Harvard Kennedy School Master's Programs 2027–2028: Applications Open for MPP, MPA/ID, MPA and Mid-Career MPA

Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) has opened applications for its 2027–2028 master's degree programs, providing prospective public-service professionals, policy specialists, development practitioners, and experienced leaders with an opportunity to pursue graduate-level education at Harvard University. The programs are designed for people who want to develop the analytical, leadership, policy, management, and quantitative skills needed to address complex public challenges. For the 2027–2028 admissions cycle, prospective students can apply to one of Harvard Kennedy School's master's programs, including the Master in Public Policy (MPP), Master in Public Administration in International Development (MPA/ID), Master in Public Administration (MPA), and Mid-Career Master in Public Administration (MC/MPA). The admission application deadline is December 1, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. (noon) Eastern Time, while the financial aid application deadline is January 15, 2027, at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time. HKS states that admission and financial-aid decisions are expected in mid-March 2027. Harvard Kennedy School Master's Admissions 2027–2028 at a Glance Program Length 2026–2027 Tuition & Fees Five-Year Average Class Size Master in Public Policy (MPP) 2 years $72,106 258 Master in Public Administration in International Development (MPA/ID) 2 years $74,405 80 Master in Public Administration (MPA) 2 years $72,106 61 Mid-Career Master in Public Administration (MC/MPA) 1 year $81,903 256 The tuition figures above are 2026–2027 rates, not guaranteed 2027–2028 tuition. Harvard Kennedy School states that 2027–2028 tuition and fee rates are expected to be published in March 2027. Important Harvard Kennedy School Application Deadlines Prospective applicants should distinguish between the admission deadline and the financial-aid deadline. Admission Application Deadline December 1, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. (noon) ET All required application materials must be received by this deadline. HKS confirms that the 2027–2028 master's application is currently open. Financial Aid Application Deadline January 15, 2027 at 12:00 p.m. (noon) ET Applicants seeking consideration for HKS scholarships and fellowships should complete the financial-aid application by this deadline. Applicants must first submit their admission application before accessing the HKS financial-aid application. Decision Notification Mid-March 2027 HKS states that applicants who are admitted and who submitted a financial-aid application will receive their admission and financial-aid decisions in mid-March 2027. Master in Public Policy (MPP) The Master in Public Policy (MPP) is a two-year program designed for students seeking to understand complex public problems and develop practical solutions. The program combines social-science concepts, analytical methods, policy analysis, and practical experiences. HKS describes the MPP as a rigorous program with a cross-disciplinary core curriculum intended to help students develop the tools necessary to analyze public problems and design solutions. Students can apply their learning through activities including: • Case studies • Capstone exercises • Experiential learning • Optional internships • Policy analysis • Quantitative methods • Cross-disciplinary coursework The program is suitable for people interested in areas such as: • Public policy • Government • International affairs • Economic policy • Social policy • Technology policy • Climate policy • Health policy • National security • Development • Public-sector leadership MPP Eligibility Requirements Applicants to the MPP must have: • A bachelor's degree • A strong academic record • Evidence of quantitative proficiency • Undergraduate-level coursework or demonstrated success in areas such as economics, statistics, or calculus A particular undergraduate major is not required. Professional work experience is not mandatory, although HKS notes that it is advantageous and that incoming MPP students typically have approximately 2–3 years of professional work experience. MPP Testing Requirements For the 2027–2028 application cycle, the GRE or GMAT is required unless an applicant qualifies for the applicable waiver. HKS states that the waiver is based on specific quantitative academic coursework and grades. For applicants who did not request a waiver by the relevant deadline, the GRE or GMAT must be submitted. Applicants whose undergraduate degree was not conducted in English may also need to submit an approved English-language proficiency examination, depending on HKS requirements. HKS currently lists TOEFL, IELTS, or Cambridge English examinations for applicants who meet its English-proficiency testing criteria. Master in Public Administration in International Development (MPA/ID) The Master in Public Administration in International Development (MPA/ID) is a two-year program focused on international development, economics, quantitative analysis, policy, and practical development work. It is particularly relevant to people interested in tackling development challenges through government, international organizations, NGOs, development institutions, and other sectors. HKS describes the program as an economics-centered program combining rigorous training in economics and quantitative methods with policy and practical applications. The program can be particularly relevant to applicants interested in: • International development • Economic development • Global development policy • Development finance • Public-sector reform • International organizations • Government • NGOs • Development agencies • Economic policy MPA/ID Eligibility Requirements Applicants must have: • A bachelor's degree • A strong academic record • Strong grades in economics and mathematics • At least one university-level course in microeconomics • At least one university-level course in macroeconomics • Calculus through multivariable calculus HKS states that statistics and linear algebra are desirable, although they are not required. Professional experience is not formally required, but it is preferred. HKS notes that most students admitted to the MPA/ID have at least two years of development-related work experience. Applicants who have not completed every prerequisite before submitting the application may be able to complete certain prerequisites before the program begins. MPA/ID Testing Requirements The GRE or GMAT is required. HKS states that applicants are generally most competitive when their quantitative section score is 160 or above on the GRE or 48 or above on the GMAT. These figures should be understood as HKS's stated competitiveness guidance rather than a guarantee of admission. Master in Public Administration (MPA) The Master in Public Administration (MPA) is a two-year program designed for professionals seeking greater responsibility across the public, nonprofit, and private sectors. Unlike the MPP, the two-year MPA has specific professional and graduate-level academic prerequisites. HKS describes the program as flexible, allowing students to build a study plan around their academic interests and professional goals. Students can also pursue concurrent degrees in areas such as business, law, medicine, and other professional disciplines. MPA Eligibility Requirements Applicants must have: • A bachelor's degree • A strong academic record • At least three years of professional work experience by September 1 of the year they enroll • At least four qualifying graduate-level courses similar to courses in the MPP core curriculum • At least two quantitative graduate-level courses among those qualifying courses Qualifying graduate-level coursework can include subjects such as: • Economics • Financial management • International business • International development • Management • Mathematics • Quantitative analysis • Statistics • Politics and advocacy • Other related fields A relevant graduate degree can also satisfy the graduate-level coursework requirement in appropriate circumstances. This makes the two-year MPA particularly different from the MPP and MPA/ID: having a bachelor's degree alone is not sufficient for the MPA. Mid-Career Master in Public Administration (MC/MPA) The Mid-Career Master in Public Administration (MC/MPA) is a one-year program intended for experienced professionals who want to strengthen their leadership capabilities, develop specialized expertise, and prepare for greater impact in public service or other sectors. HKS describes the program as an intensive one-year program that gives experienced professionals flexibility to design a study plan around their interests and career objectives. MC/MPA Eligibility Requirements Applicants must have: • A bachelor's degree • A strong academic record • At least seven years of professional work experience by June 30 of the year they plan to enroll The program is therefore aimed at a substantially more experienced applicant population than the MPP or MPA/ID. HKS notes that competitive MC/MPA applicants typically have considerably more professional experience than the seven-year minimum. What Is the Application Process? Harvard Kennedy School requires applicants to submit an online application together with supporting materials. A complete master's application generally includes: • Online application • Essays • Résumé or CV • Three letters of recommendation • Academic transcripts • Required standardized test scores • English-language proficiency documentation where applicable • $100 application fee or an applicable fee waiver Requirements vary depending on the program. Applicants should therefore avoid assuming that the requirements for one HKS master's program automatically apply to all four programs. GRE and GMAT Requirements Standardized-test requirements differ by degree. MPP GRE or GMAT is required unless the applicant qualifies for the applicable waiver. MPA/ID GRE or GMAT is required. MPA GRE or GMAT is required unless the applicant qualifies for the applicable waiver. MC/MPA GRE and GMAT are not required. Applicants may voluntarily submit scores for consideration. For the 2027–2028 admission cycle, HKS states that the GRE/GMAT waiver deadline has already passed. Applicants applying to the MPP or MPA who did not previously obtain a waiver therefore need to submit the relevant test results. English-Language Proficiency English-language proficiency requirements depend on an applicant's educational background. For the MPP, HKS states that non-native English speakers who did not earn an undergraduate degree conducted in English must submit results from an approved English-language examination such as: • TOEFL • IELTS • Cambridge English For the 2027–2028 cycle, HKS also introduced a new TOEFL scoring model. Applicants who took the TOEFL after January 2026 need an overall score of 5 or better, with the most competitive applicants also having at least 5 in each section. Applicants who took the TOEFL before January 2026 need an overall score of 100 or better, with the most competitive applicants having at least 25 in each section. Applicants should check the official HKS requirements for their specific program before registering for an examination. Financial Aid, Scholarships and Fellowships Although the master's admissions opportunity is not itself a scholarship, Harvard Kennedy School provides financial assistance opportunities for admitted students. HKS states that scholarships and fellowships are available to both U.S. and international students. Financial support can include: • HKS scholarships • HKS fellowships • Research-center fellowships • Harvard Committee on General Scholarships funding • Other Harvard-wide funding opportunities Many HKS scholarships and fellowships are awarded primarily based on merit. HKS states that its assessment of merit can consider: • Academic achievement • Intellectual distincti

• Bachelor's degree required • Strong academic record required • MPP: Evidence of quantitative proficiency; undergraduate-level coursework or demonstrated success in economics, statistics, or calculus • MPP: GRE or GMAT required (unless qualifies for waiver based on quantitative academic coursework and grades) • MPP: English-language proficiency exam (TOEFL, IELTS, or Cambridge English) if undergraduate degree not conducted in English • MPA/ID: Strong grades in economics and mathematics • MPA/ID: At least one university-level course in microeconomics • MPA/ID: At least one university-level course in macroeconomics • MPA/ID: Calculus through multivariable calculus • MPA/ID: GRE or GMAT required • MPA: At least three years of professional work experience by September 1 of enrollment year • MPA: At least four qualifying graduate-level courses similar to MPP core curriculum • MPA: At least two quantitative graduate-level courses among qualifying courses • MC/MPA: Requirements not fully specified on this page