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A professional learning certificate program for congressional staff
Join Us!
Applications are now open for 2026 cohorts of the Data Skills for Congress certificate.
Good policy depends on good data, and lawmakers need foundational knowledge in order to unlock data for effective decision-making. This program offers Congressional staff training to improve their use of data and to create policies that ensure accurate, usable data flows within government.
Led by experts in government data systems, data policy, congressional data use, and data standards, this first-of-its-kind professional learning program provides participants with examples of how to use data in policy-making, how to turn data from spreadsheets into persuasive stories, and how to use legislation to unlock useful—and usable—data.
Students leave the certificate program with new skills in data analysis and visualization, familiarity with current and emerging federal data policies, an understanding of the challenges of combining local and federal data, and a basic introduction to data practices within Congress. In addition, the 2026 certificate program will include content on artificial intelligence and will discuss the connections between public data and public sector AI applications.
No prior experience in data analysis, or data policy, or AI is required.
Designed to meet the busy schedules of Congressional staff members, the course is fully remote at a time that works for both DC and district staff. Participants can expect to spend 15 hours in live classes plus additional asynchronous time for pre-readings.
This program's initial offering was approved by both House and Senate Ethics, and renewed in subsequent years. Please see details below.
Questions? Please email us at congressional-data-program@berkeley.edu.
About This Program
This program was created by USAFacts, a nonpartisan civic initiative improving the accessibility and usability of government data, in partnership with UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy. Participants successfully meeting the course requirements receive a certificate of completion. No college credits are awarded.
By the end of the course, participants will achieve the following learning objectives. For a more detailed look at the curriculum, please see the draft Course Outline.
- Apply methods and tools for finding, analyzing, and visualizing public data, including state, municipal, and federal data.
- Incorporate data and emerging AI tools in congressional work, including policy analysis, committee support, legislation drafting, casework, and constituent communications.
- Distinguish US federal open data policy's intended meaning and its gaps, and identify technology policy challenges to data access.
- Explain common data challenges, including how local control, software selection, and federal policy can shape data access and quality.
Schedule
Participants have the option to choose from one of two cohorts in 2026, either a 10-week program during the spring or an accelerated 5-week program during the August recess.
- Spring classes will be held weekly on Fridays at 12:00 pm ET/9:00 am PT starting February 20 until May 1, excluding April 3.
- August recess classes will be held weekly on Tuesdays and Thursays at 12:00 pm ET/9:00 am PT starting July 28 until August 27.
Course Format
- 15 hours of total class time spread over either 5 or 10 weeks
- Several optional, in-person meetings, held in Washington, DC (a kickoff gathering and a completion celebration)
- Class welcome and kick-off (date TBA)
- Interactive live classes, with assigned breakout groups to foster discussion
- Guest lectures from national experts with class interaction and Q&A
- Final "capstone" project to showcase new skills
This course has been specially designed to accommodate the busy schedules of congressional staff members. Class sessions are short and fully remote, with instructional time spread over three months. To qualify for the completion certificate, students are expected to attend a minimum of 8 out of 10 live classes and complete the capstone project. Participants may apply for exemptions as needed to complete more classes asynchronously.
Opportunities for Networking
The Data Skills for Congress certificate program includes two optional networking events for participants, both held in Washington, DC: (1) a kick-off social gathering for participants, lecturers, and guest lectures to meet one another and learn more about the course; (2) a completion ceremony, for course participants to celebrate their achievements and network together.
Read More About Past Cohorts:
Eligibility & Ethics Approval
Data Skills for Congress is open to all full-time congressional staff, including member and professional staff. Interns are not eligible. For questions regarding eligibility, please reach out to congressional-data-program@berkeley.edu.
The inaugural 2023 program was reviewed by both House and Senate Ethics and renewed in subsequent years. See specific guidance below.
Senate Ethics
Senate Ethics approved the Data Skills for Congress program "for the good of the Senate." Member and professional staff in the Senate were allowed to participate in this program and receive a certificate of completion without a waiver from Senate Ethics.
House Ethics
Member and professional staff in the House are allowed to participate in this program and receive a certificate of completion without a waiver from House Ethics.
The certificate does not confer college credit, student / graduation status, or any formal affiliation with UC Berkeley or the Goldman School of Public Policy; it is simply a recognition of participation and effort. Professional staff not assigned to the House are also welcome to participate in the program without a waiver.