Discovering Georgia Southern University: A Comprehensive Guide to Its Locations and Offerings

Georgia Southern University is a dynamic institution dedicated to fostering student success and enriching the world through its diverse academic programs and vibrant campus communities. Ready to take flight in your educational journey? Georgia Southern connects you to everything you'll need to go as far as you can imagine, and then further still. You don't have to put your life on hold to get a degree from Georgia Southern. Whether you're a professional taking online classes to reach the next level, or an on-campus student coming back to college after a long absence, there's a place for you to discover your passion, chase your goals, and reach new heights. At Georgia Southern, you'll embark on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. With our supportive faculty, diverse student body, and abundant opportunities, you'll have the chance to explore your passions, challenge yourself, and become the best version of you. Build your future in the University College. From flexible degree paths to dedicated support, we provide the personal and affordable foundation every Eagle needs to launch a career with confidence. It doesn't matter if you're a first-year freshman or a doctoral student, Georgia Southern gives you everything it takes to take off. Discover your leadership potential in one of more than 300 student organizations, get real-world skills doing undergraduate research in a state-of-the-art laboratory, or find professors who will mentor you and guide you to success. It's time to spread your wings. Your future starts here.

The Multifaceted Presence of Georgia Southern University

Georgia Southern University resides on multiple campuses and locations across southeast Georgia, each offering a unique environment and a distinct set of opportunities. The university's presence is anchored by its flagship campus in Statesboro, with significant additional locations in Savannah, Swainsboro, and Hinesville. This strategic distribution allows Georgia Southern to serve a broad spectrum of students, from those seeking a traditional college town experience to those requiring flexible learning options and specialized programs.

The Statesboro Campus serves as the flagship and largest of Georgia Southern's locations. This traditional residential campus is a self-contained community, offering a comprehensive range of amenities designed to support student life and academic pursuits. With nearly 1,000 acres of well-maintained landscape, students learn and live in a peaceful setting that feels like home. The campus is home to over 20,000 students and offers more than 150 degree programs, embodying the classic college town experience. Statesboro, Georgia itself has been recognized as one of "America's Best Small Communities," fostering a close relationship between the university and the local population through various cultural, scientific, and economic development outreach programs. Situated in Southeast Georgia, Statesboro experiences pleasant weather year-round, and its location provides students with convenient access to major urban cities like Atlanta and Jacksonville, as well as opportunities for outdoor and recreational activities. The campus itself buzzes with activity, offering nearly 300 student organizations, guest speakers, cultural events, volunteer and leadership possibilities, farmers' markets, football games, plays, musical performances, and robust research support at all program levels, ensuring students can always get involved and remain engaged.

The Armstrong Campus, located in Savannah, offers a different yet equally compelling experience. Situated in a suburban setting near the Savannah Mall, this campus provides beautiful landscapes and greenery, including subtropical ferns, flowers, oak trees with Spanish moss, and a plethora of native plants across its 268-acre expanse. Savannah's pleasant, year-round climate makes it an ideal location for students, with easy access to the beaches of Tybee Island, located only 25 miles away. The Armstrong campus also functions as a traditional residential campus, featuring dormitories, dining facilities, a health center, recreation center, small shops, and other amenities. With close to 7,000 enrolled students, it offers a quiet and scenic feel where everyone feels like family. This campus is particularly noted for its smaller class sizes and ample enrichment and supported research opportunities. Over 100 student clubs and organizations are active on the Armstrong campus, complementing various university offerings such as guest speakers, cultural and performing arts events, and volunteer and leadership opportunities. For students seeking to explore beyond campus, the historic city of Savannah offers a rich tapestry of history and Southern culture.

The East Georgia Campus, located in Swainsboro, is designed to provide a more focused and accessible educational pathway. This campus emphasizes small classes, supportive faculty, and affordable academic pathways, aiming to help students build a strong academic foundation. It offers over 50 degree programs, with a particular focus on hands-on learning, enhanced by its coastal proximity and state-of-the-art Health Professions Academic Building. The East Georgia Campus serves as a crucial entry point for many students, offering a nurturing environment for their initial college years before potentially transitioning to larger campuses or entering the workforce.

Additionally, Georgia Southern University has a presence in Hinesville (Liberty Campus). This campus, which began operations as a satellite campus of Armstrong State University in 1997 and moved to its current facilities in January 2016, offers select programs to residents of Liberty County and surrounding areas. A significant aspect of the Liberty Campus's mission is to provide special services to Fort Stewart military personnel and their families, enabling them to advance their careers or prepare for life after the military by earning graduate degrees without leaving post. Army Education Centers at Ft. Stewart also facilitate this mission, allowing students to earn graduate degrees without leaving their military posts.

Historical Evolution and Expansion

Georgia Southern University's journey began as the First District A&M, founded with the purpose of teaching modern agricultural production techniques and homemaking skills to rural school children. Within two decades, its mission shifted to address the growing need for teachers in the state. In 1924, it was renamed Georgia Normal School, solidifying its role as a training ground for educators. The university finally integrated its student body in 1965, a significant step reflecting broader societal changes.

Since 1999, Georgia Southern has experienced its most significant growth in its more than 100-year history, marked by substantial increases in enrollment and physical facilities. A comprehensive Campus Master Plan has guided this expansion, leading to the addition of new facilities such as the 1,001-bed residence hall Centennial Place. The Zach S. Henderson Library has undergone complete renovation and significant expansion, and the Eugene M. Bishop Alumni Center, completed in 2009, serves as a central gathering place for alumni and friends. The Center for Wildlife Education and the Botanical Garden have also been expanded, and the university continues to invest in new infrastructure, including a new Engineering and Research Building.

In 2006, Georgia Southern was designated a Doctoral/Research University by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. This recognition underscored its commitment to advanced research and graduate education. The university has continued to expand its academic offerings, establishing new colleges and programs. The College of Information Technology was established in 2001, followed by the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health in 2004. Additional undergraduate and graduate programs were developed, including doctoral degrees in psychology, public health, and nursing. In 2011, the Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing was established, consolidating engineering and IT programs, and the College of Science and Mathematics was created, previously known as the College of Science and Mathematics.

Academic Programs and Research Opportunities

Georgia Southern University offers a wide array of academic programs designed to meet the diverse needs of its student body, from undergraduate to doctoral levels. Online bachelor's degrees are available in nursing, general studies, and information technology, providing flexibility for working professionals and non-traditional students. Master's programs are offered in various fields, including kinesiology, instructional technology, accomplished teaching, instructional improvement, higher education administration, reading education, middle grades education, secondary education, special education, and educational leadership. The university also provides master's degrees in business administration, applied economics, accounting, computer science, and sport management.

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The university is committed to providing students with opportunities for hands-on learning and research. Undergraduate research is a significant component of the academic experience, with students engaging in state-of-the-art laboratories. The Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering & Computing, spread across three buildings on the Statesboro Campus, houses programs in civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering, among others. The Engineering Building, dedicated in 1995, and the Carruth Building, now re-purposed as the Engineering Research Center, support these disciplines. The College's central building is the 140,000 square foot Information Technology Building, opened in 2003.

The Ph.D. in Logistics/Supply Chain Management is a notable offering, being the first of its kind in the state of Georgia through the university's Parker College of Business. Georgia Southern University's Honors College provides a rigorous and selective academic program for high-achieving undergraduate students across all fields of study.

Research is a cornerstone of Georgia Southern's identity as a Doctoral/Research University. The university is involved in energy-related issues, focusing on renewable energy and environmental science research. The State of Georgia has established and funded an Endowed Chair of Renewable Energy at Georgia Southern, supporting research into renewable energy sources in south Georgia and the design and evaluation of products to capture energy in usable forms. The research team also assists regional industries with energy consumption analysis, conservation strategies, and environmental preservation.

Georgia Southern is also home to specialized research centers, such as the Institute of Arthropodology and Parasitology, renamed the James H. Oliver, Jr. Institute of Arthropodology and Parasitology in honor of its founder. The university welcomed Georgia Governor Nathan Deal in April 2012 to sign Georgia Senate Bill 396 into law, transferring the management of the Herty Advanced Materials Development Center to the university. This alignment created the Georgia Southern University Herty Advanced Materials Development Center, aimed at enhancing economic and business development in Georgia. The Herty Center, located near the Port of Savannah, is named for Charles Herty, a chemist and innovator who revolutionized the naval stores industry. His early experiments with southern pines were conducted on the university's campus.

Campus Life and Student Engagement

Georgia Southern University fosters a vibrant campus life with a wide array of student organizations, recreational facilities, and cultural events. With more than 300 student organizations, there are ample opportunities for students to discover their leadership potential, pursue their interests, and connect with peers. These organizations span various categories, including professional, Greek letter, cultural, service, and religious groups. Political organizations like the Young Democrats and Young Americans for Liberty are active, with the Young Democrats of Georgia Southern making significant efforts to encourage student voting. Although not a military college, Georgia Southern hosts an Eagle Battalion ROTC program and produces a notable number of military nurses.

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The Department of Student Media plays a vital role in campus communication, comprising six divisions: the George-Anne, Business, Marketing, Magazines, and two Production divisions (digital and print). The George-Anne, the flagship publication for the Statesboro campus, is published twice weekly during fall and spring semesters and biweekly during summer terms, with daily online updates at thegeorgeanne.com. The Inkwell Edition of the George-Anne serves the Armstrong Campus weekly. The Magazines Division produces several publications, including The Reflector (student interest news magazine), The Miscellany (literary arts magazine), Our House, Lantern Walk, and Our Neighborhood.

Recreational opportunities abound at the Recreation Activity Center (the RAC), a 220,000-square-foot complex featuring areas for weight lifting, cardio, and basketball. The Georgia Southern Botanical Garden, centered on an early 20th-century farmstead, offers visitors a glimpse into the cultural and natural heritage of the southeastern coastal plain, highlighting endangered plants.

The Center for Wildlife Education and the Lamar Q Ball Jr. Raptor Center is an educational and research facility on 18 acres, hosting over 165,500 annual visitors. It is home to "Freedom," Georgia Southern's American bald eagle mascot, along with a diverse collection of birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals. Demonstrations of raptors in flight are a popular attraction. The center also includes an amphitheater and an indoor classroom, with exhibitions of various reptiles and amphibians. A 12-acre expansion, the Wetland Preserve, was added in 2009, showcasing waterfowl in their native habitats.

The Center for Art & Theatre, opened in 2008, features galleries that house the Georgia Artists Collection and host exhibitions of private, student, and faculty works. The Performing Arts Center presents touring shows, lecturers, and programs for cultural outreach.

Georgia Southern currently has seven housing facilities: Centennial Place, Kennedy Hall, Watson Hall, Eagle Village, Freedom's Landing, Southern Courtyard, and Southern Pines, offering mostly suite and apartment configurations. Eagle Dining Services manages all dining locations on campus, including retail outlets like Starbucks and Chick-fil-A, as well as unique concepts such as Zach's Brews, Market Street Deli, Sushi with Gusto, and Oasis Smoothie & Juice Bar. Georgia Southern University is recognized for implementing a biometric iris recognition system for entry to dining halls, a unique alternative to traditional swipe cards.

Transportation and Connectivity

Georgia Southern Express is the university's bus transportation system, designed to facilitate movement between campus locations and key areas. In the fall of 2010, the system was enhanced with two new routes and a total of eight buses. The Gold Route connects the University Store with Forest Drive, the RAC, and the park-ride lot at Paulson Stadium. The Blue Route operates in a large circle, starting at the University Store and making stops on Forest Drive and Lanier Drive before returning. Bus routes are adjusted on game days to accommodate football fans.

Addressing Contemporary Issues and Future Consolidations

Georgia Southern University has been involved in contemporary issues that have shaped its recent history and future trajectory. In October 2019, some students publicly burned books by novelist Jennine CapÃ³ Crucet following a campus talk, an incident that sparked discussion about academic freedom and campus climate.

In another notable event, journalist Abby Martin was scheduled to speak at the university's International Critical Media Literacy Conference. However, the engagement was canceled after Martin refused to agree to a paragraph in her contract, which was included pursuant to Georgia's law prohibiting participation in boycotts of Israel. Martin subsequently filed a lawsuit against GSU and its officials, challenging the constitutionality of the Georgia statute.

A significant development in the university's structure occurred in January 2017 when the Regents of the University System of Georgia announced the merger of Georgia Southern University with Armstrong State University in Savannah. This consolidation was part of a broader initiative by the University System of Georgia (USG) to improve efficiency and reduce costs. More recently, in April 2025, University System Chancellor Sonny Perdue recommended, and the Board of Regents formally approved, the consolidation of Georgia Southern with East Georgia State College (EGSC) in Swainsboro, effective January 1, 2026. These consolidations reflect a strategic effort to streamline operations and enhance the delivery of educational services across the state.

Navigating to Georgia Southern University

Reaching Georgia Southern University's campuses is facilitated by clear directions from major interstates.

For the Statesboro Campus:

From I-16 East: Take exit 116 (Statesboro/Claxton and Georgia Southern University exit). Turn left onto Highway 301 S toward Ogeechee Tech/Statesboro. Drive approximately 10 miles, passing through five traffic lights. Look for the Super 8 Hotel on your left as you approach the fifth traffic light. Turn right onto Southern Drive. Upon reaching Sweetheart Circle, take a right. Stay to the left at the fork in the road and continue around the circle. Lewis Hall (Office of Admissions) will be the first building on your right.
From I-16 West: Take exit 127 (Statesboro and Georgia Southern University exit). Turn right onto Highway 67 (Fair Road). Drive approximately 10 miles. Turn left onto Veterans Memorial Parkway. Continue for 2 miles, then turn right onto South Main Street. Drive for 1 mile. Look for the Super 8 Hotel on your left. Turn right onto Southern Drive. Upon reaching Sweetheart Circle, take a right. Stay to the left at the fork in the road and continue around the circle. Lewis Hall will be the first building on your right.
Approaching Statesboro from the East on I-16: Take exit 116. Turn left onto Highway 301 S. Drive approximately 10 miles. Turn right onto Veterans Memorial Parkway. Follow for 0.5 miles and turn left onto Akins Boulevard. Take the first left onto Malecki Drive.
Approaching Statesboro from the West on I-16: Take exit 127. Turn right onto Highway 67 (Fair Road). Drive approximately 10 miles. Turn left onto Veterans Memorial Parkway. Continue for 1.5 miles. Turn right onto Akins Boulevard. Take the first left onto Malecki Drive.
Entering Statesboro (from I-16, via local roads): Come into Statesboro to the fifth traffic light. Turn right at this traffic light onto North Main Street. Continue for 1.5 miles (North Main Street will turn into South Main Street). Southern Drive (main entrance to Georgia Southern) will be on your left. Turn left onto Southern Drive. Upon reaching Sweetheart Circle, take a right. Take a left at the fork and continue around the circle. Lewis Hall will be the first building on your right.

Specific Directions for Other Campus Areas (Statesboro):

Alternative route near Super 8 (I-16 East): Continue past Southern Drive. Turn right onto Tillman Road, then right onto Fair Road. Continue on Fair Road for 1 mile. Turn right onto Chandler Road. Take the first right onto Dorman Drive.
Alternative route near Super 8 (I-16 West): Turn left onto Chandler Road. Take the first right onto Dorman Drive.
Alternative route via Tillman/Fair Road: Turn left onto Tillman Road, then right onto Fair Road. Continue on Fair Road for 1 mile. Turn right onto Chandler Road. Take the first right onto Dorman Drive.
Alternative route via Veterans Memorial Parkway: Turn right onto Veterans Memorial Parkway. Follow for 0.5 miles and turn left onto Akins Boulevard. Take the first left onto Malecki Drive.
Alternative route via Old Register Road: Continue past Southern Drive. Shortly after passing the Super 8 Hotel (on your right), take a left onto Old Register Road. At the roundabout, take the first exit onto Forest Drive. Turn right onto Akins Boulevard. Take the first right.
Alternative route via Herty Drive: Turn right onto Tillman Road, then turn right onto Fair Road. Continue on Fair Road for 0.5 miles. Turn right onto Herty Drive. (Westbound I-16: Turn left onto Herty Drive).
Alternative route via Forest Drive/Plant Drive: Turn right onto Southern Drive. Upon reaching Sweetheart Circle, take a right. Stay right onto Forest Drive. Continue for 0.5 miles. Turn right onto Plant Drive. (Westbound I-16: Turn left onto Chandler Road. Continue for 0.5 miles. Turn right onto Plant Drive).

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