Program Director
Cheryl D. Vaughan, PhD
Assistant Director for Science Instruction for Continuing Education; Research Advisor; Lecturer on Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University
- Read the director’s welcome.
Information Session
Mark your calendars. Attend the next info session on January 20, 6–7:30 pm
Student Profile
- Total students: 130 degree candidates
- Age range: 23–53 (average: 31)
- Full-time students: 95 percent part time (1 or 2 courses per term), 5 percent full time
- Degree completion: 5 years average (5-year required deadline)
- Retention: 93 percent
- Sampling of companies: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Genzyme, Momenta Pharmaceuticals Inc., Novartis
- Sampling of occupations: research associate, scientist, project coordinator, quality assurance specialist
Biology or Biotechnology: Finding the Right Program
A guide to help you choose the best degree program for your career or interests.
Overview
The Graduate Program in Biotechnology is designed for professionals who already have a strong foundation in science and research experience.
Diversify your skill set
The biotechnology curriculum emphasizes building professional skills, requiring a mix of courses while you concentrate your studies in 1 of the following areas:
• Life sciences • Management principles • Bioinformatics • Bioengineering and nanotechnologies
For all concentrations, you must demonstrate your analytical skills by passing a statistics exam or course.
Learn more about the degree requirements and admission criteria.
Take online and on-campus courses
Although the degree cannot be earned entirely online, there are a number of online and on-campus courses.
Consider your career possibilities
Our alumni hold a variety of high-level positions in a diverse range of industries. Program director Cheryl Vaughan shares some success stories in the director’s welcome.
Learn from a faculty of experts
Below are just a few of our expert faculty members from a broad spectrum of sciences and businesses.
- Frederick R. Bieber, Associate Professor of Pathology, Harvard Medical School
- Eli Hirsch, Charles Goldman Professor of Philosophy, Brandeis University
- Craig Masse, Group Leader, Concert Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- Hanspeter Pfister, Gordon McKay Professor of the Practice of Computer Science, Harvard University
- Carol Ann Clem, Partner, Clem Cronon Associates Marketing Consultants
See who serves on the biotechnology program advisory board.
Earn a Harvard degree
The degree, awarded by Harvard University, is the Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies with a concentration in biotechnology.
The diploma, in Latin, reads:
Universitas Harvardiana (Harvard University)
Magistri in Artibus Liberalibus Studiorum Prolatorum (Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies)
On your résumé, the degree may be listed as Master of Liberal Arts, Biotechnology, Harvard University Extension School.
The Harvard Extension advantage
Being a student in a Harvard Extension School program has its perks. In addition to privileges afforded you by a Harvard student ID card, you have access to academic workshops, career counseling, early registration, and more. See Candidate Perks.