Undergraduate Programs
at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies

In This Page

• B.B.A. in Economics
• Summer Policy Internship for Rising Seniors, Department of Economics
• B.S. In Urban Policy Studies
• B.S. In Human Resources Policy and Development

B.B.A. In Economics

Economics majors at GSU can choose from among three degree options: the B.S. and B.A., which are conferred through the Andrew Young School, and the B.B.A. From fall 2002 to 2003, enrollment in the B.A. and B.S. degree programs grew 52 percent and 60 percent, respectively. Enrollment in the B.B.A. program, which shares economics courses administered by AYSPS, was 121 students in 2003.

Economic Studies in South Africa. The joint Georgia State University / Morehouse College program of Economic Studies Abroad in South Africa is designed to give students a broad understanding of the workings of the South African economy, its infrastructure, its environment and its governance. Through a series of lectures, in country discussions with industry and public officials, and site visits, participants in this summer study program examine the process of economic and social development, as well as South Africa's role in the global marketplace. In addition, the program addresses South Africa's current socio-economic challenges, such as unemployment, poverty, crime and the AIDS epidemic. During Maymester 2003, 12 students from AYSPS and Morehouse and Spelman colleges attended this program. Glenwood Ross, an assistant professor at Morehouse and adjunct professor of Economics at GSU, is the program director.

Economics Club a Treasured Resource. The Economics Club is open to all undergraduate students with an interest in economics. Student members enjoy a variety of academic, career-related and recreational activities through the year. Professor Kelly Edmiston was 2003’s faculty advisor for the club.

Summer Policy Internship for Rising Seniors, Department of Economics

The Economics Department in 2003 received an $80,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to continue its successful Summer Internship program. AYSPS is one of only two NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Sites in the country that offers research opportunities in economics.

NSF supports the REU program to attract a larger, diversified pool of students to careers in science and engineering to help ensure they receive the best education possible.

The AYSPS program brought 10 undergraduates – rising seniors – on campus for seven weeks in the summer. Each intern worked with a faculty mentor on a research project supplemented with activities that include regular meetings; a seminar series on research methodologies and related topics; and field trips to working research offices like the Carter Center and the Federal Reserve Bank. Upon completion, each intern delivers a paper and a presentation on a chosen research topic. Students conducted their projects within the following centers.

• Domestic Studies Program
• Environmental Policy Program
• Fiscal Research Center
• Georgia Health Policy Center
• International Studies Program
• Research Atlanta

B.S. in Urban Policy Studies

The Urban Policy core curriculum is designed to increase understanding of the people, economies and workings of urban and metropolitan areas. A general background in this area of study is obtained from a common core curriculum required of all students, which examines the functioning of cities and suburbs, the roles of the public, private, and nonprofit sectors in this functioning, and the special importance of public policy in linking these sectors in metropolitan areas.

Within the core curriculum, students choose between a policy focus and an urban focus. Students who choose the policy focus are also expected to select the public policy specialization beyond the core curriculum. By contrast, students who select the urban focus are expected to choose one of the more urban-related specializations (i.e., aviation and transportation, human resources, planning and economic development, policy or local governance).

The public policy specialization, launched in 2000, continues to grow in popularity. This 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. In Fall 2003, the BS-UPS degree had 285 students enrolled.

B.S. in Human Resources Policy and Development

Effective in Fall 2001, the popular "Human Resources" specialization in the Urban Policy Studies degree program was spun off as a new degree option, the Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Policy and Development. The degree is designed to prepare students to work in one of the fastest growing new professions, helping individuals and organizations meet the challenges posed by a knowledge-driven society. The common core curriculum includes an introduction to the career development process, human resources development and social science research methods. Advanced elective courses permit more intensive study of specific aspects of the field, ranging from human resources policies to training strategies and organizational management. Starting with 24 majors in the Fall of 2001, the BS in HRP&D had 116 enrolled by Fall 2002. The department has moved quickly to meet this increased demand by adding class sections.

Aviation Program and Certificate.The aviation program continued to grow in 2003, with 124 students enrolled in the fall semester. Thirty-five students successfully completed the flight training practicum during the year. All graduates of the program reported successfully obtaining employment in aviation and several have entered graduate programs. One 2003 graduate accepted a position with Lockheed Martin as a system safety engineer. Two students accepted positions with a new, Atlanta-based cargo airline just prior to their December graduations.

Twelve undergraduate Airline Management Certificates were awarded in 2003, three to Delta Air Lines employees. Seven students completed ASA internships, and two were hired by the airline.

In 2003, initial program plans were put in place with Griffin Technical College to continue developing a network of schools in Georgia for aviation education, adding to past work with Gainesville College. Also, Captain Lyle Letteer joined the aviation program faculty as a visiting lecturer. Capt. Letteer is an expert in airline domestic and international operations, aviation safety and human factors who recently retired from Delta as an L-1011 captain flying international routes.