Directory of Correspondence, For Your Information, About This Catalog, Student Rules and Regulations, Responsibility for Notices, University Police and Crime Statistics, Accreditation, Programs of Study, Certificates, Mission Statement, Visitors to the Campus, Directions to Campus, Map of Campus

Directory for Correspondence
For additional information on the following topics, please address inquiries as follows:
 

For Your Information
 

About This Catalog
The statements set forth in this catalog are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as the basis of a contract between a student and this institution. While the provisions of this catalog will ordinarily be applied as stated, Southern Polytechnic State University reserves the right to change any provision listed in this catalog, including but not limited to academic requirements for graduation and various fees and charges without actual notice to individual students. Every effort will be made to keep students advised of such changes. Information on changes will be available in the Office of the Registrar and major academic program offices. It is especially important to note that it is the responsibility of the student to keep apprised of current graduation requirements for a particular degree program.

Southern Polytechnic State University is an equal educational and employment opportunity institution and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, age, or disability.
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Student Rules and Regulations
The rules and regulations for Southern Polytechnic State University students are comprised of the catalog sections on Academic Regulations and Student Life Regulations. These regulations are intended to set forth the requirements of the faculty to the end that a large student body may live and work together harmoniously with a minimum of friction and misunderstanding. Each student is expected to be familiar with these catalog sections. The student is also expected to be a law-abiding citizen and to obey the laws of the City of Marietta, Cobb County, the State of Georgia, and the United States.
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Responsibility for Notices
Students are expected to be aware of the contents of all general notices including those appearing on official campus bulletin boards and in the official school newspaper.  Students are also expected to keep the university apprised of their current mailing address and email address.
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University Police and Crime Statistics
Southern Polytechnic is committed to a safe, healthy environment in which our students, faculty, and staff can grow professionally and personally.  The University promotes strong safety policies and prompt reporting and investigation of any actions or events that would harm the well being of any student, employee, or faculty member.

The University Police employs police officers that comply with certification, training, and all other requirements of the Peace Officers Standards and Training Council of Georgia.  Our officers have arrest powers on Southern Polytechnic property, which is under the control of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, and on any public or private property within five hundreds yards of property under the control of the Board of Regents.

Our officers conduct preventive patrols on campus including the residence halls; are responsible for the security of university-owned property; investigate reported crimes at the university; conduct educational programs and workshops to promote personal safety; and actively work to prevent and detect crime throughout the Southern Polytechnic campus. Our program complies with The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act.  Our disclosure report can be found on the police department web page at http://police.spsu.edu.
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Accreditation
Southern Polytechnic State University is an accredited, coeducational, residential university offering associate, bachelor, and master's degrees:

Southern Polytechnic State University is regionally accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, Telephone: 404-679-4501).

The engineering technology programs, except the Telecommunications Engineering Technology program and the program leading to the master's degree, are accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.

The National Architectural Accrediting Board, Inc. (NAAB) accredits the Bachelor of Architecture program.

The American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) accredits the Bachelor of Science program in Construction.

The Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) accredits the Master of Science program in Management.
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Programs of Study
Southern Polytechnic State University offers the following programs of study:

Associate of Science transfer program in General Studies

Bachelor of Applied Science

Bachelor of Architecture program

Bachelor of Arts programs in:

Computer Science
International Technical Communication
Management
Mathematics
Physics

Apparel/Textile Engineering Technology
Biology
Civil Engineering Technology
Computer Engineering Technology
Computer Science
Construction
Electrical Engineering Technology
Industrial Distribution
Industrial Engineering Technology
Information Technology
International Studies: Global Technology
Management
Mathematics
Mechanical Engineering Technology
Physics
Software Engineering
Surveying and Mapping
Technical and Professional Communication

Master of Science programs in:

Computer Science
Construction
Engineering Technology
Management
Quality Assurance
Technical and Professional Communication

Master of Science in Software Engineering program
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Certificates
In addition to the above degree programs, SPSU also offers certificates in the following areas:

Graduate

Graduate Certificate in Software Engineering  (CSE)
Graduate Certificate in Quality Assurance (ETM)
Graduate Transition Certificate in Computer Science (CSE)
Graduate Transition Certificate in Information Technology (CSE)
Graduate Certificate in Information Technology

Professional Certificate in Programming (CSE)
Certificate in Apparel Product Development (ETM)
Certificate in Quality Principles (ETM)
Certificate in Production Design (ETM)
Certificate in Logistics (ETM)
Certificate in Engineering Sales (ETM)
Certificate in Land Surveying (ACC)
Professional Certificate in Project Management (Construction) (ACC)
Professional Certificate in Development (Land) (ACC)
Professional Certificate in Specialty Construction (ACC)
Software Systems Development Certificate (CSE)

Mission Statement
Our mission at Southern Polytechnic State University is to provide the residents of Georgia with university-level education in technology, engineering technology, arts and sciences, architecture, management, and related fields.

Our history continues to be one of rapid change and adaptation.  Founded in 1948 as a unit of the Georgia Institute of Technology at the request of the Georgia Business and Industry Association, The Institute, as we were first called, provided technical training in support of Georgia industry.  Our mission quickly evolved to include offering associate degrees.  In 1970, as Southern Technical Institute, we became one of the first colleges in the nation to offer baccalaureate degrees in engineering technology.  In 1980, we became a separate senior college in the University System of Georgia.  Six years later, we began offering graduate programs and changed our name to Southern College of Technology.  Meeting needs articulated by our professional advisory boards, alumni, faculty, and students, we continue to evolve, improve, and broaden our degree offerings in the technological arena.

We produce academically and technically proficient graduates for the economic development of the state, region, and nation, and we seek international opportunities to participate in the teaching and transfer of technology.

To achieve our mission, we offer a flexible schedule of day and evening classes for programs at the associate, baccalaureate, and master's levels to the highly motivated students we seek to recruit and retain.  We offer both degree and non-degree programs, provide opportunities for cooperative education, and engage in collaborative efforts with other institutions.  We enroll a significant number of working professionals as part-time students, as well as a large number of traditional college-age students.  We welcome academically prepared transfer students from community/junior colleges, technical institutes, senior colleges and universities, who are seeking a high quality technical education.

All of our programs include a strong general education course of study that integrates science, technology, and liberal arts.  Our growing graduate programs introduce students to research that is industrially, technically, or applications focused.

The faculty strives for excellence in teaching and service, providing a laboratory-centered and/or professionally oriented education that fosters problem solving, ethical awareness, and a desire for lifelong learning.

At Southern Polytechnic State University, we encourage continual improvement throughout the campus and assume statewide leadership in the study and teaching of the process of continual improvement.  We offer opportunities for professional development, and we work to achieve an international outlook.

We serve our community through partnerships with industry, professional organizations, government, schools, and through continuing education and public service programs. We promote activities that increase public awareness of science, technology and related fields.

In rising to the technological, scientific, and humanitarian challenges of the future, we aspire to broaden our offerings by including programs in engineering, in new and emerging sciences and technologies, and in additional technically related fields.  We will enhance our reputation as a university where imagination, innovation, and application are integrated to provide leadership into the future.

Southern Polytechnic State University shares with the other colleges and universities of the University System of Georgia the following core characteristics or purposes:

• A supportive campus climate, necessary services, and leadership and development opportunities, all to educate the whole person and meet and needs of students, faculty and staff;
• Cultural ethnic, racial, and gender diversity in the faculty, staff, and student body, supported by practices and programs that embody the ideals of an open, democratic, and global society;
• Technology to advance educational purposes, including instructional technology, student support services, and distance education;
• Collaborative relationships with other System institutions, State agencies, local schools and technical institutes, and business and industry, sharing physical, human, information, and other resources to expand and enhance programs and services available to the citizens of Georgia.

• A commitment to excellence and responsiveness within a scope of influence defined by the needs of an area of the state, and by particularly outstanding programs or distinctive characteristics that have a magnet effect throughout the region or state;
• A commitment to teaching/learning environment, both inside and outside the classroom, that sustains instructional excellence, serves a diverse and university-prepared student body, promotes high levels of student achievement, offers academic assistance, and provides developmental studies programs for a limited student cohort;
• A high quality general education program supporting a variety of disciplinary, interdisciplinary, and professional academic programming at the baccalaureate level, with selected master's and educational specialist degrees, and selected associate degree programs based on area need and/or inter-institutional collaborations;
• A commitment to public service, continuing education, technical assistance, and economic development activities that address the needs, improve the quality of life, and raise the education level within the university's scope of influence;
• A commitment to scholarly and creative work to enhance instructional effectiveness and to encourage faculty scholarly pursuits, and a commitment to applied research in selected areas of institutional strength and area need

Visitors to the Campus
Southern Polytechnic State University welcomes visitors to the campus at any time. Classes are held six days a week, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. and Saturday, from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.  Administrative offices are open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Registrar’s Office is open until 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday.  Some offices may have evening hours.

Applicants and other persons interested in obtaining information about Southern Polytechnic State University's programs are encouraged to contact the Admissions Office regarding appointments.
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