To create effective policies that achieve the change you want to see takes the aptitude to collect and interpret credible data. Students in the Certificate in Survey Research sharpen technical and critical analytic skills in the methodology of data collection and evaluation.

The certificate is offered through the Center for Survey Methodology, which works closely with other academic units in the University as well as with the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago (NORC). The oldest university-based social research organization in the United States, NORC engages in research and data analysis in numerous public policy fields including health, education, economics, crime, justice, energy, security, and the environment.

Students earning this certificate are prepared for careers in both the public and the private sectors, and can gain a distinct advantage by combining this program with other Harris certificates, such as the Certificate in Political Campaigns and the Certificate in Health Policy.

Application Process

The certificate open to any Harris student. Students should contact their academic advisor to indicate intention to pursue certificate.

Certificate Requirements

• The certificate will be awarded to students who complete the following course:

  • PPHA 41600 Survey Research Methods and Analysis      

• and at least two of the following courses:                      

  • PPHA 38520 GIS Applications in the Social Sciences      

  • PPHA 41800 Survey Questionnaire Design

  • PPHA 31730 The Strategic Uses of Survey Research in Political Campaigns

  • PPHA 44600 Using Longitudinal Data for Policy Analysis (not offered in 2016-17)

  • PPHA 30525 Next Generation Data: Sources, Access, Analytics

  • STAT 33100 Sample Surveys     

Recommended Policy Labs

• BallotReady: Investigation of User Behavior and Candidate Data

• Navy Pier: Neighborhoods of Chicago Program Development

• Place Lab and the City of Gary: Evaluation of ArtHouse: A Social Kitchen