University of West Georgia
Carrolton, Georgia
At the University of West Georgia, students, staff, and faculty alike transform lives and change perceptions, constantly challenging themselves to ask “what if” and refusing to accept that possibilities are limited. The University embraces diversity. It values community. It drives growth. The entire community engages and works collectively to be the best comprehensive university in America, sought after as the best place to work, learn, and succeed.
Founded in 1906, UWG grew from a district agricultural and mechanical school to a two-year institution. It then became a four-year college in 1957, ultimately achieving university status in 1996. At UWG, students Go West, blazing trails to new possibilities for scholarly achievement, creative expression, and service to humanity. As the 6th largest public university in Georgia, the university’s student population in the Fall of 2018 was comprised of 13,733 students from 38 states and 73 countries.
UWG offers 87 fields of study, including bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, and doctoral programs as well as post-baccalaureate and post-master’s certificates. It is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and classified as a SACS Level VI University, the highest level possible. The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education awarded the university the classification of Doctoral Research University R3. Only seven other Georgia institutions of higher learning qualify for doctoral university status.
Amazing things happen to students who Go West.
Get to know University of West Georgia
Student Activities
- Campus Ministries
- Choral groups
- Concert band
- Dance
- Drama/theatre
- International Student Organization
- Jazz band
- Literary magazine
- Marching band
- Music ensembles
- Musical theatre
- Pep band
- Radio station
- Student government
- Student newspaper
- Television station
High-Impact Practices
- First-Year Seminars and Experiences
- Diversity/Global Learning
- Internships/Coops/Practicums
- Capstone Courses and Projects/Senior Experience
Campus Resources
- Career Services
- Writing Center
- Academic Advisors
- Library Services
- Faculty Mentors
- Accessibility Services
- Center for Diversity & Inclusion
- Academic Tutors
- Financial Aid Advisors
- Center for Adult Learners & Veterans
- Counseling Center
College Highlights
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
The University of West Georgia’s Office of Undergraduate Research was established to facilitate collaboration between faculty mentors and student researchers; coordinate university-wide research events, such as Research Day and Big Night; assist students in their preparation and travel to research conferences; and encourage new initiatives to create, enhance, and expand undergraduate research opportunities for all West Georgia students. Faculty-directed undergraduate research complements classroom learning through learning by doing, providing an additional educational opportunity that transforms students into scholars. Undergraduate research is an invaluable experience that provides UWG scholars a multitude of opportunities both during and beyond their undergraduate career. Read more about the Student Research Assistant Program here.
Further, UWG Honors College students are required to participate in undergraduate research as criteria to graduate with an Honors College Distinction. Students can meet this criteria by sharing their scholarly work with others in the form of an oral presentation, poster presentation, or formal paper. There are many venues for students to present their work both on campus at departmental conferences or symposiums as well as off campus at regional, national, or international conferences. Students may also publish their research in a journal in their discipline. UWG is dedicated to facilitating undergraduate student involvement in scholarly research across all academic fields.
IGNITE PROGRAM
The UWG Ignite Program is a summer bridge program designed for students who have demonstrated the ability to be successful in college but have not yet met the university’s admissions requirements. These students begin classes in the summer and gain access to the campus resources and services that serve as support for their transition to the university. The Ignite program runs over the course of five weeks from late June to late July. As part of the Ignite program, students live on campus, take two courses, and participate in engaging activities that promote student success. In the following fall semester, they are required to register for English Composition I and XIDS 2002 (first-year seminar), as well as English Composition II in the spring semester.
LEAP WEST!
As a part of the Liberal Education and America’s Promise (LEAP) educational initiative from the Association of American Colleges and Universities, UWG’s LEAP West! has a goal of creating professionally versatile and successful students who are capable of navigating real-world problems. LEAP West! encourages and supports collaboration among colleges and departments to develop university-wide initiatives such as revisions to first-year seminars and learning communities, strengthening student participation in major and minor programs, revising capstone seminars, creating guided pathways within academic programs, and increasing the number of experiential learning opportunities for students.
CLASS SIZE
The number of sections of each class size.
2-9: 122 | 10-19: 276 | 20-29: 352
30-39: 215 | 40-49: 85 | 50-99: 68 | 100+: 12
ENROLLMENT BY ETHNICITY
Nonresident aliens: 1%
Hispanic/Latino: 8%
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 37%
White, non-Hispanic: 47%
American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 0%
Asian, non-Hispanic: 1%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 0%
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 4%
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 1%
THE CENTER FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING
UWG’s Center for Teaching and Learning actively encourages and supports faculty to enhance student success in their courses and beyond. By helping faculty to implement high-impact practices and active learning strategies, the CTL helps ensure that all students can engage in deep and meaningful learning.
FIRST-YEAR SEMINARS
With approximately 90 FYS sections in Fall 2019, UWG’s first-year seminars involve a dynamic collaboration between faculty and professional staff from the Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Division. The seminars each have a unique academic focus, but the broader goals of the seminar are consistent across each section:
- Introduce first-year students to the importance of lifelong, active learning and the value of intellectual inquiry.
- Provide first-year students with an opportunity for meaningful dialogue with faculty as a way to develop mentoring relationships and foster positive faculty-student interactions throughout their college careers.
First-year seminars have been identified as a high-impact practice aligned with the LEAP / AAC&U initiatives.
WRITING-INTENSIVE COURSES
Writing-intensive courses have been an institutional focus for UWG for many years. Students can elect to receive a writing-intensive DSW (Discipline Specific Writing) certificate as part of their major, indicating their intention to grow as communicators. As required in multiple core areas, students fulfill UWG’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) through courses that focus on improving student writing.
SPECIAL STUDY OPTIONS
Programs available at this institution.
Accelerated program
Cooperative education program
Cross-registration
Distance learning
Double major
Dual enrollment
External degree program
Honors Program
Independent study
Internships
Study abroad
Teacher certification program
UWG offers both Learning Communities and Living-Learning Communities, helping education thrive as a collaborative process among peers.
LEARNING COMMUNITIES
A Learning Community is a small group of students who take their classes together during their first year. Learning Communities offer a “small college” environment within the larger campus. Some of these classes consist exclusively of students within the same Learning Community. The set of Learning Community courses center on a common theme, such as film, creative writing, the environment, or science-based careers in either the health professions or engineering. Some advantages of joining a Learning Community include exploring one’s academic and career options, developing leadership skills, connecting with a faculty or staff member in an area of interest, finding one’s passion in life, and building friendships that last a lifetime.
LIVING-LEARNING COMMUNITIES
Living-Learning Communities (LLCs) are a great example of UWG’s commitment to scholarly achievement, creative expression, and service to humanity. These communities also help students make their mark in their own way. LLCs at UWG are specialized living environments for small groups of residential students. LLCs center on a specific theme while integrating related academic courses, custom programming, and staff mentoring. Research indicates that students who participate in LLCs earn better grades and are more satisfied overall with the college experience than other students. Participating in an LLC at UWG counts as a New Student (First-Year Experience) program, but there are also programs for all academic classifications—not just freshmen!
Learn more about the Wolf Experience at UWG here.
SCHOOL LOCATION
Named a City of Excellence in Georgia and listed as one of the 50 Best Small Southern Towns, Carrollton is the cultural, educational, healthcare, and commercial center for the west Georgia region. The city’s population of about 20,000 embraces UWG students, faculty, and staff, welcoming the diversity that the university contributes to life in Carroll County. Shops, galleries, and restaurants line the downtown square; dining experiences range from Southern to gourmet and international cuisine; movies, dancing, theatrical productions are close within reach; and recreational activities abound through an award-winning parks and recreation program that features 33,421 acres of recreational parks and facilities.
ATHLETICS
The University of West Georgia, competing within the Gulf South Conference of the NCAA Division II, offers the following team sports:
Women: Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track & Field, and Volleyball
Men: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, and Golf
UWG Athletics has a rich history of championship success. Over the past 42 years, UWG has earned two national championships, six regional championships, and 35 NCAA Division II Gulf South Conference Championships. The 2015-16 athletic year marked a step forward for West Georgia, as the Wolves won the Super Region 2 Championship and the Gulf South Conference Championship in football, and men’s basketball won the GSC tournament in March to become conference champions for the first time since 2002. For football, 2016 marked back-to-back region championships as well as the first GSC title since the 2000 season (fourth in school history!). Further, in spring 2017, UWG had two Seniors drafted into the NFL—more than any other university in Georgia.
With a total of 24 UCA national titles, the UWG Cheerleading Squads have taken over competitive cheerleading. The Coed squad topped the podium once again this past January, becoming the UCA National Champions and winning their 15th title since 2002. The All-Girl Squad now competes in a Division I classification and has won nine titles since 2004.
The UWG mascot, “Wolfie,” is undeniably the athletics teams’ biggest fan and has caused an uproar in West Georgia’s athletics! He supports all the teams at the university including baseball, basketball, cross-country, football, golf, soccer, tennis, volleyball, and softball games. Wolfie pumps up the crowd while dancing, playing, and kidding with fans in the stands. His favorite quote is: “For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.” Wolfie firmly believes in becoming one with the wolf pack, so to feel more like a part of the football family, Wolfie dons the teams’ jerseys every year!
RESIDENCE LIFE
Percent of students living on campus.
First-time, first-year (freshman) students: 72%
Undergraduates: 28%
Campus housing options.
Coed dorms
Apartments for married students
Apartments for single students
Special housing for disabled students
Special housing for international students
Fraternity/sorority housing
Theme housing
Wellness housing
CAREER SERVICES
The mission of Career Services at the University of West Georgia is to provide students with the comprehensive resources needed to attain their professional career goals. Through collaboration with campus, employer, and community partnerships, they help students and alumni by facilitating career development through career counseling, student employment, experiential learning, and the job search process. The staff aim to educate and empower students to be proactive in their lifetime academic and career success.
PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR DEVELOPMENT
To achieve its mission, UWG Career Services works cooperatively with campus partners, employers, and community members. One example of these cooperative efforts includes a collaboration with the UWG College of Education to present a day of professional development for students in the third block of their education major. Recently, the program included two former Georgia Teacher of the Year finalists. These exemplary teachers each gave motivational speeches about the importance of teaching, connecting with students and their parents, and the pros and cons of using technology in the classroom. Students also learned about various applications and programs they can use in their teaching. And, in a discussion panel with school-system human resource experts, students learned about the hiring process for their individual school systems as well as what helps candidates stand out. The event stood as a great opportunity for students to ask questions and network with valuable experts.
CAREERS IN SCIENCE
Career Services collaborates with the UWG College of Science and Mathematics (COSM) to host a two-day STEM Wolf Tour. Portions of this program include networking opportunities and a visit from two major local employers. Recently, Tanner Health System and Southwire hosted students for a tour to showcase some of the “out-of-the-box” careers available to STEM students. Partnering with COSM and the UWG Management Club, Career Services also sponsored three industry nights: Healthcare, Logistics/Management, and STEM. Each event included an industry panel of experts to talk about the state of each industry, skills and education needed, career paths, and opportunities available. There was also a networking time for students and industry guests.
INTERNSHIPS AND EXTERNSHIPS
The Student Externship Program (SEP) offered by Career Services is a career-exploration program that allows students wanting to get an insider’s view of a chosen career field to be matched with UWG alumni and other professionals for an externship during Spring Break. This opportunity allows the extern to gain a better understanding of their industries’ most valued skills, knowledge, and capabilities for their professional success. Career Services also hosts four career fairs during the year: Accounting and Finance, Graduate and Professional School, College of Education, and Career and Internship Expo. These fairs give students the opportunity to network with organizations looking to hire for internships and full-time positions as well as research graduate programs at various schools from around the country.
Admission
ADMISSIONS FACTORS
Very important
Academic GPA | Standardized test scores
FRESHMAN PROFILE
SAT Math
25th Percentile: 430 | 75th Percentile: 510
ACT Composite
25th Percentile: 18 | 75th Percentile: 22
ACT Math
25th Percentile: 17 | 75th Percentile: 22
ACT English
25th Percentile: 18 | 75th Percentile: 22
Tuition & Cost
Tuition (in-state): $5,330
Tuition (out-of-state): $18,812
Fees: $2,024
Room: $5,600
Board: $4,888
What Others are Saying
Contact University of West Georgia
Contact Admissions
www.westga.edu/admissions
(678) 839-5600
admiss@westga.edu
Campus Location
1601 Maple Street
Carrolton, GA 30118
(678) 839-5000
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