Course descriptionIf you feel inspired to make an impact, majoring in public policy gives you the tools to channel your motivation into action.
What is public policy?
Public policy shapes all areas of life from the environment to government to business to technology. The study of public policy involves learning about strategic decision-making processes and how to think critically in situations with multiple participants. Theories and ideas are transformed into realworld applications that tackle issues affecting the public. Those trained in public policy provide direction while balancing the interests of many different groups, particularly when there are unclear or conflicting objectives.
The Bachelor of Science in Public Policy
Georgia Tech’s School of Public Policy offers undergraduate courses taught by top faculty from multiple disciplines (economics, philosophy, law, political science, sociology, geography, etc.). In addition to the recognition that they have received for their research, our faculty has established a reputation for mentoring and providing research opportunities for undergraduates. The Bachelor of Science in Public Policy (BS PP) is designed to provide an education that combines strong analytical skills with understanding of a range of substantive policy issues and the political, social, and cultural forces that shape public policies. The BS PP core courses provide students with the broad political and philosophical foundations of thought pertinent to public policy, a base of rigorous quantitative and qualitative analytical approaches, and a solid understanding of the political, social, and cultural dynamics that structure policy debates and policy outcomes. Elective courses are offered in such areas as environmental policy, science and technology policy, information and telecommunication policy, and regional development policy. The program's emphasis on the development of problem-solving and analytical skills constitutes a strong comparative advantage for BS PP graduates.
Major areas of policy studies and research in the program include:
environmental and energy policy
local economic development
information and communications policy
conflict research
human resources in science and technology
law and legal studies
philosophy and ethics
public management and administration
policy for research and innovation
social and urban policy
Clusters and Electives
Public policy majors choose two three-course concentrations, or “clusters,” in areas of particular interest. Current concentrations are:
environment and energy policy
science and technology policy
social and urban policy
philosophy
politics and policy
Students also can select from as many as twenty hours of free electives.
The Learning Environment
The School of Public Policy provides a great educational experience for undergraduates. Our accessible faculty and small class sizes promote a high level of student-teacher interaction, which plays a critical role in academic success. The School also has an interactive and collaborative learning community that allows you to connect with your fellow students.
Internships and Careers
All public policy students participate in at least one internship for a beyond-the-classroom education that will prepare them for successful careers. In addition to internships in cities such as Washington D.C., public policy majors have a wealth of opportunities in diverse agencies and industries in the Atlanta area. After completing the public policy degree, many students go on to law school or graduate programs in policy, public health, or city and regional planning, while others have accepted jobs in private firms and consulting companies, nonprofit agencies, the media, state legislative and governors’ offices, the federal government, and a variety of other institutions.