Public Policy Master's Degree Programs

Turn your passion for doing good into proven social impact.

Across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, a new generation of data-minded leaders is needed to bring fresh thinking and different approaches to the world’s most pressing policy challenges.

At Harris Public Policy, you’ll build critical thinking and analytical skills and learn to make data-driven decisions. Through applied experiences in Chicago and beyond, you’ll meet face-to-face with professionals in the field to analyze urgent policy problems and design solutions that work, using the latest science and technology.

Start with policy.
Lead with purpose.

Graduate ready to shape change across sectors.

Serious training
for serious leaders.

Think critically. Lead with evidence.

Data and economics
at the core.

Learn the fundamentals. Make smarter decisions.

Experiential and global learning.

Step outside the classroom. Create real impact.

One key aspect of my Harris experience has been the importance of analysis beyond coding and running regressions. Technical skills are essential, but as automation and tools like ChatGPT become more prevalent in statistics and coding, the ability to interpret and derive insights from the data is what sets human analysts apart."

GEET CHAWLA, MPP’21

Associate, Morgan Stanley

Read Geet Chawla's Profile

Our master's programs are based around a core curriculum with classes in microeconomics, statistics, and analytical politics. Full-time students have the opportunity to take electives from Harris and divisions across the University of Chicago.

The core curriculum equips students with critical thinking and analytical skills to solve problems across sectors and lead measurable impact throughout their career. Students from strong quantitative backgrounds may have the opportunity to take advanced versions of statistics or economics.

Core Coursework | Build Your Foundation

Our core curriculum equips students with the quantitative and analytical tools essential for modern policymaking. You'll master statistics, microeconomics, and political analysis—ensuring every decision you make is grounded in evidence.

Experiential Learning | Go Beyond the Classroom.

From Chicago to global policy hubs, you'll engage directly with practitioners, conduct fieldwork, and participate in internships—translating classroom insights into policy impact in the real world.

Multidisciplinary Training | Learn Across Fields

Harris draws on economics, sociology, political science, and organizational theory to train data-minded leaders. This multidisciplinary approach prepares you to tackle complex policy challenges from multiple angles.

Electives | Customize Your Path. Deepen Your Expertise.

With flexible electives and access to courses across the University of Chicago, students can specialize in areas of interest and pursue research or experiential learning that aligns with their career goals.

Finding a job and finding fulfillment go hand in hand. Harris’ Career Development Office is dedicated to helping you find your best fit.

Whether it’s your first job or your next move, whether you’re looking to advance in your current organization or pivot to a new field, the Harris Career Development Office is ready to help you take the next step.

The Career Development team thinks of you as a job candidate from the moment you commit to Harris. We’ll help you refine your portfolio; provide professional growth opportunities; and prepare you for interviews, negotiations, and effective workplace transitions. We provide the resources needed to pursue your future with clarity and confidence.

One-on-one career coaching sessions

On-campus recruiting for internships and full-time roles

Salary and employment offer negotiation support

Exclusive internship opportunities only for Harris students

Résumé and cover letter review

Preparation for traditional, nontraditional, and virtual interviews

Employer engagement opportunities including info sessions, coffee chats, site visits, treks, and more

24/7 access to multiple job boards and career readiness resources

At Harris, your coursework develops the skills necessary to ask the hard questions, ground your answers in evidence, and make a real and lasting impact. You will combine a strong foundation in data analytics by exploring a variety of disciplines and fields including economics, statistics, political science, and organizational theory, among others. Through learning the methods and theories of these disciplines and fields, you will be able to use each as an analytical lens to dissect and tackle challenges. Plus, with access to numerous elective options—across Harris and the University of Chicago—you will further broaden your skill set to make a measurable difference in addressing the most challenging social problems.

Centers & Institutes

Harris research centers and institutes act as catalysts for rigorous inquiry and principled engagement with the policy community, supporting cross-sector partnerships and high-impact initiatives.

Learn More About Centers & Institutes

Specializations

Pursue focused areas of inquiry through Harris specializations, optional pathways that allow you to deepen your expertise in a specific policy area. Courses completed within a specialization contribute to the overall degree requirements.

Learn More About Specializations

Policy Labs

Policy Labs are practical courses where teams of second-year Harris students apply their rigorous core education to real-world policy challenges facing client organizations. Turning analysis into action provides valuable experience and a competitive edge in the job market.

Learn More About Policy Labs

Every data point is related to a real issue—or person—in society, and I don't want to ever forget that. It's critical if you want to make good policy recommendations."

Shiyao Wang

Shiyao Wang aspires to serve as a data or policy analyst at a government organization or think tank.

Read Shiyao Wang's profile

University Professor

James Robinson

Read James Robinson's Bio

Daniel Levin Professor

Ariel Kalil

Read Ariel Kalil's Bio

Edwin A. and Betty L. Bergman Distinguished Service Professor

Jens Ludwig

Read Jens Ludwig's Bio

Assistant Professor

Anjali Adukia

Read Anjali Adukia's Bio

Associate Professor

Damon Jones

Read Damon Jones's Bio

Ralph and Mary Otis Isham Professor

Ryan Kellogg

Read Ryan Kellogg's Bio

Addressing today’s global, interconnected challenges takes rigorous inquiry. It takes serious people, able to face the facts—to gather and understand the data of how things are—in order to make things better. That’s why we’re here—and why you belong here.”

ETHAN BUENO DE MESQUITA

Dean and Sydney Stein Professor,Harris School of Public Policy

UChicago is a global university, and the city of Chicago—an extension of our classroom in many ways—is a global city with worldwide organizations, international commerce, and fine arts. Like the University of Chicago, the city is an intellectual hub, attracting top scholars, companies, entrepreneurs, and artists who enrich the academic experience of our students. Plus, UChicago’s close relationships with businesses and institutions across the city connect students to exceptional resources and meaningful mentorship. This unparalleled access enables students to prepare for their future careers, gather experience, and engage their interests.

Chicago is the sum of its many great parts: distinct personalities, local flavors, and vibrant cultures. Woven together by an extensive public transportation system, all that Chicago has to offer is easily accessible to UChicago students.

Explore our Chicago recommendations.

Public Policy Master's Degree Programs

Start Your Journey

as a Policy Leader

Start with policy. Lead with purpose.

Serious training for serious leaders.

Data and economics at the core.

Experiential and global learning.

GEET CHAWLA, MPP’21

Rigorous Curriculum

Real-World Experience

Core Coursework | Build Your Foundation

Experiential Learning | Go Beyond the Classroom.

Multidisciplinary Training | Learn Across Fields

Electives | Customize Your Path. Deepen Your Expertise.

Shape policy.

Lead with evidence.

Career Development

Lasting Impact

Career Outcomes

WHERE HARRIS STUDENTS WORK

Build skills employers want.

Make impact from day one.

Professional Exposure

Policy Experience