Masters in Public Policy at Harvard University

The two-year Master in Public Policy at Harvard University  is a rigorous program that prepares students to understand complex policy problems and to craft concrete solutions. Through courses, exercises, and eldwork, students master a conceptual tool kit that draws on the social sciences but is adapted for action. Master in Public Policy at Harvard University  candidates arrive at Harvard Kennedy School committed to improving the world, and they equip themselves to do so by developing broad-spectrum analytic competency. This de ning feature of the mpp translates into intellec- tual honesty, a hunger for evidence, and the capacity to extract answerable questions from the messy clutter of real-world public problems. Students develop familiarity with a wide range of analytic methods and the habit of picking the right tool to t the task.

Eligibility

The GRE or GMAT is required of all applicants to the HKS master’s degree programs except for those who are applying to the Mid-Career Master in Public Administration Edward S. Mason Program or to the Wexner Israel Fellowship.

Either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) are required of all applicants to both the two-year and mid-career programs, whose native language is not English or whose four-year undergraduate degree program was not conducted entirely in English.

The minimum TOEFL scores to be considered for admission are:

• IBT – 100
• CBT – 250
• PBT – 600

The minimum overall IELTS band score is 7.

Scholarships

hks offers competitive merit-based fellowships and scholarships. Completing the financial aid application (available online shortly after the admission application deadline) allows applicants to be considered for scholarships and fellowships. Applicants must apply for financial assistance before learning whether they have been admitted. Student Financial Services at hks communicates with applicants often; however, applicants are responsible for being aware of instructions and deadlines. Opportunities to apply for funding (other than loans) after admission are minimal.

Application

The Master’s degree admission application deadline for fall 2017 admission consideration is Thursday, December 1, 2016 at 11:59 EST. HKS does not offer spring admission. To stay up-to-date with admissions news, please sign up for our prospective student database. To start an application for 2017 Master’s programs admission consideration, click here.

A complete application includes:

• a submitted online application
• payment of the $100 application fee
• essays, which vary by degree program (essays for 2017 admission consideration are detailed here, advice on writing effective essays is detailed in an Admissions Blog series). Essay word limits are firm and should not be exceeded.
• a résumé or CV (advice offered here)
• an additional analytic/quantitative résumé/statement (requirements vary by program, click here for more information)
• three letters of recommendation (information on instructions for recommenders here)
• official academic transcripts (more details here)
• standardized test scores (GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, and/or IELTS – more details here)

Official Link

Deadline: 1 December 2016