University of Georgia
| Address: | University of Georgia
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| Type: | Research University |
| Phone: | Main: 706-542-3000 Admissions: 706-542-8776 Financial Aid: 706-542-6147 Compliance, Ethics, and Reporting Hotline: 877-516-3467 |
| Website: | www.uga.edu |
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| Links: | Mission Statement Apply Online Directory Degrees & Majors Authorized Library Compliance, Ethics, and Reporting Hotline |
Institution Overview
The adoption of the charter of the University of Georgia in 1785 by the Georgia General Assembly signaled the birth of the concept of public higher education in America. The fledgling campus gave birth to a community, which in 1806 was chartered as Athens, named after the Greek center for classical learning.
Today the University of Georgia is the state’s largest and most comprehensive institution of higher education. The main campus in Athens encompasses 615 acres containing about 380 buildings. The university has land holdings in 30 Georgia counties representing 42,247 acres in all, and also has extended campuses in Gwinnett County, Griffin and Tifton.
More than 25,100 students pursue undergraduate degrees in 140 major fields of study. The university offers 30 master’s degree programs in 124 major fields, and four doctoral degrees in 87 major areas. Professional programs in law, pharmacy and veterinary medicine are offered, as well as 19 specialist degrees in education. While about 79 percent of students enrolled at the University of Georgia are residents of the state, others come from throughout the U.S. and about 127 nations. Women students are in the majority and the University of Georgia has a minority student population of about 17 percent.
Students pursue a challenging academic program at the University of Georgia. Its Honors Program is regarded as one of the best in the United States for academically superior students. U.S. News and World Report magazine ranks UGA 20th among the nation’s top public universities and the Terry College of Business undergraduate program is tied for 27th overall and 17th among public business schools. The graduate program in public affairs is ranked fourth among more than 240 programs nationally and the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication ranks fourth in the nation for graduate programs in public relations and fifth in advertising.
About 500 registered student organizations keep students involved outside class. These include professional and honorary organizations, service organizations, advocacy groups, hobby and special-interest groups and international organizations. Three are 34 social fraternities and 24 social sororities on campus. The Georgia Bulldogs compete in NCAA Division I athletics in nine men’s varsity sports and 12 women’s varsity sports. There is an active intramural program, plus club sports and a well-organized recreation program.
From its beginnings more than 223 years ago as America’s first state-chartered university, the University of Georgia now ranks as one of the leading public institutions in the United States, known for its academic strength in biological and biomedical sciences, genetics, ecology, law, journalism and education and as a center for excellence in the visual and performing arts.