The School of Nursing and Health Sciences offers high-quality, experience-rich programs with outcomes focused on preparing students to be successful in a variety of in-demand healthcare professions.
A number of our programs have garnered regional and national recognition. Nursing and Health Sciences at Coastal Georgia are on the forefront of healthcare innovation and aim to provide education incorporating holistic care, patient advocacy, and collaborative practice.
Candidates maximize their experiential learning in public school, laboratory, and clinical settings based on their studies in the classroom. The affordable tuition, along with highly-qualified and engaged faculty, makes the College an easy choice for students looking to make an impact in the fields of Health Sciences and Nursing.
Completion of professional coursework includes internships, clinicals, and practicums, which provide supplemental knowledge beyond the classroom setting to prepare competent and caring professionals for the 21st Century. As you review the individual programs, you will learn more about the strength of our programs and success of our students. Our state-of-the-art facilities are an essential part of our hands-on teaching methodology, preparing students to thrive in their chosen professions.
In 2023, the Georgia State Legislature approved a capital project of $16 million for the design and expansion of Hugh and Miriam Nunnally Health and Sciences Hall on the campus of the College of Coastal Georgia. The expansion will accommodate the growth of the College’s nursing program to meet the nursing shortage in the state of Georgia.
Nursing: ASN Spring Cohort
Closes: Oct. 1
“This partnership is the first step in the health system’s long-range planning to assist in addressing the medical professional workforce challenges in our community.”
-Scott Raynes, President and CEO, Southeast Georgia Health System
Smaller classes allow professors to get to know their students, tailor instruction to student needs, and help guide students along their career paths. One common campus phrase is “Every Student, Every Time, ” perfectly describing the College, faculty, and staff mindset. Faculty and staff incorporate this concept through teaching, interacting, and guiding students.
The Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences curriculum prepares students for careers in exercise science, health promotion and education, physical therapy assistant, or entry-level nutrition and dietetics. The Radiologic Science program graduates clinically competent radiographers focused on providing high-quality patient care and radiation protection.
Nursing at the College of Coastal Georgia offers degrees for those seeking either initial nursing licensure, or nurses looking to advance their career to meet the demands of a competitive workforce.
120 semester credit hours for all baccalaureate degrees with at least 21 semester credit hours of upper level courses in the major field, and at least 39 semester credit hours of upper level work overall (30 credits of upper level courses must be completed at Coastal Georgia.)
American Studies (BA)
– Communication, Literature, and Media Studies
– History and Political Science
Biological Science (BS)
– Biochemistry
– Coastal Ecology
– Biomedical Science
– Secondary Certification (Biology)
– Integrative Biology
Criminal Justice (BS)
– Cyber Defense
– Homeland Security
– Public Management
Data Science (BS)
– Computational Data Analytics
– Cyber Defense
– Earth Analytics
– Entrepreneurship
– Financial Analytics
– Healthcare Analytics
– Marketing Analytics
Environmental Science (BS)
– Chemistry
– Environmental Studies
– Geology
– Marine Science
– Natural Science
– Sustainability Policy and Management
General Business (BBA)
– Cyber Defense
– Economics
– Entrepreneurship
– Finance
– Financial Technologies
– General Business
– Health Care Administration
– Leadership
– Management
– Marketing
Health Sciences (BS)
– Health Promotion
– Exercise Science
Interdisciplinary Studies (BS)
– Business
– Communications
– Culture
– Education
– Health
– Sciences
– Social Sciences
– Technology
Mathematics (BS)
– Environmental Modelling
– General Mathematics
– Secondary Teacher Certification
Psychology (BS)
– Psychological Science
– Community and Organizational Leadership
– Human Services
Public Administration
– Cyber Defense
– Political Science
– Public Management
Workforce Management and Leadership (BS)
– Technical and Industrial
– Healthcare Information Management
– General Business
– Criminal Justice
– Logistics and Transportation
The Associate of Arts degree (A.A.) and Associate of Science degree (A.S.) prepare students who are planning further study in many disciplines at Coastal Georgia. These degrees consist of 42 hours of the required core curriculum courses and 18 hours of lower level courses related to a bachelor’s degree field of study.
An Academic Pathway is an advising guide to help students prepare for their intended bachelor’s degree major. By following the course of study for either an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science pathway, students will have the required general education courses to move into a four-year bachelor’s program of study. A pathway is not a major and will not be represented on the diploma.
Students should meet with an advisor in COMPASS Career and Academic Advising who can guide them in selecting and planning for an appropriate academic pathway. Students are also encouraged to investigate specific course requirements for the bachelor’s program they are intending to pursue.
The College of Coastal Georgia offers three academic pathways:
Coastal Georgia also offers three Career Associate Degrees that are designed to prepare students for employment upon graduation. These degrees require 60-70 credits, with at least 20 credits of general education courses.
The College’s growth in the area of online learning has grown precipitously within the last few years. In an effort to accommodate diverse student learners, online education is a popular learning platform, not only in terms of convenience and flexibility, but also the opportunity for students to participate in an interactive virtual classroom environment that offers enhanced class discussions.
Bachelor of Business Administration
–General Business
Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences
– Health Promotion
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics
– General Mathematics
Bachelor of Science
– RN to BSN
James earned her Associate of Arts degree from the University of Phoenix.
Barnes earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Georgia Southwestern State University, her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Georgia Southern University, and her Associate of Science in Nursing from the College of Coastal Georgia. She is a Certified Nurse Educator. Prior to joining the Coastal Georgia faculty, Mrs. Barnes worked for three years in CCU.
Grantham earned her Doctorate of Nursing Practice in education and leadership from American Sentinel College of Nursing at Post University. She earned both her Masters of Science in Nursing (Adult Nurse Practitioner), and her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Armstrong Atlantic State University (now part of Georgia Southern University). Prior to that, she earned her Associate of Science in Nursing from Coastal Georgia Community College (now the College of Coastal Georgia). Her professional affiliations include Sigma Theta Tau, the American Nurses Association, and the Georgia Nurses Association.
James earned her Associate of Arts degree from the University of Phoenix.
LeCounte is currently working to earn her Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. She received her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Central Missouri, and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Georgia College and State University. She is a Certified Medical Surgical Registered Nurse, a Progressive Care Certified Nurse, and a Certified Nurse Educator. Ms. LeCounte has several years of experience working on the intermediate and critical care units at Memorial University Medical Center. She began her career on a medical-surgical floor with a population spanning from pediatrics to geriatrics. She has additional experience caring for step-down, emergency, and postpartum patients.
Littlejohn earned her Associate of Arts degree at South Georgia State College. Her certifications include Georgia Healthcare Financial Management Association – Certified Patient Account Representative.
Dr. Masano earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Mercer University in Macon. She earned her Post Master’s Certification in Health Informatics, her Master of Science in Nursing, and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is a Certified Nurse Midwife and a Certified Nurse Educator. Dr. Masano has 24 years of experience as an RN, working primarily in obstetrics with additional experience in community health. She has been teaching for 15 years.
Mosher earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus. Prior to that, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from San Diego State University, and her Associate of Science in Nursing from Clayton State College. Her clinical expertise centers around surgical ICU and trauma.
Rowe earned her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of South Alabama, and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Medical College of Georgia. She is a Certified Nurse Educator, a Vision Screener, and a BLS Instructor. Her awards include the Platinum Award for Service-Learning and the Kay Hampton Nurse Educator Award.
Dr. Sandberg earned her Doctor of Education – Nurse Educator from the University of West Georgia, her Master of Science in Nursing from Western Governors University, her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Phoenix, and her Associate of Science in Nursing from Burlington County College in Pemberton, New Jersey. Her professional affiliations include AACN, NLN, and Sigma Theta Tau International.
Southeast Georgia Health System Distinguished Chair/Dean of the School of
Nursing and Health Sciences
Dr. Lydia Watkins is the Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences, as well as a Professor of Nursing. She has worked as a registered nurse since 1997, first in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at the Children’s Hospital of Alabama, and then as a Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurse Practitioner at Sparrow Health System in Lansing, MI. She was an adjunct instructor with the Department of Pediatrics and Human Development at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine prior to joining the faculty at College of Coastal Georgia. Since joining the College, Dr. Watkins has served in other roles such as the BSN Program Coordinator, Interim Program Director of Radiologic Sciences, and Chair of Nursing and Health Sciences, prior to becoming the dean.
Dr. Watkins holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice from The University of Alabama at Birmingham (research focus: Pediatric palliative care and hospice), a Master of Science in Nursing from The University of Alabama at Birmingham (research focus: Music therapy to reduce pain in pediatric oncology patients), a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and an Associate of Science in Nursing from Samford University. She is also a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) through the National League for Nursing.
Her research areas of interest, including regional and national presentations/publications, centers around student success, best practices in teaching, and service-learning. She is active with the Georgia Center for Nursing Excellence (board member), Academic Advisory Committee on Nursing (treasurer), Golden Isles College and Career Academy (foundation board member), and Georgia Association of Deans and Directors.
