graduate certificate in public policy
The Public Policy Graduate Certificate program trains high-demand analysts, data managers and policy advocates. Participants receive training in economics, law, research methods, policy analysis, evaluation, and communication skills. All courses for the Graduate Certificate in Public Policy are taught online. It is ideal for working professionals who are looking to sharpen their analytical skills, pivot toward policy or regulatory work, or who want to work advocating and lobbying issues. As an in-demand professional credential and career development tool, the Public Policy Graduate Certificate provides an area specialization and profile marketing tool for working professionals and graduate students. The Certificate program provides a path to jobs in policy design and analysis, program evaluation and assessment, as well as data management and policy advocacy. The online format is designed for persons who are already working and for graduate students already enrolled in a fulltime graduate program.
We take applications any time of year (rolling admission) but the courses of the Certificate run in accordance with the University of Utah’s semesters.
At the University of Utah our courses combine traditional online learning – where you study individually at home at your own pace – with interactive learning. Interactive learning increases your engagement with classmates and instructor, as well as with the materials covered. In this manner it improves learning outcomes. Our courses combine the flexibility of online teaching with the advantages and direct engagement of traditional teaching.
Interactive learning comes in a variety of ways:
- Through group assignments– where you collaborate via email or a discussion forum to answer a problem set.
- Through contributions to a discussion forum– where you directly respond to previous posts.
- Through “peer reviews”– where you review and comment upon assignments from other students.
Our classes also offer multiple routes to stay connected and get help:
- Converse directly with the instructor via email.
- Participate in and guide online discussions.
- Attend online office hours in discussion threads or on the phone.
- Instructors are available in “real” office hours for students on or near campus; and (for some courses) we offer (voluntary) Q&A sessions in a classroom.
Graduate Certificate in Public Policy
Public Policy Graduate Certificate: 4 required + 1 elective course = 15 graduate credits
The four required courses for the Certificate are:
PUBPL 6000 Applications of Economic Principles and Public Policy Statistics
PADMN 6320 Public Policy Theories and Applications
PUBPL 6290 Applied Quantitative Methods for Public Policy
PUBPL 6002 Stats Packages for Public Policy
We offer a selection of three online elective courses (you need one for your Certificate):
ECON 6190 Health Economics
PADMN 6323 Policy Analysis
ECON 6380 Law and Economics
Click Here to download a Course of Study.
Examples of job opportunities and salary potential available for Graduate Certificate Holders:
Positions-
Legislative Analyst $56,653[1]
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Fiscal Analyst $48,418
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Policy Advocate $60,916
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Health Policy Analyst $60,340
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Policy Researcher $64,375
Employers
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Federal, state and local government
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Nonprofits
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Corporations
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Think tanks and research centers
[1]https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Legislative_Analyst/Salary (4/2/2019)
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Certificate students typically pay tuition rates as defined by the University of Utah. Calculate tuition using the University’s Tuition Calculator.
The Public Policy Graduate Certificate is part of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Educations (WICHE), allowing ten participants/students a year from 15 other states to acquire the certificate at in-state tuition rates.

The ten subsidized spots are allocated on a first come, first serve basis, when spring admissions for the University of Utah are processed. If subsidized seats are still available after the first allocation they will be dispersed throughout the year as out-of-state applicants submit their applications. If you are interested in or have questions about the subsidized WICHE spots, contact us! mppinfo@cppa.utah.edu or call 801-585 7834.
We have a large number of participation spots both at regular out-of-state tuition rates and in-state tuition (for those applicants who fill the University’s in-state tuition requirements).
Certificate Application DeadlinesAdmission to the program is on a rolling basis, |
Time to Completion
Students and working professionals can complete the Certificate in one calendar year, but you may take longer if you would like to.
Questions?
For more information, please contact the Public Policy Advisor.
Elizabeth Henke, M.S.,
Program Manager, Master of Public Policy Program
801-585-7834
mppinfo@cppa.utah.edu