Important Dates

Application Deadline: December 3, 2024 at 11:59 a.m. ET

Financial Aid Application Deadline: January 2025

Admission Notification: Mid-March 2025

Contact Us

Office Address:
Office of Admissions & Financial Aid
124 Mount Auburn Street
Suite 165-South
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138

Mailing Address:
Office of Admissions & Financial Aid
79 John F. Kennedy Street
Mailbox 94
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138

Contact e-mai icon Email
617-495-1155

Apply to Harvard Kennedy School

As a future leader in public service, you are essential to addressing the world’s urgent challenges. Join us at Harvard Kennedy School to learn how we can accomplish this important work, together.

You are welcome at Harvard Kennedy School

For Harvard Kennedy School to succeed at our mission of improving public policy and public leadership around the world, we need to draw together outstanding students with a wide array of experiences and perspectives. If you share our commitment to making a better world for all people, you are welcome at the Kennedy School.

 

Learn More About Applying

 

Are you ready to answer the call to public service? Learn how to apply for our master’s degree programs.

 

There are a number of ways for you to engage with members of the Kennedy School community and learn more about the application process.

 

Our blog is a go-to resource for applying to our master’s degree programs and learning about life at HKS.

Recent Posts from the Admissions & Financial Aid Blog
 

The Graduate Student Ambassadors lead campus tours, conduct information sessions, and answer questions from prospective students.

 

Applications and all required documentation must be submitted by December 3, 2024 at 11:59 a.m. ET.  There are a few updates to this year’s application we highlight in this post.

 

We will be implementing changes to our GRE/GMAT policy for applicants to the Master in Public Policy (MPP) and Master in Public Administration (MPA) Programs.

 

The Admissions & Financial Aid team answers some of the most frequently asked questions about the application process.

 

Each fall, members of the Office of Admissions & Financial Aid team travel around the world to meet with prospective students.

 

In this post, we discuss factors to consider when deciding between the MPP and MPA Programs.

 

Master’s Programs Overview

ProgramProgram length 2024-2025 tuition & feesClass size (five-year average)Years of work experience (five-year average)
Master in Public Policy (MPP) Two years$65,9042433
Master in Public Administration in International Development (MPA/ID)Two years$68,024765
Master in Public Administration (MPA)Two years$65,904845
Mid-Career Master in Public Administration (MC/MPA)One year

$74,936

$78,878 (MC/MPA Mason Fellows)

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Your Admissions and Financial Aid Counselor

We invite you to be in touch with us about applying to our master’s degree programs. You may email our general inbox or contact a specific staff member based on your program of interest. You are also welcome to reach out to us to be connected with one of our Graduate Student Ambassadors, who are available to provide insight into the student experience at HKS. 

headshot of Katie Kelsall

Katie Kelsall

Assistant Director of Admissions & Financial Aid
Master in Public Policy (MPP): Student last names M-Z
kkelsall@hks.harvard.edu

headshot of Rod Lembvem

Rodrigue Lembvem

Assistant Director of Admissions & Financial Aid
Mid-Career Master in Public Administration (MC/MPA) including Mason Fellows
rlembvem@hks.harvard.edu

headshot of Leigh McLaren

Leigh McLaren

Assistant Director of Admissions & Financial Aid
Master in Public Policy (MPP): Student last names A-L
lmclaren@hks.harvard.edu

headshot of Ruibi Wang

Ruibi Wang

Assistant Director of Admissions & Financial Aid
Master in Public Administration (MPA) and Master in Public Administration in International Development (MPA/ID)
rwang@hks.harvard.edu


Financial Assistance

We understand that there are many factors to consider when deciding whether to pursue a master’s degree, one of which will be how to finance your education. We are committed to distributing as much financial assistance as possible to our talented students and offer competitive awards based on a combination of merit and need. Learn more about applying for scholarships and fellowships at HKS.

49%
of enrolled students receive Harvard aid*

*Based on an average for academic years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025

 

Get to Know the Harvard Kennedy School Community

Take our virtual tour

Explore the HKS campus from wherever you are. Navigate to the John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum, where you may one day attend a panel discussion with heads of state and political leaders. Look inside a classroom. Stop in the Student Lounge, where students socialize and study between classes. Get to know the HKS campus.

How to Apply
Learn how you can join us at Harvard Kennedy School. Now is the time.
FUNDING YOUR MASTER’S EDUCATION
Explore all opportunities to fund your master’s education at HKS.
Take the next step

We are currently accepting applications for our master’s degree programs for the 2025-2026 academic year.