Overview

The Public Policy programme at Harvard University provides students with a comprehensive conceptual toolkit rooted in the social sciences to address complex real-world problems. This two-year Master degree emphasises the transition from academic theory to professional action through experiential learning and capstone projects. Participants develop the essential habits of mind and analytical frameworks required to lead effectively in the public sector.

Why Public Policy at Harvard University?

Studying at this institution offers access to global experts and faculty members who actively shape international policy and advise major governments. The programme is distinguished by its commitment to practice, offering students the chance to apply their learning immediately through case studies and optional summer internships. Students benefit from a diverse community and a curriculum that integrates hard and soft skills, ensuring they gain the confidence to move policy forward in unstable times.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 61926 per year
National fee: USD 61926 per year
Local fee: USD 61926 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The first year focuses on cross-disciplinary fundamentals, while the second year allows for specialisation through a Policy Area of Concentration. Modules may include:

Markets and Market Failures
Quantitative Analysis and Empirical Methods
Policy Design and Delivery
Race and Racism in Public Policies
Negotiation Analysis and Practice
Analysis of Public Policy
Politics and Ethics
Applied History
Financial Management

The curriculum culminates in the Policy Analysis Exercise, a capstone project where students develop actionable recommendations for a professional client organisation.

Careers with Public Policy

Graduates are prepared for influential roles across various sectors, including government, international organisations, and non-profit entities. The programme equips students for careers in business and government policy, international affairs, and political development. Many alumni pursue leadership positions in social and urban policy or democratic governance, leveraging the technical skills and specialised knowledge gained during their studies to create significant public value.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Economics

Ethics

Financial management

Leadership

Negotiation

Politics

Policy design and delivery

Quantitative analysis

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 24 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-09-02 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-01 00:00:00

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Credits

72 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Cambridge, United States

Disciplines

Public Policy View 404 other Masters in Public Policy in United States

Join for free or log in to access our complete career info list.

Academic requirements

GRE^®

Required

GMAT

Required

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Online application

$100 USD application fee

Essays, which vary by program

Additional analytical and quantitative résumé or statement, which vary by program

Three strong letters of recommendation from individuals in academia or other professional sectors who know you well and can tell us about your qualifications for our programs

Academic transcripts that include your institution's name, course names, grades you received, and proof of your degree (if received)

Standardized test scores (GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, IELTS, and Cambridge English), which vary by program

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

61926 USD / year

≈ 61926 USD / year
Out-of-State

61926 USD / year

≈ 61926 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

61926 USD / year

≈ 61926 USD / year

Living costs

Cambridge

United States

1814 - 3756 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

Interested in financing your studies? Find a student loan that works for you.

MPOWER Financing No cosigner. No collateral. No hidden fees.

Check your Eligibility

Get the funding you need to study in the U.S. or Canada - with a process that's fast, simple, and built for international students.

Flexible loans from US$2,001 to US$100,000
Fixed interest rates -- no inflation surprises
No upfront fees or prepayment penalties
Accepted at 500+ universities across the U.S. & Canada
100% online application -- instant conditional offer
Free visa & career support through our Path2Success program

Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Need help with your student visa?

Get Visa Support

Get personalized guidance from a certified VFS Global advisor and save 20% through Studyportals.

Avoid common visa mistakes and delays
Know exactly what documents you need
Get a clear checklist tailored to your situation

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Public Policy.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Cambridge

Financing

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

Our partners