Master's Programs
at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies

Newly Admitted Master's Students

The Andrew Young School had 346 graduate students in 2005, with over one-third from one of 50 countries represented at the school. The pool of applicants is better each year, not only drawing prospective students from all over the world, but attracting high-level professionals in the U.S. as well.

The Master of Arts in Economics continues to attract highly qualified students, many of whom are international students sponsored by agencies such as the Edmund S. Muskie and Freedom Support Act Fellowship Program of American Councils for International Education and the International Research and Exchanges Board. The expectation of these students is that they will complete their master's degrees and return home to assist their developing countries in transitioning to market economies. Many of our Ph.D. students in Economics choose to acquire a master's degree in the course of their studies.

Applicants to our Master's in Economics program aspire to accomplish important goals by completing their graduate degree.  Here are a few excerpts from some of the goals statements submitted by our students during the application process:

"…As a citizen of a developing nation, I want to have better knowledge about development strategies, especially development policies needed for a country like ours (Bangladesh)."

"…I particularly want to devote time to studying the ethical dimensions of policy decisions. Graduate School will provide the opportunity to truly understand and appreciate the competing interests surrounding complex issues like local and state budgets, tax policy, environmental protection and economic policy."

"I wish to pursue my graduate studies to improve my understanding and interpretation of how various economic policies reflect and influence the dynamics and complexities in the economic world…and with aspirations that my intellectual capital could add to that of the many other economists around the world who are working to influence the international economic structure."

"I would like to devote a large portion of my life's work to the study of developing economies, and I plan to do this mainly while living and working in those developing countries."

The Master's of Science in Urban Policy Studies provides an ideal vehicle for studying important public policy issues facing our urban areas and provides a distinctive and flexible curriculum that addresses urban policy, planning, local governance, and research methods.

In addition to our master's degrees, we offer four certificate programs in Disaster Management, Nonprofit Leadership, Natural Resource Management and Planning and Economics Development. These programs allow students to take several courses focused on a specific specialization without completing the entire master's degree. 
 
The AYSPS graduated 33 Master's in Public Administration (MPA) students in Spring 2005. The program continues to attract top calibre applicants, many of whom are already employed in the public and nonprofit sectors. The average age of our MPA student is 32 and most are returning to academia to augment their professional experience and increase their advancement potential and marketability.
 
In their own words, here are some of the reasons our Public Administration and Urban Studies students sought to pursue their graduate degree in the Andrew Young School:

"Since receiving a Master's Degree in Public Health, I view further study in public administration as the completion of a transition from a program focus to the policy and management side of public health. I also want to improve my understanding of the behaviors and relationships between governments, non-governmental agencies and the private sector."

"As a public administrator, I hope to (a) develop programs aimed at increasing public interest and participation in the policymaking processes, and (b) increase the efficiency of techniques used to identify and analyze citizen concerns."

"In the four years since my law school graduation, I have realized many things about myself and my career aspirations…I realize now that I can use my legal skills to affect change in my community and in my country, but I believe that my talents would be best utilized in a position that allows me to impact and approach the law from a public policy or management perspective."

"I want to be in the Andrew Young Public Administration Program because I want to develop social and educational programs for communities; and lobby for the educational rights of the socially and economically challenged."

"As a mid-level Director, I have decided to pursue a Master's Degree in Public Administration concentrating on Nonprofit Management. I feel a Master's Degree will provide an integrated course of study incorporating theory and practice, intellectual growth and career enhancement."

"The master's in public administration would provide me with the tools needed to be an effective gift officer and eventually help me reach my goal of becoming the director of development at an institution of higher education."

Graduate students in Economics continued to be active in the Graduate Student Association (GSA). Led by Eric Sarpong and Robert Salvino, the group’s activities included regular GSA meetings, a faculty student mixer for new students, and a job market speaker series to provide insights on current job prospects for economists.  Erdal Tekin served as faculty advisor.

Graduate students in Public Administration and Urban Studies founded a new student organization, the PAUS Network, organized to connect public administration and urban policy students, faculty and alumni by hosting social functions, guest speakers and other events. The Network supports AYSPS students in both social and professional arenas and is an information resource for students. Rebecca Peed and Rosa Jupiter are the founding officers; Ted Poister will be the group’s faculty advisor. A number of PAUS graduate students also participated in Students for Progressive Transit (SPT), the newest campus-wide organization housed within AYSPS, for students interested in affecting transit causes in metro Atlanta.