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The George Washington University Program Link: |
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Prof. Nicholas Vonortas, Director Prof. John M. Logsdon, Director Phone: (202) 994-7292 |
The George Washington University (GW) is one of the world's leading centers for graduate study of science, technology, and public policy issues. The Center for International Science and Technology Policy, which is part of GW's Elliott School of International Affairs, is the University's focal point for these activities. Since 1970, the university has offered a Master of Arts degree in Science, Technology, and Public Policy, and over the past three decades a number of doctoral students in Ph.D. programs such as public policy, political science, engineering administration, and other disciplines have chosen science, technology, and public policy as a focus for coursework and dissertation research.
The Center carries out a variety of research projects, many of which are sponsored by government and nongovernment organizations, and students in the masters program often work as research assistants on these projects. The Center also hosts visitors from other parts of the United States and from overseas, and organizes colloquia, seminars, and symposia on significant science and technology policy issues. These diverse activities provide frequent opportunities for students to interact with professionals engaged in both the study and the practice of science and technology policy. The Center takes full advantage of GW's Washington location; students work as interns in government and nongovernmnet organizations, and there are other frequent opportunities to interact with those already professionally engaged in the practice of science, technology, and space policy.
The Space Policy Institute, a separately chartered research and policy
program, is an integral element of the Center. The Space Policy Institute
concentrates its research and teaching efforts on issues related to
the U.S. and global space programs. Many students in the Masters program,
as well as others at GW, focus their course work and research interests
on space policy issues. The Space Policy Institute maintains its own
library containing a collection of books, documents, and reports related
to aerospace policies and programs. Additionally, the library contains
many science and technology policy related books and publications.
M.A.-- The Center offers a Master of Arts in Science, Technology, and Public Policy through the Elliott School of International Affairs. For information on applying, visit the program web site at www.gwu.edu/~cistp.
Ph.D.-- Over the past two decades a number of doctoral students in Ph.D. programs such as public policy, political science, engineering management, and other disciplines have chosen science, technology, and public policy as a focus for course work and dissertation research. The Center offers coursework and dissertation guidance in support of doctoral programs in several GW schools, particularly the Ph.D. in Public Policy offered by the Columbian School of Arts and Sciences. For more information about a Ph.D. in Public Policy, visit the program on-line at www.gwu.edu/~pubpol/index.html.
While most students pursue the M.A. degree as a stepping stone to a
professional career in science and technology policy, others have continued
with additional academic work in related fields. Full-time students
usually complete their M.A. degree in two years. Part-time students
average three years; most classes are in the evening.
Applicants to the M.A. program must have a minimum of a bachelor's degree with
a B average or better. Backgrounds in the humanities, in the social,
life, and physical sciences, and in engineering are all appropriate
preparations for graduate study. Applicants must present transcripts
of prior studies, results from the general test of the GRE, and three
letters of recommendation to be considered for admission.
The master's program in Science, Technology, and Public Policy consists of :
* 36 credit hours of course work
* satisfying an analytical competency requirement
* completing an independent research project
* participating in a cross-disciplinary policy exercise
Students must complete the required course work in two fields of concentration,
including:
* a field in science, technology, and international affairs (minimum
of 15 credits); and * an elective field (minimum of 9 credits)
In addition, students must complete the following:
* a six credit analytical competency requirement
* a three credit research project
At any given time 25-35 students are candidates for the M.A. in Science, Technology, and Public Policy. The Elliott School enrolls top students from the best undergraduate institutions around the country and throughout the world. Students entering the Science, Technology, and Public Policy program have prior training and experience in areas as diverse as the social sciences, natural or life sciences, engineering, or the humanities. All students in the program have excellent academic credentials, strong analytical skills, and an interest in policy issues with significant science or technology dimensions.
The degree program focuses on the intersection of science, technology,
industrial strategy and structure, and government policy. The Center
emphasizes a comparative approach to science and technology policy,
and is founded on the twin poles of the in-depth understanding of domestic
policies, on the one hand, and continuous coverage of policy developments
around the world, on the other. Within the program, students can concentrate
on areas of particular interest, such as space policy, environmental
policy, or the politics and economics of research, development and technological
innovation.
Nicholas S. Vonortas, Ph.D. Director, Center for International Science and Technology Policy, Associate Professor of Economics and International Affairs, and Director, Master of Arts program in Science, Technology, and Public Policy. vonortas@gwu.edu
Robert W. Rycroft, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Political Science and International Affairs. rycroft@gwu.edu
John M. Logsdon, Ph.D. Director, Space Policy Institute, and Professor of Political Science. logsdon@gwu.edu
Ray Williamson, Ph.D. Research Professor, Space Policy Institute. rayw@gwu.edu
Henry Hertzfeld, JD, Ph.D. Senior Research Scientist, Space Policy Institute. hrh@hwu.edu
David Roessner, Ph.D. Research Associate
Alan Tonelson, Ph.D. Research Associate
Graduates of the Science, Technology, And Public Policy Program have had continuing success in locating exciting policy-making, research, and management positions in both the public and private sectors. While many elect to stay in Washington, DC after they receive their degrees, others are working throughout the United States and overseas. Among the organizations employing program graduates are the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Congressional Research Service, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of State, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Science Foundation, National Academies of Science and Engineering, American Association for the Advancement of Science, The World Bank, American Chemical Society, Agency for International Development, Science and Technology Policy Institute at RAND, and many others.
Tuition for the 1999-2000 academic year is $701.50 per credit hour, plus a university fee of $34.50 per credit hour, and a $625 per semester Elliott School of International Affairs fee.
Applicants to the Science, Technology, And Public Policy program are eligible for the same fellowships and assistantships that are available to all applicants to the Elliott School of International Affairs. In addition, the program has financial support specifically available for its applicants as well as opportunities to work on Center for International Science and Technology Policy and Space Policy Institute research projects. The Center receives requests for graduate students to fill part-time employment opportunities and paid and unpaid internships in Washington area research groups, professional and scientific associations, businesses, and government agencies, which can also provide a valuable complement to formal graduate study. Individuals interested in financial support from the Science, Technology, And Public Policy program should so indicate when they submit their application for admission.
The Elliott School of International Affairs also offers a Graduate Certificate Program in International Science and Technology Policy. The program is designed to train professionals in specialized areas of international affairs. Certificate candidates must complete 18 credit hours of course work consisting of six courses. To be eligible, students must be either enrolled in a graduate degree program, already possess an advanced degree, or have a B.A. plus eight years of professional experience.
