Georgia Institute of Technology | Ivan Allen CollegeSchool of Public Policy
DM Smith buildingMaster of Science in Public Policy






Degree Requirements

The credit hours associated with either plan are detailed below.

Degree Requirements Option
  Professional Paper  Thesis
Core Curriculum 25 hrs. 25 hrs.
Elective Courses 18 hrs. 12 hrs.
Research Paper/Policy Workshop 3 hrs. --
Thesis -- 9 hrs.
Total 46 hrs. 46 hrs.

The core of the MSPP curriculum consists of 8 three-hour courses and a one-hour introductory seminar. There may also be additional courses deemed fundamental to students with interests in particular concentrations of policy areas. Students should work with their advisor on determining these courses. Also, with your faculty advisor you may design a program of study that includes a concentration outside the School (e.g., Management of Technology, Environmental Engineering, International Affairs, Economics, History of Technology, or International Business).

Historically, the School of Public Policy emphasizes four areas of concentration: science and technology policy, environment policy, information policy, and urban and regional development policy. Last year, the faculty also identified concentrations in public management, as well as policy analysis and evaluation. You should quickly learn the particular strengths and interests of the School's faculty within each of these areas. However, like many of you, most faculty members have interests that overlap these areas of concentration or include policy areas that are not institutionalized here. The complexity of public policies encourages us to be flexible and creative in defining the boundaries of our interests. Thus, you should not feel compelled to choose only one of these areas of concentration, and you should permit your elective curriculum to evolve as you are exposed to new ideas by your courses, your fellow students, and the faculty.