The Child Policy Research Certificate offers Duke undergraduates a chance to explore child and family policy issues through interdisciplinary study, while working closely with faculty members to conduct original research on real-world policy issues.
This certificate is designed to teach students how to:
- Analyze issues facing children, families, and society
- Apply analytical skills to study these issues with empirical rigor
- Engage in research that informs policy and practice
The certificate program draws on the expertise of Duke faculty to gain a deeper understanding of the issues facing today’s children and families. Through this certificate, students could pursue such topics as social and economic inequalities in education; gang violence in communities; the economic costs of childhood obesity; maltreatment of young children; and adolescent substance abuse. By combining courses in psychology, public policy, sociology, economics, and education, students can create a program of study to prepare them for a diverse range of careers.
Requirements
Successful completion of six (6) courses from the following categories will lead to a Certificate in Child Policy Research:
- Three (3) required core courses
- One (1) methodology course
- Two (2) electives from departments such as psychology and neuroscience, public policy, sociology, economics and education
Course Details
- Child Policy Research (cornerstone - ChildPol 250S/PubPol 242S)
- Research Independent Study or Honors Thesis (ChildPol 393 or equivalent in another department with permission from certificate director) List of Past Projects
- Multidisciplinary Approaches to Contemporary Children’s Issues (capstone - ChildPol 495S/PubPol 420S *only offered in the spring*)
Congratulations, Class of 2026 Graduates!
“No class environment and content has inspired me and spurred me into action like the child policy certificate courses that I have taken. This certificate program has lit the path to my future ablaze with the passion to always advocate for children in both professional and personal settings."
Hanna Lavi, '25 Graduate | Psychology Major, Asian and Middle Eastern Studies Minor
“I loved my experience as a CPR certificate student, especially the supportive community and opportunities it provided. It also allowed me to explore the intersection of my interests in neuroscience and child policy research, which greatly shaped my academic focus at Duke.”
Sanjana Kalagara, '26 Graduate | Neuroscience Major, Chemistry Minor
"Joining the certificate program was a sort of eureka moment for me-- an almost ideal intersection across my interest areas, including psychology, sociology, public policy, and economics. The mentorship of the CCFP, the depth and diversity of the coursework, and the speaker series put me on the pathway to academia that I am tremendously grateful for-- I wouldn't be aspiring to be a demographer and family sociologist without the support of the CCFP."
Umang Dhingra, '26 Graduate | Economics Major, Psychology Major
