Online Public Policy Certificate

Develop Practical, In-demand Skills in Only Two Semesters.

The quiet force behind safer roads, cleaner air, smarter tech, and stronger communities? Public policy. Public policy, in short, sets the rules that shape everyday life.

If you're ready to turn analysis into impact, Michigan Tech has an online graduate certificate for you. Build policy analysis and public management skills—fast. Our online Public Policy Certificate is a compact, 9‑credit graduate credential you can finish in 2 semesters. Take three focused, 7‑week courses that fit your schedule and prepare you to analyze, design, and evaluate policy in government, nonprofit, and industry settings.

What is Public Policy?

Why Earn This Certificate?

Practical, career‑ready skills. Learn to frame policy problems, apply evidence, and make feasible, equitable recommendations.
Speed + flexibility. Accelerated 7‑week courses, which are offered several times a year (even in the summer) help working professionals upskill without pausing their careers.
Versatility: Use this certificate to enter the public policy career of your choice. Or build a bridge to further graduate work, whether it is in policy, law, or communications.
Stackable learning. Apply certificate credits toward eligible Michigan Tech social sciences graduate programs (per University transfer policies).
Credibility that travels. Michigan Tech is Higher Learning Commission accredited and respected by government, nonprofit, and private‑sector employers.

What Will You Learn?

By the end of this certificate, you'll be able to do the following:

Identify public policy issues and analyze social, political, economic, and bureaucratic contexts
Evaluate policy with efficiency, equity, and adequacy criteria
Anticipate implementation challenges and develop mitigation strategies
Diagnose problems and propose feasible solutions using qualitative and quantitative methods
Navigate policy development, approval, implementation, and evaluation across government, nonprofit, and private sectors

Where Do Public Policy Experts Work?

Our online certificate will make you a versatile problem-solver, an adept researcher, and a creative, yet critical thinker. With your expertise, you will be able to take on public policy roles in several workplaces. But here is the short list.

Three professionals of diverse ages and race talk in a government office.

Government careers/positions in public policy analysis, program development and management, budget analysis, public relations, and communications
Political careers/positions as legislators, campaign managers, legislative analysts, public relations managers, and communications directors.
Private sector careers/positions in government affairs/relations, communications, community affairs, and regulatory affairs
Nonprofit careers/positions doing advocacy work, policy research; serving on a government relations team; leading a nonprofit; or even founding your own nonprofit or non-governmental organization.
Corporate and industry roles for keeping the organization aligned with human rights, as well as local, state, and federal policies.

What Courses Are in the Certificate?

You will enroll in three fundamental courses required by all public policy experts: The Policy Process, Public Management, and Policy Analysis.

These accelerated, 7-week courses are available several times a year, in both Track A and Track B of most semesters. So, if you work hard, you may complete your certificate in one or two semesters. The diverse instructional team has deep expertise in all level of government, program management, and all things public policy.

Diagram of the policy cycle.

Three Required Courses

SS 5301 - The Policy Process

This course introduces key concepts in the policy making process (agenda, setting, formulation, decision-making, implementation, and evaluation). Theories of policy change are also introduced.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: On Demand

SS 5318 - Public Management

The main theories, philosophies, current themes, and critical issues in public sector management are examined.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Restrictions: Permission of instructor required

SS 5350 - Policy Analysis

An overview of the policy process, including a detailed review of the major instruments that are used by federal, state, regional, and local governments.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate

Learn More About This Public Policy Credential.

Need to speak to a public policy expert to see if this program is a good fit for your previous education as well as your personal and professional goals?

Reach out to the program director and globally known policy expert, Dr. Adam Wellstead.

Adam Wellstead

Professor of Public Policy, Social Sciences

awellste@mtu.edu
906-487-2115

Dr. Wellstead's Google Scholar Page

Get Started on Your Online Public Policy Certificate.

Take the next step on your journey at Michigan Tech. We are here to answer your questions and to help you get started on your online program.

Hit the Request For Information button below to tell us more about yourself. Or start or free and easy application process right away.