Wharton + Harvard Kennedy School
These three-year, dual-degree programs, offered by Wharton and the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) prepare students to operate in both business and public policy or public administration fields. For students with an interest in crafting solutions for public problems across business, government, policy, and more, the dual degree MBA in public policy may be the path for you.
The dual degree option with Wharton allows students to complete the HKS portion of their dual degree over three semesters. The below shows the pathway for students completing the MPA degree where they split the second year between the schools. The MPA/MBA dual degree, MPA/ID and MPP pathways differ in that they require a full year at each school with the third year split between the two.
The Master in Public Administration (MPA) prepares its graduates for positions of significant responsibility in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors. The program’s curriculum lends itself to individual tailoring with guidance from HKS faculty and administrators.
Geared to the future leaders in the field of international development, the Master in Public Administration/International Development (MPA/ID) is an economics-centered, multidisciplinary program, combining analytical and quantitative methods with an emphasis on policy and practice.
Typical MBA/MPA Flight Plan
|
Year |
Fall |
Spring |
|
1 |
Wharton |
Wharton |
|
2 |
HKS |
Wharton |
|
3 |
HKS |
HKS |
Note: The vast majority of dual Wharton/HKS students choose the MPA program
The Master in Public Policy (MPP) equips future leaders with a conceptual framework and the specific skills they will need to be successful in public service. The initial emphasis of the curriculum is on building a strong conceptual foundation for analysis, management, and advocacy. This MBA/MPP dual degree program is a good option for students interested in working in politics or government.
Typical MBA/MPP Flight Plan
|
Year |
Fall |
Spring |
|
1 |
Wharton |
Wharton |
|
2 |
HKS |
HKS |
|
3 |
Wharton |
HKS |
OR
|
Year |
Fall |
Spring |
|
1 |
HKS |
HKS |
|
2 |
Wharton |
Wharton |
|
3 |
Wharton |
HKS |
Applicants must fill out applications to both schools during the first year at either school or simultaneously before enrolling at either school. The two degrees may not be completed sequentially.
HKS Concurrent Degree Information (<--link)
|
MPP |
MPA |
|
|
How to Apply (<--link)
- Application opens in early September
- Due in December
- Three letters of recommendation
- One must be academic
- $100 application fee
- Transcripts
- Essays (there are several)
- Accepts GRE or GMAT
Essays
|
MPP |
MPA |
|
JFK ESSAY The Harvard Kennedy School motto, echoing the President for whom the School is named, is “Ask what you can do.” Please share with the Admissions Committee your plans to create positive change through your public leadership and service. (500 word limit) MPP ESSAY The MPP curriculum is designed to broaden students’ perspective and sharpen skills necessary for a successful career in public service through a rigorous set of courses that draw on the social sciences but are adapted for action. Please describe how the MPP curriculum at HKS would leverage your distinctive abilities and/or fill gaps in your skill set as you equip yourself to achieve your career goals. (500 word limit) PERSONAL HISTORY ESSAY Diversity of all kinds (race and ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, nationality, religion, physical abilities, political philosophy, intellectual focus, socioeconomic status, geographic and many others) is important to enriching the educational experience at the Kennedy School. Please share with us anything in your background or life experience that has shaped your perspectives and how that would contribute to the classroom and community at HKS. (250 word limit) EXPECTATIONS ESSAY Describe a time when you did not meet expectations and elaborate on how the experience changed you. (250 word limit) PERSPECTIVES ESSAY Describe a time when interactions with others and/or an experience caused you to change your mind or expanded your point of view. (250 word limit) OPTIONAL STATEMENT If you have any concerns about your prior academic, professional, or personal background that you would like to share with the Admissions Committee, please provide an explanation. (250 word limit) |
JFK ESSAY The Harvard Kennedy School motto, echoing the President for whom the School is named, is “Ask what you can do.” Please share with the Admissions Committee your plans to create positive change through your public leadership and service. (500 word limit) TWO-YEAR MPA ESSAY There are many pathways one can pursue in order to make a difference in the world. Why is the MPA Program at HKS an appropriate pathway to achieving your goals? (500 word limit) PERSONAL HISTORY ESSAY Diversity of all kinds (race and ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, nationality, religion, physical abilities, political philosophy, intellectual focus, socioeconomic status, geographic and many others) is important to enriching the educational experience at the Kennedy School. Please share with us anything in your background or life experience that has shaped your perspectives and how that would contribute to the classroom and community at HKS. (250 word limit) EXPECTATIONS ESSAY Describe a time when you did not meet expectations and elaborate on how the experience changed you. (250 word limit) PERSPECTIVESESSAY Describe a time when interactions with others and/or an experience caused you to change your mind or expanded your point of view. (250 word limit) OPTIONAL STATEMENT If you have any concerns about your prior academic, professional, or personal background that you would like to share with the Admissions Committee, please provide an explanation. (250 word limit) |
Current Concurrent Degree Students Open to Connecting
|
Name |
|
Program |
Pre-Wharton Industry |
|
Moira Moynihan |
moiram@wharton.upenn.edu |
MPA |
Teach for America/Social Impact |
|
Josh Rothman |
jwr21@wharton.upenn.edu |
MPA |
Nuclear Medicine/Engineering/Startups/Navy |
|
Jukta Basu |
jukta@wharton.upenn.edu |
MPA |
Marketing and general management |
|
Priyanka Krishnamoothy |
prikrish@wharton.upenn.edu |
MPA |
Government (Public finance) and investment banking |
|
Kish Greene |
kish@wharton.upenn.edu |
MPA |
Consulting / Social Impact |
|
DJ Goel |
dhananjaygoel@hks.harvard.edu |
MPA |
Tech Entrepreneurship |
|
Temitope Akande |
Temitopeakande@hks.harvard.edu |
MPA |
Aerospace Engineering /Aviation |
Employment by Program for all Dual Degree Students
|
MPP |
MPA |
|
Public Sector and International Governmental Organizations U.S. District Court for District of Montana U.S. District Court for District of Rhode Island U.S. House of Representatives State of California Nonprofit Sector and Nongovernmental Organizations Bridgespan Group East LA Community Corporation Liberation Ventures* Massachusetts General Hospital Mwatana for Human Rights Native Americans Rights Fund Brigham and Women's Hospital Social Finance, Inc. Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom Private Sector Bain & Company Bank of America Boston Consulting Group Capital One Deepgram Goldman Sachs Janji McKinsey & Company Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP Perkins Coie LLP Policygenius REX Real Estate Searchlight Capital Colleges and Universities New York University Langone Health University of California Medical Center University of Chicago, Medical Center *new venture |
Nonprofit Sector and Nongovernmental Organizations Overdeck Family Foundation VotER World Economic Forum Private Sector Alvarez & Marsal Apple Applie Derivative Research Bain & Company Boston Consulting Group Curriculum Associates CVS Health Fidelity Investments Genentech Goldman Sachs Guidehouse Hackademic, Inc.* HTS Partners Innosight Jones Day JUNI Learning McGraw Hill Education McKinsey & Company Mopi* Morgan Stanley Next Billion Ventures Particles for Humanity PayPal Reveri Health Season Three* Stirling Square Capital Partners Tempus Labs, Inc. TikTok Vanguard Venable LLP Visible Hands* Wellington Management Wind Energy Holding X, The Moonshot Factory (Formerly Google[X]) Center for Intimacy Justice* *new venture |