Valdosta State University

Valdosta State University, commonly called VSU, is a comprehensive, regional public institution of higher learning residing in Valdosta, Georgia. It is committed to serving the diverse heritage of the surrounding community. It strives to provide a diverse student body with exceptional education, a nurturing academic community, and a safe atmosphere that promotes success and lifelong learning. VSU focuses on facilitating the success of individual students through hands-on experiences and meaningful interactions with instructors that serve as mentors. It prides itself on its small class sizes with a student to faculty ratio of 1:1.46. VSU offers over 100 rigorous majors through its colleges of education: College of the Arts, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services, Langdale College of Business Administration, Graduate School, and Honors College.

Valdosta State University was founded in 1906 as South Georgia Normal College, a normal school for women. It officially opened in 1913 and offered two-year courses in teacher preparation. In 1922, the school became a four-year institution and changed its name to Georgia State Women's College. The school became a four-year liberal arts college in 1933. The college continued to grow, adding more buildings and programs. In 1943, the Bachelor of Science degree was established. In 1950, the college became coeducational and changed its name to Valdosta State College. The college's focus broadened and an array of pre-professional programs were added. The college finally became Valdosta State University in 1993. Extensive building began shortly after to keep up with the growth of the university. The Master of Library and Information Science degree began in 2001. Today, VSU is home to over 11,000 students from all 50 states and more than 60 countries.

Valdosta State University Accreditation Details

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges accredits Valdosta State University to grant associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and education specialist degrees.

Valdosta State University Application Requirements

Undergraduate

• Complete and submit the Valdosta State University Online Application
• Submit official scores from standardized examinations, such as the SAT or ACT
• Submit official high school transcript
• Submit official transcripts from any previously attended colleges and universities
• Submit the Verification of Lawful Presence form
• Complete and submit immunization form
• Submit additional requirements for specific degree programs
• Pay nonrefundable $40 application fee

Graduate

• Complete and submit the application to Valdosta State University Graduate School
• Pay nonrefundable $35 application fee
• Submit official transcripts from all previously enrolled institutions of higher learning
• Submit official scores from graduate level standardized examinations, such as the GRE, GMAT, or MAT
• Submit the Certificate of Immunization form
• Submit letters of recommendation for certain programs
• Submit any additional documentation as requested by specific degree program

Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition

Undergraduate

• In-state tuition per credit hour: $177.67
• In-state tuition for full-time 15 credit hours: $2,665 per semester
• Out-of-state tuition per credit hour: $627.07
• Out-of-state tuition for full-time 15 credit hours: $9,406

Graduate

• In-state tuition per credit hour: $249
• In-state tuition for 12 credit hours or more: $2,982
• Out-of-state tuition per credit hour: $897
• Out-of-state tuition for 12 credit hours or more: $10,763

Online

• Undergraduate eTuition rate per credit hour: $250 or $750 per three-hour course
• Undergraduate eCore rare per credit hour: $159 or $477 per three-hour course
• Graduate eTuition rate per credit hour: $293 or $879 per three-hour course
• GOML rate per credit hour: $385
• WebMBA rate per credit hour: $739
• MBA HealthCare Management per credit hour: $385

Financial Aid

Valdosta State University is committed to helping students and families obtain the necessary financial aid to pay for higher education. Financial aid at VSU is available in various forms, including grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study.

Grants

• Federal Pell Grant
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
• Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant (TEACH)

Loans

• Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
• Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
• Federal Direct PLUS Loan
• Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan
• Federal Perkins Loan
• Student Access Loan
• Private Loans

Scholarships

• Georgia HOPE Scholarship
• Zell Miller HOPE Scholarship
• VSU General Scholarship
• Athletic Department Scholarships
• Air Force ROTC Scholarship
• Beth Burnette Scholarship
• Sallie Hutchinson Scholarship
• Valdosta State University Alumni Chapter of Valdosta Scholarship
• VSU Minority Alumni Scholarship
• Scholarships based on majors

Federal Work-Study Program

The Federal Work-Study Program is a grant program funded by the federal government that enables eligible students to gain part-time employment on and off campus to help pay for education related costs. Students are paid on a bi-weekly basis. Actual pay varies on employer and position and the qualifications of the student.

Master of Library and Information Studies at Valdosta State University

The Master of Library and Information Studies is an online program that prepares students to work in entry-level positions in various types of libraries. The program was created based on the needs of library and information science professionals in both the state and nation. It is committed to educating a diverse community of online students, and it provides educational opportunities in both traditional and emerging learning atmospheres. The curriculum demonstrates the role of library services in a quickly changing technological world.

The program requires the completion of 39 credit hours, and students learn the core competencies and values of library and information science. The core curriculum is separated into four major areas: administration, resources for clients, technical knowledge, and services in the knowledge society. The core courses include foundations of library and information science, information sources and services, cataloging and classification, management of libraries and information centers, research methods, collection development, and electronic resources in the library.

Students must also complete a capstone course and a portfolio requirement. Within the Master of Library and Information Studies program, students have the ability to select an optional track in youth services, cataloging and classification, library management, and reference sources and services and technology.

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Graduates of the program will have the ability to perform administrative, service, and technical tasks in libraries and related environments. They will demonstrate abilities in information resources, reference and user services, organization of recorded knowledge and information, and management and administration. Graduates of the library science program at Valdosta State University will also have the ability to use current and emerging technologies in libraries and incorporate research to improve their work in these environments.