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Home > Degree Programs > Registrar > Academic Procedures and Requirements > Degree Requirements > Master in Public Administration
Master in Public Administration
Curriculum Requirements
MPA-2 students take a minimum of 16 credits to graduate, including two electives chosen from one of the Policy Areas at HKS, and at least one credit in each of the following three distribution requirements:
- Economics & Quantitative Analysis
- Management & Leadership
- Political Thought & Institutions
Grade Requirements
B- or better in the three courses required for distribution.
B average or better for 16 HKS credits, including the three distribution courses, plus 13 electives, for a total of 16 credits.
Requirements for Joint/Concurrent Two Year MPA Students
Joint Harvard Law School JD Students
HKS/HLS students complete 13 credits at HKS. HKS/HLS students complete one full year at HKS and finish their remaining HKS credits during their last two years at HLS.
Concurrent Harvard Medical School MD Students
Concurrent HMS students spend one year as a full-time HKS student and the remaining years of their program at HMS, cross-registering to complete their HKS requirements. Concurrent students are required to be in full-time residence at the HKS for three semesters.
Concurrent Harvard Divinity School Students
The HKS/HDS program students, however, spend one year at each school and split the third year. Concurrent students are required to be in full-time residence at the HKS for three semesters.
Other Concurrent Business School Students
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. Concurrent students are required to be in full-time residence at the HKS for three semesters.
Please note requirements for MIT's Sloan School of Management.
Other Concurrent Law School Students
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. Concurrent students are required to be in full-time residence at the HKS for three semesters.
Other Concurrent Medical School Students
Students enrolled in a concurrent program with an approved medical school will be required to complete three semesters at HKS.
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