Published 09/04/2025 - September 4, 2025

The master’s degree application for the 2026-2027 academic year is now available.

Whether you’re focused on economic inequality, climate change, the health of democracy, international development, technology, or national security, you’ll gain the skills and network to make an impact at Harvard Kennedy School. We hope you will apply to join us.

Applications and all required documentation must be submitted by Monday, December 1, 2025 at 12 p.m. (noon) ET. There is one admission application deadline and one start date for each degree program per year. You may apply to only one master’s degree program per admissions cycle.

Application Checklist

Application requirements vary by degree program, but a complete application to one of our master's degree programs will include the following:

Online application

Essays

Résumé/CV

Three letters of recommendation

Academic transcripts

Standardized test scores, which vary by program and English language proficiency

Application fee or waiver

Review the How to Apply section of our website for more details and then begin your application.

American Service Fellowship

This summer, we announced the American Service Fellowship, offering a full scholarship and a stipend for at least 50 students to enroll in the Mid-Career Master in Public Administration (MC/MPA) Program. This fellowship is open to public servants with at least seven years of public sector experience in the United States.

To be considered for the American Service Fellowship, you must first apply for admission to the MC/MPA Program. On the application, you’ll be asked to indicate whether you meet the eligibility requirements for the fellowship. Later, you will also be required to submit the HKS financial aid application by the deadline in January.