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

Social and Economic Development Policy Requirements (32)
LCHS 100Introduction to the Professions2
PS 232Democracy, Dictatorship, and Development3
PS 306Politics and Public Policy3
PS 313Comparative Public Policy3
PS 360Global Political Economy3
PS 408Methods of Policy Analysis3
SSCI 209Social Science Research Methods3
SSCI 486Program Evaluation3
SSCI 493Public Service Internship3
Select two Research Methods electives from the following:6
Social Networks3
Applied Correlation and Regression3
Psychological Testing3
Exercises in Behavioral Observation3
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems3
Intermediate Geographic Information Systems3
Fieldwork Methods3
Urban Planning Analysis3
Introduction to Survey Methodology3
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 2216-7
Natural Sciences Requirements (11)
See Illinois Tech Core Curriculum, section D11
Computer Science Requirement (2)
CS 105Introduction to Computer Programming2
or CS 110 Computing Principles
Economics Minor Requirements (15)
Other minors may be substituted with program director approval.
BUS 382Business Economics3
ECON 151Microeconomics3
ECON 152Macroeconomics3
ECON 423Economics of Capital Investments3
Select one of the following courses:3
Analytics for Optimization3
International Finance3
Corporate Finance3
Humanities and Social Science Requirements (21)
See Illinois Tech Core Curriculum, sections B and C21
Interprofessional Projects (6)
See Illinois Tech Core Curriculum, section E6
Free Electives (22)
Select 22 credit hours22
Total Credit Hours130-131
 

Bachelor of Science in Social and Economic Development Policy Curriculum

Year 1
Semester 1Credit HoursSemester 2Credit Hours
LCHS 1002ECON 1523
ECON 1513PS 3133
PS 2323Specialization Elective23
Mathematics Elective13Mathematics Elective13
Humanities 200-level Course3Natural Science or Engineering Elective3
 Humanities Elective (300+)3
 14 18
Year 2
Semester 1Credit HoursSemester 2Credit Hours
SSCI 2093CS 105 or 1102
PS 3063Research Methods Course33
PS 3603Natural Science or Engineering Elective3
ECON 4233Social Sciences Elective (300+)3
Natural Science or Engineering Elective3Humanities Elective (300+)3
Specialization Elective23Economics Minor Elective3
 18 17
Year 3
Semester 1Credit HoursSemester 2Credit Hours
PS 4083Research Methods Course33
Specialization Elective23Specialization Elective23
Specialization Elective23Social Sciences Elective3
Economics Minor Elective3IPRO Elective I3
Natural Science or Engineering Elective3Free Elective3
Free Elective3 
 18 15
Year 4
Semester 1Credit HoursSemester 2Credit Hours
SSCI 4863SSCI 4933
IPRO Elective II3Social Sciences Elective (300+)3
Humanities or Social Sciences Elective3Free Elective3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
 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 409SOC 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

Required Courses (9)
PS 230International Relations3
PS 388International Law and Organizations3
SSCI 318Global Health3
or SSCI 376 Global Migration
or SSCI 380 International Development
Elective Courses (6)
Select two of the following:6
Business Law3
Intercultural Communication3
Government and Politics in Africa3
Politics of Latin America3
Development and Evaluation of Training in Organizations3
Groups and Leadership at Work3
Problems of Multi-Ethnic, Multi-Religious States3
Global Migration3
Total Credit Hours15

Additional courses may be approved by the program director.

Urban and Regional Development

Required Courses (9)
PS 214State and Local Government3
SSCI 354Urban Policy3
SSCI 355Regional Economic Development3
Elective Courses (6)
Select two of the following:6
Technical Communication3
US Urban History3
History of Chicago3
East Asian Political Economy3
Politics of Europe3
Development and Evaluation of Training in Organizations3
Groups and Leadership at Work3
Global Chicago3
Urban Policy3
Global Migration3
Total Credit Hours15

Additional courses may be approved by the program director.