Master'sUnited States · Psychology / Social Sciences

Master in Public Policy (MPP)

Harvard University

✓ Last verified Oct 4, 2026

Entry requirements

English(Any one of these tests): TOEFL — Minimum 100Required
IELTS — Minimum 7Required
CAE — Minimum 185Required
Tests: GRE or GMATRequired
Prior degree: Bachelor's degree with a strong academic record, any majorRequired
Evidence of quantitative proficiency such as success in undergraduate-level economics, statistics or calculus coursesRequired
Work experience: Preferred
Other: EssayRequired

Accepted English tests: Required for non-native English speakers who did not earn an undergraduate degree conducted entirely in English (a master's or doctorate taught in English does not exempt). Accepted: TOEFL iBT (in person or Home Edition), IELTS Academic, Cambridge English C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency. Minimums in a single sitting: TOEFL 5 on the new 1-6 scale (from January 2026) or 100 on the old scale, most competitive applicants 5 (new) or 25 (old) on each section; IELTS 7 overall, most competitive 7 in each section; Cambridge 185 at C1 or C2, most competitive 185 in each section. Not accepted: MyBest TOEFL, TOEFL ITP, IELTS One Skill Retake, IELTS General Training. TOEFL/IELTS valid two years as of the deadline. Applicants who must submit English scores also submit a video essay.
Other requirements: HKS application for the 2027-2028 academic year; one deadline and one start date per year; only one HKS master's programme may be applied to per cycle. Essays: JFK Essay (750 words), Perspectives essay (250 words), Personal History Essay (250 words); optional statement (250 words). Résumé required. Three letters of recommendation (no additional letters accepted). Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions, non-English transcripts translated by the issuing institution or a certified service (credential evaluation not required but strongly encouraged). Fee $100. GRE/GMAT: required for the MPP; a waiver existed for applicants with an overall B average and B+ or better in statistics/calculus and intermediate economics, but the page states the waiver deadline for 2027-2028 has passed, so applicants who did not request one must submit GRE or GMAT. Scores valid five years, no superscoring. Work experience preferred but not required; incoming MPP students typically have 2-3 years of professional work experience. No minimum GPA published. Two-year programme.