Bachelor of Science in Social and Economic Development Policy

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.

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 the policy is made, how to analyze its effects, and how to make it better.

Program Specializations

• International Development
• Urban and Regional Development

Why Illinois Tech is one of the best value universities in the country

As an Illinois Tech student, you’ll automatically be considered for our university’s generous institutional scholarships. On average, this adds up to a savings of $107,472 on tuition and housing for every student during your four years at Illinois Tech ($134,340 for five years, based on fall 2021 figures).

We’re committed to dramatically reducing the cost of your degree, so you can focus on learning at one of the most dynamic and innovation-driven universities in the country.

Want some more great reasons?

• On top of our institutional scholarship, on average, Illinois Tech awards our students an additional $34,412 each in need-based tuition aid over four years ($43,015 for five years). (among FAFSA filers, fall 2021)
• We’re the #44 Best Value School in the nation (U.S. News & World Report)
• 98% of our students receive some form of financial aid
• The mean starting salary of our undergraduates is $63,938

Located in the great global city of Chicago, Illinois Tech is a top-tier, nationally ranked, private research university with programs in engineering, computer science, architecture, design, science, business, human sciences, and law. As Chicago’s only comprehensive tech-focused university, Illinois Tech offers a bachelor of science, master of science, professional master’s, and Ph.D. degrees, as well as certificates, in in-demand STEM fields and other areas of innovation. Options include in-person, hybrid, and online courses. Undergraduate students can take part in dual-degree and pre-med/pre-health programs, as well as Illinois Tech’s Accelerated Master’s Program, which allows them to receive both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in as few as five years.

Illinois Tech is the only university to offer all students the Elevate program. Elevate guarantees that students participate in hands-on experiences—internships, research, competitions, study away, career-focused short courses, and more—that empower them with the twenty-first-century skills that employers seek. Elevate also ensures students receive personalized academic and career mentorship from a team of advisers and are uniquely career-ready upon graduation.

Illinois Tech is ranked #1 in Illinois among private colleges for return on investment (after aid, PayScale) and is the #44 ranked best value school in the United States (U.S. News & World Report). Illinois Tech graduates achieve a 92.8% employment rate within six months of graduation (2021 class). Its alumni include the inventor of the cell phone, the pioneer of barcode technology, and the head scientist for Amazon Alexa, among other leaders.

Students enjoy studying and living on a historic campus just minutes from downtown Chicago, which offers networking, internship, and career opportunities. Less than a mile from Lake Michigan’s stunning beaches, Illinois Tech’s campus has been acclaimed as “one of America’s most beautiful college campuses.” Illinois Tech students come from more than 106 countries and all 50 states.