Joint Degrees

The Harris School offers several joint degrees with other departments and professional schools at the University of Chicago. These programs enable students to earn two graduate degrees in an accelerated timeframe and provide the opportunity to gain additional skills, knowledge, and expertise.

• Joint Degree with the Center for Middle Eastern Studies (M.P.P./A.M.)
• Joint Degree with the Divinity School(M.P.P./M.Div.)
• Joint Degree with the Graduate School of Business (M.P.P./M.B.A.)
• Joint Degree with the Law School (M.P.P./J.D.)
• Joint Degree with the School of Social Service Administration (M.P.P./A.M.)
• The Professional Option Program with the College

Joint Degree with the Center for Middle Eastern Studies - M.P.P./A.M.

The Harris School and the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Chicago offer students an opportunity to earn both a M.P.P. and a A.M. degree. Upon completion, students graduate with both a Master of Public Policy from the Harris School and a Master of Arts in Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Chicago.

This joint degree program addresses the needs of students wishing to acquire a solid background in modern Middle Eastern languages, history, and civilization while developing their abilities in policy analysis in preparation for professional careers in scholarly, educational, governmental, non-governmental, and business environments in the United States and abroad. This program requires 14 courses to complete the requirements in Middle Eastern Studies and 13 courses to complete the public policy degree requirements. Students who wish to participate in this program must be admitted to both the Harris School and the Center for Middle Eastern Studies. A student who is already enrolled in one of the programs may apply during their first year for admission to the other school.

Joint Degree with the Divinity School - M.P.P./M.Div.

The Harris School and the Divinity School offer a combined degree program that enables students to graduate with both a Master of Public Policy and a Master of Divinity. Students in this program take the seven required core courses, plus seven electives for a total of 14 courses in public policy, instead of the usual 18, and 22 in the divinity program, instead of the usual 27. They also are obligated to complete the "teaching parish" component required for M.Div. students. The program allows students to complete both degrees within a total of four academic years; both degrees must be awarded in the same quarter.

The program provides an opportunity for students to combine their interest in examining pertinent issues related to the church as a public institution with their interest in public and urban ministry. Students who wish to participate in this program must be admitted to both the Harris School and the Divinity School, and typically spend the first two years at the Divinity School. Students already admitted to one of the Schools may apply during their first year for admission to the other.

Joint Degree with the Graduate School of Business - M.P.P./M.B.A.

The Harris School and the Graduate School of Business (GSB) at the University of Chicago offer a combined degree program leading to the M.P.P. and M.B.A. degrees. Upon completion, students graduate with both a Master of Public Policy from the Harris School and a Master of Business Administration from the Graduate School of Business

The joint degree program allows students who are interested in policy issues and business administration to have an integrated and comprehensive course of study. Students in this program take the seven required Harris School core courses plus six electives for a total of 13 courses, instead of the usual 18, with the Harris School. Ten of the 13 courses must be Harris School courses. Students also take 14 courses (instead of the usual 20) with the GSB, thus earning both degrees in a total of three years. Both degrees must be awarded in the same quarter. Students who wish to participate in this program must be admitted to both the Harris School and the Graduate School of Business. Students already admitted to one of the Schools may apply during their first quarter for admission to the other.

Joint Degree with the Law School - M.P.P./J.D.

The Harris School and the Law School at the University of Chicago offer students an opportunity to earn both a M.P.P. and a J.D. degree. Upon completion, students graduate with both a Master of Public Policy from the Harris School and a Doctor of Law from the Law School

The joint degree program allows students who are interested in the application of the law to public policy issues to have a comprehensive course of study. Students in this program take the seven required Harris School core courses, plus seven electives for a total of 14 courses. Ten of the 14 courses must be Harris School courses. All 14 are taken during the four quarters of registration at the Harris School. Students may apply one academic quarter of up to four 100 unit courses taken within the Harris School toward the hours required to obtain their law degree. This enables students to earn both degrees in four years. Both degrees must be awarded in the same quarter. Students who wish to participate in this program must complete the separate admissions processes to both the Harris School and the Law School. Students already admitted to the Harris School may apply during their first year to the Law School; those admitted to the Law School may apply during their first or second year to the Harris School.

Joint Degree with the School of Social Service Administration - M.P.P./A.M.

The Harris School and the School of Social Service Administration offer a combined degree program leading to the M.P.P. and A.M. degrees. Upon completion, students graduate with both a Master of Public Policy from the Harris School and a Master of Arts from the School of Social Service Administration.

The joint degree program is intended for students who are interested in social welfare policy, and social policy more broadly, and students who want to be social workers involved in the public policy issues that influence their profession. Students in this program take the seven required Harris School core courses, plus seven electives for a total of 14 courses, instead of the usual 18, with the Harris School. Ten of the 14 courses must be Harris School courses. Students also take 13 courses with the School of Social Service Administration for a total of 27 courses, thereby enabling students to earn both degrees in a total of three years. Students who wish to participate in this program must be admitted to both the Harris School and the School of Social Service Administration. A student who is already enrolled in one of the schools may apply during their first year for admission to the other school.

The Professional Option Program with the College - A.B./M.P.P.

The Professional Option Program allows students in the College at the University of Chicago to earn both a bachelor's degree from the College and a Master of Public Policy degree from the Harris School in a total of five years. During their final year in the College, undergraduates register for the first year of the master's curriculum. Upon fulfilling the College requirements and satisfactorily completing the nine Harris School courses, students are awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in professional option-public policy studies. Students then register for a second year (an additional nine courses) solely in the Harris School. Upon successfully completing the second year, students receive a Master of Public Policy degree from the Harris School. The professional option program is open to all students in the College, regardless of undergraduate concentration. Interested students should consult with their College advisor and with the Dean of Students at the Harris School.