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School of Graduate Studies

The Georgia Board of Regents first authorized the Medical College of Georgia to grant Masters degrees in 1951. In the beginning, the degree of Master of Science was offered in the areas of anatomy, microbiology, biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology, and endocrinology, as well as in medical illustration. During President ORears tenure, he planned to expand the curriculum by adding graduate and undergraduate programs. In December 1962, the Regents approved this addition at the college. Along with the Master of Science degrees, the college offered the Doctor of Philosophy degree in the biomedical sciences in 1963, and the first PhD student enrolled that fall. Because of the graduate programs emphasis on the science field relating to medicine and health, it was unique in the states system of higher education. Before then, no other state schools endeavors fully covered these areas. The Committee on Graduate Education initially delegated the graduated program. However, on July 1, 1964, President ORear appointed Dr. Francis Behal as Director of the Division of Graduate Studies. In December 1965, the Board of Regents established the School of Graduate Studies, and Dr. Behals title changed to Dean.

School of Graduate Studies

Francis Behal

In 1971, the college authorized the Master of Health Education; it encompassed the disciplines of medical technology and dental hygiene. During the following year, programs leading to the Masters of Science in Oral Biology as well as joint MS/MD and PhD/MD degrees were created. In 1976, the school included occupational therapy in the disciplines for the Master of Health Education and proposed a program in physical therapy. From 1966-1972, the School of Graduate Studies offered the Master of Science in Nursing degree, until it moved to the School of Nursing. In the 1990s, the program returned to the School of Graduate Studies.