How competitive is Master of Religion and Public Life (MRPL) at Harvard University?

Master of Religion and Public Life (MRPL) at Harvard University reports an acceptance rate of approximately 19%.

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Harvard University

Master of Religion and Public Life (MRPL)

Last verified against the official program page on April 18, 2026.

Cambridge, USMRPLIn-person1 year

$37,296.00

Tuition

over 12mo

19%

Acceptance

of applicants

Cohort

students

Credits

$25.00

App fee

Master of Religion and Public Life (MRPL) at Harvard University is a 32-credit, 1-year, in-person MRPL program based in Cambridge, US. Tuition is $37,296.

About the program

One-year program providing academic curriculum in the study of religion's influence on public life, with focus areas including law, public health, education, humanitarian action, creative arts, business, organizing and activism, government, and journalism. Includes required courses, seminar, and a final project.

Focus: coursework

Your fit

Match

Pro users see a 0 to 100 match score personalized to their academic profile, plus a per-component breakdown (major, GPA, tests, work experience, and more).

Admissions

Pro

Unlock full admissions requirements

GPA thresholds, GRE/TOEFL/IELTS minimums, essay counts, recommendation letters, prerequisites, admissions contacts, and country-specific requirements like APS certification, portfolio submissions, or GATE scores.

Deadlines

Fall 2027

Jan 2, 2027

Standardized tests

GRE

optional

Min The GRE is completely optional for all applicants to our degree programs. There is no minimum score requirement.

TOEFL

required

Min Special Students, MDiv, MTS, and MRPL applicants must receive a score of: 100 or higher on the Internet-based TOEFL test; 7.5 or higher on the IELTS test.

IELTS

required

Min Special Students, MDiv, MTS, and MRPL applicants must receive a score of: 100 or higher on the Internet-based TOEFL test; 7.5 or higher on the IELTS test.

After the program

Post-study work rights

12 months OPT (US)

$29,527.00

Annual living cost

Application Checklist

See admits on GradCafe

Self-reported profiles of past applicants to this program.

Prerequisites

Specific coursework this program expects you to have completed: calculus, linear algebra, programming, statistics, and subject-specific prerequisites where applicable.

Recommendations

Exact count of letters required, whether academic vs professional references are preferred, and any program-specific guidance on who to ask.

Essays

Number of essays required (statement of purpose, personal statement, diversity statement), prompts where the program publishes them, and whether supplemental essays are optional or mandatory.

Contact

Direct email and phone for the admissions office handling this program, plus a link to the program-specific inquiry page where available.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Master of Religion and Public Life (MRPL) at Harvard University cost?: The total estimated tuition for Master of Religion and Public Life (MRPL) at Harvard University is $37,296 across 32 required credits.
Is Master of Religion and Public Life (MRPL) at Harvard University online or in-person?: Master of Religion and Public Life (MRPL) at Harvard University is offered in-person.
How long does Master of Religion and Public Life (MRPL) at Harvard University take to complete?: Master of Religion and Public Life (MRPL) at Harvard University is structured around 1 year and 32 credits.
How competitive is Master of Religion and Public Life (MRPL) at Harvard University?: Master of Religion and Public Life (MRPL) at Harvard University reports an acceptance rate of approximately 19%.
How large is the Master of Religion and Public Life (MRPL) at Harvard University cohort?: Master of Religion and Public Life (MRPL) at Harvard University typically enrolls around 9 students per cohort.