Dr. Becky K. da Cruz, Associate Provost for Graduate Studies and Research 
3100 Converse Hall

Vision

To lead the region in graduate education.

Mission Statement

The Graduate School centrally supports the University's graduate programs and policies while promoting the research and scholarly activities of our graduate, post-master's, and doctoral students and graduate faculty.

To fulfill its mission, the Graduate School focuses on the following strategic areas:

  • leadership in graduate education strategies, standards, curriculum, and best practices;
  • governance to ensure integrity, fairness, and base-level standards of consistency in the management of graduate students, policies, and programs;
  • efficient administrative services that facilitate the graduate student experience and program success in the recruitment, admission, retention, and graduation of an academically strong and diverse graduate student body;
  • awarding of graduate assistantship positions to offices across campus that further the university mission as well as recognize, recruit, and retain a diverse group of outstanding student scholars;
  • enhancement of the intellectual life of the University by enabling graduate and doctoral students to undertake scholarly study and advance research;
  • partnering with graduate faculty, program coordinators, department heads, and college deans to best serve its graduate students and programs;
  • intentional inclusion of the online graduate students in graduate activities, organizations, and research opportunities.

Strategic Priorities

  • Raise the visibility of the graduate school and serve as a conduit for the professional development of students at every stage of their careers.
  • Ensure transformative educational opportunities through student-centric, discipline-focused programs that drive innovation and encourage intellectual curiosity, creative thinking, and social responsibility.
  • Champion our students to be active, thoughtful participants in their communities.
  • Garner resources for graduate faculty to pioneer new fields of study.
  • Embody respect for and commitment to the ideals of a pluralistic, inclusive, open, and democratic society.

The vision and the mission of the Graduate School are founded on the principle that the students are its greatest assets.

Graduate Programs

Valdosta State University offers over 40 graduate programs and degrees in on-campus, online, and hybrid delivery formats. Descriptions of these programs can be found in this catalog. For specific information about each program’s admission requirements, policies, and graduation requirements, click here

Additionally, Valdosta State University provides several fully online, collaborative education programs through partnerships with other USG institutions. Information on these programs is located throughout this catalog and online.