Middle Georgia State College will become the state’s newest public university with a status and name change becoming effective on July 1.
The state’s Board of Regents unanimously approved the changes during its monthly meeting on Wednesday. The board also approved Middle Georgia’s first master’s degree, an information technology program, that will begin in the fall. A request is pending for a second master’s degree, a nursing program. If approved by the Regents, the program would also begin in the fall.
With Middle Georgia, the number of universities in the state public system would increase to 18.
“Today’s vote is an important milestone, a moment first foretold nearly three years ago, when the board resolved to create Middle Georgia State College out of Macon State College and Middle Georgia College,” said Middle Georgia President Christopher Blake.
Middle Georgia was a result of one of four college mergers approved by the Board of Regents in January 2013.
Blake plans to speak at the university on Thursday outlining what the change to university status means for faculty, students and the community. The university plans to begin graduate programs in business and education in fall 2016. Middle Georgia will continue to offer bachelor’s degrees. Associates degrees and certifications will be limited and targeted to specific workforce needs, school officials said.
For students not meeting the state’s university admission requirements, Middle Georgia plans to operate an access campus at its Cochran campus.
About the Author
