Graduate students should remain off-campus with the following exception: Graduate assistants of any type may only be on campus when supervisors determine their presence is absolutely mission-critical, such as those who may need access to teach online courses.

To the extent possible, graduate assistants should be provided with responsibilities that can be completed off-campus. For graduate assistants not reporting to campus, we urge supervisors to provide remote working opportunities. Graduate assistants who continue to work will be provided their monthly stipend. Supervisors should contact their graduate assistants to discuss work responsibilities and may be flexible in assigning responsibilities that support faculty or staff in remote work.

We recognize many of you have concerns about accomplishing your research goals, but we must prioritize the health of our community. On-campus, face-to-face data collection with human participants is suspended until further notice. Online data collection can continue. Talk with your committee chair/adviser about alternative data collection strategies. You’re not alone – students around the world are faced with similar challenges. Changes to human subject procedures (for example, data collection plans) must be approved by Georgia State’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) prior to implementation of these new procedures. The Research Office, including the IRB, remains open.

Please visit https://www.gsu.edu/coronavirus/faculty-and-researchers/ for updates.

For those approaching a thesis proposal or defense meeting, communicate with your committee chair or graduate program director about the feasibility of a virtual committee meeting. The university provides Webex access that could support this strategy, assuming departmental or college policies regarding in-person committee meetings can be temporarily waived.

Most of the library’s resources, including consultations with librarians, can be accessed virtually. The available services are detailed at library.gsu.edu.

Rely on social support through virtual strategies, try to maintain a routine that includes rest, healthy meals, and exercise, and be patient with yourselves and others. Should you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, all students have access to free and confidential assistance through the Counseling Center. Students can call 404-413-1640 or visit https://counselingcenter.gsu.edu/services/counseling-services/.

The Office of Graduate Admissions ready to assist with any questions or concerns you may have, Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Call us at (404) 413-2444, email gradapply@gsu.edu or submit an online help ticket.

Yes – many of our programs already accept unofficial transcripts. In light of current events, many other programs will accept them.

• College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), SOPHAS, OTCAS, PTCAS, and CSDCAS applicants should arrange to submit official documents.
• Applicants with international credentials may be able to submit an online evaluation report from a NACES member evaluation agency as an unofficial transcript. Other alternatives for international credentials such as online degree verification may be possible. Our Credential Evaluators can assist you with specifics.

Any offer of admission will be contingent upon successful submission of any outstanding proof of degree, official transcripts, or official test scores.

Waivers are being evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Additionally, programs may extend their deadlines to allow additional time to take a test. Many testing agencies are working to deploy online proctored exams. Effective March 23^rd ETS is offering special home edition test for the GRE General exam.  Visit them online for details.  Furthermore, you may be able to submit an unofficial copy of your test scores, provided they are still valid (any offer of admission will be contingent upon successful submission of any outstanding proof of degree, official transcripts, or official test scores). You will receive an email notification if your program is instituting changes.

If you have or will earn (before beginning your graduate program) a baccalaureate or graduate degree from an accredited U.S. institution or its equivalent from an English-speaking country, you already qualify for an exemption.

Effective March 23^rd ETS is offering special home edition test for the TOEFL ibt exam.  Visit them online for details.

For those not exempt, programs are offering various alternatives.

• Applicants for the College of Arts and Sciences, College of the Arts, the Institute for Biomedical Sciences, and the J. Mack Robinson College of Business will conduct online interviews to determine English proficiency. Your college will notify you regarding interview options.
• Many testing agencies are working to deploy online proctored exams.
• You may be able to submit an unofficial copy of your test scores, provided they are still valid (any offer of admission will be contingent upon successful submission of any outstanding proof of degree, official transcripts, or official test scores).

Yes, however there may be slight delays in processing your mail. If possible, send transcripts electronically through the transcript ordering site for that institution. Even with closures, this service is likely still offered. Select “Georgia State University – Graduate Programs” as the recipient and if not listed, please list the gradapplytranscripts@gsu.edu email.

If you are submitting a professional credential evaluation, the agency may be able to submit those electronically to Georgia State University – Graduate Programs, as well. 

If your deadline has not passed or just recently passed, your deadline may be extended. As programs update their deadlines, applicants will be emailed and notified of the new date.