Savannah State plans the first doctoral program at a public HBCU in Georgia

Savannah State University has announced plans for its first doctoral degree, a move the school calls historic for public historically Black colleges in Georgia. The Doctor of Public Administration degree is slated to begin in fall 2027.

A first for the system

The school says no other public HBCU in the University System of Georgia has ever been cleared to grant a doctorate. The launch still needs a green light from the regional accrediting agency for Southern colleges.

Who the degree is for

The program is built to prepare leaders for government agencies and nonprofit groups along with colleges and other organizations that serve the public. It adds a major new layer to the academic menu at a school that has been educating students for more than 135 years.

President Jermaine Whirl called it a transformational moment for the school. He said Savannah State has spent generations opening doors for students and that the doctorate starts a new chapter.

What is still to come

The university has not yet shared the curriculum or the admission rules. Details on faculty and the application process will follow along with information about the first class of students.