- Program length: One semester (full-time) or over 2-4 semesters (part-time)
- Students with an undergraduate degree by the time of matriculation.
Fall 2026 Decisions Released: Rolling Basis
Fall 2026 Deposit Deadline: August 8, 2026
Spring 2027 Application Deadline: December 15, 2026
Spring 2027 Decisions Released: Rolling Basis
Spring 2027 Deposit Deadline: January 1, 2027
- Jennifer FraticelliAdmissions Officer
Amplify your Impact
The UVA Batten Graduate Certificate in Public Policy provides vigorous training in the core competencies needed for public policy research and analysis. Graduates emerge equipped to design sound policy research that drives change—no matter the sector.
In the certificate program, you will:
- Develop the skills to inform effective programming and interventions, as well as navigate the political dynamics of policymaking
- Identify and analyze policy problems, evaluate political processes, construct realistic alternatives, and clearly communicate policy recommendations both orally and in writing
- Learn research methods, quantitative strategies, and evidence-based decision-making
- Forecast the impacts of policy proposals and anticipate complications before they occur
Flexible Format
Online courses have one hour per week of synchronous instruction; the remainder is delivered in asynchronous format. All students complete 12 credit hours, and credits may be applied toward the full Master of Public Policy (MPP) program in the future.
Students in the Graduate Certificate in Public Policy must complete twelve (12) credit hours of graduate-level work. Six (6) credits will be completed with two core courses, while the remaining six (6) credits will be satisfied through elective courses.
The certificate is offered to students on both a full-time and part-time basis. Students enrolled full-time can complete the certificate program in one semester; part-time students can complete the program in two to four semesters. All certificate course requirements must be completed within three years of matriculation into the program.
Students enrolled in the online Public Policy certificate program can choose Batten electives in public policy or take online courses offered by UVA’s various schools that align with public policy.
Core Courses – 6 credit hours
- LPPP 6250: Introduction to Policy Analysis (3 credits)
- LPPP 6350: Politics of Public Policy (3 credits)
Elective Options– 6 credit hours
- LPPL 5035: Leading and Managing Diverse Teams (3 credits)
- LPPA 6100: Economics of Public Policy I (3 credits)
- LPPA 6150: Research Methods & Data Analysis I (3 credits)
- LPPL 7025: Values-Based Leadership (3 credits)
- LPPL 7055: Strategies and Processes of Negotiation (3 credits)
- LPPA 7110: Economics of Public Policy II (3 credits)
- LPPA 7160: Research Methods & Data Analysis II (3 credits)
- LPPL 7410: Psychology for Leadership (3 credits)
In order to apply to the UVA Batten Graduate Certificate in Public Policy, you will be required to submit the following materials by 11:59 p.m. ET on the date of the official deadline:
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (as either a Word Document or a PDF)
- One Required Essay
- What is the motivation behind your decision to pursue a Batten Graduate Certificate in Public Policy? What work, activity, or educational experience has best equipped you for graduate studies in this field? (Please limit your answer to 500 words.)
- Unofficial Transcripts
- Unofficial transcripts may be uploaded directly to your online application. Should you gain acceptance to the Graduate Certificate program, a required official transcript will be requested at that time.
- Optional Test Scores
- The Batten School has removed the standardized test requirement. If you have already taken the GRE, you are welcome to submit your scores if you believe they provide another useful data point for your application. Please direct your unofficial scores to BattenAdmissions@virginia.edu, and we will attach it to your application.
- Optional Application Addendum
- There is no penalty for not submitting an application addendum. However, some applicants may wish to provide additional information to the admissions committee. Feel free to amplify the positive dimensions of your background that are not covered in other parts of this application. Similarly, you may wish to put some seemingly negative information in your application into context. Please format this application addendum as a letter to the admissions committee, not to exceed one page.
Your application may be completed online and submitted electronically once you have answered all the required questions. You do not have to complete the online application in one sitting – you may access your application and change your answers as many times as you like.
