Management

Program Director

Margaret Andrews
Associate Dean for Management Programs (Meet the director)

Student Profile

  • Total students: 700 degree candidates
  • Age range: 21–63 (average: 33)
  • Enrollment: 75 percent part time (1 or 2 courses per term), 25 percent full time
  • Degree completion: 3 years average (5-year required deadline)
  • Retention: 95 percent
  • Global impact: students representing 31 US states and 51 countries
  • Sampling of industries: banking, biotechnology, education, finance, healthcare, retail, software, telecommunications

Overview

In the Graduate Program in Management, you develop a deeper understanding of the principles and practices of modern management.

Choose 1 of 2 dynamic tracks

This is an academically challenging program for business professionals with strong critical reasoning and writing skills.

General management. In this track you focus on developing the multifaceted skills critical to the management profession, including analysis, critical thinking, and organizational awareness. You should be well-versed in the content covered in ECON E-10a, MATH E-8, and preferably, MATH E-15.

Finance. This track, a solid primer for finance-related careers, focuses on in-depth exploration of topics in economics and finance. You should have a strong quantitative aptitude, since most courses are mathematically-oriented.

See the degree requirements, including courses for each track.

Take online and on-campus courses

Although the degree cannot be earned entirely online, there are a number of online and on-campus options.

Earn a Harvard degree

The degree, awarded by Harvard University, is the Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies with a concentration in management.

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 should be listed as Master of Liberal Arts, General Management or Finance (depending on your chosen track), Harvard University Extension School.

Admission

You may apply to the program after earning a 3.33 cumulative grade point average (with no grade below B) in 3 preadmission courses taken for graduate credit. These courses count toward the program once you are admitted.

If English is not your native language, before registering for any courses you must demonstrate English language proficiency.

See more in Admission.

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.