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.

Planning for the Certificate

For information on which quarter(s) each course will be offered see the Harris Courses page and filter by certificate. For courses offered by other divisions the typical quarter(s) offered has been indicated.

Certificate Requirements

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

• PPHA 41600 Survey Research Methodology  

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 30525 Next Generation Data: Sources, Access, Analytics

• STAT 33100 Sample Surveys

Consider a Policy Lab As Well

Harris Policy Labs can be an excellent complement to certificates. Certificate programs allow students to specialize in particular areas of inquiry, while Policy Labs allow students to apply their knowledge to real world policy challenges for actual client organizations.

Descriptions of Policy Labs projects for the current academic year are available in the Current Student portal. Please consult with Policy Labs staff, or the certificate program director, to see which one is right for you.