Bachelor of Science in Strategic Management and Public Policy
Strategic Management and Public Policy
Where Strategy, Policy and Impact Converge
Business decisions don’t happen in a vacuum—they’re shaped by market forces, governmental policy and rising societal expectations. GW's new Strategic Management and Public Policy (SMPP) undergraduate program prepares you to lead at this intersection. You’ll learn to craft effective corporate strategies while navigating complex issues like sustainability, AI ethics and the evolving relationship between business and government. Along the way, you’ll develop the analytical judgment needed to lead across industries.
A Unique Program in Washington, D.C.
GW's Strategic Management and Public Policy program is the only of its kind in the Washington, D.C. area. As an SMPP student, you will be investigating the nexus of business, government, and global institutions, while living at the center of it.
The nation’s capital and the surrounding region offer unmatched access to internships and careers across corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. SMPP’s focus on strategy in policy-relevant environments positions you to take advantage of these opportunities and stand out in competitive fields.
Program Opportunities
The Strategic Management and Public Policy (SMPP) program offers multiple pathways for GW students interested in business strategy, public policy and sustainability.
- Earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) with a Strategic Management and Public Policy Major
- 15 courses | 45 credits
- Earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Strategic Management and Public Policy
- Includes 5 business core courses (15 credits) and 10 SMPP courses (30 credits).
- Available to GW Business students
- Declare a Second Major in SMPP
- 10 courses | 30 credits
- Available to all GW students pursuing another primary major
- Minor in SMPP
- 6 courses | 18 credits
- Open to non-GW Business students
- Add an SMPP Concentration
- 5 courses | 15 credits
- Available to GW Business students
- Dual Degree: Bachelor's + Master's
The 4+1 Program: Earn Your Bachelor’s and Master’s in Five Years
In a competitive business environment, having a master’s degree can lead to higher-level positions, more responsibility and greater earning potential. The 4+1 Program is a dual degree program that offers undergraduate students the opportunity to earn an accelerated master’s degree from the GW School of Business.
What You’ll Learn
The Strategic Management and Public Policy program builds core strategic skills while developing expertise in how organizations operate within broader political, legal, and societal systems. Through case studies and applied projects, you will cover core SMPP topics, including:
- Corporate strategy
- The business-politics nexus
- Corporate sustainability and environmental strategy
- Social entrepreneurship and impact
- Business ethics and the legal environment
- AI ethics and governance
- Social networks, influence, and strategic decision-making
Interdisciplinary and Flexible
The SMPP program combines a strong foundation in business strategy with the flexibility to explore courses across GW. In addition to business coursework, you can draw from top-notch course offerings and study:
- international affairs at the Elliot School of International Affairs (ESIA)
- political science through the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (CCAS)
- public policy at the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration
- technology, data and innovation at the School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS)
- public health and health policy at the Milken Institute School of Public Health
This flexibility allows you to tailor your academic experience around your interests—whether that’s environmental strategy, public policy, or corporate governance—while building a skill set that translates across sectors.
Bonus: The structure of the major also makes it easy to combine with a second major, minor or study abroad experience.
Career Pathways
Graduates work at organizations such as McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group, Bain & Company, Deloitte, PwC, Accenture, KPMG and in strategy roles at firms like Google, Amazon, Microsoft and Unilever.
In Washington, D.C., students also access opportunities with organizations such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Departments of Commerce, State, and Treasury, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the United Nations, Brookings Institution, the Center for American Progress, and the World Resources Institute.
SMPP’s graduates commonly pursue internships, jobs or further education in the following areas:
Strategy & Consulting
- Management Consultant
- Strategy/Business Analyst
Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility
- Environmental or Sustainability Analyst
- Corporate Social Responsibility Specialist
Business, Government & Policy
- Government Relations and Public Affairs
- Public Policy Consulting
- Regulatory and Policy Design and Strategy
Graduate School
- Master in Business Administration (MBA)
- Specialized Master’s Programs (e.g., GW’s AI in Business)
- Master in Public Policy (MPP)
- Law School (JD)
Career Support
Personalized Career Coaching
Experienced career coaches with a proven track record in student placement and career advancement help you build an effective job search strategy while providing resume reviews and mock interviews.
Dedicated Career Center
The GW Business F. David Fowler Career Center provides exclusive access to employer connections, recruiting opportunities and career resources, including professional development workshops on technical skills, presentations and salary negotiation.
Mentorship Opportunities
Participate in the Careers360 program to connect with industry mentors in consulting, finance or marketing.
Global Alumni Network
With more than 60,000 alumni spanning 260+ organizations, Fortune 500 companies, startups, and nonprofits around the world, you’ll gain access to mentorship, connections, and career opportunities that open doors and accelerate your impact.
Hands-On Learning Experiences
GW Business and the broader university community offer a robust ecosystem of centers, initiatives and student organizations that support the SMPP program, giving you opportunities to apply classroom learning to real-world strategy, policy and consulting challenges.
Put Strategy Into Practice
The Consulting Community of Practice (CoP) is a school-sponsored, two-year program preparing students for consulting careers through training, mentorship and pro bono projects with nonprofit and private sector clients.
Compass: Impact Consulting is a student-run organization advising social enterprises and nonprofits on impact investment, while the Undergraduate Consulting Group (UCG) offers client-based consulting experience alongside career preparation workshops.
Engage with Policy and Research Leaders
The Institute for Corporate Responsibility (ICR), housed in the SMPP department, advances research and teaching on corporate responsibility, ethics, and governance in partnership with policymakers, NGOs, and D.C. area businesses.
The GW Alliance for a Sustainable Future unites more than a dozen partner institutes working across climate and sustainability initiatives.
Expand Your Global Perspective
Study abroad opportunities allow Strategic Management and Public Policy students to gain exposure to how strategy, policy, and stakeholder engagement operate across different legal, cultural, and economic systems. Students work with academic advisors to identify programs aligned with their academic and professional goals.
Faculty Spotlight
Vontrese ("Voni") Pamphile, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Strategic Management and Public Policy. Named a Poets & Quants Top 40 Under 40 MBA Professor, Dr. Pamphile is an integral faculty member teaching core courses on business ethics and public policy to undergraduate and MBA students.
With her impressive research on company values and ethics and experience in the non-profit space, Dr. Pamphile uniquely engages students to think critically about workplace values and ethical culture, an increasingly important consideration for companies and global business leaders across the world.
Next Steps
In Washington, D.C., opportunity is everywhere. See it for yourself. Come check out the GW campus, talk with our admissions team, or take the first step by applying today.
Questions about the program? Contact Dr. Pamphile at vpamphile
gwu [dot] edu (vpamphile[at]gwu[dot]edu).
Current GW Student? Transfer to GW Business or declare an SMPP major/minor/concentration.
