The Center for Economic Policy's mission is to educate students on financial markets and securities and provide an integrated view of how these markets interact in a general equilibrium context, as well as the economic tools to analyze the regulatory and legal framework in which financial markets operate. Learn more about the Center's mission. 

Certificates: Finance & Policy and Markets & Regulation

The Center for Economic Policy is responsible for two certificates: Finance & Policy and Markets and Regulation. Both certificates aim to integrate the study of markets with public policy. The certificate curricula provide students with required and elective courses. The center also undertakes targeted and focused research programs relevant to finance, markets, and public policy, in the University of Chicago tradition that ties education closely with rigorous and disciplined research.

The center aims to train certificate holders for positions at government agencies and private institutions that operate at the intersection of economic policymaking and markets, positions that require a combination of strong economic training, technical skills, and understanding of financial markets.

Center-Sponsored Activities

Upcoming Events Spring 2021:

CEP Speaker Series first event -- April 16th, details to come

History of Chicago Economics -- May 21st, details to come

Center for Economic Policy Career Panel

Come join us for a series of discussions about the financial industry landscape and career paths.

• 3-3:30pm: Harris professors David Schabes and Thomas Coleman share their overview of the industry
• 3:30-4pm: representatives from Citi will discuss roles and career paths in municipal finance.
• 4-5pm: A panel of industry professionals from the ESG and Impact Investing sector.

This event is hosted by the Center for Economic Policy, the Center for Municipal Finance, and the Harris Finance Group.

Monday, March 8th, 3-5pm Chicago time, Zoom

Speaker Series Winter 2021

The Center for Economic Policy's Speaker Series events are a hallmark of the Center and a series of events students look forward to every quarter. Learn more about past speakers and find past recordings of events. 

• History of Chicago Economics Thursday February 4th: "Milton Friedman and The Social Responsibility of Business" with Thomas Coleman, Steven Durlauf, Allen Sanderson (University of Chicago)  
  • Register for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
  • Resources: Friedman's original essay in the NY Times; Chicago Booth Review essay (and resources); Coleman’s BFI blog entry; Sanderson’s essay on corporate structure in Chicago Life 
• CEP Speakers on Economic Policy Friday February 26th: "The Current Landscape of Telecoms and Digital Platform Regulation" with Mark Williams (World Bank)
• CEP Speakers on Economic Policy "The state of municipal finance in the pandemic era" with John Heppolette (Citi)
  • Thursday, March 4th, 8am Chicago time, Zoom

Events are by Zoom and at 8am Chicago time. 

The History of Chicago Economics

The Center, together with Thomas Coleman from Harris Public Policy and Allen Sanderson from the University of Chicago Griffin Department of Economics, is hosting a quarterly series of lectures about the people and ideas that have animated economics at Chicago and in the world more widely.

Harris Finance Group

The Harris Finance Group (HFG) is an organization for students interested in capital markets and public policy. HFG provides academic and career resources; it also sponsors events and interest-based cohorts for Harristas passionate about public finance, ESG and impact investing, climate finance, economic regulation and more. Visit HFG’s website to learn more about upcoming opportunities and sign up for Harris Finance updates.

The Harris Finance Group along with the Center for Economic Policy have combined resources and information for Harris students about the financial services industry. 

HFG Events

Illinois Pensions and Finances in the Wake of Covid-19

• Panel discussion moderated by Professor Paula Worthington
• More information and the link to register