See Also
Admission
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:
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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) from the program curriculum with B or higher grades at Harvard Extension School or Summer School. For the ALM in Information Technology software engineering concentration, one of the courses must be CSCI E-124, CSCI E-207, or CSCI E-295. The courses count toward the program once you are admitted. See the certificate requirements or master’s degree requirements.
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Demonstrate English language proficiency.
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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.
- Be in good academic and financial standing with the Division of Continuing Education (Harvard Extension School and Summer School).
- ALM in Information Technology applicants only: Possess either solid programming experience using a modern object-oriented programming language or a strong background in mathematics.
If you already hold a graduate degree, you may earn the Master of Liberal Arts in Information Technology 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.
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.
