- Gain a framework for understanding the different ways that government policies affect individual/firm decisions and broader economic and societal outcomes;
- Understand the process of how public policies are made within the structure of the executive and legislative branches of government;
- Develop the skills and savvy to assess policy analyses;
- Get an inside look into policy making, analysis, and evaluation from academic and public sector economists and other policy experts.
Learn how to use economic analyses to inform policy design and discussion.
Strengthen your understanding of the economics of public policies.
Kent Smetters, PhD, Faculty Director of the Penn Wharton Budget Model (PWBM) and the Boettner Professor of Business Economics and Public Policy at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, is the Faculty Director of Wharton Public Policy Certificate Program and primary instructor.
Penn Wharton Budget Model experts, University of Pennsylvania faculty, and policy experts will provide in-depth coverage of policy-specific material.
The Certificate Program is offered free of charge.
The online course runs from May 17 – October 11, 2024.
Participants must complete 6 sessions over the course of 5 months, consisting of 3 required lecture sessions and 3 elective sessions.
- Course Welcome and Intro to an Economic Approach to Policy Analysis
Friday, May 17, noon-1 pm ET - An Insider View of Policymaking
Friday, June 7, noon-1pm ET - How Do Economists Predict the Economic Effects of Policies?
Friday, June 21, noon -1pm ET
3 sessions required, with at least 1 selected from each of the pre-recorded and the "Hot Topics" sessions lists.
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Sample of possible pre-recorded sessions
- Economic Analysis of Infrastructure Proposals
- An Introduction to Social Security, its Future, and Potential Reforms
- Integrated Economic Analysis of Healthcare Policy
- Housing and Urban Policy
- Interpreting and Using Essential Economic Data
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Sample of possible "Hot Topics" sessions (real-time attendance is required)
- Antitrust Policy
- Immigration Policy
- Taxation Policy
- Energy and Environmental Policy
- Prescription Drug Policy
- Student Loan Debt Policy
Online Q&A, select Fridays at noon.
Participants who complete the Certificate Program requirements will receive an electronic certificate of completion, which can be added to their LinkedIn profile.
Note: The Wharton Public Policy Certificate Program is in compliance with Senate Ethics guidelines as "training in the interest of the Senate." Certificate Program sessions are in compliance with House Ethics guidelines as an "educational event".
Applications closed on April 22. Applicants will be notified the week of May 6.
Admissions preference will be given to Congressional staffers and other public policy professionals.