See Also
This page contains content from the 2008–09 academic year. For current information, visit the Harvard Extension School website at www.extension.harvard.edu.
Admission
Certificate Program to be Retired
Beginning fall 2009, the certificate program will be phased out. It is no longer accepting applications. If you have questions, contact the admission advisor, Maura McGlame, maura_mcglame@harvard.edu.
Because most of our students are experienced professionals, we believe an applicant’s ability to do honors-level work at Harvard is a more relevant predictor of academic success than standardized test scores or undergraduate grade point averages. Thus, a prerequisite of admission is the successful completion of three courses from the program curriculum.
Admission Criteria
To be admitted to the degree or certificate program, meet the following criteria and submit an application (see How to Apply):
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Possess a regionally accredited bachelor’s degree or its foreign equivalent (see Acceptable Foreign Degrees).
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Complete three graduate-credit courses (12 credits), including ENVR E-101, from the program curriculum with B or higher grades at Harvard Extension School or Summer School. The courses count toward the program once you are admitted. See the certificate requirements or master’s degree requirements.
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Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in any degree/certificate courses already completed at Harvard Extension School or Summer School.
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Demonstrate English language proficiency.
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Be in good academic and financial standing with Harvard University, with no disciplinary or administrative procedures pending.
If you already hold a graduate degree, you may earn the Master of Liberal Arts in Environmental Management provided the two degrees are in different fields.
International Students
If you complete the courses required for admission via distance education or at Harvard Summer School, you may be eligible for an I-20 through the Extension School. Learn more in International Students.
Getting Started
The following three steps can help you get started in the certificate or master’s degree program.
Step one: Choose your courses for admission.
ENVR E-101 sets the foundation for learning about air, water, and land environmental management. The course also provides an opportunity to meet the core faculty: George Buckley and Jack Spengler.
For the other two courses, we recommend ENVR E-102 and courses that fulfill the ecology and sustainability requirements. You may also select any of the environmental management electives. See the degree course search or the certificate course search to find required courses.
You can take up to four courses in one semester, but we recommend you take just one course first. You can always take more courses in subsequent semesters, once you have a better sense of the workload and time commitment involved. Consider the tips for choosing courses.
Step two: Prepare to succeed.
Read through the syllabus for each of your courses, buy your books early (most books are available new and used at the Harvard Coop and online at various vendors), and start reading before you begin classes. Being familiar with the course content and completing the first assignment make for an easy transition to Harvard.
Review the calendar for the registration and withdrawal deadlines, and understand the consequences of withdrawing (see Academic Standing).
See Resources for student services offered to support your academic success.
Step three: Apply to the program.
We admit students to the program three times a year. You should submit your application during the term you anticipate completing ENVR E-101, the other two courses, and all other admission requirements. See How to Apply for more information.
Once your application is complete, we send you an acceptance letter with an admission packet. This is the final step—once you receive this, you’re an officially admitted master’s degree or certificate candidate.
Financial Aid
The Harvard Extension School welcomes financial aid applications from candidates who would not meet their study expenses without financial assistance. Before you are admitted to the program, you can work with Student Financial Services to secure private sources of funding to cover the cost of the first three courses required for admission. Once admitted, you will be eligible for a number of loan and grant programs, including Harvard Extension School Scholarships.
In addition, if you are a middle- or high-school teacher in a Boston-area school, you can take one Extension School course per term at half price (undergraduate or graduate credit only) through the Lowell Teachers Scholarship program.