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Mornings unPHILtered - 'Applied economics' online
GSU school director discusses Web course
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    Godfrey Gibbison was Monday's guest on the “Mornings unPHIltered” show. An associate professor of Economics in the College Of Business Administration at Georgia Southern University, Gibbison was named the director of the School of Economic Development in 2009.
    Gibbison told host Phil Boyum that he has studied extensively the effects of crime on the economic development of businesses, and how violent crime affects the welfare of children. Gibbison has also done research on the effects of salt water and water conservation practices in Coastal Georgia.
    After earning his undergraduate degree at the University of the West Indies, Gibbison continued his studies in Agricultural Economics at Iowa State University, earning his PhD in economics in 1998 at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
    Gibbison has been in charge of GSU's Master of Science in Applied Economics program since it started two years ago. The program's main objective is to provide graduates with an understanding of economic development, financial economics and regulatory issues.
    There are 10 professors teaching the courses, and there are 45 students currently enrolled. When at first COBA tried to have a regular Masters in Applied Economics program with little success, they then decided to offer the course online, where it has become very successful, Gibbison said.
    The class content consists mostly of recorded video classroom lectures, but Director Gibbison stated that this method allows for plenty of interaction between the students and professors.
    One of the main advantages is that the lecture can be downloaded anywhere as an mp3 and studied as there is time available. There are six core courses, and four electives, for a total of 10 courses required to complete what is for most students is a two-year program.
    Gibbison said the lessons teach majors how to find financing for a business project, as well as how best to set up the actual project from an economic standpoint. The courses also cover all of the options that are available as far as government regulations that will affect your business.
    The program is fully accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
    This summer the program will graduate its first two students, Gibbison said.
    For more information on the program thern, you can call Gibbison at (912) 478-0086, go to the program's Web site at http://coba.georgiasouthern.edu/msae.htm, or email him at ggibbiso@georgiasouthern.edu.
    
     “Mornings unPHILtered” airs live Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on statesboroherald.com and also simulcast on WWNS-AM 1240 on the radio. You also can listen anytime at BoroLive.com on statesboroherald.com

 

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