Graduate Public Interest Technology Certificate

SPP 690G – Technology Law and Policy Governance Trends (U+ Session)

This class dives into the fascinating world of internet and technology policy, exploring how laws and regulations evolve to keep up with rapid digital transformation across sectors and governments. Through a Public Interest Technology (PIT) lens, students tackle complex questions in real-world contexts about artificial intelligence, social media, fintech, health tech, and the broader impact of “platformization” across the economy.

Beyond learning, this course is designed to help students build networks and gain access to key resources, field experts, and ongoing discussions in the tech policy space. Whether you’re looking to apply these insights to your current work or chart a new path, this class will give you the foundation to navigate and shape the future of technology policy. (3 credits)

SPP 690T – Technology Design via a Public Interest Technology Values Lens (U+ Session)

Grounded in the principles of Public Interest Technology (PIT), the course explores how technology can be designed, deployed, and governed to serve the public good. Through thirteen macro-topics, students will move from core PIT foundations to deeper explorations of equity, accountability, and inclusion in tech systems.

Using dynamic readings, real-world case studies, and cross-sector discussions, the course bridges ethics with product and policy thinking. Students will gain the skills to critically assess technology’s societal impact and contribute to socially responsible innovation,  preparing them to lead at the intersection of technology, governance, and justice. (3 credits)

Understanding Technology for Public Policy - COMPSCI  690PT (Fall 2025)

Informed by accessible and technical explanations, descriptions, and explorations, texts and ideas covered in this course seek to accessibly explain the affordances and limitations of current complex computing technologies for non-technologists. Students will be presented with questions to ask, possible examples to draw from, and instructional material that equips them to have a high-level understanding of technologies like AI/generative AI, machine learning (including recommender systems, face recognition, and model-based prediction systems), how data moves on the internet, and more.  This course is part of the new Public Interest Technology Certificate; not applicable for Computer Science Degree Programs.

Navigating AI: Business Strategies, Legal Boundaries, and Ethical Dilemmas (3 credits, Online U+). - SCH-MGMT  (Upcoming Spring 2026)

This course provides a comprehensive overview of artificial intelligence (AI) and its applications across various domains. Students will explore fundamental concepts of AI, including machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and robotics. Through a combination of theoretical foundations and practical exercises, participants will gain insights into how AI systems are designed, implemented, and evaluated.

Data Science Fundamentals - DACSS 601

This course provides students with an introduction to the R programming language that will be used in all core courses and many of the technical electives. There is a growing demand for students with a background in generalist data science languages such as R, as opposed to more limited software such as Excel or statistics packages such as SPSS or Stata. The course will also provide students with a solid grounding in general data management and data wrangling skills that are required in all advanced quantitative and data analysis courses

Digital Behavioral Data - DACSS 631

Algorithms and data increasingly power our private and civic life. Companies, nonprofits, and governments have invested heavily in data mining - the bulk collection of user behavior data from web platforms to understand public opinion and to forecast trends. A lot of fashionable terms, such as artificial intelligence and big data, are being thrown around these days. The public and regulators also become increasingly wary of the dark side of algorithms ? the skepticism has culminated after the Cambridge Analytica scandal and the revelation of alleged foreign propaganda in the US through social media. This course gives a practical understanding of how data mining and algorithms work. You can obtain (1) marketable computational skills in data analytics and visualization and (2) evidence-based critical perspectives on the algorithmic society we live in. This course is offered as part of the new graduate program in Data Analytics and Computational Social Science, and would count towards the technical electives course distribution requirement of the master's degree

News and Public Opinion - DACSS 632

Digital technology has transformed the news environment and diversified how public opinion is formed and expressed. This course is designed to offer a framework for understanding the broad impact of these changes on citizens as well as the democratic system. We will discuss foundational theories of political communication and address emerging issues in the digital news environment, ranging from the use of artificial intelligence in the newsroom to the changing perceptions of information credibility.

Machine Learning for Social Scientists - DACSS 756

This course will provide an overview of machine learning (ML) with special attention to applications for social and behavioral analytics. Machine learning combines insights from artificial intelligence, probability theory, statistical inference, and information theory to help automate tasks involving pattern recognition, prediction, and classification. "Learning" is analogous to "inference" in statistics and, in fact, the modern statistical toolkit includes various machine learning methods developed to handle large (and messy) datasets. The course focuses on statistical learning and is a good second or third course in statistical methods for graduate students in the social and behavioral sciences. We will examine key techniques of supervised and unsupervised learning and reflect upon appropriate and inappropriate applications of such approaches for those seeking to understand the social world. We shall also discuss the ethical issues involved in automated analysis and computer-assisted decision-making, including how they may in some cases help overcome human biases and in others instead only serve to reinforce these tendencies

Seminar- Social Media and Society - DACSS 695X

Social media continue to evolve and interact with our existing patterns of communication. Individuals, organizations, as well as policy makers are tasked with evaluating the risks and merits of information spread through online social networks. In this course, we will examine the current state of research and key findings on the uses and effects of social media. We will cover a wide range of theoretical perspectives to understand complex issues that emerged in social media platforms, such as big data and ethics, digital youth, and privacy

Social Influence and Persuasion - DACSS 633

Social influence is a powerful driving force for human behavior. Understanding the fundamental mechanism of social influence is essential for strategic communication and decision making, whether you are in communication, data science, or management. In this course, we will learn why and under what conditions our attitudes and actions can be influenced by those around us. We will explore key theories and research findings in social psychology and economics, and apply persuasive communication techniques through case studies and hands-on projects

DACSS  695SL - 01   S- Social Life of Algorithms

Algorithmic systems are at the center of today's digital world, and mediate communication processes in areas as diverse as social media, journalism, healthcare, and governments. How do algorithmic systems capture, represent, and transmit information about everyday interactions? How do they shape, and are shaped by, social, cultural, and political life? What kind of new issues and concerns arise from their ubiquitous use? This course provides a critical introduction to algorithmic systems, and how they relate to issues of communication, power and inequalities in society. In addition to reading responses and a midterm essay, students will complete a research project on an algorithmic system of their choice to unpack how they are constructed and used in everyday life.

Advanced Data-Driven Storytelling - DACSS 604

How can social scientists convey data through narrative and reports geared toward general audiences or specific stakeholders? How can they convey those data through visuals geared toward non-scientists? This hands-on course provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to generate strong, data-driven communication (Note: Recommended preparation for this course: DACSS 601, 602, 603 or approved substitutes). Please contact the instructor (or DACSS@UMass.edu if no instructor assigned) if you would like to enroll in this class but are not in one of the eligible groups.)

Open to UMass graduate students in any discipline as well as external professionals with a bachelor’s degree and a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Applications are now open for Fall 2025. Email us your questions about the certificate or apply today!

If you are ready to start prior to applying, enroll for our kick-off course! Technology Law and Policy Governance Trends (U+ / SPP 690G). Certificate courses are available in the Fall, Spring, and Summer.

Students must complete a minimum of three graduate-level courses for a total of nine credits. The curriculum includes two required core courses and one elective. All courses are fully online, with live meet-ups and guest speakers integrated into the learning experience.

Certificate classes vary from $656 (for core courses from SPP), to $825 (DACSS courses), to $925 (Isenberg School courses) per credit. Books, supplies, and registration fee are additional.

We encourage you to speak to your employer about tuition reimbursement if there is a tuition assistance program available. Enrolling in higher education courses increases your value to your employer, and as a result, can help increase your job stability and career trajectory at your company.

Note that benefited University of Massachusetts Amherst faculty, staff and post doctoral employees are eligible for a discount on tuition for courses taken at Massachusetts public institutions of higher education as described in the Trustee tuition discount policy.

Upon successful completion of all coursework, students will earn an official Graduate Certificate in Public Interest Technology from UMass Amherst. This credential will enhance your professional qualifications and expand your career opportunities in public interest technology fields.