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Home > Degree Programs > Master's Degrees > Mid-Career Master in Public Administration > Edward S. Mason Program > Curriculum
Curriculum
Mason Fellows Seminar
The Mason Seminar complements the Mid-Career Master of Public Administration program by exposing Mason Fellows to the ideas and strategies of leading thinkers and practitioners in economic, political and social development.
The seminar begins with a two-week intensive program in July focusing on leadership, strategic management, communication and policy decision-making.
This two-week program lays the foundation for the Mason Fellows’ experience at the Harvard Kennedy School. Through an orientation program, the courses described below, and social activities, Mason Fellows form an intellectual and social network that will serve as an important resource throughout the year.
During the academic year, the seminar continues with programs designed to enhance skills in strategic thinking, negotiation and communication and to address the fundamental challenges we will encounter in the coming century.
Beginning in September, the seminar resumes on a semi-monthly basis with programs designed to enhance critical leadership skills and to exchange ideas and strategies for addressing the world's most compelling development challenges. In the spring term, we convene on a monthly basis.
The content of the program is determined by the rogram director and a steering committee of Mason Fellows based upon the experience and professional interests of the current class of Mason Fellows.
The Seminar program includes guest speakers and panel discussions, including current Mason Fellows and invited guests.
In past years, the Seminar has included conversations with noted Harvard faculty members, such as Joseph Nye, Merilee Grindle, Calestous Juma, Graham Allison, Samuel Huntington and Ricardo Hausmann. It has also included conversations with practitioners such as Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia (Mason Fellow 1971); Jeffrey Sachs, Director, Earth Institute, Columbia University; Kemal Dervis, UNDP Administrator; Soedradjad Djiwandono, former Governor, Central Bank of Indonesia; and Joseph Stiglitz, Former Senior Vice President and Chief Economist, World Bank.
Additional Requirements
The Mason Program is a co-curricular program within the Mid-Career Master in Public Administration. Therefore, Mason Fellows are required to fulfill all requirements of the MC/MPA program and participate in all MC/MPA activities. For information on these requirements, please refer to the curriculum of the MC/MPA.