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, Jody Clineff, clineff@dcemail.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 courses (12 credits) from the program curriculum with a grade of B or higher at Harvard Extension School or Summer School.
- For the Certificate in Publishing and Communications, one of the courses must be EXPO E-170 or the Summer School’s CREA S-170.
- For the Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Journalism, one of the courses must be the proseminar JOUR E-100 or the Summer School’s JOUR S-100. If you earn a grade below B in the proseminar, you are only allowed to enroll in it once again for admission to the master’s program. If you are unable to pass the proseminar after two attempts, you may not attempt the proseminar in another area or degree program. The courses count toward the program once you are admitted.
Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in any graduate 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.
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Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Journalism applicants only: Review transcripts with an advisor if you already hold a graduate degree. You may earn the ALM in Journalism only if your existing degree is in a different field.
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.