Georgia Institute of TechnologySchool of Public Policy
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Georgia Tech School of Public Policy
Concentration in Urban and Regional Economic Development Policy

Students in the urban and regional economic development policy concentration address such issues as how to improve employment and the quality of jobs in a community, how to revitalize an area hit by industrial decline, what to do to support new business creation and technology startup ventures, how to upgrade workforce training, and how to understand the development of regional innovation systems. Yet, while economic development is concerned with the promotion of jobs, businesses, and community and regional growth, it is also inescapably bound up with issues of equity, access, distribution, and the quality of life for individuals, communities, regions, and nations. Moreover, the context for economic development is ever changing, with shifts in economic structures, rapid technological development, increased economic globalization, greater environmental concerns, and ongoing debate about the role and effectiveness of public policy in tackling development issues.

The economic development concentration at Georgia Tech's School of Public Policy offers students the opportunity to study the conceptual foundations of the field, learn key analytical techniques, and apply this knowledge to practical economic development issues in local, regional, national, and international contexts. Significant attention is given to the central role of technology in influencing and stimulating the processes of economic development. Needs to link economic development strategies to broader social and political concerns are also recognized.

Students in the Georgia Tech School of Public Policy can pursue concentrations in economic development policy in the Masters of Science in Public Policy (MSPP), the Georgia Tech Ph.D. in Public Policy, and the Joint Ph.D. (Georgia Tech-Georgia State University) in Public Policy.  Selected economic 4000/6000 economic development may also be pursued by in the B.S. and B.S./M.S. in Public Policy. Students may combine interests in economic development with those in the School's other areas of concentration (e.g. science and technology policy, information policy, and environmental policy) to customize their programs.