Department Chair and Associate Professor
Department of Communication Sciences and Professional Counseling College of Education

678-839-6117
mvarga@westga.edu

Education Annex - Room 237
Office Hours
TBD

Download curriculum vitae for Matt Varga, Ph.D. in PDF
Matt Varga, Ph.D.

Dr. Matt Varga is Associate Professor of Counselor Education and College Student Affairs and Department Chair in the Department of Communication Sciences and Professional Counseling at the University of West Georgia. He holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration and a M.S. in College Student Personnel from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a B.A. in Philosophy from Christopher Newport University. Dr. Varga’s central research focus has emphasized exploring prescription drug abuse among graduate students. Other areas of focus include LGBTQ issues, campus climate perceptions, transition programs, and experiences and competencies of entry level professionals. As a former student affairs professional working in the Department of University Housing at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Dr. Varga developed a passion for the success of not only higher education administration, but for students also. His commitment to the field drives his desire to invest in new professionals and educate graduate students to become competent and well-rounded college student affairs professionals.

  • B.A., Philosophy and Religious Studies, Christopher Newport University, 2004
  • M.S., College Student Personnel, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2007
  • Ph.D., Higher Education Administration, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2012

Fall 2020 Sections

  • CEPD-7152 (Research & Program Evaluation) Section: E01
  • CEPD-9151 (Lead for Diversity in 21st Cen) Section: E01
  • HESA-9999 (Dissertation) Section: E01

Summer 2020 Sections

  • CEPD-9171 (Program Evaluation) Section: E01

Spring 2020 Sections

  • CEPD-9213 (Critical Issue & Trend High Ed) Section: E01

Summer 2019 Sections

  • CEPD-9185 (Doctoral Seminar-Advocacy) Section: E01
  • CEPD-9216 (Values & Ethics Higher Ed Lead) Section: E01

Spring 2019 Sections

  • CEPD-6176 (Campus Crisis, Eth, Legal Iss) Section: 01
  • CEPD-9213 (Critical Issue & Trend High Ed) Section: E01

Fall 2018 Sections

  • CEPD-9210 (History of Higher Education) Section: E01
  • CEPD-9212 (Advanced Seminar in Leadership) Section: E01

Summer 2018 Sections

  • CEPD-6175 (Student Affairs Practicum) Section: E01
  • CEPD-9185 (Doctoral Seminar-Advocacy) Section: E01
  • CEPD-9199 (Dissertation) Section: E02

Spring 2018 Sections

  • CEPD-6175 (Student Affairs Practicum) Section: E01
  • CEPD-9183 (Directed Doctoral Research) Section: E01
  • CEPD-9199 (Dissertation) Section: E05
  • EDSI-9998 (Research for Doc Dissertation) Section: E01

Fall 2017 Sections

  • CEPD-7185 (Spec Top in Couns & Educ Psy) Section: E01
  • CEPD-9199 (Dissertation) Section: E04
  • EDSI-9998 (Research for Doc Dissertation) Section: E29

Summer 2017 Sections

  • CEPD-6175 (Student Affairs Practicum) Section: E02
  • CEPD-7181 (Int.Perspective on Higher Educ) Section: E01
  • CEPD-9184 (Doc Seminar-Professional Issue) Section: E02
  • CEPD-9199 (Dissertation) Section: E05

Spring 2017 Sections

  • CEPD-9183 (Directed Doctoral Research) Section: E01
  • CEPD-9199 (Dissertation) Section: E04
  • EDSI-9998 (Research for Doc Dissertation) Section: E02

Fall 2016 Sections

  • CEPD-6172 (Theories of College Stu Dev) Section: 01
  • CEPD-9199 (Dissertation) Section: E04
  • EDSI-9998 (Research for Doc Dissertation) Section: E20

Summer 2016 Sections

  • CEPD-6175 (Student Affairs Practicum) Section: E02
  • CEPD-6175 (Student Affairs Practicum) Section: E01
  • CEPD-7185 (Seminar in University & Commun) Section: E01
  • EDSI-9998 (Research for Doc Dissertation) Section: E20

Spring 2016 Sections

  • CEPD-6175 (Student Affairs Practicum) Section: E03
  • CEPD-6176 (Legal Issues in Higher Educ) Section: 01
  • EDSI-9998 (Research for Doc Dissertation) Section: E21

Fall 2015 Sections

  • UWG-1101 (First Year Univ. Experience) Section: 34
  • CEPD-6172 (Theories of College Stu Dev) Section: 01
  • CEPD-6172 (Theories of College Stu Dev) Section: 02
  • EDSI-9998 (Research for Doc Dissertation) Section: E27

Summer 2015 Sections

  • CEPD-6178 (The American College Student) Section: E01
  • CEPD-7185 (Seminar in Univers & Community) Section: 01
  • EDSI-7385 (Spec. Topics in School Improve) Section: E01

Spring 2015 Sections

  • CEPD-6176 (Legal Issues in Higher Educ) Section: 01
  • CEPD-6179 (Capstone Seminar - Student Aff) Section: 01
  • EDSI-9998 (Research for Doc Dissertation) Section: E20

Varga, M. & Parrish, M. (2015). Prescription Opiate Use among Graduate Students. Journal of Evidenced-Informed Social Work, DOI: 10.1080/15433714.2014.889586.

Varga, M. & Varga, M. A. (2015). Prescription Stimulant Use among Graduate Students. College Student Affairs Journal. 33:1, 124 – 145.

Varga, M. & Lingrell, S. (2016). The College Arm’s Race. In J. DeVitis & P. Sasso (Eds.), Colleges at the Crossroads: Taking Sides on Contested Issues. Peter Lang Press.

Varga, M. & Hopper, J. (2015). Residential experience. In J. DeVitis & P. Sasso (Eds.), Today’s College Student: A Reader. Peter Lang Press.

Varga, M. (2014). Substance use and resiliency among adolescents. In M. Garrett (Eds.), Youth and Adversity: Psychology and Influences of Child and Adolescent Resilience and Coping. Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publisher.

Varga, M. (2012). Adderall Abuse on College Campuses: A Comprehensive Literature Review. Journal of Evidenced-Based Social Work. 9:3, 293-313 DOI:10.1080/15433714.2010.525402 [View Publication]