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.

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Application Open

Data and Policy Summer Scholar

Join the UChicago community and initiate your introduction to data analytics and coding in R programming. This flagship program offers a holistic and interactive learning environment and features a faculty-led research project.

  • Duration: 7 weeks
  • June 10 - July 26, 2024
  • Virtual Online
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Application Open

Policy Research and Innovation Bootcamp

Immerse yourself in the 2-week Chicago-based holistic research-focused program. Learn how to conduct quantitative research work while exploring social impact career pathways for your next-step academic and professional development.

  • Duration: 2 weeks & optional jumpstart week
  • July 22 - August 9, 2024
  • In person
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Application Open

Persuasive Writing Credential

Cultivate a robust toolkit to write, revise, and refine persuasive policy stories tailored to your audience. Practice using evidence in your writing and develop a personalized portfolio in a highly interactive space.

  • Duration: 6 weeks
  • July 15 - August 23, 2024
  • Virtual Online
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Application Open

SDG Challenge Program for High School Students

Enter the world of data-driven policy research to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and meet globally connected peers in three weeks.

  • Duration: 3 weeks
  • July 15–August 2, 2024
  • Virtual Online
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Application Open

International Leadership Credential

Enter the global arena with a competitive edge in leadership and navigating complex problems with our two-week credential program in Shanghai.

  • Duration: 2 weeks
  • August 12 - 23, 2024
  • In person
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Application Open

International Policy Action Lab

Peking University and UChicago offer a joint study of policy analysis and international policy research. Work with top faculty members, expand career knowledge and industry network, and explore the rich culture of the city of Beijing.

  • Duration: 4 weeks
  • July 8 - August 2, 2024
  • In person
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Application Open

Monetary Policy & International Finance

Peking University and UChicago offer a joint study of monetary policy, central and commercial banks, and international finance. Work with top faculty members, expand career knowledge and industry network, and explore the rich culture of the city of Beijing.

  • Duration: 3 weeks
  • July 15 - August 2, 2024
  • In person
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Application Open

Environmental Economics and Policy Lab

Deepen your understanding of environmental policy issues with UChicago economics framework in Beijing this summer.

  • Duration: 3 weeks
  • July 29 - August 16, 2024
  • In person

Application Closed for 2024

Municipal Finance

Develop the foundations of municipal finance with a focus on urban planning and economic development in the United States. Learn from top experts how to effectively apply financial analytics tools to make strategic decisions.

  • Duration: 4 days
  • May 13 - 16, 2024
  • Virtual Online
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Application Closed for 2024

Policy Analytics Credential

Learn data analytics and programming in R with hands-on coding practice using real-world dataset guided by UChicago graduate instructors. Ideal for participants with no prior experience.

  • Duration: 9 weeks
  • April 1 - May 31, 2024
  • Virtual Online
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Application Closed

ESG and Impact Investing Lab

Gain a comprehensive perspective and an evidence-based approach to ESG and impact investing. Lectures address the rapidly changing role of corporations and recent shifts in the US and international regulatory environment.

  • Duration: 2 days
  • October 29 - October 30, 2023
  • In person
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Custom Program

Our custom program, led by distinguished faculty and practitioners, will provide you with proven strategies to tackle the most challenging social issues and bring new levels of creativity, insight, and analytical thinking to your organization.

  • Custom Duration
  • Custom Dates
  • Custom Format

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

155
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Alumni became graduate students at UChicago Harris

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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.”

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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

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Data and Policy Summer Scholars Program (DPSS): Deep-Dive Conversation with Jose Macias and Alexandra Sobczynski

May 6, 2024 | 7:30 PM — 8:30 PM

Coding skills are in demand. Elevate yourself from a beginner to an intermediate level in just seven weeks with the Data and Policy Summer Scholar (DPSS) program at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy. Join Jose Macias, the Head Teaching Assistant of DPSS, Master of Public Policy (MPP) Class of 2024, and DPSS’21, and Alexandra Sobczynski, Master of Arts in Public Policy with Certificate in Research Methods (MACRM) Class of 2024, for a deep dive conversation about how the coding skills they gain from DPSS and Harris can advance their academic and career development.

 
 
 
 
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International Policy Action Lab Mini Class With Austin Wright

May 7, 2024 | 6:00 AM — 7:00 AM

Join Austin Wright, Assistant Professor at the Harris School of Public Policy, for a mini-class experience. Professor Wright will offer a sample lecture and answer questions about the International Policy Action Lab (IPAL). Learn from Professor Wright about the UChicago approach to public policy, IPAL Capstone Project and how these quantitative skills can further your academic and professional goals.

 
 
 
 
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Shilin Liu
Meet Your Team

Shilin Liu

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

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Absera Melaku

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

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Mauricio Villacres

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

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Lingyang Zhang
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Lingyang Zhang

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

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Zoe Wu
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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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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!

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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

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