Bring your ideas to life

Through rigorous research, your idea could help tackle major challenges, shift policy, and improve our world. If you are ready to turn ideas into real change, apply to our doctoral programs.

How to Apply

The admissions process is managed by the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS). Learn about specific application requirements and information for each program on the Harvard Griffin GSAS admissions website, and submit your admissions materials directly to Harvard Griffin GSAS, not Harvard Kennedy School. Applications are due December 1 at 5 p.m. ET. 

PhD in Public Policy

Apply to one of four tracks: economics, political science, judgment and decision making, or science, technology, and policy studies. 

Apply to PPOL PhD

PhD in Social Policy

Build a foundation in either political science or sociology before conducting advanced multidisciplinary research in social policy.

Apply to SPOL PhD

PhD in Health Policy

Specialize in one of five concentrations: decision sciences, economics, management, methods for policy research, or political analysis.

Apply to Health Policy PhD

Important Application Details

Required Standardized Tests

  • PhD in Public Policy and PhD in Social Policy: GRE General Test scores are required; there is no waiver and there is no minimum score requirement. The GMAT and LSAT are not accepted.
  • PhD in Health Policy: GRE General Test (or GMAT) scores are required for the Management concentration. GRE is optional for Decision Sciences, Economics, Methods for Policy Research, and Political Analysis concentrations.

Important Test Dates & Logistics

GRE scores are valid for no longer than five years. Take the GRE by mid-November and send your scores to the Harvard Griffin GSAS Office of Admissions, using ETS code 3451. A department code is not required. 

GRE score reports must be sent to Harvard Griffin GSAS by the application deadline. 

Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) or IELTS scores must be submitted with your application if you are an international applicant whose bachelor’s degree was not instructed in English. 

A master’s degree or other graduate degree is not accepted as proof of English proficiency.

Minimum Scores

  • PhD in Public Policy and PhD in Social Policy: An iBT TOEFL minimum score of 103 or an IELTS minimum score of 7 is required.
  • PhD in Health Policy: An iBT TOEFL minimum score of 100 or an IELTS minimum score of 7.5 is required.

Important Test Dates & Logistics

TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for no longer than two years. Take the iBT TOEFL or IELTS by mid-November and send your scores to the Harvard Griffin GSAS Office of Admissions, using ETS code 3451. A department code is not required. 

TOEFL or IELTS score reports must be sent to Harvard Griffin GSAS by the application deadline.

Deferrals are uncommon but are granted on a case-by-case basis. 

Current HKS master’s degree program students must submit new supporting materials along with a complete doctoral program application. We cannot reuse academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, or test scores from original HKS applications. 

HKS graduates who are admitted to the PPOL Program within three years of graduation may petition for credit for doctoral-level courses taken as HKS students. After three years, applicants must meet all track requirements.

You do not need to name a faculty advisor in your application. Faculty advisors are determined after admission to the program.