Students focusing in the Arts also gain a strong sense of personal and social responsibility preparing them to deal with the complexities of today’s workplace and world.
College of Arts and Humanities
CAH Advisement
Majors
Art
Art Education
Art History
Graphic Design
Music
Theatre
Behavioral and Social Sciences Focus Area
The Behavioral and Social Sciences encompass the entire spectrum of the human experience. Students in the Behavioral and Social Science disciplines have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through research, internships, and field work. Students gain skills in critical thinking, ethics, problem-solving, creativity, and communication that prepare them for rewarding careers, lifelong learning, and engaged global citizenship. Students become well-prepared for careers in social services, business, industry, education, law, government, or research.
College of Behavioral and Social Sciences (all majors below except Sports Management)
Waters College of Health Professions (Sports management)
Majors
Anthropology
Human Development & Family Science
Criminal Justice & Criminology
Fashion Merchandising/Apparel Design
Interior Design
International Studies
International Trade
Political Science
Psychology
Recreation
Sociology
Sports Management
Business Focus Area
The Business Focus Area prepares young professionals for exciting and rewarding careers in the fields of accounting, economics, finance, information systems, logistics, management, and marketing. The coursework for a degree in business is designed to ensure students can build the foundation necessary for today’s highly competitive global business environment. Business majors have the opportunity to gain out-of-classroom experience through internships and specialized study abroad programs which help them to grow both professionally and personally while gaining leadership skills.
Parker College of Business
Majors
Accounting
Economics
Finance
Information Systems
Management
Marketing
Supply Chain Management
Computing Focus Area
The Computing fields help students develop analytical and problem solving skills and apply them to today’s – and tomorrow’s – technology. Computer Science provides a strong emphasis on programming and software development for fields such as computer security, mobile computing, game programming, and broadband networking. Information Technology prepares students to build websites and apps, establish and maintain computer networks, and solve problems using data analytics. Students learn about artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity and digital forensics, and data mining.
College of Engineering and Computing
Majors
Computer Science
Information Technology
Education Focus Area
The Education Focus Area is for students who are interested in working in the teaching field and making a difference in the lives of others. Students can then choose to focus on teaching pre-k, elementary grades, middle grades, high school, special education, or health and physical education. Students gain hands-on experience in a variety of public school settings, helping them to develop excellent practical teaching skills.
College of Education
Majors
Elementary Education
Health & Physical Education
Middle Grade Education
Secondary Education
Special Education
Engineering Focus Area
Focusing studies in an Engineering field will help students to think critically, create, and innovate. Students develop analytical and problem-solving skills that will prepare them for high demand, dynamic careers. Civil engineers and construction engineers plan, design, and manage our infrastructure, so students can learn how a bridge was designed or how drinking water is made safe. Electrical engineers design and develop electrical and electronic systems and devices, from cell phones to robotics to power plants. Computer Engineers contribute to advancements in digital technology, computer networking, and computer systems. Manufacturing engineers design and maintain the processes that produce and improve upon everyday products used in our global economy. Mechanical engineers design and create essential systems such as cars, ships, and aircrafts as well as environmental systems, medical equipment, and almost any system that uses or produces energy or has moving parts.
College of Engineering and Computing
Majors
Civil Engineering
Computer Engineering
Construction Engineering
Construction Management
Electrical Engineering
Manufacturing Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Health Professions Focus Area
The Health Professions prepare students to impact the health and quality of life for individuals, families, and communities. Health professionals are passionate about making a difference in their community, are invested in health-related prevention and treatment, and work in a wide range of disciplines. Students can learn how to identify and assess health trends, evaluate educational programs for at-risk populations, or develop the knowledge and skills needed to work in a variety of healthcare settings and jobs such as nursing, exercise physiology, radiology, medical lab science, healthcare administration, and physical, respiratory, or speech therapy.
Waters College of Health Professions (all majors below except Public Health)
Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health (Public Health)
Majors
Communication Sciences & Disorders
Exercise Science
Health Sciences
Medical Laboratory Sciences
Nursing
Nutrition and Food Science
Public Health
Radiologic Sciences
Rehabilitation Sciences
Respiratory Therapy
Humanities Focus Area
Students focusing in the Humanities gain strong intellectual and interpersonal skills that position them for success in numerous fields. They often advance in their careers rapidly because they are trained to think critically, communicate clearly, and solve complex problems—skills employers cite as some of the most important qualities in the people they hire. They are well-prepared for careers in education, communication, human relations, research, legal fields, and writing. Students focusing in the Humanities also gain a strong sense of personal and social responsibility which prepares them to deal with the complexities of today’s workplace and world.
College of Arts & Humanities
Majors
Communication Studies
English
History
Interdisciplinary Studies
World Languages and Cultures
Multimedia Film & Production
Multimedia Journalism
Philosophy
Public Relations
Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Writing
Science and Mathematics Focus Area
Science and Mathematics encompasses the fields of biology, chemistry, biochemistry, geography, geology, mathematics, and physics. This area is appropriate for students interested in exploring the physical and natural world through research, field analysis, and laboratory experimentation. These majors are also appropriate for students who later consider applying to medical professions schools such as pharmacy, dentistry, medicine, veterinary medicine, and optometry.
College of Science & Mathematics
Majors
Biology
Biochemistry
Chemistry
Geography
Geology
Mathematical Sciences
Physics
Last updated: 11/29/2022