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Home > Degree Programs > Master's Degrees > Joint & Concurrent Degrees
Joint & Concurrent Degrees
The Basics
Two-year masters degree candidates of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government (HKS) may choose to pursue a combined degree with a number of professional schools at Harvard University or other approved universities. Joint and concurrent programs allow students to complete two degrees in one fewer year than is normally required. Applicants to joint or concurrent programs must submit separate applications and be accepted to each school. The two degree programs may not be completed sequentially. In other words, both degrees must be awarded at the same time.
Harvard University Joint Degrees
Joint degrees are offered only with Harvard Law School (HLS) and Harvard Business School (HBS). Joint programs offer integrated curricula, with special courses designed for joint students.
HKS-HBS Joint Program
Applicants for the HKS-HBS joint program must apply to both schools prior to attending either. More information can be found at the HKS-HBS Joint Degree Program. Only MPP and MPA/ID applicants are eligible for this program.
HKS-HLS Joint Program
Applicants to HKS-HLS may apply to both schools in the same year, or during their first year at either school. Harvard Law School joint degree programs may be completed with the MPP-JD or the MPA/ID-JD degrees only.
Harvard University Concurrent Degrees
Concurrent degree programs allow students to obtain two separate degrees in one fewer year by completing a reduced number of courses at both schools. There are no special integrated courses for concurrent program students. Concurrent Harvard degrees are offered with Harvard Medical School (HMS), and Harvard Divinity School (HDS)
Students in a concurrent program with HMS spend one year as a full-time Kennedy School student and the remaining years of their program at HMS, cross-registering to complete their HKS requirements.
The HKS-HDS program students, however, spend one year at each school and split the third year.
Concurrent Business Degrees
Students enrolled in a concurrent program with an approved business school will be required to complete three semesters at HKS and three semesters at their business school. However, the second year must be at the "other" school.
HKS has concurrent degrees with the following business schools:
- Amos Tuck School at Dartmouth College
- Columbia Business School
- Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University
- MIT Sloan School of Management
- Stanford Business School
- Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania
Concurrent Law Degrees
Students enrolled in a concurrent program with an approved law school will be required to complete three semesters at HKS and two and a half years at their law school. The duration of the program is four years. The preferred sequence is the the final two years are split between HKS and the other school. Occassionally, students are accepted during their second law school year.
HKS has concurrent degrees with the following law schools:
- Boalt Hall Law School at UC Berkeley
- Columbia Law School
- Duke University School of Law
- Georgetown Law School
- New York University School of Law
- Northwestern University School of Law
- Stanford Law School
- University of Michigan Law School
- University of Pennsylvania Law School
- Yale Law School
Concurrent Medical Degrees
HKS offers combined medical degrees with Harvard and UCSF Medical Schools. Normally, students enroll in medical school first and complete three years of study prior to attending HKS. All concurrent medical students must be accepted to either the MPP or MPA/ID program. Upon completion of the core year in either program, they have the option of transferring to the MPA2 program.
Medical students find it more manageable to complete their second year at HKS during their fourth year of medical school. Therefore, they should apply during their third year of medical school in order to matriculate at HKS the following fall.
In addition to Harvard and UCSF Medical School, other US medical schools may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Curriculum Requirements
Joint/concurrent degree students may take a reduced number of credits per semester; however, there is a residency requirement of three semesters. All HKS joint/concurrent students must complete a minimum of three credits per semester. Thus, although it is possible to earn enough credits to graduate from a program by taking fewer than three credits in the final semester, three credits are required to fulfill the residency requirement.
MPP Requirements
Concurrent MPP program students are required to complete 12 credits, including eight core courses, three electives, and a second year seminar related to the Policy Analysis Exercise. MPP students must complete three semesters in residence at HKS.
MPA/ID Requirements
Joint/concurrent MPA/ID students are required to complete 13 credits. MPA/ID students who pursue joint or concurrent degrees work out the details of their curriculum plan in consultation with the MPA/ID program director.
Two-Year MPA Requirements
Concurrent MPA students are required to complete 12 credits, including one course in each of the three methodological areas of analytics, management and leadership, and nine elective courses.
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Q: What is the difference between a concurrent and a joint program?
A: Joint degrees are only offered between the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) and Harvard Business School or HKS and Harvard Law School. Joint programs offers integrated curricula, with special courses designed for joint students.
Concurrent programs allow students to complete two separate degrees in a shortened amount of time by completing a reduced number of courses at both schools. However, there are no integrated courses for concurrent program students.
Q. What HKS degrees can be combined?
A: Concurrent programs with approved professional schools are restricted to two-year degree programs.
Q: Can I apply for a joint or concurrent degree program after I enter HKS?
A: Yes, with the exception of the HBS joint program, you can apply for a joint or concurrent degree program during your first year at HKS
Q: Can I set up a joint program with the Graduate School of Education or the Graduate School of Design?
A: We do not offer joint programs with Graduate School of Education (GSE) or the Graduate School of Design (GSD).
Q: Can I set up my own concurrent program if I am admitted to a graduate school that is not listed?
A: No.
Questions Pertaining to Business School Applicants
See HKS-HBS Joint Degree Program for information and FAQs pertaining to the new degree.
Q: If I am already attending business school, can I apply to HKS?
A: Yes, if you are in your first year of an approved business school other than HBS, you may apply to HKS.
Questions Pertaining to Law School Applicants
Q: Is it possible to switch from the MPP program to the MPA program once I am accepted to a concurrent law program?
A: Law school students enrolled at schools other than HLS may switch from the MPP to the MPA program after successfully completing the first year core curriculum of the MPP program. Law school students must have completed at least one year of law study and have the required 3 years of work experience in order to matriculate as an MPA rather than an MPP student.
Q: If I am already attending law school, can I apply to HKS?
A: Yes, you may apply to HKS during your first or second year at an approved law school (with the exception of HLS). If you are a student at HLS, you must apply either simultaneously to HLS and HKS, or during your first year at HKS or HLS.
Q: If I am in the HLS joint program, can I cross-register for HLS classes while in residence at HKS?
A: No.
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