University of West Georgia

The University of West Georgia is located in Carrollton, which is 45 miles west of the capital Atlanta. The university's campus recently expanded from 246 acres to 645 acres, but off-campus classes are still available in neighboring cities of Dalton, Newnan and other community locations throughout the state. The University of West Georgia has a sister program in Rome, Italy called the Georgia Highlands College. Every year, approximately 12,000 students enroll in classes. This university has been continually named as one of the best colleges in the Southeastern states by The Princeton Review.

The University of West Georgia offers over a 100 undergraduate degrees along with masters and doctoral degrees. For example, the university offers one of the only humanist psychology programs in the country. Humanist psychology was popular during the 1960's when it was pioneered by Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow. One of Maslow's students started the humanist psychology at the university during the 1970's. Most students attend the university to study popular subjects like art, biology, nursing and technology. In 2001, the university constructed the Technology-enhanced Learning Center (TLC), which includes a $20 million, state-of-the-art building full of smart classrooms. The University of West Georgia offers information technology related degrees at the bachelor's and master's levels.

University of West Georgia Accreditation Details

The University of West Georgia is accredited through the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Information Technology programs are accredited through the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.

University of West Georgia Application Requirements

• Official SAT or ACT scores submitted to the Office of Admissions.
• Official high school transcripts submitted to the Office of Admissions.
• Submit evidence of completing the following subject units of the Required High School Curriculum (RHSC): two units of a foreign language, three units of social science and four units of English, math and science.
• Graduate school applicants must submit official electronic transcripts and GRE or GMAT scores.

Tuition and Financial Aid

The average attendance cost for in-state students $7,990 per semester, which includes tuition, fees, meals, housing and books. Out-of-state students will pay an average cost of $14,438 per semester, but the University of West Georgia does offer a limited amount of out-of-state tuition waivers that save approximately $13,000 per year and $52,000 for four years of education. These waivers for freshman and transfer students are part of the University of West Georgia's commitment to student diversity. The university works with a variety of state and federal programs to provide loans and grants as well as institutional programs to provide grants, scholarships and work programs. In order to apply for scholarships, students must already have been admitted through the Admissions Office.

Federal Pell Grant are awarded just to undergraduate students who are earning a bachelor's or professional degree. Students who fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) may qualify for up to $5,775 per year. The HOPE Scholarship is an institutional financial award for undergraduate students who are Georgia residents. In order to qualify, local students must maintain a 3.0 GPA and meet specific academic progress rules. Students who are not eligible after high school graduation may still apply through meeting certain requirements. The Zell Miller Scholarship is reserved for incoming freshmen who are Georgia residents with a GPA of 3.7 and either 26 ACT or 1200 SAT scores. Students must maintain a 3.3 GPA during their time in college to continue receiving the Zell Miller Scholarship.

Online Degrees

When it comes to information technology, the University of West Georgia offers a bachelor's degree in computer science. This program teaches students about system architecture, which introduces them to digital logic, machine data, assembly organization, memory systems and CPU implementation. Studying data structures involves discrete math that uses integrated approaches of algorithm analysis, proof techniques, propositional logic and mathematical properties. Classes in program construction cover building patterns, maintainable codes and testable systems. Students learn about programming paradigms, languages and systems. Students are introduced to software engineering, so they understand the basic software development life cycle and modern software development methods for object-oriented systems. Information management classes cover the basic principles of database systems, so students learn about database administration, query languages and distribution methods. Classes in cyber security survey the skills needed to maintain program, network and application integrity and security.

Information technology students may also pursue the Bachelors of Business Administration specializing in Management Information Systems (MIS). This degree prepares students to successfully pass IT certifications, such as the SQL, Enterprise, CompTIA A+ and Network+ exams. Classes on data resource management cover development tools and languages like Visual Basic that are used for solving business problems in database environments. Learning about information systems research will prepare students to identify and understand new MIS-related technology. Classes on business systems analysis helps students understand how to use design tools and techniques to solve real-world business problems. Enterprise architecture topics will cover both the practical and theoretical issues related to IT infrastructures and business processes. Students will learn about SAP enterprise systems design tools. Classes on enterprise support systems will explore how organizations share, manage and communicate data.

Related Resource: Online Doctoral Degree in Management or Leadership: Top 25 Most Affordable

Graduate students should consider the online Master of Science in Applied Computer Science degree because it provides students from any undergraduate background with the skills and knowledge needed to enter the field of computer science and information technology. Students learn about policy development, risk management and effective threat assessments. They take classes in data mining, security auditing, disaster recovery and business intelligence. There are also business classes in strategic management, so students will understand how to succeed in information technology-based leadership environments. Students who choose to attend the University of West Georgia in-person will have access to 160 student organizations that focus on culture, academics, politics, service, science, religion, sports and recreation. Campus amenities include a gym, library, climbing wall, running track and nearby nature trail. Students also have access to computer labs, tennis courts, soccer fields, baseball fields and basketball courts. The University of West Georgia offers excellent online and on-campus degree programs.