The Evening Master's Program (EMP) at Harris is specifically designed to equip you with the skills to help you make a measurable impact in Chicago and around the world, all while continuing to work at your organization. 

The final deadline to apply to the class starting in fall 2022 is July 5.  To learn more about our requirements and deadlines across our programs, please visit our website.

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EMP Career Outcomes

EMP Career outcomes
As working professionals completing advanced coursework, many candidates wait to actively pursue career changes until after graduation. The data below are the changes of career outcomes for all 2019 graduates, from at graduation to 12 months after graduation.
- 82% of students seeking a career change made one
- $17k average salary increase
- 60% in a policy related position by 19 months after graduation (compared to 46% at graduation)
Type of change made within 12 months after graduation
- 43% moved up in a current organiation
- 54 % moved to a new organization
- 2% started own company.
*Salary change is only among students who have secured a new position with a new employer or have changed function, geography, and/or level with same employer. Salary change is from prior to Harris to 12 months after graduation.
*due to rounding, numbers do not add up to 100%.

Program Breakdown 

Students in the EMP program earn a Master of Arts in Public Policy while still working their full-time jobs. More details are below. 

EMP Student Body
- 85 Total Students - 39% male, 61 % female Total years of work experience 0-1- 4%, 2-4 - 19%, 5-10 - 44%, 10+ - 34% *due to rounding, numbers add up to 101% - 16% had previous Master's Degrees - 27% domestic underrepresented minority *these data are an aggregate of career outcomes for all 2019 graduates, 12 months after graduation

Read about your EMP network  below: 

Andrew Futerman, EMP Class of 2022 - New Jersey native Andrew Futerman moved to Chicago in 2019 to become an attorney for the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), where much of his work focuses on enforcement of environmental laws. He hopes the EMP will enable him to examine federal level policy more quickly, and pursue his passion for public service.

Chakena Perry, EMP Class of 2021 - Perry is a Chicago native and a dedicated activist and community organizer. She worked  on JB Pritzker's gubernatorial campaign and serves as Chairwoman of the Cook County Young Democrats. The EMP program allowed her to grow her skills while maintaining her active roles in the community. After graduation, she will continue to serve her hometown and is exploring a run for public office.

EMP Employer Spotlight
Evening Master's Program Employer Spotlight

Accenture, Allstate, Argonne National Laboratory, American Medical Association, BlueCross BlueShield, Chicago Public Schools, Civic Consulting Alliance, Deloitte, gardeneers, Irving Harris Foundation, JPMorgan Chase & Co., McMaster-Carr, Stout, The Wall Street Journal

"For me, there is a very direct line between having the degree and the position I have today. I have no doubt that the Harris degree and the University of Chicago credential were helpful in getting me through the door." —Natalie Foster, AM'19, Program Analyst, Mathematica
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