Public Policy, B.S.

Return to: 2130 Department of Public Management and Policy

The Bachelor of Science in Public Policy prepares students for roles as effective citizens, and problem solvers. Students learn about the instiution of democracy and how to work with them to tackle social issues. With a focus on problem-solving and hands-on experience, students engage in service-learning projects, internships, and other immersive experiences that teach skills in civic engagement, policy analysis, and data storytelling. Above all, they learn how to make a difference by becoming problem solvers and engaging in civic and public life.

Career Opportunities: A B.S in Public Policy open doors to exciting careers where students can make a difference in their communities and around the world. A public policy degree prepares students for careers as policy analysts, urban planners, community organizers, consultants, campaign strategists, nonprofit program coordinators, data analysts, and many others that require effective analysis and communication skills to solve social problems.

A Top Ranked Program: The Andrew Young School of Policy Studies is nationally recognized in the field of public policy. U.S. News and World Report consistently ranks the Andrew Young School as a top 20 school of Public Affairs, widely recognized for its research and prepaaration of students, leaders and innovators in the public around the world.

Complete descriptions of requirements for the Core IMPACTS of the Undergraduate Curriculum can be found in the “1400 University Degree Requirements and Graduation ” chapter of this catalog. The number of semester credit hours required for each section is shown in parentheses.

Degree Requirements

Georgia State University undergraduate students must achieve an overall institutional grade-point average (GPA) of 2.0 and a major GPA of 2.0 to receive a bachelor’s degree from the University. Grades of C- can be used to satisfy graduation requirements in Major and Elective requirements sections. However, some courses have prerequisites that require a grade of C or higher (see 1460 GPA Requirement for additional information).

Core IMPACTS (42 Credit Hours)

See 1410 Core Curriculum Requirements in the Undergraduate Catalog.

Institutional Policy (4 Credit Hours)
Mathematics & Quantitative Skills (3-4 Credit Hours)
Political Sciences and U.S. History (6 Credit Hours)
Arts, Humanities & Ethics (6 Credit Hours)
Communicating in Writing (6 Credit Hours)
Technology, Mathematics, & Sciences (11 Credit Hours)
Social Sciences (6 Credit Hours)

Field of Study - Public Policy (18 Credit Hours)

Required Courses (6 Credit Hours)

PMAP 2000 - Community Changemakers 3 Credit Hours

Choose one:

Grade of C- or better.

ECON 2105 - Principles of Macroeconomics 3 Credit Hours
ECON 2106 - Principles of Microeconomics 3 Credit Hours

Elective (12 Credit Hours)

Four courses chosen from the 1000-2000 level University offerings.

Major Requirements (30 Credit Hours)

Public Policy Curriculum (15 Credit Hours)

Georgia State University undergraduate students must achieve an overall institutional grade-point average (GPA) of 2.0 and a Major GPA of 2.0 to receive a bachelor’s degree from the University. Grades of C- can be used to satisfy graduation requirements in the Major Requirements sections. However, some courses have prerequisites that require a grade of C or higher (see 1460 GPA Requirement for additional information).

PMAP 3031 - Policy Leadership 3 Credit Hours
PMAP 3311 - Critical Policy Issues-CTW 3 Credit Hours
PMAP 4041 - Policy Data Analysis 3 Credit Hours
PMAP 4061 - Policy Evaluation 3 Credit Hours

Choose one

PMAP 3005 - Career Planning & Management 3 Credit Hours
PMAP 4941 - Internship 3 Credit Hours

Major Elective (15 Credit Hours)

A minimum grade of C is recommended for all courses in the Major Elective Requirements section. A grade of C- may be used in Major Elective Requirements to satisfy graduation requirements. However, some courses have prerequisites that require a grade of C or higher (see 1460 GPA Requirement for additional information).

PMAP 3005 - Career Planning & Management 3 Credit Hours
PMAP 3011 - Policy and Politics in the American City 3 Credit Hours
PMAP 3111 - Urban Political Economy 3 Credit Hours
PMAP 3210 - Introduction to Nonprofits 3 Credit Hours
PMAP 3213 - Nonprofit Fundraising & Survival 3 Credit Hours
PMAP 3231 - Nonprofit Strategy & Growth 3 Credit Hours
PMAP 3411 - Contemporary Planning 3 Credit Hours
PMAP 3801 - Politics & Policy 3 Credit Hours
PMAP 3831 - Public Money & Finance 3 Credit Hours
PMAP 4211 - People & Performance at Work 3 Credit Hours
PMAP 4301 - Local Governance 3 Credit Hours
PMAP 4331 - Urban Development & Sustainable Cities 3 Credit Hours
PMAP 4401 - Urban Demography and Analysis 3 Credit Hours
PMAP 4411 - Navigating Legal Landscapes 3 Credit Hours
PMAP 4421 - GIS for Policy Analysis & Planning 3 Credit Hours
PMAP 4451 - Economic Development Policy 3 Credit Hours
PMAP 4901 - Directed Readings 1 to 6 Credit Hours
PMAP 4941 - Internship 3 Credit Hours
PMAP 4945 - Internship II 3 Credit Hours Requires Approval

Major Elective Focus

Students may want to focus their Major Electives on specialty area similar to the Nonprofit Leadership or Planning and Economics Development minors. There are suggested offerings for each area:

Nonprofit Leadership Focus

PMAP 3210 - Introduction to Nonprofits 3 Credit Hours
PMAP 3213 - Nonprofit Fundraising & Survival 3 Credit Hours
PMAP 3231 - Nonprofit Strategy & Growth 3 Credit Hours
PMAP 3411 - Contemporary Planning 3 Credit Hours
PMAP 3801 - Politics & Policy 3 Credit Hours
PMAP 3831 - Public Money & Finance 3 Credit Hours
PMAP 4211 - People & Performance at Work 3 Credit Hours
PMAP 4301 - Local Governance 3 Credit Hours
PMAP 4411 - Navigating Legal Landscapes 3 Credit Hours

Planning and Economics Development Focus

PMAP 3111 - Urban Political Economy 3 Credit Hours
PMAP 3411 - Contemporary Planning 3 Credit Hours
PMAP 3801 - Politics & Policy 3 Credit Hours
PMAP 3831 - Public Money & Finance 3 Credit Hours
PMAP 4301 - Local Governance 3 Credit Hours
PMAP 4401 - Urban Demography and Analysis 3 Credit Hours
PMAP 4411 - Navigating Legal Landscapes 3 Credit Hours
PMAP 4421 - GIS for Policy Analysis & Planning 3 Credit Hours
PMAP 4451 - Economic Development Policy 3 Credit Hours

Minor and Approved Electives (30 Credit Hours)

Students are required to complete 30 credit hours of electives to complete an undergraduate degree. Students may complete a minor within these 30 credit hours. With a minor, the 30 total credits must be distributed 15 from minor and 15 from 1000-4000 level. Without a minor, the 30 total credits must be distributed 15 upper level and 15 1000-4000 level. The 30 credit hours of electives may be earned from any department of the University including PMAP with the exception of the public policy minor. A grade of “C” or better is recommended for approval.