Bachelor of Science in Social and Economic Development Policy
The Bachelor of Science in Social and Economic Development Policy (SEDP) is an interdisciplinary social science degree grounded in the analysis of global and domestic economic, social, and political development. The program is designed to foster globally-engaged civic leadership. Our students learn about the impact of globalization on local communities, cities, regions, and nations. They specialize in either urban and regional or international development, and learn how to understand and address major challenges to equitable and sustainable economic growth and healthy communities. They acquire the knowledge and develop the skills needed to assess and analyze issues that are central to the work of governing in the global age, from local agencies to international organizations. Our students build the confidence and competence they will need to affect policy in a variety of areas related to development in both the public and private sectors. The program prepares graduates for careers that require an understanding of how and why policy is made, how to analyze its effects, and how to make it better.
Students will be required to complete 30 credit hours of core courses and at least one 15 credit hour specialization. Majors are also required to complete 15 minor credit hours in applied economics. The senior capstone project requires students to complete a 120-hour internship.
The objective of the social and economic development policy program is to develop graduates who can demonstrate:
- Fundamental knowledge of the development field across the social sciences
- Ability to analyze and critically evaluate development problems and solutions
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
- A commitment to positive change in their communities
Required Courses
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Social and Economic Development Policy Requirements | (32) | |
| LCHS 100 | Introduction to the Professions | 2 |
| PS 232 | Democracy, Dictatorship, and Development | 3 |
| PS 306 | Politics and Public Policy | 3 |
| PS 313 | Comparative Public Policy | 3 |
| PS 360 | Global Political Economy | 3 |
| PS 408 | Methods of Policy Analysis | 3 |
| SSCI 209 | Social Science Research Methods | 3 |
| SSCI 486 | Planning, Fundraising, and Program Evaluation | 3 |
| SSCI 493 | Public Service Internship | 3 |
| Select two Research Methods electives from the following: | 6 | |
| Social Networks | 3 | |
| Applied Correlation and Regression | 3 | |
| Psychological Testing | 3 | |
| Exercises in Behavioral Observation | 3 | |
| Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 | |
| Intermediate Geographic Information Systems | 3 | |
| Fieldwork Methods | 3 | |
| Urban Planning Analysis | 3 | |
| Introduction to Survey Methodology | 3 | |
or additional research methods courses with adviser approval | ||
| Social and Economic Development Policy Specialization | (15) | |
| Select International Development or Urban and Regional Development. See Specializations tab for requirements. | 15 | |
| Mathematics Requirements | (6-7) | |
| Select two courses at the level of MATH 119 or above including PSYC 203 or BUS 221 | 6-7 | |
| Natural Sciences Requirements | (11) | |
| See Illinois Tech Core Curriculum, section D | 11 | |
| Computer Science Requirement | (2) | |
| CS 105 | Introduction to Computer Programming | 2 |
| or CS 110 | Computing Principles | |
| Economics Minor Requirements | (15) | |
| Other minors may be substituted with program director approval. | ||
| BUS 382 | Business Economics | 3 |
| ECON 151 | Microeconomics | 3 |
| ECON 152 | Macroeconomics | 3 |
| ECON 423 | Economics of Capital Investments | 3 |
| Select one of the following courses: | 3 | |
| Optimization and Decision-Making | 3 | |
| International Finance | 3 | |
| Corporate Finance | 3 | |
| Humanities and Social Science Requirements | (21) | |
| See Illinois Tech Core Curriculum, sections B and C | 21 | |
| Interprofessional Projects | (6) | |
| See Illinois Tech Core Curriculum, section E | 6 | |
| Free Electives | (22) | |
| Select 22 credit hours | 22 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 130-131 | |
Bachelor of Science in Social and Economic Development Policy Curriculum
| Year 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | Semester 2 | Credit Hours |
| LCHS 100 | 2 | ECON 152 | 3 |
| ECON 151 | 3 | PS 313 | 3 |
| PS 232 | 3 | Specialization Elective2 | 3 |
| Mathematics Elective1 | 3 | Mathematics Elective1 | 3 |
| Humanities 200-level Course | 3 | Natural Science or Engineering Elective | 3 |
| Humanities Elective (300+) | 3 | ||
| 14 | 18 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | Semester 2 | Credit Hours |
| SSCI 209 | 3 | CS 105 or 110 | 2 |
| PS 306 | 3 | Research Methods Course3 | 3 |
| PS 360 | 3 | Natural Science or Engineering Elective | 3 |
| ECON 423 | 3 | Social Sciences Elective (300+) | 3 |
| Natural Science or Engineering Elective | 3 | Humanities Elective (300+) | 3 |
| Specialization Elective2 | 3 | Economics Minor Elective | 3 |
| 18 | 17 | ||
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | Semester 2 | Credit Hours |
| PS 408 | 3 | Research Methods Course3 | 3 |
| Specialization Elective2 | 3 | Specialization Elective2 | 3 |
| Specialization Elective2 | 3 | Social Sciences Elective | 3 |
| Economics Minor Elective | 3 | IPRO Elective I | 3 |
| Natural Science or Engineering Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | ||
| 18 | 15 | ||
| Year 4 | |||
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | Semester 2 | Credit Hours |
| SSCI 486 | 3 | SSCI 493 | 3 |
| IPRO Elective II | 3 | Social Sciences Elective (300+) | 3 |
| Humanities or Social Sciences Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credit Hours: 130 | |||
- 1
Two courses at the level of MATH 119 or above including PSYC 203 or BUS 221.
- 2
Select from International Development or Urban and Regional Development; see Specializations tab for requirements.
- 3
Select from COM 383, PSYC 320, PSYC 409, SOC 498, SSCI 225, SSCI 325, SSCI 387, SSCI 389, SSCI 480, or additional research methods course with adviser approval.
Social and Economic Development Policy Specializations
International Development
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | (9) | |
| PS 230 | International Relations | 3 |
| PS 388 | International Law and Organizations | 3 |
| SSCI 318 | Global Health | 3 |
| or SSCI 376 | Global Migration | |
| or SSCI 380 | International Development | |
| Elective Courses | (6) | |
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Business Law | 3 | |
| Intercultural Communication | 3 | |
| Government and Politics in Africa | 3 | |
| Politics of Latin America | 3 | |
| Development and Evaluation of Training in Organizations | 3 | |
| Groups and Leadership at Work | 3 | |
| Problems of Multi-Ethnic, Multi-Religious States | 3 | |
| Global Migration | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 15 | |
Additional courses may be approved by the program director.
Urban and Regional Development
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | (9) | |
| PS 214 | State and Local Government | 3 |
| SSCI 354 | Urban Policy | 3 |
| SSCI 355 | Regional Economic Development | 3 |
| Elective Courses | (6) | |
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Technical Communication | 3 | |
| US Urban History | 3 | |
| History of Chicago | 3 | |
| East Asian Political Economy | 3 | |
| Politics of Europe | 3 | |
| Development and Evaluation of Training in Organizations | 3 | |
| Groups and Leadership at Work | 3 | |
| Global Chicago | 3 | |
| Urban Policy | 3 | |
| Global Migration | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 15 | |
Additional courses may be approved by the program director.
