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HOME > ACADEMICS > CREDENTIAL PROGRAMS > INTERNATIONAL POLICY AND ACTION LAB

International Policy Action Lab

Learn from the two world-leading universities to boost your rigorous research and analytical skills in Beijing this summer.
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× Notification: Attend a credential event and learn more about our program International Policy Action Lab.
  • Overview
  • Curriculum
  • Academic & Professional Benefits
  • Faculty
  • Student Experience
  • Program Fee & Payment
  • Admissions
  • Frequently Asked Questions
Start your application

Overview

Immerse yourself with top minds from PKU and UChicago to conduct evidence-based policy analysis in three weeks.

Features

  • Rigorous interactive academic training from Peking University and University of Chicago faculty at the PKU campus in Beijing, China.
  • Field trips and visits to international organizations to expand your career knowledge and industry network.
  • Shareable certification of completion to showcase your academic rigor.
  • Learners across all backgrounds and levels are welcome.
Peking-Pond-1
Subjects

International Policy, Policy Research, Applied Econometrics, Programming in Stata

Level

All levels welcome

Duration

3 weeks, 20-25 hours per week

Dates

July 7 - July 25, 2025

Cost

$4,000 with various discount types

Format

In-person at the Peking University campus in Beijing, China

Rebecca Wolfe
Rebecca Wolfe

Senior Lecturer and Executive Director of International Policy & Development

Read Rebecca Wolfe's Profile

“I would recommend IPAL to anyone with an interest in policy, regardless of academic background. IPAL provides all the support you need and a very solid foundation in data analysis. I always felt supported and guided during this program, which was invaluable.”

Dorjee-Ugyen

Dorjee Ugyen

IPAL’22

“The combination of theoretical learning, practical exercises, and field visits has given me a deeper understanding of the formation, implementation, and evaluation of public policies and related issues, and I feel very inspired and encouraged. ”

Dahao-Li

Dahao Li

IPAL’23, student at Peking University

“IPAL is highly comparable to the MACRM program that I am going to study, which provided me with a solid foundation to prepare for greater challenges and boost my confidence. IPAL is a fulfilling program that will undoubtedly be of great assistance to students, like me, seeking to establish a strong academic and technical foundation for postgraduate study, whether toward a Ph.D. program in the future or a longer-term academic research path.”

Peihu-Liu

Peihu Liu

IPAL’23, MACRM Candidate at UChicago Harris

Curriculum

The International Policy Action Lab (IPAL) program offers top global students and young professionals an unforgettable three-week experience. Participants will gain rigorous, interdisciplinary training on data analysis and international policy research, work with top faculty members from Peking University and the University of Chicago, expand career knowledge and industry network, and explore the rich culture of the city of Beijing.

Week 1: Introduction to International Policy and Research

This course, taught by the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, aims to equip participants with a fundamental understanding of the international policy landscape and the essential methodologies for conducting effective policy research through an evidence-based approach, illustrated with case studies. Throughout the course, participants will acquire skills in:

  • Addressing challenges inherent in working within and alongside international organizations
  • Navigating bureaucratic complexities
  • Devising diplomatic solutions to persistent problems
  • Analyzing findings from prior research
  • Ensuring the accuracy and reliability of data in decision-making processes
 

Week 2 & 3: Applied Econometrics & Programming in Stata

This course, taught by Peking University, introduces you to econometrics methodology and its applications, and basic functions with the programming language Stata. It will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the econometric modeling tools that are frequently used in empirical economic research.

Sample Schedule

FY25 IPAL Schedule
IPAL-Sample-Syllabus

2024 IPAL Sample Syllabus

Download the Syllabus

Instructor

 

Rebecca Wolfe

Instructor Profile

Rebecca Wolfe

Dr. Wolfe is a leading expert on political violence, conflict and violent extremism. Prior to joining the faculty at Chicago, she led research and program development related to conflict and fragility at Mercy Corps, an international development and humanitarian agency. Dr. Wolfe is able to draw on her extensive practitioner and academic backgrounds to effectively research important development issues, design interventions that are theoretically grounded and evidence based, and communicate both to multiple audiences. She was a Fellow at Yale University’s Political Violence Field Lab and currently is an affiliate at NYU’s Steinhardt School. Dr. Wolfe has taught at Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School for Public and International Affairs and at the Wagner School for Public Service at New York University. She received her PhD in Social Psychology from Harvard University.

Rebecca Wolfe's profile
Xuezheng-Qin

Instructor Profile

Xuezheng Qin

Xuezheng Qin is a professor and deputy dean in the School of Economics at Peking University, and the director of the Peking University Research Center for Market Economy. Dr. Qin’s primary research interests include health economics, economics of human capital, and applied econometrics.

Read Xuezheng Qin's profile
Yanran-Chen

Instructor Profile

Yanran Chen

Yanran Chen obtained a Ph.D. degree from Peking University and a joint Ph.D. degree from Yale University. Now she works at the School of Economics, Capital University of Economics and Business. Her main fields of study are environmental health economics and labour economics. She has been offering courses in econometrics, advanced econometrics and applied econometrics for a long time.

Participant Experience

 

Icons_Yellow-Calendar
Program Dates and Time Commitment

July 7 - July 25, 2025

20-25 hours per week


 

Icons_Yellow-Urban
In-Person Format

The program will be delivered fully in-person at the Peking University campus in Beijing, China.

Icons_Yellow-Orientation
Certification of Credential Completion

Issued by Peking University and University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy to showcase your academic rigor.

Office Hours

All courses have office hours with faculty and graduate teaching assistants, conducted in-person. You will also leverage a virtual discussion board for quick communication with peers and teaching assistants.

On-campus Accommodation

PKU-UChicago Summer School participants can apply for on-campus accommodation for the duration of the program. Please note that vacancy is limited and on first-apply first served basis.

Option 1: PKU Global Village (opposite PKU east gate)

Successful applicants will be assigned to the dormitories consisted of two or three bedrooms (one student occupies one room) with a shared living room and shared bathroom.

Option 2: PKU Wanliu Apartment Center (4.7km to PKU campus, 10-15mins’ drive or 30-40mins by bus)

Successful applicants will be assigned to the dormitories consisted of four beds (one student occupies one bed) with a shared bathroom.

Air-conditioning, and cable Internet are available for both options. Please check the detail information as below. 

Accommodation Fees:

Location

Global Village

Wanliu Apartment Center

Deposit

500 RMB

TBD

Room Rate (per person per night)

120-220 RMB

100 RMB

*Payment for housing will be at the reception desk upon check-in.

*Participants' lodging, meal, travel and health insurance, transportation, visa application fee, etc. are not covered in the program fee.

PKU Global Village:

Check-in: Reception Desk of Building No. 1

Room type:1 or 2 or 3 single bedrooms with shared living room and bathroom

Address: No. 126 North Zhongguancun Street, Haidian, Beijing (10 mins walking to PKU main campus)

Phone: +86-10-62752288

Website: http://pkugv.pku.edu.cn/ (in Chinese)   

PKU Wanliu Apartment Center:    

Check-in: Reception Desk of Front Building at Wanliu Apartment Center

Room type: Four students share one room with four beds and shared toilet & shower facilities

Address: No. 29 Wanliu Central Street, Haidian, Beijing (4.7km to PKU campus, 10-15mins’ drive or 30-40mins by bus)

Phone: +86-10-62758588

Website: http://dorm.pku.edu.cn/guide/wlgy_fw/index.htm  (in Chinese)      

Off-Campus Accommodation

International participants not living in on-campus housing or a hotel must, according to Chinese law, register at their local police station within 24 hours of arriving in the country. When registering, participants must provide their exact address as well as a telephone number.

“I find this program worthwhile and satisfactory. It had a very intense schedule, covering those important econometric models for different data types. In addition, I have met many friends from different universities and had a field visit in the European Union where we had pleasant talks with some European representatives.”

Qilin-Zhou

Qilin Zhou

IPAL’23, MSCAPP Candidate at UChicago Harris

“Though I worked as a senior manager, I knew very well what I lacked—compared to traditional business students, I had a knowledge gap in econometrics. Fortunately, IPAL filled this gap for me. With IPAL’s practical training in the statistical coding language, STATA, I quickly mastered econometrics skills through my final project.”

Shilong-Jia

Shilong Jia

IPAL’22

“I felt fortunate to have excellent professors and supportive teaching assistants who helped me navigate the complex content. Studying alongside passionate peers enriched my experience as well. After-class discussions have helped me digest the knowledge more, and the friendships I formed during the program will last a lifetime.”

Xinwen-Liang

Xinwen Liang

IPAL’23, student at Columbia University

Program Fee & Payment

The program fee is $4,000. We offer partial discounts to early action applicants, PKU and UChicago community members. In addition, we support applicants to explore funding sources from your academic institution, employer, or external scholarships. 

Audience

Fee

General Applicant

$4,000

Early Action Applicant

$3,700

Current PKU / UChicago students or alumni 

$3,500

Organizational Sponsorship for 3+ Applicants

Contact us at harriscredential@uchicago.edu to discuss group 

If enrolling in two or more credential programs during the same cycle

Receive an additional 20% discount on the program fees (After the initial discounts and scholarships)

Once being admitted, participants will secure the seat by submitting a $1,000 USD enrollment deposit, which is non-refundable and applies toward your total program fee. The remaining program fee balance will be paid before the program starts. Detailed payment instructions will be provided to admitted participants via email.

Starting in April 2025, the application for admission to the International Policy Action Lab will include a supplemental essay prompt for applicants who wish to be considered for the Community Impact Scholarship. Essays will be evaluated by the Harris Credential Programs admissions committee. Applicants who are admitted and demonstrate eligibility for the Community Impact Scholarship will receive the award, which will be granted at the time of admission.

Admissions

We welcome participants across all walks of life including undergraduates, graduates, recent grads, and professionals worldwide to join our program. The online application is free and convenient to complete. 

Eligibility

  • Minimum age of 18
  • One-year, full-time undergraduate study completed at least one month prior to the start of the program

How to Apply

  • Start your online application today. You can start, save, close, and return to the application prior to submission.
    • Select “2025” - “2025 Cred” - “Non-Degree” - “International Policy Action Lab”.
  • Motivation statement (300-word limit) describing why you want to join the program and how it will benefit your future development. 
  • Resume (1-2 pages recommended). 
  • Unofficial Academic Transcripts - 
    • Must include your full name, institution/university name. Transcripts must include the course names, dates (term and year), grades and grading scales for each year of post-secondary education (college or university). 
    • Provide a transcript for each degree conferred (undergraduate and graduate). 
    • Unofficial transcripts are accepted. Please upload a PDF copy. 
    • English translation must be submitted for all foreign language transcripts. 
  • English language proficiency proof for some international applicants.
    • See detailed requirements here. 
       

Application Deadline

 

Application Deadline

Notification

Reply Deadline

Early Action

November 12, 2024

Late November

December 9, 2024

Round 1

January 14, 2025

Late January

February 10, 2025

Round 2

February 11, 2025

Late February

March 10, 2025

*Special Round

March 25, 2025

Early April

April 21, 2025

Round 3

April 22, 2025

Early May

May 19, 2025

Round 4

May 20, 2025

Late May

June 9, 2025

*Applicants who submit their application between February 11 and March 25 (Special Round deadline) will receive a guaranteed $300 Harris scholarship. This scholarship is granted in addition to any other discounts or scholarships they may receive. Applicants who have submitted their application before February 11 will receive an additional $300 Harris scholarship if they submit the enrollment deposit by March 25, deposit deadline.

Refund and Cancellation Policy

If the participant decides to cancel their Program enrollment, the participant must submit a request in writing at least 30 days prior to the program start date to harriscredential@uchicago.edu to receive the paid amount less the non-refundable enrollment deposit. Requests received 14 to 30 days before the Program start date are subject to a payment of 50% of the Program fee. Requests received within 14 days of the Program start date are subject to full payment of the Program fee. If the participant is unable to join the Program due to circumstances that the participant has no control or influence over, the refund amount will be considered on an individual case-by-case basis. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore the IPAL Program FAQ section for quick answers to common program inquiries. Find valuable information about admissions, program fees, and more, ensuring a smooth and informed IPAL Program experience. 

Are there any prerequisites of joining IPAL?

IPAL content is rigorous, but we accommodate participants of all backgrounds. There are no prerequisites for this program. Our aim is to provide support and guidance to help you succeed, regardless of your prior experience.

What do the housing options and campus access look like?

For participants who need accommodation support, we provide on-campus housing at the PKU Global Village (opposite PKU east gate) for the duration of the program. The dormitories are consisted of two or three bedrooms (one student occupies one room) with a shared living room and shared bathroom. Please note that vacancy is limited and on first-apply first served basis, and the housing fee is not included in the program fee. Details regarding the accommodation application will be provided to admitted students.  

Participants will be given a PKU Student ID Card that allows you to enjoy a variety of cuisine in the campus dining halls. The card will also allow you to get access to the campus library.  

Is this a for-credit program?

The program is a non-credit program. You will receive a shareable certification from Peking University and the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy upon completion to showcase your academic rigor after successfully completing the program.

Are scholarships offered for IPAL?

There are no scholarship offerings for IPAL participants. Details about the possible discount types can be found in the “Program Fee and Payment” section. For more financial tips, please read the blog "Financial Planning for Credential Programs".

What if I have further questions regarding the program and application?

Please feel free to reach out to us at harriscredential@uchicago.edu. You can also book a 20-minute online appointment with the admissions team to talk through your questions directly.

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