Make an Immediate Positive Impact with Harvard

Infographic about PLC benefits including accelerated career growth, created by renowned HKS faculty, flexible and inclusive courses, and affordable learning.
Chart Your Course to Personal and Professional Growth

Upcoming PLC Dates

Course Dates: Jan 7–21
Registration Deadline: Jan 2
Course Fee: $1,095
 

Course Dates: Jan 28–Mar 11
Registration Deadline: Jan 9
Course Fee: $1,095

Course Dates: April 1–May 13
Registration Deadline: Mar 13
Course Fee: $1,095
 

Information Session Dates:

Info Session with Teddy Svoronos, Dec. 11, 2024
Info Session with Learners, Dec. 17, 2024
Info Session with Dan Levy, Jan. 7, 2025
Ask Me Anything, Dec. 12, 2024
Ask Me Anything, Jan. 9, 2025

Why choose the HKS Public Leadership Credential?

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.

“Thanks to the PLC program, I now have the knowledge and the tools I need to do that kind of analysis and create change that is for the benefit of all.”
— Carlos A. Rivera Sanchez, Harvard University, Master of Liberal Arts, Extension School, Government

Discover What the PLC Can Do For You

 

Expedite career growth with self-paced courses created by world-class Harvard faculty, potentially leading to a raise or new title.

 

Upon earning the PLC, you’ll have the potential to continue your learning through a special PLC pathway to master's degrees at HKS and HES.

 

Unlock alumni status and Professional and Lifelong Learning (PLL) alumni benefits upon completion, including HKS board membership and more.

 

Establish lifelong relationships with city managers, CEOs/founders, program directors, and others in our global community.

PLC by the Numbers

Countries and territories represented
Learners
Course registrations
PLC capstone completers
What will you do with a PLC?

How It Works: Six Courses Across Three Focus Areas

The PLC consists of six six-week courses in three curricular areas: Evidence for Decisions, Policy Design and Delivery, and Leadership and Ethics. Each curricular area includes two online courses and offers engaging, collaborative educational experiences similar to those in our degree programs. PLC courses are staffed by a team of subject matter experts who convey the instructional presence of our program's expert faculty.

Start with an A course in the curricular area of your choosing. After completing an A course, you can either continue your learning with the B course in the same curricular area or register for an A course in another curricular area. Upon successful completion of all six PLC courses, the next step is to complete the capstone.

This cumulative online capstone project combines the tools and concepts gained across all your leadership training in the PLC, empowering you to apply your knowledge in real-world scenarios. It is the last requirement you must fulfill to receive your Public Leadership Credential.

infographic about the PLC experience. Take one course in any focus are, take both courses in one focus area, or take all six courses plus the capstone to earn your credential

PLC Alumni Stories

 

“The teachings are challenging but incredible, and you will earn invaluable takeaways that will guide you through the rest of your life.”

 

“Creating effective policies using PLC methods enables me to advocate more effectively for my organization's impact."

 

"The lessons from PLC have helped shape my work. I use the concepts from PLC regularly at my new organization."

Public Leadership Training and Coursework
Learn more about what the PLC can do for your personal and professional growth.
Register for the PLC
To get started on your Public Leadership Credential journey, register for an account.