For those looking to further their careers by earning an advanced degree or seeking certifications and training for professional development, the University of Georgia offers a variety of opportunities at its Gwinnett Campus in Lawrenceville.
In summer 2008, UGA relocated its educational programs offered in Gwinnett to the Intellicenter Building at 2530 Sever Road, just off I-85 at the Old Peachtree Road exit. UGA occupies 60,000 square feet of the building, with classrooms outfitted with the latest in educational technology.
Working professionals who want to earn a graduate degree, certifications or continuing education credits will find flexible class schedules and the kind of quality programs that put UGA among the nation's top-ranked public universities.
"The move to our new location has been very beneficial in giving us more space to accommodate our growing academic and continuing education programs in Gwinnett," said Bob Boehmer, who oversees UGA's extended campuses in Gwinnett, Griffin and Tifton. "The building is very accessible and provides classrooms and meeting and study spaces of various sizes."
UGA has offered graduate degree programs at several different locations in Gwinnett since the mid-1980s, but increased the number and variety of programs in recent years. Current offerings include master's degrees from several UGA schools and colleges including the Terry College of Business, School of Public and International Affairs, School of Social Work, and College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
UGA's College of Pharmacy offers certificate and master's programs in regulatory affairs designed to train professionals for the rapidly expanding biomedical industries. The college also offers a certificate program in clinical trial design and management that provides a solid foundation for those involved in drug and device testing and commercialization.
UGA's College of Education offers a variety of master's and specialist (Ed.S.) degrees. Working in partnership with the Gwinnett County Public Schools, UGA provides teachers and administrators the opportunity to complete advanced degrees, certification requirements and leadership courses at the Gwinnett Campus.
Last year, the College of Education added a doctoral program in counseling and student personnel services, and next summer plans to begin offering another new doctoral program in adult education designed to prepare mid-career and senior professionals for leadership careers in education or business settings.
"Over the past year, we had more than 1,300 students enrolled in UGA graduate degree programs in Gwinnett," said Ruth Bettandorff, assistant vice president for academic affairs at the Gwinnett Campus. "Those numbers are expected to continue to grow as we start new programs and expand existing ones. We're also working with UGA's Center for Continuing Education the Georgia Center to significantly expand non-credit professional development programs at the new location."
Some of the offerings available through UGA's Center for Continuing Education include certificate programs in conference and meeting management, project management and human resources, plus a paralegal certificate program and programs for Spanish/English medical and legal interpreters. In addition to these live lecture courses, a variety of online courses allow students the flexibility to study on their own time and at their own pace. The Georgia Center also offers customized training solutions for businesses and organizations that can be delivered in various formats and locations.
Entrepreneurs and small business owners can take advantage of the Small Business Development Center office in Gwinnett, while P-16 educators can access the services of the Educational Technology Center operated by UGA's College of Education. Both centers have offices on the Gwinnett Campus.
For more information about UGA graduate and continuing education programs in Gwinnett, see www.uga.edu/gwinnett or email UGAGwin@uga.edu. The main phone number is (678) 985-6801.
