
Atlanta Metropolitan State College (AMSC) began in 1974 as Atlanta Junior College, a public institution intended to expand access to higher education in metropolitan Atlanta. It later became Atlanta Metropolitan College and adopted its current name in 2012 as its academic offerings expanded to include bachelor's degrees.
That history helps explain its present role: AMSC offers both associate-degree pathways, including routes toward transfer, and selected bachelor's programs. It is a separate institution within the University System of Georgia, not a campus of another Atlanta college.
AMSC offers associate degrees and a smaller selection of bachelor's degrees rather than the broad range of programs found at a large research university. Its academic offerings include fields such as business administration, biology, criminal justice, applied mathematics, and the arts, alongside general-education coursework.
For a prospective student, the key distinction is between a program designed for transfer and one designed to lead to an AMSC bachelor's degree. An associate program's courses may provide a starting point for further study, but admission to another institution - and the application of each credit toward a particular major - requires a separate review. Students comparing programs should check the current academic catalog for the credential offered, required courses, and course availability.
Atlanta Metropolitan State College is at 1630 Metropolitan Parkway SW in Atlanta, Georgia. Its urban location is particularly relevant to students planning to commute while attending classes.
Students can assess their trip using Atlanta's MARTA rail and bus network as well as local roads; the most practical route will depend on class times and the services available from their neighborhood. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the region's main airport, though everyday transportation to campus is likely to matter more than airport access for most applicants. Because AMSC does not operate student housing, commute time and transportation costs deserve attention when comparing it with residential colleges.
AMSC's stated educational purpose centers on accessible higher education, academic development, and preparation for transfer, employment, and further study. Its mix of associate and bachelor's programs reflects that mission, serving students who may enter college with different academic and career goals.
The college's public-university-system affiliation, rather than a religious affiliation, shapes its institutional context. A mission statement describes what an institution intends to do; students evaluating how well a particular program meets their needs should also examine its curriculum, advising arrangements, course schedule, and outcomes.
Name of the institution
Atlanta Metropolitan State CollegeLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PublicSetting type
City: LargeInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, not primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
1,000 - 4,999School type
Four-year collegeMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1974Atlanta Metropolitan State College is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Certificate of less than 1 year
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degreeData last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.