CONTENTS
Introduction
About the Combined Degree
How Do Joint and Concurrent Degrees Differ?
Approved Combined Degree Programs
The Graduate Institute, Geneva
Advantages and Disadvantages of a Combined Degree Program
2
Admission and Enrollment
Applying to a Combined Degree Program
More Admission Information
Enrolling in a Combined Degree Program
Academic Rules
Meeting HKS Course and Residency Requirements
Number and Type of Required Courses
Cross Registration
Residency Requirements
Switching to the MPA Program
Policy Area of Concentration
Policy Analysis Exercise and Secord Year Policy Analysis
Logistics
Staying in Touch with HKS
Receiving or Applying for Financial Assistance
Which School Provides Financial Assistance? Where and When Do I Apply?
Deferring HKS Admission: Impact on Financial Assistance Package
Avoiding Early Repayment When Moving Between Schools
Visa Documentation for International Students
Summer Internship Fund
Health Insurance
Transitioning Smoothly Between Schools
Graduating
Contact Information
5
7
12
16
HARVARD KENNEDY SCHOOL | COMBINED DEGREE GUIDE
INTRODUCTION
A number of Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) students pursue joint and concurrent degrees with
professional graduate schools either at Harvard or other academic institutions approved by HKS faculty
members. This challenging degree track is rewarding, but not for everyone.
This guide is designed to help you—current and prospective HKS students—understand the intricacies
of a combined degree experience to determine whether it is the right t for your unique academic, career
and personal aspirations.
If you are a combined degree student currently enrolled at HKS, you will benet from this guide as well.
You will need to have a clear understanding of the rules and regulations at both schools, and this guide
can be useful in navigating the HKS portion of your degree program.
About the Combined Degree
Joint and concurrent degrees allow you to earn two degrees in less time by reducing your coursework and
residency requirements. To be eligible, you must be admitted to HKS as well as a professional graduate
school either at Harvard or another academic institution approved by HKS faculty members. In recent
years, about percent of our two-year master’s students enroll in a joint or concurrent degree program.
Typically, you complete your degree in one year less than if you earned them consecutively. For instance,
it takes ve years to earn a Master in Public Policy (MPP) and a Juris Doctor (JD) separately—two years for
an MPP and three for a JD—but only four years when pursued concurrently.
As a joint or concurrent degree student, you are committing yourself to two degree programs at two
dierent institutions. Because of this commitment, HKS will only award your Kennedy School degree once
you have met the requirements for both degrees. If you decide to no longer pursue the joint or concurrent
degree, you must satisfy the HKS residence requirement and all other degree requirements to be awarded
your HKS degree.
How Do Joint and Concurrent Degrees Differ?
Harvard Kennedy School oers two distinct combined degree programs.
The joint degree program with either Harvard Business School or Harvard Law School features integrated
coursework that has been developed by faculty members from HKS and HBS or HLS to provide a more
holistic learning experience.
The concurrent degree program allows you to pursue degrees at HKS and at a partner school; however, the
coursework is not as closely integrated as the joint degree program. As a student in a concurrent degree
program, you are responsible for weaving together the two halves of your learning experience on your own.
Approved Combined Degree Programs
Harvard Kennedy School faculty members approved joint and concurrent degree programs with partner
schools both within and outside Harvard. Aside from U.S. medical schools, it is unlikely HKS will approve
additional joint or concurrent degree programs at this point in time.
2
HARVARD KENNEDY SCHOOL | COMBINED DEGREE GUIDE
Only MPP, MPA/ID or two-year MPA students may enroll in combined degree programs.
> Joint Degrees with Harvard Business School or Harvard Law School
HKS has formal joint degree programs with Harvard Business School and Harvard Law School. Due to
the unique nature of the curricular requirements, you may only enroll in these programs if you are an
MPP or MPA/ID student.
As an HKS/HBS student, you spend your rst year at HKS, the second year at HBS, and one semester
at each school for your nal year. As an HKS/HLS student, you spend a full year—either during your
rst or second year of the combined program—at HKS to complete your core curriculum, aer which
you are in residence at HLS; you register at HKS for the courses you need to complete your HKS degree.
As a joint degree student, you must complete specically designed coursework as well as a capstone
seminar, which includes either the Policy Analysis Exercise (PAE) or Second Year Policy Analysis (SYPA)
for HKS/HBS students, or the Integrated Written Project (IWP) for HKS/HLS candidates.
> Concurrent Degrees with Harvard Divinity School, Harvard Graduate School of Design, Harvard
Medical School or Harvard School of Dental Medicine
You can earn concurrent degrees with Harvard Divinity School (HDS), Harvard Graduate School of
Design (GSD), Harvard Medical School (HMS) or Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM).
As an HKS student concurrent with HDS or GSD, you must spend one year at that school, one year at
HKS, and one semester at each school for your nal year. If you are concurrent with HMS or HSDM,
you spend one year at HKS, aer which you are in residence at HMS or HSDM and register at HKS for
courses you need to complete your HKS degree.
> Concurrent Degrees with Schools Other Than Harvard
You may combine your MPP, MPA/ID or two-year MPA degrees with a business, law or medical degree
so long as it is:
» a professional degree (e.g., an MBA or JD, not a PHD or academic master’s degree)
» at least a two-year program
» completed at an institution that has been approved by HKS faculty members
As a concurrent degree student, you alternate between HKS and the other school throughout your
degree program rather than completing one degree before beginning the other. You must complete at
least three semesters at HKS. If you are an MPP or MPA/ID concurrent degree student, you must spend
a full academic year at HKS to complete your core curriculum, and then split your nal year between
your two schools. If you are an MPA student, you may split either your rst or nal year at HKS; if you
choose to split your rst year, you must be in residence at HKS for the fall semester.
3
HARVARD KENNEDY SCHOOL | COMBINED DEGREE GUIDE
You may pursue concurrent degrees with the following approved non-Harvard schools:
BUSINESS
» MIT Sloan School of Management
» Stanford Graduate School of Business
» Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth
» Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania
LAW
» Berkeley Law, University of California
» Columbia Law School
» Duke University School of Law
» Georgetown University Law Center
» New York University School of Law
» Northwestern University School of Law
» Stanford Law School
» University of Michigan Law School
» University of Pennsylvania Law School
» Yale Law School
MEDICAL
» University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine
» Ad hoc programs may be permitted with other U.S.-based Liaison Committee on Medical
Education (LCME)-accredited medical schools. Email jointconcurrentdegrees@hks.harvard.edu
if you are interested in pursuing a concurrent degree with other medical schools.
> The Graduate Institute, Geneva
HKS has partnered with the Graduate Institute, Geneva to oer a two-year dual degree program that
may only be combined with the Mid-Career MPA (MC/MPA) Program. As a dual degree student, you
pursue a Master in International Aairs or a Master in Development Studies at the Institute, and earn
an MPA degree at HKS through the MC/MPA Program during your second year. Aer completing the
program requirements for both schools, you will earn two master’s degrees in two years rather than
three (if you had attended the programs consecutively).
Advantages and Disadvantages of a Combined Degree Program
There are realities associated with pursuing a joint or concurrent degree. Consider the advantages and
disadvantages listed below:
> Advantages—by combining two degrees, you:
» develop broader insight from a second discipline
» gain additional skills and perspective in a shorter amount of time
» save on tuition and enter the job market faster than earning two degrees independently
» present additional degree credentials to potential employers
> Disadvantages—pursuing a combined degree does have some costs. You:
» typically graduate with classmates other than those with whom you began your program
» take fewer elective credits because of reduced course requirements, but the degree program core
or distribution requirements remain the same
» assume extra moving expenses if pursuing a concurrent degree with a school outside the
Cambridge/Boston area
» face logistical challenges as you balance the demands of two dierent programs
4
HARVARD KENNEDY SCHOOL | COMBINED DEGREE GUIDE
ADMISSION AND ENROLLMENT
You must be admitted to HKS as well as the other school if you are interested in pursuing a combined
degree. Admission to one program does not guarantee admission to the other.
Applying to a Combined Degree Program
Dierent schools have dierent application requirements and options. See below for a brief explanation.
> Harvard Business School
You must apply and be admitted to both HKS and HBS in the same year. If admitted to both schools,
you can opt in to the HKS/HBS joint degree program. All joint HKS/HBS candidates spend their rst
year at HKS.
> Harvard Law School
You have the option to apply to the HKS/HLS joint degree program at the same time or apply to one
school while enrolled in the rst year at either school. If admitted at the same time, you can typically
decide whether to begin the program at HKS or HLS.
Once admitted to both schools, you must follow instructions from HKS and HLS to formally enroll as
a joint degree student and conrm where to be in residence for each academic year. Note that
potential nancial assistance packages awarded by HKS—including merit-based fellowships—may be
rescinded if you begin at HLS.
Students who are in their second or third years at HLS may not apply to HKS for the joint degree program.
> Concurrent Degrees
There are two options to apply to a concurrent degree program. You may apply to HKS and the
partner school at the same time, or apply to one school while enrolled in the rst year at the other.
If you are already in medical school, you should apply to HKS during the admission cycle before you
would like to enroll.
> The Graduate Institute, Geneva
Students pursuing the combined degree with The Graduate Institute, Geneva spend their rst year at
the Institute to pursue a Master in International Aairs or a Master in Development Studies, and their
second year at HKS in the Mid-Career MPA Program.Applicants may apply to both programs at the
same time or apply to HKS while enrolled in the rst year at the Institute. Applicants who begin their
studies at HKSare not eligible to enroll at the Institute through this program.
5
HARVARD KENNEDY SCHOOL | COMBINED DEGREE GUIDE
More Admission Information
You are typically required to submit GRE or GMAT scores as part of your HKS application.
If you are an HKS/HLS applicant, you may submit LSAT scores only if you are a rst-year at HLS, but you
must submit a written request to the HLS admissions oce to have your LSAT scores sent to HKS.
If you are an applicant not enrolled at HLS, you must submit GRE or GMAT scores.
If you are an HKS/HMS applicant, you may submit your MCAT score rather than the GRE or GMAT, but you
must submit a written request to the HMS admissions oce to have your MCAT scores sent to HKS. If you
are applying from medical schools other than HMS, and do not have valid GRE or GMAT scores, please be
in touch with the HKS Admissions Oce.
The MPA/ID Program does not accept LSAT or MCAT scores.
If you are a rst-year HKS student applying to a concurrent degree program that requires a school ocial
to complete a certication form (“Dean’s Certication” or “Statement of Good Standing”), provide the form
and a stamped envelope addressed to the correct admissions oce to the Registrar’s Oce.
Enrolling in a Combined Degree Program
Once you are admitted and decide to enroll at HKS and your other school, you must share your plans with
the appropriate HKS oce.
Prior to matriculating at HKS, you must notify the Oce of Admissions by submitting the “Combined
Degree Study Plan” in the New Admit portal. If you are admitted to a joint or combined degree program
aer beginning your studies at HKS, you must e-mail the HKS Registrar’s Oce (hks_registrar@hks.
harvard.edu) to notify them of your change in status. Once your status is ocially changed, you will have
access in my.harvard.edu to submit your “flight plan”—the schedule for when you will be in residence at
your two schools. You must also notify your other school about your joint or concurrent degree status and
submit any required paperwork.
You are expected to follow your submitted flight plan, but if your plans change you must notify the
HKS Registrar’s Oce as soon as possible and update your flight plan in my.harvard.edu. It is your
responsibility to ensure that your flight plan accurately reflects your intended enrollments.
Please note: while you are pursuing your concurrent degree at a non-Harvard school, Harvard considers
you an inactive student without access to library facilities, gyms, and health insurance.
6
HARVARD KENNEDY SCHOOL | COMBINED DEGREE GUIDE
ACADEMIC RULES
As a joint or concurrent degree student, you earn two degrees at the same time and are given a
“discount” on your coursework and residency requirements. You must keep careful track of the rules and
requirements specic to your course of study. You are responsible for understanding the HKS academic
regulations to ensure that you are eligible to graduate from your degree programs.
Meeting HKS Course and Residency Requirements
You are responsible for ensuring that you meet all HKS course and residency requirements to be eligible
to graduate.
> Number and Type of Required Courses
The number and type of required courses for your combined degree vary based on your program.
Dierent scenarios are illustrated below.
JOINT DEGREES
HARVARD
BUSINESS
SCHOOL
MPP MPA/ID MPA MC/MPA
# of HKS credits 52 HKS + 3 Joint 62 HKS + 3 Joint N/A N/A
HKS
requirements
— MPP core
— First-Year Joint Degree
Seminar
— Second-Year Joint
Degree Seminar
— Third-Year Business-
Government
Integrative Course
—
PAE/Seminar**
— At least 12 elective
credits (Year 3)
—
MPA/ID core
— First-Year Joint Degree
Seminar
— Second-Year Joint
Degree Seminar
— Third-Year Business-
Government
Integrative Course
—
SYPA/Seminar
— At least 8 elective
credits (Year 3)
N/A N/A
Years total
3 3
N/A N/A
Semesters
in-residence at HKS
3 3
N/A N/A
HARVARD
LAW
SCHOOL
MPP MPA/ID MPA MC/MPA
# of HKS credits 48 + 2 Joint 58 + 2 Joint N/A N/A
HKS
requirements
—
MPP core
— Joint Degree Program
Seminar (Year 3)
— Integrated Written
Project, including
writing workshop
module (Year 4)
— At least 12 elective
credits after completion
of Year 1 at HKS
(preferably in different
semesters)
—
MPA/ID core
— Joint Degree Program
Seminar (Year 3)
— Integrated Written
Project, including
writing workshop
module (Year 4)
— At least 12 elective
credits (preferably in
different semesters)
N/A N/A
Years total
4 4
N/A N/A
Semesters
in-residence at HKS*
2 2
N/A N/A
* You must be enrolled in a minimum of credits per semester to satisfy the HKS residency requirement.
** If you are a joint or concurrent MPP student and would like to be an International and Global Aairs (IGA) concentrator, you must
also complete IGA-, IGA-approved distribution credits, and additional elective credits.
7
HARVARD KENNEDY SCHOOL | COMBINED DEGREE GUIDE
8
CONCURRENT DEGREES
HARVARD
MEDICAL
SCHOOL
or
HARVARD
SCHOOL
OF DENTAL
MEDICINE
MPP MPA/ID
MPA (HSDM only)
MC/MPA
# of HKS credits
48 54 48
N/A
HKS
requirements
—
MPP core
— PAE/Seminar**
— Additional
elective credits
to fulfill overall
requirements
— MPA/ID core
— SYPA/Seminar
— 0 to 12 additional
elective credits
(depending on
other school)
— Four credits in
each of the 3
methodological
areas
— Additional
elective credits
to fulfill overall
requirements
N/A
Years total
5 5 5
N/A
Semesters
in-residence
at HKS*
2 3 2
N/A
HARVARD
DIVINITY
SCHOOL
or
HARVARD
GRADUATE
SCHOOL
OF DESIGN
MPP MPA/ID MPA MC/MPA
# of HKS credits
48 54 48
N/A
HKS
requirements
—
MPP core
— PAE/Seminar**
— Additional
elective credits
to fulfill overall
requirements
— MPA/ID core
— SYPA/Seminar
— 0 to 12 additional
elective credits
(depending on
other school)
— Four credits in
each of the 3
methodological
areas
— Additional
elective credits
to fulfill overall
requirements
N/A
Years total
3 3 3
N/A
Semesters
in-residence
at HKS*
3 3 3
N/A
NONHARVARD CONCURRENT DEGREES
BUSINESS
MIT Sloan School
of Management
Stanford Graduate
School of Business
Tuck School of
Business at
Dartmouth
Wharton School
at the University
of Pennsylvania
MPP MPA/ID MPA MC/MPA
# of HKS credits
48 54 48
N/A
HKS
requirements
—
MPP core
— PAE/Seminar**
— Additional
elective credits
to fulfill overall
requirements
— MPA/ID core
— SYPA/Seminar
— 0 to 12 additional
elective credits
(depending on
other school)
— Four credits in
each of the 3
methodological
areas
— Additional
elective credits
to fulfill overall
requirements
N/A
Years total
3 3 3
N/A
Semesters
in-residence
at HKS*
3 3 3
N/A
* You must be enrolled in a minimum of credits per semester to satisfy the HKS residency requirement.
** If you are a joint or concurrent MPP student and would like to be an International and Global Aairs (IGA) concentrator, you must
also complete IGA-, IGA-approved distribution credits, and additional elective credits.
HARVARD KENNEDY SCHOOL | COMBINED DEGREE GUIDE
* You must be enrolled in a minimum of credits per semester to satisfy the HKS residency requirement.
** If you are a joint or concurrent MPP student and would like to be an International and Global Aairs (IGA) concentrator, you must
also complete IGA-, IGA-approved distribution credits, and additional elective credits.
NONHARVARD CONCURRENT DEGREES
LAW
Berkeley Law,
University of
California
Columbia Law
School
Duke University
School of Law
Georgetown Law
New York
University
School of Law
Northwestern
University
School of Law
Stanford Law
School
University of
Michigan Law
School
University of
Pennsylvania
Law School
Yale Law School
MPP MPA/ID MPA MC/MPA
# of HKS credits
48 54 48
N/A
HKS
requirements
—
MPP core
— PAE/Seminar**
— Additional
elective credits
to fulfill overall
requirements
— MPA/ID core
— SYPA/Seminar
— 0 to 12 additional
elective credits
(depending on
other school)
— Four credits in
each of the 3
methodological
areas
— Additional
elective credits
to fulfill overall
requirements
N/A
Years total
4 4 4
N/A
Semesters
in-residence
at HKS*
3 3 3
N/A
MEDICINE
University of
California,
San Francisco
(UCSF) School
of Medicine
Other accredited
U.S. medical
schools on a
case-by-case basis
MPP MPA/ID MPA MC/MPA
# of HKS credits
48 54 48
N/A
HKS
requirements
—
MPP core
— PAE/Seminar**
— Additional
elective credits
to fulfill overall
requirements
— MPA/ID core
— SYPA/Seminar
— 0 to 12 additional
elective credits
(depending on
other school)
— Four credits in
each of the 3
methodological
areas
— Additional
elective credits
to fulfill overall
requirements
N/A
Years total
5 5 5
N/A
Semesters
in-residence
at HKS*
3 3 3
N/A
DUAL DEGREE
THE
GRADUATE
INSTITUTE,
GENEVA
MPP MPA/ID MPA MC/MPA
# of HKS credits N/A N/A N/A
32
HKS
requirements
N/A N/A N/A
— Four credits in each of the 3
methodological areas
— Additional elective credits to
fulfill overall requirements
Years total N/A N/A N/A
2
Semesters
in-residence
at HKS*
N/A N/A N/A 2 + MC/MPA Summer Program
Mason Program Summer Seminar
(if applicable)
9
HARVARD KENNEDY SCHOOL | COMBINED DEGREE GUIDE
> Cross Registration
You must be aware that zero () credits will be applied to an HKS degree for courses that are in the
same discipline as your joint or concurrent degree—regardless of whether you are completing the
other degree at a Harvard school. For example, if you are pursuing an MPP/JD degree with Columbia
Law School, you cannot apply any courses completed at HLS to the credits required for an MPP
degree. This rule is retroactive. If you are a rst-year HKS student and have applied or plan to apply to
other schools for a combined degree, cross-registered courses in that discipline cannot be applied to
your HKS degree requirements.
> Residency Requirements
Pursuing a combined degree reduces the amount of time you are required to be in residence at HKS
from four semesters to either two or three—depending on the school where you are completing your
combined degree.
As an HKS/HLS, HKS/HMS or HKS/HSDM degree student, you must be in residence at HKS for a
full academic year, aer which you can register into HKS during your remaining years at Harvard to
complete your HKS degree requirements. As an HKS/HBS student, you must be in residence at HKS
for a full academic year, then spend the next academic year at HBS and register for courses at both
schools during year three. If you are pursuing combined degrees with HDS, GSD or a school other than
Harvard, you must be in residence at HKS for a full academic year plus one additional semester before
graduating from either degree program.
You must be enrolled in at least credits each term while at HKS to satisfy residency requirements.
This may mean you will have more total credits than the minimum required to earn your HKS degree.
If you are a concurrent degree student, you may only enroll in January term courses at HKS if you will
be in residence for the spring semester that immediately follows.
MIT does not reduce the required number of credits needed to earn an MIT Sloan MBA. If you are
pursuing a concurrent degree with MIT Sloan, you can cross-register into courses at MIT while you
are in residence at HKS; however, these cross-registered MIT courses cannot be applied toward your
HKS degree.
> Switching to the MPA Program
If you are a concurrent MPP student, you may switch to the MPA Program if you meet the admissions
pre-requisites for the degree. This includes a minimum of three years of full-time work experience and
graduate-level course work similar to the MPP core curriculum.
If you are pursuing a concurrent MBA, you may switch once you have completed the rst-year core
curriculum of either degree program (MPP or MBA). If you are pursuing a concurrent degree other
than an MBA, you are eligible to switch programs aer completing the rst-year MPP core curriculum.
You may not switch to the MPA Program if you are pursuing a degree with HBS, HLS or HMS.
You must make your program change request prior to the start of the semester. If you are interested
in switching to the MPA Program, contact MPP Program Director Eleni Cortis for more information.
10
HARVARD KENNEDY SCHOOL | COMBINED DEGREE GUIDE
> Policy Area of Concentration
Generally, as a joint or concurrent degree student you do not need to complete the additional
requirements for a Policy Area of Concentration. If you are a joint or concurrent MPP student who
would like to pursue the International and Global Aairs (IGA) concentration, you should refer to the
IGA Fact Sheet for more information.
Policy Analysis Exercise and Second Year Policy Analysis
If you are a combined degree MPP student—with the exception of joint HKS/HLS students—you must
complete the Policy Analysis Exercise (PAE) and related seminar. If you are a combined degree MPA/
ID student—with the exception of joint HKS/HLS students—you must complete the Second Year Policy
Analysis (SYPA).
As an HKS/HLS student, you must complete the Joint Degree Program Seminar in Year and the Integrated
Written Project and related writing workshop in Year instead of the PAE or SYPA requirement.
The PAE and SYPA seminars are held from September through March. If you are a concurrent student
at HKS during the fall semester, you can complete your PAE or SYPA in late December or early January,
or adhere to the March deadline. If you are an MPP candidate who is only at HKS in the spring semester,
you can begin your PAE during the fall semester while not in residence or wait to begin your PAE when
you arrive at HKS in the spring. In either case, you must contact your PAE or SYPA seminar leader(s) at the
beginning of the academic year to establish a timeline and ask for guidance. All students must complete
their PAE or SYPA by the March deadline.
If you are a joint MPP or MPA/ID student pursuing an MBA at HBS, you must identify an HBS advisor—in
addition to your HKS advisor—for your PAE or SYPA project. Similarly, if you are concurrent with HMS,
you must identify an HMS mentor to oversee your project.
If you are a concurrent student who is required to spend three semesters in residence at HKS, you
receive full-course credit for the PAE or SYPA seminar during your nal semester, despite the seminar
being a full-year course. The credits associated with the PAE or SYPA seminar will be applied to the
-credit minimum needed to meet the residency requirement.
11
HARVARD KENNEDY SCHOOL | COMBINED DEGREE GUIDE
LOGISTICS
Completing a combined degree has unique challenges, particularly being away from the HKS community
and fullling requirements for two schools. This section provides some practical information and tips on
how to ensure a smoother experience.
Please note: While you are pursuing your concurrent degree at a non-Harvard school, Harvard considers
you an inactive student without access to library facilities, gyms, and health insurance.
Staying in Touch with HKS
Before leaving for your other school, you must share your new mailing address with the HKS Registrar’s
Oce to ensure that you receive mail from HKS; you can do this at my.harvard.edu. You are urged to check
your HKS e-mail regularly. If your timing changes aer submitting a flight plan, you must notify the HKS
Registrar’s Oce as soon as possible to conrm when you will return to HKS.
Receiving or Applying for Financial Assistance
This section addresses some commonly asked questions about nancial assistance, which you may receive
to fund your education. Every situation is dierent, so we urge you to meet with your assigned nancial aid
counselor to talk about your degree plans or contact the HKS Student Financial Services (SFS) Oce.
> Which School Provides Financial Assistance? Where and When Do I Apply?
Financial assistance is awarded for a specic semester, term or academic year by the school where
you are registered for that semester or term. Stay up to date on the nancial assistance application
deadlines and requirements for HKS and your other school. If you receive a two-year HKS fellowship
but will be in residence for only two or three semesters as a full-time HKS student, you will receive
funding only for those semesters. The following examples illustrate some dierent scenarios.
» I am pursuing a combined degree with a non-Harvard school
Financial assistance is only provided by the school in which you will be enrolled at any given
semester or term. You must apply for nancial assistance at each school for the semesters that
you will be enrolled. At HKS, you will only apply for nancial assistance when you are submitting
your HKS admission application; assistance will be renewed each semester unless otherwise
advised. Aid oered and accepted during the nancial aid process will be provided during your
HKS residency according to your flight plan.
For example, if you are a concurrent degree student with Wharton, you will apply for nancial
assistance at HKS at the following time:
Enrolled term School Where to apply When to apply
Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 HKS HKS Before your initial enrollment at HKS
Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 Wharton Wharton Wharton school policy
Fall 2022 Wharton Wharton Wharton school policy
Spring 2023 HKS HKS No application process.
In this scenario, you will return to HKS for your third semester in Spring and must notify SFS
of your enrollment before the start of the – academic year.
12
HARVARD KENNEDY SCHOOL | COMBINED DEGREE GUIDE
» I am pursuing a combined degree with HBS, HDS or GSD
If you are enrolled at HBS, HDS or GSD, you will follow the same timeline as students pursuing
concurrent degrees with non-Harvard schools as illustrated. Because you are required to
complete three semesters at HKS, you will apply for nancial assistance when you submit your
HKS admission application.
» I am pursuing a combined degree with HLS, HMS or HSDM
If you are enrolled at HLS, HMS or HSDM, you must apply for nancial assistance for the year
you are in residence at HKS. For the remainder of your degree program, you will apply for and
receive nancial assistance from your other school. Even when you are taking classes at HKS
but the majority of your courses are held at HLS or HMS, you must apply for and receive nancial
assistance from HLS or HMS.
> Deferring HKS Admission: Impact on Financial Assistance Package
Any nancial assistance packages—including merit-based fellowships—that you may receive are only
distributed in the year in which they are awarded. If you apply to HKS and the other school at the same
time, and defer HKS admission to begin at the other school, you must reapply for nancial assistance
and meet all applicable deadlines before enrolling at HKS. There are no guarantees that the HKS
nancial assistance package will be the same combination of fellowships, scholarships, work-study
and loans that were originally awarded.
> Avoiding Early Repayment When Moving Between Schools
If you have taken or plan to take out student loans to help fund your education (all degrees including
undergraduate), you cannot go into repayment while completing your degrees. The U.S. government
pays the interest on subsidized loans while you are enrolled in school; however, your loans will accrue
interest once you graduate.
If this scenario applies to you, your loans from one school do not need to go into repayment while you
are enrolled at the other so long as the second school has reported you to the National Student Loan
Clearinghouse as an enrolled student. You can check your enrollment status on the U.S. Department
of Education database. Regardless of which school you are attending, you should be listed as full time
at the top of the screen. If this is not the case, contact the Registrar’s Oce of the school in which you
are currently enrolled as soon as possible to make sure your loans do not go into repayment.
If you are completing a concurrent degree with a non-Harvard school and have student loans that
have extended beyond the grace period, you must take action the summer between moving from one
school to the other to avoid going into repayment. If you nd yourself in this situation, you are eligible
for a summer bridge deferment, but it is not automatic and requires you to take extra steps. Contact
your lender(s) to inform them that you are enrolled in two dierent programs as a concurrent degree
student and will continue your studies in the fall. Lenders must allow a summer bridge deferment
and may require you to submit documentation in writing.
13
HARVARD KENNEDY SCHOOL | COMBINED DEGREE GUIDE
> Visa Documentation for International Students
As an international student pursuing a combined degree, you are responsible for obtaining and
maintaining valid visa documentation.
You must ensure that your immigration documents (the I- for an F- student visa; the DS- for a
J- student visa) are issued by the school where you are currently enrolled. For instance, if your current
I- or DS- is issued by Harvard, you must request a transfer of your F- or J- record before you
can begin classes at another institution.
The general transfer process is as follows:
. Complete the Financial Certication process for the school you will be attending in the next
semester.
. Request a transfer-in form for the school you will be attending for the upcoming semester.
You will complete the form with your current institution’s international student advisor.
. Your current school’s international student advisor will transfer your F- or J- record to your
new school.
. Your new school will receive your F- or J- record and issue you a new I- or DS- that you
will need for all future travel outside the U.S. During the transfer process, your SEVIS ID number
will remain the same, allowing you to continue using the same F- or J- visa stamp in your
passport throughout your combined degree program. You will only need to apply for a new F-
or J- visa stamp if you are traveling outside the U.S. and your current visa has expired.
However, each school will have specic procedures and policies for you to follow to transfer
immigration sponsorship. Familiarize yourself with these procedures aer you are admitted to each
school. Note that you will need to proactively complete this process each time you change schools
during your combined degree program. For details on transferring your F- or J- record from another
institution to Harvard, review Transfer to Harvard and Change of Level.
If a sponsoring agency (AMidEAST, Fulbright, IIE, LASPAU, or USAid, for example) is preparing the DS-
for your J- student visa, ask them about the procedures you will need to follow.
Due to the transfer process, obtaining U.S. work permission—F- Curricular Practical Training (CPT),
F- Optional Practical Training (OPT), J- Academic Training (AT), or even on campus employment—as
a combined degree student will involve extra planning and coordination. It is important that you
proactively discuss plans to work in the U.S. with your international student advisor at the beginning
of your program so you are aware of each school’s procedures and policies.
Please note: all international students must be enrolled at HKS in the spring semester prior to
obtaining summer work authorization through Harvard. F- students in the MPA and MPP programs
must also be enrolled at HKS in the fall semester following summer F- CPT authorization.
Contact the Harvard International Oce if you have any questions or concerns.
> Summer Internship Fund
As a combined degree student, you are eligible to receive funding from the Summer Internship Fund
(SIF) starting the summer aer you are in residence at HKS. SIF funding is awarded one time only.
14
HARVARD KENNEDY SCHOOL | COMBINED DEGREE GUIDE
> Health Insurance
It is very important for you to have a clear understanding of the individual requirements and waiver
policies at each of your schools. This will ensure that you are not double-charged for health insurance
or nd yourself without coverage.
While you are enrolled at your other school, you are not covered by Harvard’s health insurance
because you are not considered an active Harvard student. If you intend to be covered by Harvard
University’s health insurance, you must buy this additional coverage, laid out in the procedures in the
“Leaving Harvard” section of the Harvard University Health Services website.
Once you enroll at HKS, you can extend your Harvard health insurance plan for up to two semesters at
your other school; however, primary care benets under the university plan may be limited or subject
to co-pays and deductibles if you are unable to use Harvard student clinics for primary care.
Please note: Massachusetts law requires all students to have valid health insurance. More information
is available on the Harvard University Health Services website.
Transitioning Smoothly Between Schools
You are advised to take specic steps to ensure a smooth transition between your semesters at HKS and
your other school. Consider doing the following:
> Notify the HKS Registrar’s Oce if your flight plan has changed. You can do so on my.harvard.edu on
the Flight Plans page under the Student Home tab.
> Decide if it would be easier to return to HKS in the fall or spring for your nal semester. If you are an
MPP student, it may be easier to complete your PAE by returning in the fall. As an MPA/ID, you must
return in the fall semester to nish your second-year core requirements.
> Find out if HKS’ spring grade reporting deadline in late May will interfere with your graduation plans
from your other school. Typically, partner schools will accept written conrmation—instead of an ocial
grade report—from the HKS Registrar’s Oce conrming that you are on track to graduate.
> Conrm deadlines to apply/reapply for nancial assistance at HKS and your other school.
> Create a moving and housing plan if you are pursuing a concurrent degree with a school outside the
Cambridge/Boston area. If you are returning to HKS for a semester, the housing forum at the bottom of
the KNet homepage may be a good resource for short-term housing. Harvard University Housing (HUH)
resources may also be useful. If you are interested in applying for Harvard housing, contact the HKS
Registrar’s Oce ahead of the application deadline to receive your enrollment conrmation. HUH oers
one-year leases that only correspond to the academic year. You should not apply for university housing
if you plan on being at Harvard for less than a full academic year.
> Check with other combined degree students who are in their nal year to see who will return for the fall
or spring semesters. You might nd a classmate to share a one-year lease with if you are returning to
HKS for dierent semesters.
> Understand your health insurance options, conrm you are adequately covered and ensure you are not
double-charged.
15
HARVARD KENNEDY SCHOOL | COMBINED DEGREE GUIDE
Graduating
You must apply to graduate from HKS and your other school at the same time. HKS will contact the other
school to conrm you have met the graduation requirements.
You will need to stay up to date on the graduation application deadlines for HKS and your other school.
The HKS application deadline is usually in March to graduate in May.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For Questions About Contact
Joint and concurrent degree
tracking forms, HKS enrollment,
and enrollment verication
HKS Registrar’s Office
Mt. Auburn Street, Suite
Cambridge, MA
--
hks_registrar@hks.harvard.edu
Academic requirements for HKS
degrees (e.g., PACs, distribution,
core requirements)
Degree program change forms and
questions about combined degrees
Degree program points of contact
— Eleni Cortis, Director, Master in Public Policy (MPP) Program
--
eleni_cortis@hks.harvard.edu
— Carol Finney, Director, Master in Public Administration in International
Development (MPA/ID) Program
--
carol_nney@hks.harvard.edu
— Emma Heern, Director, Master in Public Administration (MPA) Programs
--
emma_heern@hks.harvard.edu
HKS nancial assistance
Student Financial Services
Mt. Auburn Street, Suite
Cambridge, MA
--
nancial_aid@hks.harvard.edu
HKS admissions
Office of Admissions
Mt. Auburn Street, Suite
Cambridge, MA
--
admission[email protected]arvard.edu
Admission to or requirements
for other schools
Contact the school’s combined degree coordinator
or Registrar’s Oce, and/or their admissions oce
16
JOINT AND CONCURRENT DEGREE PROGRAMS
Degree Programs and Student Affairs
Harvard Kennedy School
79 John F. Kennedy Street
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
www.hks.harvard.edu/joint-concurrent
jointconcurrentdegree[email protected]
Updated /
