The School of Public Policy at the Georgia Institute of Technology

he Bachelor of Science in Public Policy (BSPP) provides strong analytical, communication, management, and leadership skills to students seeking careers in public service, law, and the private sector -- sectors in which professionals need to understand how government works, and can be helped to work better. These skills are coupled with a solid understanding of the complex political, social, ethical, and economic forces that shape public problems and their solutions.

The program has a strong focus on critical thinking and analytic skills in multiple disciplines. The BSPP core curriculum provides a solid foundation in areas such as economics, organizational behavior, politics, and philosophy, then emphasizes problem-solving and analysis. At the same time, students choose two clusters in particular areas of policy to gain breadth and depth, and they can use their many free electives to build greater strengths in policy, law, philosophy, or political science -- or they can pursue a minor or certificate in language, economics, international affairs, history, management, etc. All students participate in at least one internship, and many opt for research experiences or study abroad. The BSPP curriculum prepares students for a culminating senior-year Policy Task Force project undertaken for an external public, not-for-profit, or private-sector client.

The faculty of the School of Public Policy have doctorates in economics, political science, sociology, ethics, statistics, geography, and philosophy, as well as degrees in physics, electrical engineering, computational biology, international affairs, communication theory, city and regional planning, and the history of science. Recognized as one of the top programs in the world in the area of science and technology (S&T) policy (with particular strengths in research and innovation policy), the School's emphases on S&T-related issues gives students a strong advantage in addressing topics related to energy and the environment, regional economic development, information and communications policy, and many areas of philosophy and ethics.

With an excellent student-faculty ratio (about 3.5:1 for undergraduates) and a faculty mentorship program, as well as strong programs at the masters and doctoral level, Georgia Tech's School of Public Policy gives BSPP students the opportunity to shape a curriculum to fit their interests. Through internships, research experiences, and study abroad, undergraduates can extend their education beyond the classroom. Many students are able to take several courses taught at the masters level, and some choose to continue their education through a five-year BS/MS option. Other students have gone on to graduate school or law school at institutions such as Stanford, Harvard, Syracuse, Emory, UNC, and Duke.

The School's alumni have gone on to careers in law, public health, management consulting, media, education, politics, transportation, city planning, and policy analysis. BSPP graduates from the last ten years include the director of Emory University's Global Health Law and Policy Project and law professor, a business analyst for McKinsey & Company, director of legislative research and policy for a business association, attorneys with law firms and the US Federal Courts, a data analyst for a major airline, a professor of industrial engineering at Georgia Tech, several staffers in the US Congress, a research specialist for a national political organization, Peace Corps volunteers, political affairs director for the Israeli consulate, and many others in business and in local, state, and national government.

The strengths of a top-ten research university. A combination of competence and ethics. Access to excellent faculty. The flexibility of a liberal arts degree and the skills of a professional degree. Multiple opportunities for customizing the program of study. Location in a thriving international city. Excellent career opportunities.

Are you what Public Policy needs? Students develop a valuable mixture of skills

Students develop a valuable mixture of skills

Knowledge and techniques from these fields are integrated in core and elective courses and in the Policy Task Force:

Thinking Skills: critical thinking and logic, policy arguments, knowledge integration, decision heuristics, strategic planning

Research Skills: hypothesis formulation, data collection, qualitative and statistical techniques

Communications Skills: oral, written, electronic, social networking

Analysis and Evaluation Skills: problem definition, working with clients, management of risk, outcomes projection, evaluation methods

Governing and Managing Skills: leadership, ethical, organizational, and political skills, conflict management, project planning and management

In-service Training and Education: internships, undergraduate research projects, study abroad

Technical specialization: in-depth knowledge and expertise in the design and operation of complex systems, often in fields where science and technology evolve rapidly.

Many BSPP students choose to focus additional effort in the School's pre-law or philosophy programs. In addition to the School's academic advising structure, every student is assigned a faculty mentor who will help with course selections, internship and research opportunities, and career preparation.

Download our "Why Study Public Policy at Georgia Tech?" information sheet.

For answers to questions about studying at Georgia Tech, please visit http://www.students.iac.gatech.edu/faq.html.