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In 2007, Harvard Business School (HBS) and Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) created two joint degree programs in business and government: the Master in Business Administration/Master in Public Policy (MBA/MPP) and the Master in Business Administration/Master in Public Administration-International Development (MBA/MPA-ID). The first cohort accepted to these joint degree programs matriculated in fall 2008.
By participating in the HBS/HKS joint degree programs, structured to be completed in three years, candidates will have demonstrated exceptional aptitude in the complementary areas of policy expertise and cross-disciplinary management. Graduates will be prepared for complex issues that call for the collaboration of the public, nonprofit, and private sectors—and for leadership effective in each.
The MBA/MPP and MBA/MPA-ID are three-year programs that combine the core curricula of the HBS MBA and HKS degrees with a wide range of elective options from both schools. The two joint degree programs are structurally similar and differ largely in the HKS courses required and in the elective options in the final year.
The curriculum includes three courses that are exclusive for students in these two programs: the HBS/HKS Joint Degree Seminar (first two years), the Business-Government Integrative Course (fall, third year), and the Capstone Exercise (spring, third year).
Participants generally complement their required and elective studies with two summer internships: either a policy, international development or social enterprise internship in the first summer, and a business-related internship in the second summer.
A typical candidate will follow the sample schedule outlined below.
MBA/MPP Curriculum
YEAR 1 at Harvard Kennedy School
Fall Term
Markets and Market Failure
Quantitative Analysis & Empirical Methods
Negotiations and Leadership
The Strategic Management of Public Organizations
One HKS Elective Course
Joint Degree Program Seminar taught by HBS faculty
Spring Term
Economic Analysis of Public Policy
Empirical Methods II
Mobilizing for Political Action
The Responsibilities of Public Action
Spring Exercise
Joint Degree Program Seminar taught by HBS faculty
Summer
Policy-related or international development-related summer internship (recommended)
YEAR 2 at Harvard Business School
Fall Term
Financial Reporting and Control
Finance I
Marketing
Technology and Operations Management
Leadership & Organizational Behavior
FIELD (Field Immersion Experience for Leadership Development)
Joint Degree Program Seminar taught by HKS faculty
Spring Term
Business, Government, and the International Economy
Finance II
Strategy
Leadership and Corporate Accountability
The Entrepreneurial Manager
FIELD (Field Immersion Experience for Leadership Development)
Joint Degree Program Seminar taught by HKS faculty
Summer
Business-related summer internship (recommended)
YEAR 3 at Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School
Fall Term
3 Elective Courses
Business-Government Integrative Course
Policy Analysis Exercise (PAE) Seminar and Exercise
Students interested in the MBA/MPP or MBA/MPA-ID joint degree programs apply to HBS and HKS separately and are selected independently within the same application cycle of a given year. When applying, students must identify their interest in the joint degree program in each school's application and submit a joint degree program application essay to both schools.
While each school will maintain its separate admissions application timetables, all applicants interested in a joint degree program are required to apply to HBS in the first or second round of admissions and apply to HKS by the December deadline.
Tuition and Financial Aid
In Year 1, a student pays full HKS tuition and fees. The student applies to the HKS Financial Aid Office for financial aid and follows standard HKS financial aid policies and procedures.
In Year 2, a student pays full HBS tuition and fees. The student applies to the HBS Financial Aid Office for financial aid and follows standard HBS financial aid policies and procedures.
In Year 3, in the fall term, a student pays one term of tuition and fees at HBS, and applies for financial aid from HBS. In the spring term, a student pays one term of tuition and fees at HKS, and applies for financial aid from HKS.
Students in the joint degree program will be limited to a total of three years of financial aid from HBS and HKS toward the MBA/MPP or MBA/MPA-ID degrees.
See the MBA student budget for the Class of 2018 and the HKS student budget (domestic and international) for 2016-17.
FAQ
What is the mission of the program?
To develop leaders, skilled in management and the shaping of innovative public policy, who will assume positions of influence spanning business, government, and nonprofit organizations, through which they will contribute significantly to the well-being of society.
Why should I consider the program?
Graduates of the joint degree programs will be prepared to address some of the world's most pressing issues—issues that call for collaboration of the public and private sectors and require leaders who can effectively operate in both. If you have a career vision that spans the public and private sectors and want to have a greater impact on the world, you should consider the HBS/HKS joint degree programs.
In addition, many students who have graduated from the joint degree program have highlighted the benefits of having a tight-knit group of students who have shared interests and experiences and both schools. This experience is reinforced by joint degree seminar classes, social events and attendance at speaker events with influential cross-sector leaders.
What are the typical backgrounds of students?
Students enrolled in the HBS/HKS joint degree programs represent a diverse range of demographic, professional, and academic backgrounds. That diversity is one of the key strengths of the joint degree programs. We are looking for exceptional people who can meet the challenges of two highly competitive schools, operate effectively in both the public and private sectors, and provide the leadership skills needed to bridge those different worlds.
How do I apply?
Applicants interested in the joint degree programs will apply to HBS and HKS separately but in the same admissions cycle for a given year. Applicants will be evaluated independently, but they must identify their interest in the joint degree program in each school's application and submit a joint degree program essay to both schools. While each school will maintain its own separate admissions application timetables, all applicants who are interested in a joint degree program will be required to apply to HBS in the first or second round of admissions and apply to HKS by the December deadline.
Can I change my mind about participating in the joint degree program after I start?
No. The joint degree programs have been designed to provide students with a unique opportunity to earn two valuable degrees in only three years as a cohort. Upon entering a joint degree program, a student is expected to meet the requirements at both schools in order to graduate from Harvard.
There are a lot more joint degree programs than just HBS/HKS. You might also want to consider the ones below:
Top Concurrent MBA Degree Programs
Booth at University of Chicago: UChicago MS Computer Science, JD, MD, MPP, MA Social Services Administration, MA International Relations;
Columbia Business School: Columbia MS Urban Planning, DDS, MS Engineering and Applied Science, MA International and Public Affairs, MS Journalism, JD, MS Nursing, MD, MPH, MS in Social Work, MA in Private School Leadership
Darden School at UVA: UVA MD, JD, MEd, MS Data Science, MPP, MPH, MA Government, MA East Asian Studies, ME Engineering, MS Nursing, PhD
Duke Fuqua School of Business: Duke JD, MD, MEM, MPP
Haas at University of California—Berkeley: Berkeley MPH, JD
Harvard Business School: HKS, HLS, HMS, Harvard Dental, Harvard Engineering
Kellogg at Northwestern University: Northwestern JD, MS in Design Innovation
MIT Sloan School of Management: HKS, MIT Department of Urban Studies, LGO
Stern School at NYU: NYU MD, MFA, JD, MPA, MS Biology, MS Mathematics Finance, DDS, HEC
Stanford Graduate School of Business: Stanford JD, MPP, MD, MA Education, MS Computer Science, MS Electrical Engineering, MS Environment and Resources, HKS, SAIS, WWS, YLS, YMS
Tuck School at Dartmouth: Dartmouth MD, MPH, or PhD, HKS, SAIS, Tufts Flecher, Vermont Law School
Wharton School at The University of Pennsylvania: UPenn MA in International Studies (Lauder), JD, Education, Engineering, Environment, Design, Health Care Management, Medicine, Nursing, Social Work, Veterinary Medicine, SAIS, HKS
Yale School of Management: Yale JD (3 or 4 year), MEM or MF Forestry & Environmental Studies, MA in Global Affairs, MD, MPH, MARCH Architecture, MFA, MA Divinity, PhD, MD
Is anyone else applying to HKS this year for the joint degree program?
Do people typically use admissions consultants when applying to HKS? I already spent a small fortune on my MBA admissions consultant, so I'm trying to figure out if I need to spend more...
Is anyone else applying to HKS this year for the joint degree program?
Do people typically use admissions consultants when applying to HKS? I already spent a small fortune on my MBA admissions consultant, so I'm trying to figure out if I need to spend more...
Show more
FWIW, we work with a dozen or so clients each year for HKS, including the MPP, MPA, MPA-ID and MC/MPA programs. It's a great school, a very competitive one, and it has an application that requires a lot more work than the typical MBA program.