Undergraduate Programs - Urban Policy Studies
at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies

The Bachelor of Science degree in Urban Policy Studies (B.S.U.P.S.) is an increasingly popular major at Georgia State University. There were 204 majors in the B.S.U.P.S. program in the 2000 fall semester, a 23 percent increase from a year ago and a 52 percent increase over only two years ago. Approximately two-thirds are female, and slightly more than half are minorities.

The B.S.U.P.S. is a 39-hour degree program comprised of two parts, a core curriculum and a specialization. Effective for the 2000-2001 school year, the B.S.U.P.S curriculum was revised and strengthened by reducing the core curriculum, which is required of all students, from 21 credits to 18 credits and by standardizing the credit requirement for the specialization to 21 credits for every specialization. At the same time, the number of specialization areas was reduced by one to the following five options:

• aviation
• human resources
• local government management
• planning and economic development
• public policy

Approximately half of the B.S.U.P.S. students currently choose to specialize in the human resource track. Students choose this concentration when they want to work in the personnel field upon graduation, either for a profit or nonprofit organization. To recognize the needs of these students, the department added several new courses for the 2000-2001 school year in such areas as human resource development and human resources management. Effective fall 2001, this popular specialization will be folded into a new degree option, the Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Policy and Development.

Other popular specializations include aviation and planning and economic development. Student enrollments in the aviation program have been increasing steadily, and it is now the second most popular specialization in the B.S.U.P.S.

The department has also launched a new public policy specialization that is expected to attract many additional majors to the B.S.U.P.S. This new program draws on the substantial policy expertise of Andrew Young School faculty to offer an exciting range of courses on contemporary issues of public affairs and public policy.

Aviation Program Classes at Delta Air Lines

The aviation program continues to grow. A recent count of letters of acceptance to AYSPS as aviation majors (beginning January 2000) integrated with PACE forms for current aviation majors totaled 111 students.

The range of course offerings at Delta Air Lines has expanded beyond the aviation core and now includes the policy studies core. Beginning with the Spring 2001 semester, "The Public Policy Process" and "Urban Political Economy," are planned for the Delta campus.

The Peachtree Flight Center, based at Peachtree City's Falcon Field airport, has offered to host future "Day at the Airport" events, providing aircraft and flight instruction for prospective students who attend. Atlantic Southeast Airlines will provide catering.

The GSU chapter of the Alpha Eta Rho national aviation fraternity was reactivated in October. Activities are underway to implement needed logistical support, including organized activities and meeting facilities. The chapter should be fully operational in February, 2001.

The aviation program now has a student assistant to help with promotional and day-to-day activities. William McAllister, a senior and member of the Student Government Association, will graduate following the Spring 2001 semester.

Following numerous requests, the College of Business has added courses from AYSPS as approved electives for business majors.