About the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies

The Andrew Young School creates and disseminates knowledge and analytical methods highly valued by policymakers and leaders in the public sector, nonprofit and business worlds and educates students who are highly qualified and sought after as policy analysts, program evaluators and designers of administrative systems. AYS leads with social and economic justice, shaping good policy through interdisciplinary centers, departments and graduates who engage with, influence and guide an ever-evolving digital world.

National Rankings

U.S. News and World Report’s 2023-24 ranking of Best Graduate Schools in Public Affairs places the AYS 22nd among the top 285 schools in public affairs: 5 in Urban Policy, 5 in Public Finance & Budgeting, 10 in Local Government Management, 10 in Nonprofit Management, 15 in Public Management & Leadership, 21 in Public Policy Analysis. Criminology ranks 18, Social Work ranks 51, and Economics ranks 65 in the latest rankings.

Top reasons to attend

Flexible, specialized and sought-after degree programs that integrate theory with analytical skills and practical experience.
Nationally acclaimed faculty, staff and students engaged in innovative research, community outreach and partnerships.
Highly ranked, accredited academic and professional programs that can be completed part-time or full-time.
Great internships and job opportunities: Georgia State is within walking distance of one of the nation’s largest concentrations of local, state and federal governments and close to several national nonprofit agencies.

Atlanta & Global Connections

Our students complete more than 137,500 internship and community service hours during the year.

Our faculty, students and research associates have worked in more than 60 countries.

We encourage study abroad programs that provide a wide variety of experiences in policy and practice.

Programs such as the USAID-funded Indonesian Master’s Program bring students from around the world into our classrooms, exposing our students to the broader world.

Research & Discovery

113 faculty, 109 research associates, several having made and making impacts in more than 70 countries

More than $28 million annually in active sponsored grants

Faculty and students write more than 250 scholarly papers, chapters and books every year.

Student Success

“I never expected to become a Public Policy student, but my first day of class I knew I was in the right place. Since then I have become president of the PMAP Community Network and have worked for the Atlanta Regional Commission and Southface Energy Institute. Being able to talk about my interests with classmates and faculty, and seeing those discussions apply in real situations, assures me that I will be an engaged, effective leader.”

– Brionte McCorkle (B.S. in Public Policy ’13), now Georgia Chapter Assistant Director, Sierra Club & Atlanta City Council Candidate