B.S.-Public Policy Course Requirements
at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies

Please note: The Georgia State Undergraduate Catalog is available online and remains the official word on curriculum requirements and rules.

Complete descriptions of requirements for Areas A through E of the Undergraduate Core Curriculum can be found in the "Academic Regulations" chapter of the Undergraduate Catalog. The number of semester hours credit required for each section is shown in parentheses.

Degree Requirements

Areas A-E

• Area A: Essential Skills (9)
• Area B: Institutional Options (4)
• Area C: Humanities And Fine Arts (6)
• Area D: Math, Technology And Science (11)
• Area E: Social Science (12)

Area F: Courses Appropriate To The Major (18)

• ECON 2105 Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
• ECON 2106 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
• SOCI 1101 Introductory Sociology (3)
• PSYC 1101 Introduction to Psychology (3)
• Electives: Two three-hour courses chosen from the 1000-2000 level offerings (with restrictions).

Area G: Major Common Core Curriculum (21)

• PAUS 3021 Citizenship, the Community, and the Public Sector
• PAUS 3031 Policy Leadership
• PAUS 3311 Critical Policy Issues
• PAUS 4021 Working with Policy Data
• PAUS 4031 Evaluating Public Policy
• PAUS 4061 Introduction to Policy Analysis
• PAUS 4941 Internship

Area H: Concentration (21)

Students must choose a concentration and take 7 classes in the concentration.

• Nonprofit Leadership (21):

  The nonprofit leadership concentration allows students to learn about the important role of nonprofit organizations in addressing social issues and interests in a democratic society and participating in the formulation and implementation of public policy. Through this concentration, students will become aware of the many and diverse career opportunities in the nonprofit sector, in areas such as the arts, social services, education, health care, the environment, policy advocacy, and international relief and development, and they will learn the skills, knowledge and challenges of leadership in this sector. This concentration involves a service learning component and will prepare students for entry level jobs in nonprofit management and for graduate study in nonprofit organizations, philanthropy, and related fields.

  
  

  • Required courses (15):

    • PAUS 3210 Introduction to the Nonprofit Sector
    • PAUS 3213 Nonprofit Financial Resources
    • PAUS 3231 Nonprofit Management and Leadership
    • PAUS 3611 Introduction to Human Resource Development (HRD) in Public and Nonprofit Organizations
    • LGLS 3020 Introduction to the Law
    
    

  • Select two courses from the following (6):

    • PAUS 3411 Contemporary Planning
    • PAUS 3801 Public Administration and Politics
    • PAUS 4211 Issues and Problems in Personnel Management Systems for Public and Nonprofit Agencies
    • PAUS 4451 Economic Development Policy and Planning
    
    

• Planning and Economic Development (21):

  The planning and economic development specialization prepares students to work in both the public and private sectors addressing issues facing urban communities. This specialization is appropriate for students who want to pursue careers or further study in the planning, development and management of communities. Courses introduce students to forces shaping the development of urban regions. Special attention is paid to planning for economic development, environmental quality, housing, land use, neighborhood revitalization, and transportation.

  During their studies, students learn about the variety of policies and strategies that citizens and planners can use to influence development. Students may complete a planning internship for course credit.

• Required courses (15 hrs):

  • ECON 4300 Economics of Cities
  • PAUS 3411 Contemporary Planning
  • PAUS 4301 Local Governance
  • PAUS 4401 Planning Theory and Analysis
  • PAUS 4451 Economic Development Policy
  
  

• Choose two courses from the following (6 hrs):

  • ECON 4350 Economics of Poverty and Public Policy
  • ECON 4600 Economic Development
  • GEOG 4766 Urban Transportation Planning
  • PAUS 3111 Urban Political Economy
  • PAUS 3801 Public Administration and Politics
  • PAUS 3831 Governmental Budgeting
  
  

• Public Management and Governance (21):

  How does government work, and what can we do to make it work better? The public management and governance concentration is for students who are excited about how government operates and how policies are converted into action. These are fascinating topics for those interested in improving the lives of citizens in communities and nations, and learning how to better address specific policy issues. Students in this concentration will also get the skills needed to compete for entry level jobs in governments, consulting firms, and with government contractors. This is the type of knowledge that would also be useful for students contemplating a professional degree in public administration, law, planning, or some type of policy research (think tanks, advocacy groups, universities, and/or lobbying organizations).

  • Required courses (15):

    • PAUS 3801 Public Administration and Politics
    • PAUS 3831 Governmental Budgeting
    • PAUS 4301 Local Governance
    • PAUS 4451 Economic Development Policy and Planning
    • POLS 4115 Urban Politics
    
    

  • Select two courses from the following (6):

    • PAUS 3111 Urban Political Economy
    • PAUS 3210 Introduction to the Nonprofit Sector
    • PAUS 3411 Contemporary Planning
    • PAUS 3611 Introduction to Human Resource Development (HRD) in Public and Nonprofit Organizations
    • LGLS 3020 Introduction to the Law
    
    

• Public and Nonprofit Human Resource Policy (21):

  Prepare to take the lead in a community, school, charity, church or other nonprofit agency, or to work in local, state or federal government settings as a human resource specialist. A new concentration in public and private nonprofit human resource policy is designed for students who want professional careers in the dynamic field of human resources, with particular emphasis on problems that challenge policy makers and managers in the nonprofit sector.
  
  The study of human resource policy is approached from the perspective of both organizations and communities; issues of special interest to nonprofits, including leadership, volunteer management, fundraising and economic decision-making are covered. Graduates may work in such areas as staffing and recruitment, management, employee or career development, compensation and benefits, and employee relations, among others.
  
  A capstone element in this track will be internship opportunities to obtain “hands-on” experience and apply your skills in an organizational setting. Interaction with the nonprofit community, through participation in internships and research projects, allows students to address relevant issues and stay connected to the Atlanta community. AYSPS Nonprofit Studies Program faculty have recently provided expertise to such organizations as the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Georgia Council for the Arts, and the Atlanta Development Authority.

  • Required courses (15):

    • PAUS 3211 Career Development in Public and Nonprofit Organizations
    • PAUS 3611 Intro to Human Resource Development (HRD) in Public and Nonprofit Organizations
    • PAUS 3801 Public Administration and Politics
    • PAUS 4211 Issues and Problems in Personnel Management Systems for Public and Nonprofit Agencies
    • PAUS 4261 Organizational Contexts of Public and Nonprofit Personnel Policy and Administration

    Select two courses from the following (6):

    • ECON 4960 Economics of Work and Pay
    • PAUS 3210 Introduction to the Nonprofit Sector
    • PAUS 3411 Contemporary Planning
    • LGLS 3020 Introduction to the Law

     

Area I: Approved Electives (18)

Students make elective course selections with advisor approval.

Total Semester Hours For Degree - 120