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Individual Course

Big Data for Social Good

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Course Length

4 weeks

4–5 hours per week

Featuring faculty from:

Harvard Faculty of Arts & Sciences LogoHarvard Faculty of Arts & Sciences

Certificate Price:

$ 950

Enroll by May 28, 2026

Enroll Now

Certificate Price:

$ 950

Enroll by May 28, 2026

Enroll Now

Use data to tackle some of the most pressing social challenges of our time

Using real-world data and policy interventions as applications, this Harvard Online course will teach core concepts in data science, economics, and statistics and equip you to tackle some of the most pressing social challenges of our time.

The American Dream—the idea that through hard work any child can rise up and achieve a higher standard of living than their parents—is fading: only half of kids today will go on to earn more than their parents did. Why has this happened? And, how can we reverse the fading of the American Dream?

Self-Guided

Harvard Online

Industries:

  • Government
  • Other Non-profit
  • Education
  • Health Care
  • Niccolò C.
  • Kayanat I.
  • Pablo S. R.

Global Learning Community

  • Learn from real case studies
  • Do it on your own time
  • Get a certificate, add it to your resume
  • Be part of the Harvard Community
Data Science for Business values

Course Syllabus and Upcoming Calendars

Learning requirements: In order to earn a Certificate of Completion from Harvard Online and Harvard Business School Online, participants must thoughtfully complete all 8 modules, including satisfactory completion of the associated assignments, by stated deadlines.

Download Full Syllabus

Faculty

Industry Experts

Your Instructor

Raj Chetty, PhD

William A. Ackman Professor of Public Economics at Harvard University and Director of Opportunity Insights

Raj Chetty, PhD, is the William A. Ackman Professor of Public Economics at Harvard University and Director of Opportunity Insights. His research uses “big data” to understand how we can give children from disadvantaged backgrounds better chances of succeeding. Chetty's research combines empirical evidence and economic theory to help design more effective government policies. His work on topics ranging from tax policy and unemployment insurance to education and affordable housing has been widely cited in academia, media outlets, and Congressional testimony. He has received numerous awards for his research, including a MacArthur "Genius" Fellowship and the John Bates Clark medal, given to the economist under 40 whose work is judged to have made the most significant contribution to the field.

Industry Expert

Geoffrey Canada

Educator, Social Activist, Author

Hear from Geoffrey Canada, an educator, social activist, and author, about his pioneering work in helping children and families in Harlem and about place-based innovations.

Industry Expert

Sarah Oppenheimer

Executive Director, Opportunity Insights

Learn how Sarah Oppenheimer’s work bridges research with applied policy and practice to address poverty and support families’ outcomes.

Industry Expert

Nathaniel Hendren

Professor of Economics, MIT

Explore research based on the core question “Do markets provide opportunity?”

As a data advocate and practitioner in the humanitarian and development sectors, it was incredibly insightful to see how cutting-edge statistical techniques are being used by world-class economists and researchers to inform more equitable policymaking.

Niccolò C.

Data Specialist

I learned how to become interactive with data and how to understand patterns hidden in the data, which is something very useful if you're in the field of economics, global development, or policy analysis, like me.

Kayanat I.

Taking the Big Data for Social Good course at Harvard University was a transformative experience that expanded my understanding of how data can be leveraged to address complex social challenges. The curriculum was rigorous and insightful, covering advanced analytical methods and real-world case studies that highlighted the profound impact data can have on policy and decision-making.

Pablo S. R.

Professor

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A variety of formats, from long-form courses that replicate an on-campus classroom experience to short-form content

Interaction with a global community of learners and leaders looking to develop their workforce, grow their business, and change the world

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Past Participant Discounts

Learners who have enrolled in at least one qualifying Harvard Online program can receive a 30% discount, automatically applied to the Program Fee upon time of payment.

Learners who have earned a verified certificate for a HarvardX course hosted on the edX platform are eligible to receive a 30% discount using a discount code. Please check your email for a code or contact us.

Nonprofit, Government, Military, and Education Discounts

Eligibility is determined by a prospective learner’s email address, ending in .org, .gov, .mil, or .edu. Interested learners can apply below for the discount and, if eligible, will receive a promo code to enter when completing payment information to enroll in a Harvard Online program.

Apply for Discount

FAQs

We offer 30% discounts to past participants of select Harvard Online courses. We also offer discounts on select courses to learners who work in nonprofits, government, military, or education, or are U.S. veterans. You can find more information about current discounts and eligibility on our course policies and discounts page.

Apply for a Discount

Once you've earned your Certificate of Completion, list it on your resume along with the date of completion:

Harvard Online

Certificate in Big Data for Social Good

[Cohort Start Month and Year]

List your certificate on your LinkedIn profile under "Education" as follows:

School: Harvard Online

Dates Attended: [The year you participated in the program]

Degree: Other; Certificate in Big Data for Social Good

Field of Study: Leave blank

Grade: Complete

Activities and Societies: Leave blank

For the program description on LinkedIn, please use the following:

Big Data for Social Good is a Harvard Online course that teaches core concepts in data science, economics, and statistics and equip you to tackle some of the most pressing social challenges of our time..

You are expected to complete all coursework in a thoughtful and timely way. This includes completing the modules and fully answering the questions in each module between the course start and end dates so that the cohort can move through the course at a similar pace and benefit from social learning opportunities. ⁠In addition to completing modules and assignments, you are expected to provide feedback on other learners’ reflections and contribute to discussions on the platform.

⁠You can set your own daily or weekly routine and adjust it as needed, but to receive your certificate you must complete all modules and assignments by the stated course end date. Learners who do not complete the course requirements will not receive a certificate and will not be eligible to retake the course. No letter grades are assigned for this course; your participation is evaluated on a complete or incomplete basis.

For detailed information about technology and bandwidth requirements, please see our full Harvard Online FAQs.

There is no application required for this course. You can enroll directly through Harvard Online if you are at least 18 years old, proficient in English, and committed to learning and engaging with fellow participants throughout the program.

No previous background in statistics, programming, data science, or economics is required. Big Data for Social Good is suitable for a general audience, including but not limited to those working in or with government, nonprofits, education, and health care. The course is particularly well‑suited for learners who want to understand how data science, economics, and statistics can be used to create social impact in their organizations and communities, even if they are not trained data scientists or economists.

Upon successful completion of this program, you will receive a digital Certificate of Completion from Harvard Online. Our team reviews all participant coursework after the final deadline in your course, and, once eligibility is confirmed, your Certified Electronic Credential will be delivered to your email address.

You will have access to the materials in every prior module as you progress through the program. Access to course materials and the course platform ends 60 days after the final deadline in the program.

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