Overview

The Monetary Policy and International Finance (MPIF) Credential Program is a course for undergraduate students, graduate students, and working professionals interested in monetary and international finance policy areas, and leading industry applied work.

Features

  • Rigorous interactive academic training from Peking University and University of Chicago faculty at the PKU campus in Beijing, China.
  • Capstone presentation seminar experience with faculty supervision.
  • Field trips and visits to financial organizations to expand your career knowledge and industry network.
  • Shareable certification of completion to showcase your knowledge and skills.
  • Learners across all backgrounds and levels are welcome.
Peking-City
Subjects

Monetary Policy, Fiscal Policy, International Finance
Level

All levels welcome
Duration

2 weeks, 15-20 hours per week
Dates

July 20 - July 31, 2026
Cost

$3,000 with various discount types
Format

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

Senior Lecturer at the Harris School of Public Policy

Read Thomas Coleman's Profile

“I learned counterintuitive but useful ideas—like why a stronger currency isn’t always better and how "bad money drives out good". In our group project, we analyzed the pros and cons of Europe’s monetary union, applying and reinforcing class concepts.”

Jiahe Zhao

Jiahe Zhao

MPIF’25, Ph.D. student at Peking University

“That policymaking is deeply interdisciplinary. My peers represented a wide range of countries and fields, from art history to computer science to accounting, and I saw firsthand how meaningful solutions emerge when different forms of expertise come together.”

San Ying (Eibhlin) Lim

San Ying (Eibhlin) Lim

MPIF’25, student at the University of Chicago

“The new knowledge from MPIF felt like opening a window to view the world differently. Before, I relied on political science theories like bargaining and game theory; now I analyze how finance and monetary policy shape international decisions.”

Yukun Lu

Yukun Lu

MPIF’25, MPP’25

Curriculum

The program is jointly taught by top faculty members at Peking University and the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, together with global industry leaders for additional career and network sharing.

Join the program and experience the following:

  • Study money and banking in the modern world
  • Examine the monetary systems of different nations
  • Examine the roles of central and commercial banks
  • Discuss the policy choices of governments and central banks and their effects on domestic interest rates and foreign exchange rates
  • Analyze the role of commercial banks along with the complexities that arise when central banks must act as lender of last resort in times of financial stress
  • Network with, and hear insights and career advice from leading practitioners in the U.S. and China finance sectors

This program is a fit if you:

  • Are interested in monetary policy, banking, or international finance.
  • Are considering a graduate degree or professional path in the field of economics, finance, data analytics, or public policy.
  • Are seeking a robust foundation in financial institutions and policies.
  • Have limited or no experience in economics, econometrics, or statistics.
  • Intro to Macro: Real and Financial Economy
  • Banks and Deposits
  • Monetary Theory – Conventional (Quantity Theory & Taylor Rule (New Keynesian))
  • New Monetary Theory
  • Financial Crises
  • National Accounting, Balance of Payments and International Wealth Allocation
  • International Financial Market Foundation and FX dynamics
  • History of International Monetary Experience and China’s approach
  • Monetary and Exchange Rate Policy in the International Context
  • The US Dollar Dominance and its Looming Collapse

In groups of three or four, choose a policy issue to analyze and present policy recommendations based on course content and your own research. A limited number of faculty-selected groups will give a final presentation to faculty, peers, and invited guests.

Sample Schedule

FY26 MPIF Schedule
MPIF-Sample-Syllabus

2025 MPIF Sample Syllabus

Download the Syllabus

Instructor

 

Thomas Coleman

Instructor Profile

Thomas Coleman

Thomas Coleman is the Faculty Co-Director of the Monetary Policy and International Finance Credential Program, designing the curriculum to equip students with theoretical and applied fiscal policy skills in the University of Chicago way. Coleman is a Senior Lecturer at the Harris School of Public Policy, and previously served as the Executive Director and Senior Advisor at the Becker Friedman Institute for Research in Economics.

Read Thomas Coleman's profile
Zefeng-Chen

Instructor Profile

Zefeng Chen

Zefeng Chen joined Guanghua School of Management as an assistant professor on 2021. Prior to joining Guanghua, Zefeng obtained undergraduate degree in mathematics from the University of Chicago, and PhD degree in economics from Stanford University. Zefeng' s research interest lies in international finance, especially how the dominant role of US dollars affects global macroeconomics.

Check Prof. Chen's Personal Website and part of his research: 

Read Zefeng Chen's profile

Participant Experience

 

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Program Dates and Time Commitment

July 20 - July 31, 2026

15-20 hours per week


 

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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.

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.

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)      

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 felt excited and curious to ask questions. The professors encouraged this and answered thoughtfully while pushing us to think critically and debunk myths in economics and finance spread by misinformation or social media. Our visit to the IMF was the course highlight.”

Nour Alkathiri

Nour Alkathiri

MPIF’25, student at Peking University

“I work in corporate finance at a commercial bank, focusing on financing solutions and risk assessment. The program taught me to analyze issues beyond business needs, from policy and macro perspectives, and to apply data and case methods for sharper, more effective client insights.”

Zhenyu Tang

Zhenyu Tang

MPIF’25

“During the capstone project, I experienced academic research for the first time. Through brainstorming, collaboration, literature review, and discussions with professors and peers from diverse backgrounds, I discovered new possibilities in academia, career, and life.”

Yanhui Lu

Yanhui Lu

MPIF’25, student at Jinan University

Program Fee & Payment

The program fee is $3,000. 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

$3,000

Early Action Applicant

$2,700

Current PKU / UChicago students or alumni 

$2,500

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.

Eligible applicants may be considered for the Community Impact Scholarship, which provides $500 to MPIF participants. The scholarship application is included in the MPIF application and awards are determined at the time of admission. Please note that recipients of the Community Impact Scholarship will not be considered for additional discounts.

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. 

  • Minimum age of 18
  • One-year, full-time undergraduate study completed at least one month prior to the start of the program
  • Start your online application today. You can start, save, close, and return to the application prior to submission.
    • Select “2026” - “2026 Cred” - “Non-Degree” - “Monetary Policy & International Finance”.
  • 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.

Application Deadline

 

Application Deadline

Notification

Reply Deadline

Early Action

December 2, 2025

Mid-December

December 30, 2025

Round 1

January 20, 2026

Early February

February 17, 2026

Round 2

March 10, 2026

Late March

April 14, 2026

Round 3

April 21, 2026

Mid-May

May 19, 2026

Round 4

May 19, 2026

Late May

June 2, 2026

 

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

MPIF 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.

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.  

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.

The program fee is $3,000. We offer partial discounts to early action applicants, PKU and UChicago community members.

Eligible applicants may be considered for the Community Impact Scholarship, which provides $500 to MPIF participants. The scholarship application is included in the MPIF application and awards are determined at the time of admission. Please note that recipients of the Community Impact Scholarship will not be considered for additional discounts.

For more financial tips, please read the blog "Financial Planning for Credential Programs".

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.