Enhance your portfolio and strengthen your skills with our credential programs taught by leading faculty at the University of Chicago

Whether you are preparing for graduate school or seeking professional advancement, the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy credential programs prepare you with tangible skills you can use immediately.

Accelerate Your Path

Bridge gaps in your portfolio with a UChicago Credential

Whether you are preparing for graduate school or seeking professional advancement, strengthen your portfolio with in-demand skills in data analytics, coding, persuasive writing, or current policy topics.

Our credential programs will enhance your skills in a part-time format, while offering the support and network of a full-time program. You’ll join a learning environment with interactive UChicago faculty discussions, collaborate with classmates, and practice the tools you learn in the classroom in applied exercises or research projects.

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Alumni across the globe

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%

Alumni rated the program beneficial for their academic and professional growth

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Alumni became graduate students at UChicago Harris

emma hultgren
Meet Our Alumni

Emma Hultgren

"I am leaving DPSS feeling more confident and inspired as I begin my graduate application process.​"

Sean mooney
Meet Our Alumni

Sean Mooney

"The staff fostered a collaborative learning environment utilizing multiple platforms to ensure the opportunity for student success. Virtual office hours including issue-focused review and time for student questions were particularly valuable. I previously had little knowledge of data-driven economic research and found myself able to engage with literature methodology in a way that is changing how I view research, policy optimization, and the fields I want to enter professionally"​​

 

David Chrisinger
Hear From Faculty

David Chrisinger

“Since data cannot speak for itself, we’re here to help you craft stories based on persuasive evidence and rigorous data analysis to tell the policy stories that matters.”

Hear David's invitation
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Access Resources

Value of Credential Programs

What are credential programs? What are the benefits? How can I leverage this program for my professional path? Hear from Jenny Erickson, Senior Director of Enrollment Management and Marketing Strategy.

Read the blog post

Who Will Benefit

Credential programs add the most value if you are:

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Considering a graduate degree or career in public policy or analysis.

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Seeking a robust foundation in policy skills and topics.

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Building a global network with the UChicago community.

Upcoming Events

Shilin Liu

Decide your UChicago DPSS Track: Academic vs. Professional

March 18, 2024 | 7:30 PM — 8:30 PM

Join us on for an exclusive event that will help shape the trajectory of your academic and professional journey! Hosted by Shilin Liu, Executive Director of Credential Programs and Partnerships, this live Zoom session promises valuable insights into the academic and professional tracks offered in the Data and Policy Summer Scholar Program (DPSS) at the University of Chicago.

 
 
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PKU-UChicago Summer School General Webinar

March 20, 2024 | 7:00 PM — 8:00 AM

The 2024 PKU-UChicago Summer School offers three part-time, non-degree, in-person programs: International Policy Action Lab (IPAL), Monetary Policy and International Finance Program (MPIF), and Environmental Economics and Policy Lab (EEPL). Join us this summer at the Peking University campus in Beijing to take on an immersive learning journey with top UChicago and PKU faculty lectures, hands-on capstone project experience, and networking and field visit opportunities to leading organizations.

In this information session, hear from the Assistant Director about the academics, co-curricular activities, alumni outcomes, the application process, and more.

 
 
Shilin Liu
Meet Your Team

Shilin Liu

Shilin, Executive Director of Partnerships and Credential Programs, curates global partnerships and designs meaningful short-term programs.

Read Shilin's biography
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Meet Your Team

Absera Melaku

Absera, Associate Director of Credential Programs, supports students throughout their credential journey and collaborates with faculty for meaningful program design.

Read Absera's biography
Mauricio Villacres
Meet Your Team

Mauricio Villacres

Mauricio, Assistant Director of Credential Programs, supports prospective students, enrolled students, and program alumni.

Read Mauricio's biography.
Lingyang Zhang
Meet Your Team

Lingyang Zhang

Lingyang, Credential Program Manager, supports the design and development of Harris’ new credential programs and partnerships.

Read Lingyang's biography
Zoe Wu
Meet Your Team

Zoe Wu

Zoe, Assistant Director of Credential Programs, supports prospective students from East Asia and our assists in the logistics of the OE and PKU programs.

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Meet Your Team

Chat With Us

The Harris Credential Programs team is delighted to chat with you! We can provide information about our programs, help determine which program best fits your goals, advise you through the application process, and more. Join an event or schedule an one-on-one appointment!

Connect with us
Meet Our Alumni

Alexandra Garney

"The fact that DPSS was virtual allowed me to access the program in a way that I wouldn’t have if it meant putting a pause on my career, so I was really excited for this opportunity for professional development."

Read Alexandra's student profile

Take a step forward and accelerate your path.