Some of the most in-demand professions in today’s tech-based economy require students to obtain degrees like those offered by numerous accredited computer science degree programs in Georgia. Computer science programs are comprehensive and in-depth, giving students the background they need to do everything from write computer or mobile applications to design websites and harness the power of a connected world. These programs come in a variety of types, with bachelor’s degrees in both science and art. Some students seek a minor or concentration in the field to boost an unrelated major, while others seek computer science education at the graduate level in order to improve their long-term career and salary prospects. No matter the exact reason a student is considering pursuing computer science at a major university in Georgia, there are some outstanding programs available in every part of this major southern state. To see more accredited computer science degree programs in Georgia, visit Computer Science Degree Programs in Georgia (A-K).

Mercer University

Computer Science Department

Along with the rest of the university’s many programs, Mercer University’s Computer Science Department typically ranks in the top 10 percent of all comprehensive universities in the United States according to The Princeton Review. That distinction is awarded for several reasons. First and foremost, the school’s computer science degrees are accredited by ABET. This makes them among the most comprehensive and prestigious in the country, and graduates are typically able to land post-graduation employment at a higher rate. The computer science faculty consists entirely of doctoral professors who have real experience in the computer science industry and related field, and they typically engage in both laboratory research and collaborative learning environments with students that enrich the content taught in the classroom.

Computer Science Bachelor of Science

The B.S. in Computer Science at Mercer University is one of the school’s most rigorous departments, largely because it involves a significant number of advanced mathematics courses and several courses in advanced database management. By the conclusion of the program, Mercer’s B.S. students will be able to manage file structures and database systems, use and troubleshoot all of today’s most popular operating systems, and write proactive computer code for easy-to-use applications. They’ll master the basics of several programming languages and database architectures, as well as more rudimentary applications like Microsoft Office. General education requirements in this program include both a laboratory science and additional math and science electives.

Computer Science Bachelor of Arts

The major difference between the B.S. and B.A. degrees in computer science at Mercer University are the math and science requirements students must meet in order to graduate. In the Bachelor of Art program, students are required to take only 12 credits in advanced mathematics. That’s two courses less than in the B.S. program. Students who choose this track will take fewer database and programming courses, but more humanities and arts-centered courses as part of their general education curriculum. Overall, this degree is a good fit for students with a significant computer science interest, but who either struggle with math or would prefer a more humanities-centered general education program than the one required of the B.S. in computer science at the school.

Accreditations

  • Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Contact
Mercer University
Computer Science Department
1400 Coleman Ave.
Macon, GA 31207
Phone: (478) 301-2823
Email: csdepartmentsite@gmail.com
Website

Savannah State University

College of Sciences and Technology

Perhaps the most distinguishing feature of the Savannah State University College of Sciences and Technology is its close relationship with Georgia Tech. Through this partnership, students can opt for a dual degree program that grants them both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in the computer science field. The university also conducts an extensive amount of research and the College of Sciences and Technology is known for both encouraging internships and giving students the networking potential and on-campus job fairs to make one possible. Professors with doctoral degrees in computer science, information technology, management information systems, and scores of other tech-related fields add real value to the classroom for students in Savannah State’s program.

B.S. in Computer Science Technology

Students who pursue the Computer Science Technology degree at Savannah State will be guided toward for key outcomes. The first of these is the ability to successfully master network setup, deployment and management. Students will also learn how to install different kinds of software, troubleshoot common computer problems, and use programming languages to create both web-based and installable computer and mobile device applications. Coursework in everything from database management to computer programming, information technology to basic IT career structure, will be required prior to graduation. Students will also take a math-heavy slate of generation education courses and electives that are typical of this kind of major. Students can opt to receive academic credit for an internship, which will take the place of certain electives required prior to graduation.

Accreditations

  • Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Contact
Savannah State University
College of Sciences and Technology
3219 College St.
Savannah, GA 31404
Phone: (912) 358-4778
http://www.savannahstate.edu/cost/eng-tech/computer-sci.shtml

Southern Polytechnic State University

Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering

Southern Polytechnic University is one of the largest institutions in the United States when it comes to producing new software engineers and computer science industry professionals. In fact, the school was ranked third overall in the United States by the American Society for Engineering Education in terms of the number of successful engineering graduates produced per year between 2001 and 2010. This is largely because Southern Poly has been a technology-focused school from the beginning and has long employed innovative teaching methods and coursework to keep students engaged, ensure hands-on experience, and guide them toward their first careers off-campus. Part of this commitment comes in the form of awarding academic credit for job experience in internships. Other innovations include interactive classroom labs, collaborative problem-solving teams in some classes, and an all-doctoral group of faculty members with the insight needed to give students both theoretical knowledge and practical applications.

B.A. in Computer Science

Students who opt for the Bachelor of Art in Computer Science at Southern Poly will enjoy a curriculum that is a bit less math-heavy, and with fewer science electives, than the similar undergraduate B.S. program in the field. Still, they’ll benefit from virtually all of the same degree outcome. Students who graduate with the B.A. will be able to implement advanced computer systems, databases, and security setups. They’ll know how to communicate technical information to both those with and without extensive computer training. Students will understand the challenges of information technology management, they’ll understand basic computer programming languages, and they’ll know how to solve the most common problems that affect today’s Windows, Mac, and Linux-based computer systems. They’ll also be taught the fundamentals of organizational communication and benefit from a well-rounded general education core.

B.S. in Computer Science

The B.S. program at Sothern Poly requires students to take a virtually identical set of core courses for the major. These courses emphasize things like database management, computer programming, troubleshooting, organizational communication and technology, and software installation. Beyond this core for the major, however, the program does differentiate itself form the B.A. Students will be required to take several higher-level math courses that teach things like calculus, discrete mathematics, and other advanced concepts. Laboratory sciences will also play a key role in elective coursework for those who choose this track. The program will require the completion of a general education core, just like the B.A. degree does, prior to student graduation. Like all programs at the university, academic credit can be obtained in place of an elective class for those who pursue off-campus internships.

Minor in Computer Science and Software Engineering

A computer science minor can be an asset for students in numerous other undergraduate degree programs, and the series of courses required at Southern Poly will give students many of the same outcomes as their counterparts enrolled in the major. Students who pursue this minor will learn the basics of operating system and software installation, system troubleshooting, database design and management, and information security. They’ll learn how to communicate about technology and tech-related issues with those who aren’t well versed in the field, and they’ll take courses that show the practical applications of advanced computer skills in today’s economy. With a combination of core courses and elective computer science classes, graduates with this minor will be prepared for graduate-level work in computer science, management information systems, information technology, and similar fields.

M.S. in Computer Science

The goal of Southern Poly’s M.S. in Computer Science is to build on the foundation laid by a bachelor’s degree in the field. For this reason, students who wish to be admitted to the program typically must have a B.A. or B.S. in computer science. The coursework is split into seven core classes and several electives. These courses teach students how to manage hardware and software systems design, and how to create the best computer system for the unique needs of a given organization. More advanced database administration and computer programming methods are taught as part of the program core, while the elective coursework required dives deeper into industry-specific computing problems, trends, and designs. The degree is great on its own, but its coursework does prepare students for doctoral-level studies in computer science if they wish to keep continuing their education.

Accreditations

  • Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Contact
Southern Polytechnic State University
Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering
1100 South Marietta Pkwy.
Marietta, GA 30060
Phone: (678) 915-7778
Email: admiss@spsu.edu
http://spsu.edu/cswe/program/index.htm

University of Georgia

Franklin College of Arts and Sciences

The Franklin College of Arts and Sciences is home to one of the most prestigious computer science departments in the United States. The department includes professionals who have won everything from presidential honors to Grammy awards, and therefore sets students up with the networking opportunities and academic connections they need to secure a thorough understanding of computer technology and their role in the industry. Thanks to UGA’s prestigious reputation and extensive community connections, internships are encouraged during all four years of study and are rewarded on-campus with academic credit that takes the place of certain computer science electives. The department’s professors teach students at all levels, from undergraduate straight through doctoral-level coursework.

B.S. in Computer Science

UGA’s B.S. in computer science is a well-rounded program that focuses on both the established parts of the modern computer industry and the trends that will set the pace for future tech and management-related changes. Students begin their coursework by learning the fundamentals of system implementation, network administration, and database management. Courses then tackle today’s fastest-developing tech sectors: Application design, mobile-centered security policies, mobile application design, cloud-based systems design, and more. Because the program is part of a Bachelor of Science structure, students will be required to take several elective, laboratory sciences. Courses in advanced math, including calculus, are required prior to graduation. Outcomes range from programming proficiency to systems management capacity, preparing students for positions in organizations of virtually any size.

Minor in Computer Science

The minor in computer science at UGA consists of 21 academic credits, or eight compute-related courses, that teach the basics of administration and information management. Students will learn how to use today’s most popular programming languages to create custom programs and network policies. They’ll learn the importance of network security and the fundamentals of network design and deployment. Students will also take courses dealing with mobile security, mobile applications, and other topics that are emerging as the biggest areas of computer science development going forward.

M.S. in Computer Science

The M.S. program is designed for students who majored in computer science as an undergraduate, and generally requires students to have such a degree as a condition of admission. This is because the coursework picks up exactly where most undergraduate programs left off. Students who pursue the M.S. in computer science at UGA will focus on advanced computer programming and systems design, as well as hardware troubleshooting and deployment. They’ll continue their studies in mobile device design, security, and application programming as well. Research and teaching assistantships are available at UGA, and can help students offset the cost of their graduation tuition as they complete the program. The University of Georgia notes that students in its graduate-level program will have the core skills and competencies needed to pursue their doctoral degree if they prefer to do so.

PhD in Computer Science

It’s worth noting that the doctoral-level computer science program at UGA results in students being awarded the Doctor of Philosophy degree. This sets the tone for the program’s outcomes: Students who enroll in this PhD program will learn more about the theoretical side of computing, including the nature of human interaction with hardware systems and the philosophy of good hardware or software design. Alongside classes that ask more philosophical questions about the nature of modern computers, those who opt for the doctoral program will also work alongside a professor to conduct scholarly research into the nature of current technology, its impact on human lives and professions, and how emerging technologies will further alter the modern relationship with advanced systems.

Accreditations

  • Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Contact
University of Georgia
Franklin College of Arts and Sciences
415 Boyd Graduate Studies Research Center
Athens, GA 30602
Phone: (706) 542-2911
Email: advising@cs.uga.edu
http://www.cs.uga.edu

University of West Georgia

College of Science and Mathematics

The undergraduate computer science program at West Georgia is accredited by ABET, while the graduate program consistently ranks near the top of U.S. News and World Report’s ranking of the best graduate programs in the county. Professors at the University of West Georgia almost all have their doctoral degrees, and many of them maintain an active role in the tech industry even as they teach students online and in the classroom. Thanks to an extensive array of on-campus job fairs and internships, as well as academic credit for internships while enrolled at the undergraduate level, the College of Science and Mathematics notes that its computer science graduates currently enjoy nearly a 100 percent job placement rate within several months of graduation.

B.S. in Computer Science

All undergraduates at the University of West Georgia must take a set of required, general education classes across several departments even as they pursue specific coursework within their major field of study. Once students are eligible to begin taking computer science classes, they’ll work toward four significant learning outcomes. By the time they graduate, students should be able to understand how to make ethical, professional decisions regarding technology use and deployment. They’ll understand the practical use of databases and popular computer programming languages, and they’ll learn how to test and implement both current and emerging technologies. Coursework undertaken at the university will also prepare students for graduate-level studies in the computer science field.

M.S. in Applied Computer Science

Students looking for a flexible graduate program in computer science will particularly enjoy the M.S. at the University of West Georgia. The degree is offered entirely online, and is taught by the school’s seasoned doctoral faculty members. This graduate program is designed to teach more advanced skills than the B.S., including advanced hardware selection and implementation, systems design, security policy development, and advanced computer programming. Students will be able to make high-level, critical decisions regarding new software, hardware, and emerging security threats. They’ll also graduate with the skills needed to evaluate emerging technologies and implement them at the appropriate time for virtually any organization.

Accreditations

  • Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Contact
University of West Georgia
College of Science and Mathematics
1601 Maple St.
Carrollton, GA 30118
Phone: (678) 839-5000
http://www.cs.westga.edu

Few fields are growing faster than information technology and computer science, and it’s often noted that the United States has a shortage of qualified professionals to fill these positions. The numerous accredited computer science degree programs in Georgia help students acquire the skills they need to fill these vacant positions and bring a new level of advanced proficiency to the world of computer programming, information management, IT support, and much more.