Joint Degree with the Divinity School (MPP/MDiv)

To complete the joint MPP/MDiv, students complete 1400 units toward the MPP and 2400 units of Divinity coursework over a four year period. Students typically start their first two years at the Divinity School.

*student selects which quarter to be in residence at Harris in their last year

This joint degree program allows students to complete both an MPP and MDiv within a total of four academic years; both degrees must be awarded in the same quarter.

At Harris Public Policy:

• Students in this program take the six required core courses, plus eight electives for a total of 14 courses in public policy, instead of the usual 18. Ten of the 14 courses must be public policy (PPHA) courses.  The Harris core provides a foundation in critical analysis, reflecting Harris's belief that mastering quantitative and analytical skills prepares students to be effective public policy leaders:

  • Analytical Politics I:

    • PPHA 30800 Analytical Politics I: Strategic Foundations, or

    • PPHA 41501 - PhD Game Theory (instructor approval required).

  • Analytical Politics II:

    • PPHA 31610 Analytical Politics II: Political Institutions 

  • Statistics Sequence I:

    • PPHA 31002 Statistics for Data Analysis I, or

    • PPHA 31202 Advanced Statistics for Data Analysis I, or

    • Any course in the PhD econometrics sequence (instructor approval required): PPHA 42000 or PPHA 42100, or PPHA 42200

  • Statistics Sequence II: 

    • PPHA 31102 Statistics for Data Analysis II: Regressions, or

    • PPHA 31302 Advanced Statistics for Data Analysis II, or

    • Any course in the PhD econometrics sequence (instructor approval required): PPHA 42000 or PPHA 42100, or PPHA 42200

  • Microeconomics Sequence I:

    • PPHA 32300 Principles of Microeconomics and Public Policy I, or

    • PPHA 44100 PhD Advanced Microeconomics for Policy Analysis I (instructor approval required)

  • Microeconomics Sequence II:

    • PPHA 32400 Principles of Microeconomics and Public Policy II, or

    • PPHA 44200 PhD Advanced Microeconomics for Policy Analysis II (instructor approval required)

At the Divinity School:

• Students take 24 in the divinity program, instead of the usual 29. Students are obligated to complete the "teaching parish" component required for MDiv students. 
• For detailed information regarding the Divinity School’s curriculum, please visit their website or direct your inquiries to divinityadmissions@uchicago.edu.

• Completion of a minimum of 10 Public Policy (PPHA) courses
• A cumulative grade point average of 2.7 for all courses used toward the MPP degree, based on a 4.0 scale
• Completion of the math requirement
• Completion of an practical experience requirement (more information)
• No more than 2 reading/research, independent study, or internship courses
• No more than 1 course taken pass/fail (core courses cannot be taken pass/fail)
• Policies on the the results of not meeting these requirements can be found on the Harris policies page.
• Any questions about these requirements can be sent to the Harris Dean of Students Office at harrisdeanofstudents@uchicago.edu.

Students who wish to participate in this program must be admitted to both Harris Public Policy 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.

Each division determines tuition charges for the quarters in which students are in residency with either division. Tuition rates can be found at the Bursar’s website:

• Year 1: Residency with Divinity (most common); billed at the Divinity School Tuition Rate.
• Year 2: Residency with Divinity (most common); billed at the Divinity School Tuition Rate.
• Year 3: Residency with Harris (most common); billed at the Harris Tuition Rate.
• Year 4: Split Residency, with one quarter billed at Harris tuition rate and two quarters billed the Divinity tuition rate. 

Harris scholarships for joint degree students are awarded only when in residence at Harris, and Harris scholarships for MPP/MDiv students are pro-rated based on the modified degree requirements from a standard MPP student. The MPP/MDiv degree allows for reduction in the number of required classes to complete the MPP. There is a corresponding reduction in the amount of Harris Scholarship that mirrors the residency plan. 

• Year 1: No Harris Scholarship (Divinity Residency)
• Year 2: No Harris Scholarship (Divinity Residency)
• Year 3: Harris Scholarship
• Year 4: 44% of their original Harris scholarship; this represents the same “discount rate” as the full year in Harris residency.

Interested applicants will need to apply and be admitted to both the Harris MPP and the Divinity’s MDiv program to pursue the joint degree. Students already admitted to the Harris may apply during their first year to the Divinity School; those admitted to the Law School may apply during their first or second year to Harris. Admissions decisions for each side of the joint degree are made independently of one another. Inquiries regarding the admissions process for the Divinity program should be directed to divinityadmissions@uchicago.edu.