Online Learning with the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy
Whether you’re curious about how public policy shapes everyday life, looking for new approaches to your work, or ready to deepen your expertise, online learning from the University of Michigan’s Ford School connects you with the issues and ideas that matter.
Shape the Future You Want
The Ford School prepares leaders to take on the world’s most pressing challenges. Explore the Online Master of Public Affairs and other online learning experiences featuring Ford School faculty and experts across the University of Michigan.
Explore Policy. Expand Your Perspective.
Examine the relationship between policy and emerging issues, consider how data informs public decisions, and discover approaches to leadership and communication in service of the public good. Choose from a broad range of online learning experiences that reflect public policy’s far-reaching impact.
Lead with Purpose
Explore approaches to leadership, management, negotiation, collaboration, and decision-making across organizations and sectors. For experienced professionals ready to deepen their policy expertise, the Ford School’s flexible, part-time online MPA offers rigorous preparation without requiring you to step away from your career.
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CourseSuccessful Negotiation: Essential Strategies and Skills
Master key steps in negotiation—from preparation to closing—using real-world strategies and interactive tools to improve your outcomes.
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CourseInspiring and Motivating Individuals
Master goal-setting, team motivation, and performance strategies to improve engagement across cultures and work environments.
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CourseManaging Talent
Master the full cycle of talent management—recruiting, performance evaluation, coaching, and development—to build strong, future-ready teams.
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CourseInfluencing People
Develop skills to build influence without authority by using effective power dynamics, relationship strategies, and ethical persuasion techniques.
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CourseLeading Teams
Learn how to build, manage, and sustain high-performing teams by improving structure, communication, and conflict resolution.
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CourseLeading for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Education
Explore leadership for diversity and inclusion in higher education and propose strategic change based on institutional analysis.
See Policy Through a Wider Lens
Explore how public policy intersects with social change, economic pressures, conflict, migration, and displacement. Consider how policy decisions affect people and communities in different contexts.
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CourseUsing Public Policy for Social Change
Explore how public policy can drive social change by addressing social inequality across education, health, justice, and environmental systems.
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VideoCollege as an Investment
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VideoCybersecurity
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VideoNATO’s Role
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VideoRussian Cyberattacks
Use Evidence to Inform Public Decisions
Explore approaches to data analysis, modeling, and policy evaluation in the public sector. Consider the political and ethical questions involved in using evidence to support policy decisions.
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SeriesData Analytics in the Public Sector with R
Analyze public sector data with R to inform policy decisions, improve services, and strengthen evidence-based leadership.
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CourseExploratory Data Analysis for the Public Sector with ggplot
Use R and ggplot2 to explore public datasets and create insightful, equity-focused visualizations for planning and reporting.
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CourseAssisting Public Sector Decision Makers With Policy Analysis
Learn to apply data analysis tools and statistical methods to evaluate public policies and inform decisions using R.
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CoursePolitics and Ethics of Data Analytics in the Public Sector
Examine ethical challenges in public sector data use and conduct policy analysis with R using real-world case studies.
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CourseModel Thinking
Explore models to make sense of complex systems and social trends and improve decision-making across life, business, and government.
Understand Technology’s Impact on Society
Examine how emerging technologies are changing work, mobility, business, and society. Explore questions of governance, regulation, equity, and accountability as policymakers and communities respond to rapid technological change.
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CoursePeople, Technology and the Future of Mobility
Explore how mobility innovations like automation and electrification affect safety, equity, and technology in cities of the future.
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CourseJustice and Equity in Technology Policy
Understand how tech policy shapes inequality and learn to promote equity in science, innovation, and public decision-making.
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SeriesResponsible Generative AI
Evaluate generative AI tools using ethical frameworks focused on bias, sustainability, and responsible use.
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CourseGenerative AI: Fundamentals, Applications, and Challenges
Gain essential knowledge of generative AI applications, benefits, and risks, from societal impacts to legal and ethical concerns.
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CourseGenerative AI: Impact on Business and Society
Assess how generative AI affects consumers, businesses, and public systems to support ethical and informed adoption of new technologies.
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CourseGenerative AI: Governance, Policy, and Emerging Regulation
Explore governance strategies and global regulatory frameworks to ensure generative AI is deployed ethically and transparently in organizations.
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VideoBias & Discrimination
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VideoData Privacy
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VideoGovernment Regulation
Communicate with Clarity and Influence
Explore approaches to writing, editing, speaking, and presenting that can help you communicate complex ideas clearly, persuasively, and credibly.
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SeriesGood with Words: Writing and Editing
Strengthen writing and communication skills to craft clear, persuasive messages across professional contexts.
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SeriesGood with Words: Speaking and Presenting
Build confident speaking and presentation skills to communicate ideas clearly and persuasively.
