Respected as the global thought leader in public policy and public leadership education, Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) welcomes learners from around the world to our online and on-campus programs. The Public Leadership Credential (PLC) program, delivered fully online and taught by Harvard’s renowned faculty, equips you with the skills and knowledge you need to tackle some of today's biggest challenges, advance the public good, and make an immediate impact in your community.
The PLC consists of six six-week courses in three curricular areas: Evidence for Decisions, Policy Design and Delivery, and Leadership and Ethics. You start with an A course in the curricular area of your choosing. After completing your A course, you can either deepen your learning with the B course in the same curricular area or register for an A course in another curricular area. Once you have completed all six courses and a final capstone assessment, in as little as 11 months or up to three years, you will earn the Public Leadership Credential. Completing the PLC also provides a potential pathway to a master’s degree from Harvard.
By completing the PLC, you will become a member of the Professional and Lifelong Learning (PLL) alumni community as HKS. Importantly, most PLC participants greatly expand their professional network, making lifelong connections with fellow learners. Many report that adding a Harvard PLC to their resume helps garner respect and attention. A large percentage report seeing a bump in their salary after completing their program–often soon afterwards–and reaching a higher position either in their organization, or in a new one.
“The program helped me to apply theory and adaptive leadership to real community projects. Most importantly, it has helped me to better know and manage my emotions during challenging situations.”
-Gil Zafra, PLC Learner
Designed and directed by renowned Harvard Kennedy School faculty, this unique program explores HKS pedagogy in three curricular areas, including Evidence for Decisions, Policy Design and Delivery, and Leadership and Ethics. Each curricular area is comprised of two courses and offers stimulating, collaborative educational experiences similar to those in our degree programs. Upon successful completion of all six PLC courses and the summative assessment (known as the capstone), you will earn the credential.
Take Your Place Among Changemakers
Registration for the Public Leadership Credential is open to learners with a bachelor’s degree and at least five years of professional work experience. Ideal learners are highly motivated individuals who are driven by a desire to serve and are inspired to take action to create positive change. PLC learners have three years from the start date of their first course to successfully complete all six courses and the capstone assessment.
Alumni Perspective
“The Public Leadership Credential content was outstanding in its level of comprehensive coverage of the subject and methods of instruction.”
– John Strickland
This unique credential fosters an active and engaging learning environment and offers learners an in-depth exploration of how to design and evaluate public policy as well as an examination of the role and agency of public leadership. Courses are immersions in Evidence for Decisions, Policy Design and Delivery, and Leadership and Ethics with one A course and one B course per subject area. Learners are welcome to take any A course they want but must successfully complete an A course before taking the corresponding B course. See the upcoming course dates.
Learners should expect to spend 10 to 12 hours per week on activities and assignments, including a virtual small-group meeting with classmates.
Develop a Toolkit for Improving the Public Good
Whatever your goals for change in your community, job, or industry, the Public Leadership Credential offers a series of courses to help you improve your decision-making, leadership, and policy-making skills. Whether you register for one course or complete the entire credential, you will develop a toolkit of skills to take immediate action while you learn. The fully online program is a reflection of Harvard Kennedy School’s mission of improving public policy and public leadership to create societies that are safer, freer, more just, and more sustainably prosperous.
This unique credential program is comprised of six six-week courses, including Evidence for Decisions, Leadership and Ethics, and Policy Design and Delivery, presented in an active and engaging online learning environment. These three areas focus on a set of skills that every public leader needs to be effective.
Each course provides educational experiences similar to those in our in-person programs. Designed to draw on the unique pedagogical strategies from our faculty members, the courses feature case studies, simulations, and group work to help you develop critical thinking skills to improve the public good and become a more effective public leader.
Evidence for Decisions
The Evidence for Decisions courses enable you to acquire the skills necessary to demystify data and learn to leverage effective decision-making.
Leadership and Ethics
The Leadership and Ethics courses are a crucial component of Harvard Kennedy School's Public Leadership Credential. Individuals acquire skills to begin the practice of moral leadership, resulting in the ability to instill change for deep and lasting community impact.
Policy Design and Delivery
The Public Leadership Credential from Harvard Kennedy School seeks learners across the globe who are passionate about creating change in their communities. Through the Policy Design and Delivery courses, learners acquire the knowledge and skills to craft and implement policies to make these changes.
Who Should Enroll?
The ideal learner for the Public Learning Credential is creative, dedicated, and driven by a desire to serve. Requirements include proficiency in verbal and written English, a bachelor's degree, and at least five years of work experience. To learn more, visit our requirements page.
Why Choose Harvard Kennedy School?
Harvard Kennedy School's mission is to educate public leaders and help them generate the ideas and solutions that this moment in history demands. Our goal is to improve public policy and public leadership across the United States and around the world so that people can achieve safer, freer, and more prosperous lives.
The Harvard Kennedy School experience is defined by academic rigor and excellence, as well as a vibrant exchange of ideas and perspectives. Our renowned faculty and trailblazing research centers create public leaders who champion bold new ideas and policy approaches.
The PLC also provides eligibility to apply for a potential pathway to the Mid-Career Master in Public Administration (MC/MPA). Learners who earn the credential have the opportunity to apply to MC/MPA via a special pathway available only in the next application cycle after earning the credential. If accepted, their Public Leadership Credential counts as three of the eight courses toward the MC/MPA degree. This means they are on campus in Cambridge for the summer program plus just one semester (instead of two). Note: this pathway is only available for the MC/MPA.
How do I contact PLC if I have questions?
Please reach out to PLC via this contact form.
The Public Leadership Credential reflects Harvard Kennedy School’s commitment to improving public policy and leadership and creating a safer, freer, more just, and more prosperous society. This online program, designed by renowned Harvard Kennedy School faculty, gives changemakers the skills and knowledge necessary to advance the public good and make an immediate impact in their communities. The credential gives learners a better understanding of the nexus of policy, ethics, and leadership, equipping them to become effective public changemakers.
Six Courses. Three Focus Areas.
Our unique credential program consists of six six-week courses in three curricular areas: Evidence for Decisions, Policy Design and Delivery, and Leadership and Ethics. Through learning modules, case studies, and structured group activities, you will develop critical thinking skills to impact communities and become an effective public leader.
Get Started
You will start with an A course in the curricular area of your choosing, allowing you to prioritize your courses based on your preferences and professional needs.
Explore A Courses
Continue Your Learning
After completing your first course, you can either deepen your learning with the B course in the same curricular area or enroll in an A course in another curricular area.
Our courses build on each other, so you must complete the A course in a certain curricular area before you can take the corresponding B course.
Bring Your Learning Together: Complete the Capstone
Once you have completed all six courses, you will have the opportunity to participate in a summative experience in which you will demonstrate your learning across all courses, including frameworks, tools, and key learning elements from all six courses.
You must complete your PLC courses and capstone within three years of your start date.
Complete Your Credential
After completing all six courses and the capstone, you will earn the Public Leadership Credential. More importantly, you will possess the knowledge and skills you need to make a positive impact in your work and your community.
Explore how the PLC could make you a more effective leader.
Apply for Your Master's Degree at Harvard Kennedy School
The Public Leadership Credential (PLC) not only gives you tangible strategies you can implement immediately, it also provides a potential pathway to the Harvard Kennedy School Mid-Career Master’s Degree in Public Administration (MC/MPA). Should you be accepted into MC/MPA via the PLC pathway, your PLC credential counts for three of eight courses required in the MC/MPA program. If accepted, you would come to our Harvard campus for the required in-person summer program then complete the remaining five courses in person either during the fall term or the following spring term. This pathway reduces the amount of time you spend in person at our Cambridge campus. It also reduces what you pay, as the price for the PLC pathway is less than the standard full-year on-campus program.
To be eligible for this pathway you must:
- Pass your courses and capstone within three years and earn the Public Leadership Credential prior to submitting your admission application.
- Apply to and enroll in MC/MPA through the PLC pathway during the next admission cycle after earning your credential.
Explore the Harvard Extension School Pathway
The PLC also provides eligibility to apply for a special pathway to Harvard Extension School’s Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies (Field: Government).
We offer one-hour information sessions to address any questions about PLC:
PLC Info Session with PLC Learners
October 9, 2024
2:00pm - 3:00 pm ET
REGISTER
PLC Info Session with Dan Levy
October 17, 2024
4:00pm - 5:00 pm ET
REGISTER
We offer half-hour sessions to answer any questions:
Ask Me Anything
October 15, 2024
2:00pm - 2:30 pm ET
REGISTER
Ask Me Anything
October 24, 2024
10:00am - 10:30 am ET
REGISTER
PLC by the Numbers
PLC Alumni Stories
Take your cue from our world-class faculty
No matter where you are in the world, the Public Leadership Credential provides you with challenging, collaborative, useful learning designed by Harvard Kennedy School faculty. Our faculty produce ideas and research that impact the world, influence public policy, and educate the next generation of public leaders. Whatever your goals for change in your community, PLC will help you channel your passions into the practical skills you need to make an immediate positive impact.
Dan Levy
Senior Lecturer in Public Policy
Chris Robichaud
Senior Lecturer in Ethics and Public Policy
Teddy Svoronos
Lecturer in Public Policy
Michael Walton
Senior Lecturer in Public Policy
PLC Learners by Region
FAQ for Online Public Policy Courses with Harvard
Looking for more information about the Public Leadership Credential model, course structure, registration, payment options, or technical requirements? Start with our frequently asked questions for prospective PLC learners.
How are PLC courses delivered?
Delivered online each Fall and Spring, PLC six-week courses are academically rigorous, featuring signature HKS pedagogies like peer discussions, case studies, and simulations. They also include short, high-quality videos of HKS faculty and guest lecturers. Learners can expect to spend approximately 10-12 hours per week on course work. This time includes both asynchronous individual work (with weekly deadlines) and required weekly group work with peers over Zoom.
Do I need to come to campus to participate in the PLC?
No, our courses take place 100% online and are available to participants regardless of their location. Our learners are from all over the world - 133 countries and counting!
Do I need to log in to my PLC course at certain times?
Most of your PLC coursework is self-paced and asynchronous, meaning there are no formal class times. However, each new course week officially begins on Tuesday at 9 AM ET, with weekly assignment deadlines the following Tuesday at 5 PM ET. Because of the nature of the learning experience, learners must fully participate in each of the six weeks of the course and submit work by the weekly deadlines.
What access to faculty or Harvard University resources will be available to learners in the PLC?
PLC learners participate in at least one live online session per course with the faculty lead. In addition, learners engage with their PLC peers in weekly group meetings. They can also access teaching assistants who guide the learning experience and answer questions. For administrative dimensions of the program, the PLC delivery team is also available to assist.
Will I need to purchase any additional materials?
No, you do not need to purchase any materials beyond the course fee, provided you have the required technology (a computer with high-speed internet access). The course site and all course materials are designed to be accessed via a desktop or laptop computer.
Will I have access to the course materials after the course ends?
Learners have access to PLC course sites in read-only mode for a limited time after each course concludes. If a learner would like to retain a copy of their work, they need to download this material before the conclusion of the course. Learners retain access to their overall PLC account even after the conclusion of an individual course. Final score outcomes for each course taken will remain in our records.
How do I contact PLC if I have questions?
Reach out to PLC via the online contact form.
How are PLC courses structured?
PLC courses are fully online learning experiences offered by the Harvard Kennedy School. Each course is six weeks in length and is comprised of a variety of online and offline activities and assignments. The workload is approximately 10 to 12 hours per week. Most work is asynchronous, though at least once a week there is a group activity that takes place in real time over Zoom. Group work is an integral part of the learning experience, and PLC courses rely on active engagement with fellow learners. There is at least one opportunity during each course for learners to engage as a group with the faculty lead.
Learners engage with course content via multiple modalities, from highly produced videos of faculty leads, often with faculty guests (typically other HKS and Harvard faculty), to small group sessions over Zoom, to offline activities and assignments that are submitted via the Canvas learning management system.
PLC courses are facilitated by a dedicated team of HKS teaching assistants, who provide feedback on assignments and guide learning.
PLC learners must have access to a computer, high-speed internet access, and a comfort level with online learning.
How long will coursework take each week?
Learners should expect to spend an estimated 10 to 12 hours per week on online and offline activities and assignments. Most of the weekly work is self-paced and asynchronous, with the exception of a required weekly live session with peers over Zoom. Each new course week begins on Tuesday at 9 AM ET and closes the following Tuesday at 9 AM EST. Given the fast-paced nature of the program and the dedication required by learners every week, learners should weigh the decision to take PLC courses with the existing demands of their personal and professional lives in mind.
I have a prior commitment during part of the course. Can I make up my work the following week or work ahead of the course pace?
For all PLC courses, new modules will be released on a regular, weekly schedule. Because of the nature of the learning experience, learners must fully participate in each of the six weeks of the course and submit work by the weekly deadlines. To help everyone stay on track and to honor the learning experience, we do not accept late work or provide extensions.
What happens if I find I cannot commit to completing my work every week?
PLC courses require ongoing active participation by learners each week. Participation includes completion of individual activities and assignments as well as weekly group work. If a learner has been inactive in the course for more than one week, HKS reserves the right to withdraw that learner from the course with no refund.
What do I receive upon completion of a course?
Upon successful completion of a course, learners receive email verification informing them of their final course outcome. Please note that PLC does not provide certificates of completion at the course level. Upon successful completion of all six courses and the capstone assessment, learners will receive the Public Leadership Credential, in the form of a digital certificate.
Can I take more than one course at a time?
PLC courses are rigorous and academically demanding. The estimated time commitment is approximately 10 to 12 hours of work per week. Learners may take one or two courses at once. It is not possible to take three courses at the same time.
Is there a required path to completing the credential?
PLC is comprised of six six-week courses: three introductory courses (known as A courses) and three advanced courses (known as the B courses. Learners may take A courses in any order. Learners must successfully complete an A course before they can register for the corresponding B course. Learners must successfully complete all six PLC courses before registering for the capstone. Learners can complete PLC in as little as 11 months or up to three years from their start date.
What is the credential and how can I complete it?
Program participants earn the Public Leadership Credential after the successful completion of all six PLC courses and the capstone assessment. The Public Leadership Credential will be conferred upon learners in the form of a digital certificate, not a diploma.
Will I have access to alumni benefits upon earning the Public Leadership Credential?
All Public Leadership Credential recipients (those who have successfully completed all six courses and the capstone) will become members of the Professional and Lifelong Learning (PLL) alumni and receive PLL alumni benefits. These benefits include alumni status recognition, invitations to HKS events, an impressive alumni network, access to exclusive forums, and more. For more information, please visit the PLL Alumni Benefits page.
How do I refer to PLC on my resume and online professional profiles?
Recognition of your PLC experience should be listed on your resume or LinkedIn profile as:
Awarded the Public Leadership Credential, [Insert Year], John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Does HKS offer academic credit for individual PLC courses?
No. HKS does not offer academic credit for individual PLC courses toward any HKS degree program (including but not limited to the MC/MPA program). That said, should a PLC "capstone completer" apply to MC/MPA through something called the "PLC pathway," be accepted and decide to matriculate through this special pathway, twelve degree-program credits will be applied, leaving the matriculated student with a remaining workload of summer programming + 20 credits to complete.
Can I use the PLC as a pathway to the MC/MPA program at Harvard Kennedy School?
Yes, you can. Learners who have earned the Public Leadership Credential may apply to the Mid-Career Master in Public Administration (MC/MPA). Please note:
- You must successfully complete all your courses + capstone and have earned your credential within three years of your start date before applying.
- This pathway is only for Harvard Kennedy School's Mid-Career Master in Public Administration (MC/MPA) program. It does not apply to any other master's program at HKS.
- You must apply via the PLC pathway in the next application cycle after receiving your credential.
- While PLC is a registration-based program with no application process, you must apply and be accepted to attend the MC/MPA (or any of our degree programs).
Can my PLC courses count toward the distribution requirements in the MC/MPA program?
Learners who apply, are admitted, and register for the MC/MPA program via the PLC pathway may use their PLC coursework to satisfy the MPA distribution requirements.
When must I be on campus for the MC/MPA program if admitted via the PLC pathway?
PLC capstone completers who are accepted and enroll in the MC/MPA program via the PLC pathway must be on campus for two parts of the year:
- They must participate in person in the MC/MPA summer program, which lasts about one month.
- They must complete the remaining five courses required for the degree in person during one semester (either fall or spring).
Does the PLC pathway to the MC/MPA program cost less than the traditional MC/MPA degree?
Yes. Earning your MC/MPA via the PLC pathway costs less than earning the degree through the traditional MC/MPA program. (See the Tuition & Fees page for more information regarding the cost of the traditional MC/MPA program.)
What are the admissions requirements for learners who have completed the PLC and are applying to the MC/MPA degree program via the PLC pathway?
Admissions requirements for those who apply via the PLC pathway are the same as for those who apply to any HKS degree program with the one distinction being an applicant who wants to apply via the PLC pathway must apply in the next application cycle after they receive the Public Leadership Credential. During the application process, these applicants will have the opportunity to flag that they are applying via the PLC pathway. For more information regarding the HKS application process in general, please see How to Apply.
What information will the PLC program provide to HKS Admissions?
On the MC/MPA application, PLC learners must denote their choice to be considered for the PLC pathway. If a learner chooses to use the PLC pathway, PLC will provide HKS Admissions the applicant’s course and capstone outcomes as well as the faculty evaluation of their capstone assignment.
How can I use the PLC as a pathway to Harvard Extension School's ALM degree in extension studies (focus: government)?
After completing the PLC, learners can enroll in the proseminar for the ALM in Government (SSCI 100b – Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies and Scholarly Writing in the Social Sciences – Government and History) at Harvard Extension School (HES). If they receive a grade of B or better in the proseminar course, they will be eligible to apply for ALM admissions. If accepted, the completed PLC counts as 12 credits toward the 48 credit ALM degree. Credit is only awarded for a complete PLC credential; individual PLC courses are not available for credit at HES. For additional information please visit the Harvard Extension School's website.
Can I complete HKS's MC/MPA or Harvard Extension School's ALM degree programs online?
While the PLC is a fully online program, both the HKS MC/MPA and HES ALM degree programs require time on campus. Specifically:
- The HKS MC/MPA program requires that students enrolling in the MC/MPA program through the PLC pathway participate in the in-person, MC/MPA summer program and either the fall or spring term in person.
- HES requires admitted graduate program students to complete a portion of their coursework in person. For full details, please visit Harvard Extension School’s website.
Do I need to have a specific degree or a certain amount of work experience to register for the Public Leadership Credential?
As part of the registration process, learners will need to complete the online registration form and confirm that they meet the following course requirements:
- They have a bachelor’s degree.
- They have at least five years of work experience.
- They are proficient in verbal and written English.
- They are available to commit 10 to 12 hours per week to coursework, including a required weekly live video conference with other registered learners around the world.
Can I retake a PLC course if I do not successfully complete it the first time?
A learner may retake any PLC course once, should they withdraw during the course or not receive a passing grade in the course the first time. Learners may not retake a course more than once. Should a learner choose to retake a course, they will be expected to resubmit payment for that course at the time of registration.
Can I defer my registration in a course to a future session?
Should a learner need to postpone their course, they can defer their registration for a course prior to the orientation start date. Deferrals must be requested in writing. If you defer, you must participate in the course the next time it is offered. You can only defer one time per course. Deferral requests made after the orientation start date are subject to review by the PLC team and will only be granted in the case of extreme life circumstances. There will be no deferrals granted after the conclusion of the second week of the course. Learners can request a withdrawal from a PLC course without a refund through the first four weeks of the course.
Extreme life circumstances include, but are not limited to:
- Unexpected medical situation for you or a dependent
- Death of a family member
- Natural disaster or other large-scale event
Can I withdraw from a PLC course once I am registered?
Yes, a learner can withdraw from a PLC course, though refunds are only available under the following conditions:
- The original transaction occurred less than one year before the request to withdraw.
- The withdrawn enrollment was not purchased through an Open Enrollment offer.
- Courses purchased through Open Enrollment are not eligible for refund.
- Withdrawals must be requested by the learner in writing and submitted via our contact form.
- The request for withdrawal is made prior to the course’s orientation start date. Refunds will not be granted after the start of orientation.
- The refunded tuition is credited to the original card used for payment.
- These requirements cannot be waived.
Are GRE, TOEFL, or other standardized test scores required to register?
Learners do not need to submit any standardized test scores to register for PLC courses.
Once I have qualified for a PLC course, where can I complete my registration?
If you have previously submitted our online registration form and qualified for a PLC course, you can log into the PLC Community site to enroll. An account was created for you at the time of registration. Your username for this site is the email address you used to register. You can reset your password at any time by following the “Forgot Your Password?” link on the login page.
Can I register for more than one PLC course at a time?
Learners may register for up to two course per course run provided they are not registering for an A course and corresponding B course in the same run. For example, they may register for Leadership A and Policy A, but they may not register for Leadership A and Leadership B. Learners cannot take three courses at the same time.
How long do I have to complete the PLC?
PLC learners have three years from the start date of their first course to successfully complete all six courses and the capstone assessment.
How much does the overall PLC cost?
The current tuition for the Public Leadership Credential courses is $995 per course. The capstone fee is $500. Prices are subject to change.
What forms of payment are accepted?
We accept all major credit and debit cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. At this time, we do not accept alternative forms of payment, such as cash or check. Similarly, we cannot coordinate payments on behalf of registrants with outside entities. All payments must be made through our registration system.
Is financial aid available? Do you offer scholarships or discounts? Do you offer payment plans?
HKS does not provide financial aid, scholarships, discounts, or payment plans for PLC courses at this time.
Can I use federal student aid (e.g. GI Bill benefits) to pay for PLC courses?
HKS does not provide federal student aid or GI Bill benefits for PLC at this time.
Can PLC issue a 1098-T form for tax purposes?
The Public Leadership Credential does not offer academic credit for its courses, and therefore learners enrolled in the program are not issued 1098-T forms. According to the IRS, "institutions are not required to file Form 1098-T or furnish a statement for:
- Courses for which no academic credit is offered, even if the student is otherwise enrolled in a degree program;
- Nonresident alien students, unless requested by the student;
- Students whose qualified tuition and related expenses are entirely waived or paid entirely with scholarships; and
- Students for whom you do not maintain a separate financial account and whose qualified tuition and related expenses are covered by a formal billing arrangement between an institution and the student’s employer or a governmental entity, such as the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense."
How do I access my PLC course?
Once a prospective learner has completed our online registration form, they will receive an email verifying that they have qualified for enrollment in the PLC program. This email will provide instructions on how to join the PLC community site and complete the final steps to enroll in available courses.
Upon enrolling in a PLC course, the learner will be directed to the Canvas Learning Platform, where they can access course content.
What technologies do I need to participate?
These online courses rely on technology for general course delivery, display of streaming video and other multimedia, and video calls with group members. To participate in these courses, learners will need to have access to a computer with high-speed internet connection, a camera, microphone, and the ability to listen to audio (e.g., via speakers or headset).
Learners’ computers need to meet or exceed these requirements:
- Canvas: System Requirements; Supported Browsers
- Zoom: System Requirements
Due to government regulations, users in the following countries are currently not able to access the required technologies for the courses: Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, and Ukraine (Crimea region).
Are the courses mobile-friendly?
While some course components are accessible via mobile devices, learners will need to have access to a desktop or laptop computer to submit assignments. PLC does not provide support for technical issues encountered while using a mobile device.
Are the technology platforms accessible?
PLC technologies are compliant with the following accessibility standards:
- Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1
- Accessible Rich Internet Applications (WAI-ARIA) 1.1
Learn more about accessibility features: