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

-- This program is discontinued effective Fall semester 2007. Students interested in urban and policy studies are encouraged to explore the new BS-Public Policy options. Students currently in the BS-Urban Policy Studies degree may choose the new options, or continue under their original program of study. --

Please note: Undergraduate degrees at Georgia State University are handled by the central Office of the Registrar. The Georgia State Undergraduate Catalog 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 (18)

• PAUS 3011 Introducing the City
• PAUS 3111 Urban Political Economy
• PAUS 3311 Critical Policy Issues
• PAUS 4021 Policy Research Methods I
• PAUS 4031 Policy Research Methods II
• PAUS Choose one 3000 or 4000 level course (3)

Area H: Specializations

• Local Government Management (21):

  The local government management specialization is designed for students preparing for entry-level administrative positions in local government or government-related agencies. The curriculum builds upon the urban studies core, providing a broad overview of local government structure and function. Emphasis is placed on the development of a general knowledge of local government as a foundation for a public sector career or greater specialization in a professional graduate program, such as the Master of Public Administration degree.

  
  

  • Required courses (15):

    • PAUS 3411 Contemporary Planning
    • PAUS 3801 Public Administration and Politics
    • PAUS 4061 Microeconomics for Public Policy
    • PAUS 4301 Local Governance
    • PAUS 4941 Internship
    
    

  • Select two courses from the following (6):

    • Econ 4300 Economics of Cities
    • Lgls 3020 Introduction to the Law
    • Pols 4115 Urban Politics
    • PAUS 3831 Government Budgeting
    • PAUS 4211 Issues and Problems in Personnel Management Systems for Public and Nonprofit Agencies
    • PAUS 4451 Economic Development Policy and Planning
    
    
  • Area I: Approved Electives (21) Students make course selections with advisor approval.

• Public and Nonprofit Human Resource Policy (18):

  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 (18):

    • PAUS 3211 Career Development in Public and Nonprofit Organizations
    • PAUS 3611 Intro to Human Resource Development (HRD) in Public and Nonprofit Organizations
    • PAUS 4081 Evaluation Research
    • 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
    • PAUS 4941 or 4981 Internship or Practicum

  • Area I: Approved Electives (24) Students make course selections with advisor approval.

     

    
    

• 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):

  • PAUS 3411 Contemporary Planning
  • PAUS 4061 Microeconomics for Public Policy
  • PAUS 4301 Local Governance
  • PAUS 4401 Planning Theory and Analysis
  • PAUS 4451 Economic Development Policy
  
  

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

  • Econ 4220 Environmental Economics and Policy
  • Econ 4300 Economics of Cities
  • Econ 4400 Public Sector Economics
  • Econ 4600 Economic Development
  • Geog 4766 Urban Transportation Planning
  • PAUS 4071 Advanced Methods for Policy Research
  • PAUS 4461 Planning Workshop
  • PAUS 4501 Transportation Management
  • PAUS 4581 Airport Management, Operations and Planning
  • PAUS 4601 Leadership, Citizenship, and Public Ethics
  • PAUS 4941 Internship
  • RE 4950 Urban Development Regulations
  
  
• Area I: Approved Electives (21) Students make course selections with advisor approval.

  Total Semester Hours for Degree- 120

• Public Policy (21):

  Students who pursue public policy specialization may go on to positions as governmental policy analysts, journalists, public affairs specialists in private businesses, or any of a number of other positions involved with public policy and public affairs. This specialization also provides excellent preparation for subsequent graduate study in law, public policy, public administration, and related fields.

  The specialization requires seven courses to be chosen from relevant policy offerings in Public Administration and Urban Studies and Economics. (With prior approval of the faculty advisor, policy-related courses from other departments may be substituted.) Students are encouraged to choose courses which permit further specialization in particular areas of public policy.

  • Required courses (9):

    • PAUS 4061 Microeconomics for Public Policy
    • PAUS 4091 Workshop on Public Policy
    • PAUS 4601 Leadership, Citizenship and Public Ethics
    
    

  • Select two courses from the following (6):

    • PAUS 3411 Contemporary Planning
    • PAUS 3801 Public Administration and Politics
    • PAUS 4081 Evaluation Research
    • PAUS 4301 Local Governance
    • PAUS 4451 Economic Development Policy
    • PAUS 4651 Education Policy
    
    

  • Select two courses from the following (6):

    • Econ 4210 Health Economics
    • Econ 4220 Environmental Economics and Policy
    • Econ 4300 Economics of Cities
    • Econ 4350 Economics of Poverty and Public Policy
    • Econ 4400 Public Sector Economics
    • Econ 4800 International Trade
    • Econ 4810 International Finance

Area I: Approved Electives (21-24)

Students select 3000/4000 level electives in accordance with their areas of interest.

Total Semester Hours For Degree - 120