Harvard Kennedy School Public Leadership Credential

Seismic shifts over the past year, including reduced funding following the collapse of USAID programs, rising geopolitical tensions, and rapid technological advances, have heightened the urgency to rethink the approach to critical development work.

In this video, HKS professors share “one big idea” to build a thriving world given the multitude of challenges facing our geopolitical landscape.

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We asked Public Leadership Credential alumni:

What is the most valuable piece of knowledge you've gained from your Public Leadership Credential experience?

Explore their reflections below.

Disagreement is everywhere. Leading through it is a skill.

The spring 2026 issue of Harvard Kennedy School Magazine highlights how HKS alumni and faculty are putting that skill into practice—bridging divides, navigating high-stakes decisions, and modeling more productive debate in the moments that matter most. https://bit.ly/49W3LAo

Public leadership today requires moral clarity, effective decision-making, and the ability to design and scale solutions.

The Public Leadership Credential equips learners with practical frameworks and tools across three curricular areas:
▪️Leadership and Ethics
▪️Policy Design and Delivery
▪️Evidence for Decisions

Through flexible, online coursework led by Harvard Kennedy School faculty, the PLC helps leaders turn insight into action across sectors and contexts.

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Paige Swem, a 2026 graduate of HKS's MC/MPA program and a Public Leadership Credential alumna, believes real change happens when institutions share power with the people.

Reflecting on her experience at Harvard Kennedy School, she shared:
“I believe in the power of the people and how we’ll bring change forward from the bottom up. Now, I have much better ways of thinking about that. I feel much stronger as a leader.”

Read Paige's story ➡️

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Today is the last day to register for the Public Leadership Credential Capstone, running June 2–12, 2026.

The capstone brings together the frameworks and tools developed in the six PLC courses, challenging learners to apply their knowledge to real-world public leadership scenarios alongside peers from around the world.

Finish what you started ➡️

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Happy Commencement from the Public Leadership Credential team!

We are proud to celebrate the Class of 2026 MC/MPA graduates who began their Harvard Kennedy School experience through the Public Leadership Credential. Faculty Lead Teddy Svoronos joined several members of this year’s graduating class to mark the occasion.

We are honored to have been part of your leadership development. Congratulations to all 2026 graduates!

Behind every Public Leadership Credential course is a Harvard Kennedy School expert guiding your learning journey. Meet the faculty shaping the next generation of global leaders.

Get to know them ⤵️

Registration is open for the June 2026 Capstone Assessment for the Public Leadership Credential.

The capstone brings together the tools, concepts, and leadership skills developed across all six courses, giving participants the opportunity to apply their learning to real-world challenges.

Course Dates: June 2–12, 2026
Registration Deadline: May 28, 2026

Learn more and take the last step towards completing your Public Leadership Credential.

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Jill Herriott completed the Public Leadership Credential in 2025. When asked about why she pursued the program, she shared:

“Achieving aligned political support often requires difficult trade-offs, and the organizations responsible for driving change may be unprepared or constrained by competing priorities. Motivated to make a meaningful impact, I pursued the Public Leadership Credential, confident that it would provide me with the tools, strategies, and insights needed to navigate these challenges effectively.”

Read more about her experience ➡️ https://bit.ly/4wxH53g