Institution Details

University of Georgia

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 605 acres containing about 330 buildings. The university has extension locations in 24 Georgia counties representing 34,541 acres in all.

More than 31,000 students pursue undergraduate degrees in 177 major fields of study. The university offers 24 masters' degree programs in 146 major fields, and four doctoral degrees in 108 major areas. Professional programs in law, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine are offered, as well as 22 specialist degrees in education. While 82 percent of students enrolled at the University of Georgia are residents of the state, others come from throughout the U.S. and about 130 nations. Women students are in the majority and the University of Georgia has a 12.6 percent minority student population.

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 and the Terry College of Business is ranked as one of the 25 best in the nation by Success magazine. U.S. News and World Report ranks the graduate program in public administration fifth among 248 programs nationally and the Journalism and Mass Communications program fourth in the nation for graduate programs in public relations and fifth in advertising.

About 415 registered student organizations keep students involved outside of class. These include professional and honorary organizations, service organizations, advocacy groups, hobby and special-interest groups and international organizations. There are 26 social fraternities, and 22 social sororities on campus. The Georgia Bulldogs compete in NCAA Division I athletics in nine men's varsity sports and 11 women's varsity sports. There is an active intramural program, plus club sports and a well-organized recreation program.

From its beginnings more than 215 years ago as America's first state-chartered university, the University of Georgia now ranks as one of the leading public universities in the United States, known for its academic strength in biological sciences, genetics, ecology, law, journalism and education and as a center for excellence in the visual and performing arts.