Bachelor of Science
with a major in
Public Policy
at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies

NEW! Effective Fall 2007, concentrations will be available for Public Policy majors, including Nonprofit Leadership, Planning and Economic Development, Public Management and Governance, and Public and Nonprofit Human Resource Policy. Student are encouraged to explore these new options.

Policymakers are the ones who shape our world: they work on solving problems that affect us all—such as improving the environment, providing affordable health care, planning transportation options, and improving the quality of life in communities.

The Bachelor of Science with a major in Public Policy allows students to study a wide variety of policy areas through different departments, and to develop an understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of public policy. While many fields in the arts and sciences contribute knowledge that is useful to public policy, no single discipline—whether economics, political science, sociology, or the natural sciences—will give students the ability to synthesize information and knowledge from across the disciplines to formulate comprehensive analyses of existing or proposed public policies, and to be able to present these analyses to decision-makers.

Many other undergraduate public policy degrees require that students declare a policy field of specialization within their program. This B.S. in Public Policy degree allows students the freedom to individualize their programs and work in a variety of policy areas through their selection of elective courses.

General background is provided by a common core of courses which provides students with an understanding of:

• The environment and the processes in which public policy is proposed, formed, and implemented;
• How the economy works, how we evaluate the outcomes of the market economy, how people and firms respond to incentives;
• The goals and tools of public policy;
• The quantitative and qualitative methods useful in the design and evaluation of policy;
• The means by which we evaluate and recommend policy.

More on Course requirements.

Career Opportunities. Although programs in public administration have existed since the early twentieth-century, there is now increased demand for analysts who can contribute to the formulation and evaluation of policy, as well as its administration and management. The essence of a public policy degree is to educate students to be able to provide valuable advice to governments—federal, state and local; domestic and foreign—on choosing, implementing, and evaluating policy. This degree prepares students to be able to present comprehensive analyses to decision-makers in many fields. In addition to careers as governmental policy analysts, students may go into positions as policy specialists in private businesses or nonprofit agencies, or any number of jobs involved with public affairs. The degree also provides an excellent preparation for graduate study in law, public policy and administration, and related fields.

The Andrew Young School is gaining increased national recognition as a top university in the field of public policy. Its many research centers and community outreach efforts provide opportunities to enhance students’ education, as well as often opening doors to attractive jobs. The most recent U.S. News and World Report survey of “America’s Best Graduate Schools” ranked the AYSPS 26th nationally overall, and in the top 25 programs in the specialty areas of public policy analysis and public management and administration; and in the top dozen programs in city management and urban policy, public finance and budgeting. A major in Public Policy provides students the resources to become and continue as leaders and innovators in the public sphere years after they have graduated from the program.

Photo above: Undergraduate students participated in an policy internship program at the Andrew Young School last summer.