Overview And Certificates

Cornell’s Public Administration Certificate Programs deliver Ivy League-caliber education designed for professionals leading policy, governance, and public-sector innovation across government, nonprofit, healthcare, and corporate environments. Through specialized programs spanning public sector leadership, AI policy, governance, advocacy, data privacy, and public health, professionals gain the strategic expertise needed to influence policy outcomes, lead organizations, and navigate today’s rapidly evolving regulatory landscape. Our distinctive online learning model combines rigorous Cornell instruction with practical, real-world application—empowering learners to immediately apply new insights to the complex challenges facing modern institutions and communities.

Education With Impact
Our courses provide unparalleled structure, support, and engagement to students.

Flexible Online Format
100% self-paced certificate programs allow you to learn on your own schedule.

Live Engagement
Engage directly with peers and instructors. Grow your professional network in every course.

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AI Law and Policy

Courses

  • Exploring the Legal Principles of AI
  • Promoting Effective and Inclusive AI
  • Managing Legal and Ethical Risks in AI
  • Competing and Thriving in a Global AI Landscape
  • Shaping Internal AI Policies
  • Building Organizational Resilience for AI
  • AI Symposium  
    LIVE

Designed For

  • Leaders and business professionals
  • Policymakers, government officials, and NGO professionals
  • Compliance officers and risk managers
  • Lawyers and paralegals
  • Professionals working in startups
  • Entrepreneurs
  • Anyone responsible for AI-related decision making
Format
All Online

Time Commitment
3 months with 3 to 5 hours of study per week

Cost
$3,750

Big Data for Policy

Courses

  • Income Inequality and Intergenerational Mobility
  • Impact of Racial-Ethnic Segregation on Education and Neighborhood Inequality
  • Social and Economic Impact of the Early COVID-19 Pandemic
  • Crime and Incarceration

Designed For

  • Aspiring data scientists and analysts
  • Policy, business, and finance analysts
  • Social science researchers
  • Government program managers
  • Program evaluators
  • City and regional planners
  • Public sector professionals
Format
All Online

Time Commitment
4 months with 6 to 8 hours of study per week

Cost
$3,750

Cannabis Law and Policy

Courses

  • Understanding Federal Cannabis Regulation
  • New York State Cannabis Regulation
  • Labor and Business Considerations in the Cannabis Industry
  • Cannabis Taxation
  • Legal Medical Cannabis Use
  • The Future of Cannabis and Legislation

Designed For

  • Entrepreneurs
  • Cannabis-industry business leaders
  • Cannabis growers, producers and hobbyists
  • Farmers
  • Investors
  • Cannabis industry marketers
  • Lawyers
  • Healthcare professionals
  • Current students in law, public policy, or agriculture
Format
All Online

Time Commitment
3 months with 3 to 5 hours of study per week

Cost
$3,750

Country Risk Analysis

Courses

  • International Relations Theory in Practice
  • Developing a Policy Brief
  • Country Risk Evaluation and Reporting
  • Leveraging Strategic Foresight Analysis

Designed For

  • Military and government foreign policy professionals
  • Investment analysts
  • Strategic planners in multinational corporations
  • Policy advisors
  • Consultants
  • Business intelligence professionals
  • Risk management specialists
  • International development professionals
  • Business leaders involved in international operations or global strategic planning
  • Professionals in NGOs and international organizations
  • Service members transitioning out of active service
Format
All Online

Time Commitment
2 months with 3 to 5 hours of study per week

Cost
$3,750

Financial Success for Nonprofits

Courses

  • Assessing Nonprofits using Financial Statements and Ratios
  • Determining Appropriate Budgeting, Debt Financing, and Cash Flow
  • Fundraising and Revenue Generation
  • Strategically Governing the Organization

Designed For

  • CEOs and executive directors without a formal finance background
  • Leaders, administrators, and new board members
  • Decision-making program staff
  • Lawyers who serve the nonprofit sector
Format
All Online

Time Commitment
with 3 to 5 hours of study per week

Cost
$2,500

Media Strategy for Policy and PR

Courses

  • Strategic Media Relations for Public Leaders
  • Persuasive Writing for Public Impact
  • Persuasive Speaking for Media
  • Building Media Support
  • AI Workshops All-Access Pass

Designed For

  • Advocacy, nonprofit, and government leaders and professionals
  • Executives and business leaders in industries heavily influenced by public policy
  • Civil servants and elected and appointed officials at the local, state, and federal levels
  • Political candidates for elected office
  • Legislative aides
  • Political candidate recruitment organizations
  • Scientists and engineers at the management and executive levels
  • Consultants
  • Anyone interested in transitioning in their career in PR or a related function
Format
All Online

Time Commitment
2 months with 3 to 5 hours of study per week

Cost
$2,999

Policy Advocacy

Courses

  • Community Organizing
  • Legislative Advocacy
  • Administrative Advocacy
  • Media Advocacy and Storytelling
  • Electoral Advocacy and Campaigns

Designed For

  • Nonprofit leaders and professionals
  • Government agency leaders and professionals
  • Professionals working in NGOs, U.S. advocacy, community, and civic organizations
  • Public office candidates
  • Students in law, social work, and social sciences
  • Union representatives
  • Private sector professionals working in human services, healthcare, and environmental-related roles
  • Academics and researchers
  • Elected local government officials
  • Individuals interested in policy advocacy
Format
All Online

Time Commitment
3 months with 3 to 5 hours of study per week

Cost
$2,999

Public Health Essentials

Courses

  • Public Health Foundations
  • Assessing and Implementing Public Health
  • Using Public Health Data for Action
  • Supporting Public Health Behaviors
  • Public Health Preparedness

Designed For

  • Community health leaders
  • Emerging public health leaders
  • Public health volunteers
  • Volunteers working with high-risk populations
  • Outreach coordinators
  • Anyone interested in personal and collective health and wellbeing, community development, preventing disease and injury, or leading change to support health equity
Format
All Online

Time Commitment
4 months with 5 to 7 hours of study per week

Cost
$2,999

Public Sector Leadership

Courses

  • Leadership Skills and Traits in Public Organizations
  • Assessing Your Public Sector Organization
  • Motivating Public Sector Employees
  • Public Sector Leadership Strategies
  • Goal Setting in Public Sector Organizations
  • Leading Public Sector Teams to Success
  • Leadership Symposium  
    LIVE

Designed For

  • People who work in or with public service or public policy organizations
  • Leaders, aspiring leaders, and staff who work in organizations involved in public affairs or engaged with government at any level
  • People who work in or with non-profits, education institutions, or NGOs
  • People who work in or with law enforcement organizations
Format
All Online

Time Commitment
3 months with 3 to 5 hours of study per week

Cost
$3,750
“I would found an institution where any person could find instruction in any study.”
{Anytime, anywhere.}
Ezra Cornell
Founder of Cornell University

Request More Information by completing the form below.

Act today—courses are filling fast.