The Master in Public Policy (MPP) consists of a rigorous two-year program that prepares you to understand complex problems and craft concrete solutions. Through a 72-credit course schedule that explores both breadth and depth, exercises, and fieldwork, you master concepts and skills that draw on the social sciences but are adapted for action.
The Core Courses
The MPP curriculum is designed to broaden your perspective and sharpen specific skills to prepare you for a professional future in public service with courses in economics, ethics, management and leadership, negotiation, politics, policy design and delivery, and quantitative analysis.
Spring Exercise
The first year of courses explores the cross-disciplinary fundamentals of policy analysis culminating in the Spring Exercise, a two-week simulation that has you integrate and apply the tools and concepts you learned.
Policy Areas of Concentration
In your second year, you will choose a Policy Area of Concentration (PAC) from the following:
- Business and Government Policy (BGP)
- Democracy, Politics and Institutions (DPI)
- International and Global Affairs (IGA)
- Political and Economic Development (DEV)
- Social and Urban Policy (SUP)
Policy Analysis Exercise
To conclude your second year and in the culmination of all you have learned at HKS, you will work with a client organization to develop an in-depth applied thesis as part of the Policy Analysis Exercise.
Joint and Concurrent Degrees
Those interested in a second professional graduate degree can do so in a shortened time period through a joint or concurrent degree program with another Harvard school or partner institution.
Virtual Events
Register for future virtual sessions or watch a recorded session to learn more about the support and resources we provide to help you take full advantage of your HKS experience.
Do you have outstanding questions? Contact us.
Cate Lagueux, Director
Emily Rogan, Assistant Director
Tasha Thomas, Assistant Director
Joseph Solomon, Program Assistant
mpp_program@hks.harvard.edu
617-496-1845