fbpx Degree Requirements | Harvard Kennedy School

The Master in Public Administration (MPA) Program consists of four semesters of full-time coursework in residence at Harvard Kennedy School. You design your own study plan in consultation with your HKS advisors and mentors.

To graduate, you must:

  • Earn at least 64 credits
  • Finish with a GPA of B or better
  • Matriculate as a full-time, in-residence student and take between 12 to 20 credits per semester
  • Fulfill a Policy Area of Concentration requirement by taking two electives from one of the policy areas at HKS
  • Satisfy the distribution requirements by completing at least one 4-credit course (or two 2-credit modules) in each of the following three areas from a pre-approved list: Economics & Quantitative Analysis; Management, Leadership, and Decision Sciences; and Public Ethics and Political Institutions

Grade Requirements

Students must finish their degree with a GPA of B or better, and must earn a B- or better in all courses counting towards the distribution requirements. 

A second professional degree
You may also pursue a second degree together with the MPA. Learn about our programs and partnerships
More about the concurrent degree track