Middle Georgia State prepares to become a university July 1

MACON, Ga. (AP) Middle Georgia State College will officially become a university July 1.

WMAZ-TV reported Wednesday the college will begin changing over 650 signs at a cost of about $300,000. The changes include a billboard on the interstate and campus entry signs, podiums, police cars, posters, seals and aircraft for the five different campuses. The bookstore is also preparing to roll out new T-shirts bearing the university name.

A spokesman says the goal of the transition is to increase enrollment and raise the school's academic profile.

Abrams says the school plans to offer four new master's degrees within the next 18 months in information technology, business, education and nursing.

The total transition cost will be offset by a $9 hike in tuition per credit hour for graduate students.