Social and Economic Development Policy (B.S.)
Illinois Tech’s social and economic development policy program is designed for global thinkers and future change-makers—the individuals who want to make the world a better place.
A degree in social and economic development policy at Illinois Tech will help you hone your knowledge of how globalization is impacting your local community and vice versa. It will equip you with the skills you need to work on the front lines of public policy development, opening doors to careers that are actively engaged with the social, economic, and environmental policy issues that are as fundamental today as they will be decades into the future. You will also focus on the role technology plays in alleviating poverty, as well as how technology shapes economic competitiveness.
Illinois Tech’s focus on technology and innovation is another benefit for our policy students. You’ll have access to engineers and scientists—professionals with prevalent roles in the development field. You will have unique opportunities for interdisciplinary teamwork. Whether your policy passion area is local politics, poverty reduction, international relations, or something else entirely, this degree will prepare you to make an impact.
Program Overview
Explore how globalization is impacting your local community and vice versa. This degree program will prepare you for nonprofit and public-sector work including policy development and careers focused on social, economic, and environmental policy issues.
Career Opportunities
With this degree, you’ll stand out to prospective employers as a candidate who’s savvy with the tools of the field, including sharp critical thinking and analytical abilities, as well as familiarity with research methods and a strong foundation in economics. You'll have the expertise needed to tackle the everyday challenges faced in multiple sectors, including:
- Government
- Nonprofit
- International organizations
You will also be prepared to continue on to graduate school in a number of fields.
In this program, you will choose a specialization and you’ll study the ways globalization is shaping markets, societies, and political power. The Minor in Applied Economics is required in this program as well.
Students in this program must be admitted to Illinois Tech. Students who are interested in transferring to this program should consult their academic adviser.
Program Specializations
Featured Faculty
Daniel Bliss
Hao Huang
Patrick R. Ireland
Jonathan Rosenberg
Matthew A. Shapiro
"I really enjoyed the courses I took here and thought they struck a balance between academic and hands-on. I took a mix of policy and economics classes that blended well together and was given the freedom to pursue my own interests, namely environmental policy. Illinois Tech provides a very practical approach to education that many other graduates lack. I felt well-versed in problems outside my field, working with students in other disciplines, and knowing how to start and manage a project independently. Courses like IPRO (which I did four of!) provided a perfect example of the working world where members of different disciplines self-manage to achieve a project or goal."
