Undergraduate Degrees

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Program Contacts and FAQs

Have a question?

The automated “Have a question?” tool (above) is designed to provide fast and accurate answers to your questions. If you are looking for information that is available online, the tool directs you to the appropriate webpage.

Advisors

Feel free to contact an admissions advisor, available via phone or e-mail to talk about the program.

Information packet

All the up-to-date information about the program that you need is available within these webpages. However, you may also download an information packet that provides an overview of the program:

If you prefer a hard copy, send an e-mail to alb@dcemail.harvard.edu with your name and address. A packet will be sent to you in a few business days.

Ask a question via e-mail or phone

Once you’ve read through the website, feel free to e-mail your specific questions to the Undergraduate Degree Programs at alb@dcemail.harvard.edu or call (617) 495-9413.

Make an appointment

You can also schedule an admission advising appointment through e-mail (alb@dcemail.harvard.edu). Please include you name, whether you want a phone or in-person meeting, and a few suggested dates and times.

Available hours: Monday 9:30 am–4:30 pm (telephone only); Tuesday through Thursday, 9 am–6 pm.

Frequently asked questions

About the Extension School degree

Admission

Student services

About the Extension School degree

Is this really Harvard?

Harvard Extension School is 1 of 13 schools at Harvard University: Business, Dental Medicine, Design, Divinity, Education, Extension, Government, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Harvard College, Law, Medicine, and Public Health. Of these 12 schools, only Harvard College and Harvard Extension School offer undergraduate degrees. See Overview for more information.

Can I transfer Extension School course credits toward a degree at Harvard College?

No. Harvard Extension School and Harvard College are separate schools at the University. The Extension School is designed for the working adult population whose academic needs differ from students in the traditional college program. However, admitted degree candidates in the Extension School can take courses at Harvard College through the Special Student program, and their Harvard College course credits count toward their Extension degrees.

Who are Extension School students?

Extension School students range in age from 17 to 86, but the majority of candidates for the ALB are around 35, have completed about 1.5 years of previous college work, and have a considerable amount of life, work , and creative experience.

What does the diploma look like?

The degree that you earn is either the Associate in Arts (AA) or the Bachelor of Liberal Arts (ALB) in Extension Studies from Harvard University.

How do I represent the degree on my résumé?

For the AA:
Associate in Arts, Harvard University Extension School

For the ALB:
Bachelor of Liberal Arts, Harvard University Extension School
Concentration: Social Science (for example)
Field of Study: Government 
Citation: Legal Studies

Is the undergraduate program right for me?

The Harvard Extension School is sufficiently flexible to be the “right” program for people of all ages, academic backgrounds, and current life circumstances. Accelerated home-schooled students join the program as a more rigorous alternative to high school. Traditional-aged college students join because they want an affordable and academically centered (rather than socially centered) undergraduate experience. Working professionals join the program to advance in their current careers, make a career change, or apply to graduate school. All of our students come to enrich their intellectual lives.

Can I get an undergraduate degree online?

Not entirely. See Undergraduate Distance Education for more information.

Is there a time limit for completing the AA or ALB degrees?

Once admitted, there is no time limit for completing an AA or ALB degree. We realize that many of our students have commitments in their lives that might make it difficult to adhere to strict time requirements for completing their undergraduate degree. However, if a degree candidate goes more than 5 years without taking any courses, their candidacy will expire and they will need to reapply to the degree program in order to reinstate it.

Will the undergraduate degree get me into graduate school?

Many of our graduates continue their education in master’s and doctoral programs here at Harvard, throughout the country, and around the globe. The liberal arts curriculum helps develop the discipline-specific background knowledge and the writing, research, critical thinking, and presentations skills needed for graduate work.

Will the undergraduate degree get me a job?

Through the liberal arts curriculum you can develop the professional skills that most employers are looking for, including computer and quantitative literacy, problem solving agility, critical thinking, persuasive oral and written expression, the ability to work with others cooperatively, cross-cultural understanding, and foreign language facility. In addition, you can take up to 4 graduate-level professional courses from any of our professional degree programs and apply those credits toward your undergraduate degree and earn a professional citation, thus complementing your liberal arts coursework with specific courses in, for example, accounting, marketing, finance, or museum studies. Moreover, our career counseling services, including the OCS referral option can help students find their dream jobs. Our graduates find that their degree enables them to advance within their current profession or change careers.

I’m an international student. Can I come to Harvard Extension School to earn my undergraduate degree?

Unfortunately, the answer is no. We cannot provide 1-20 certificates for the F-1 student visa. For information about taking a combination of online and on-campus courses, see Undergraduate Distance Education.

Can I earn a second bachelor’s degree at the Extension School?

Unfortunately, students already holding a bachelor’s degree are ineligible for admission into the AA and ALB degree programs. Also, students cannot be enrolled in any other degree program while they are a candidate in the AA or ALB programs at Harvard Extension School. Student who currently hold a bachelor’s degree are welcome to look into Harvard Extension School’s Master of Liberal Arts program offerings. Or, because our courses are open-enrollment, they can feel free to take undergraduate credit courses as a nondegree student in whatever academic areas they are interested in studying.
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Admission

When should I apply to the program?

You should apply during the semester that you anticipate completing the 3 required courses for admission. See How to Apply for more details and deadlines.

Do I need to take all 3 preadmission courses in 1 semester?

No. All students can take between 1 and 4 courses per semester. But if you are working full time, we recommend that you start off with just 1 course and then, if you want, take 2 the second semester. It is always better to start off slow.

My native language is not English. What do I need to know about the program?

In order to be admitted to the program, you must meet the requirements for English proficiency and take the test of critical reading and writing skills.

I’ve taken a course similar to EXPO E-25 at another school. Do I still need to take EXPO E-25 as 1 of my first 3 courses?

Yes. This requirement must be completed at Harvard. See test of critical reading and writing skills for more information.

Does EXPO E-25 or EXPO S-20 need to be my very first course?

Although we recommend that it be your first course to support your writing assignments in subsequent courses, it does not have to be. It just needs to be 1 of the 3 required courses for admission.

Beyond EXPO E-25 or EXPO S-20, how do I choose the preadmission courses?

For the other 2 courses, you can choose undergraduate credit, liberal arts courses in a variety of subject areas from anthropology to studio arts and film. See Getting Started for course selection advice.

Can I transfer a 3-credit course in from another institution?

As many as 64 credits can be transferred into the ALB program from a regionally accredited university or college (the AA program does not permit transfer credits). Transfer credits are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Generally, if a 3-credit, semester-system course is transferred into the ALB program, the transferred credit will remain 3 credits when it is counted towards your degree at Harvard Extension School. For a 3-credit course awarded on a quarter system, the transfer credit will be 2.25. For a more thorough summary of our transfer credit policies and procedures, please see Transfer Credit.
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Student services

What Harvard Extension School student services are available?

Harvard Extension School students have access to numerous resources, and admitted degree candidates can take advantage of many special options and curriculum choices. Advising and pre-degree advising is also available.

Is there financial aid available?

Yes. Once you are admitted to the undergraduate program, you can apply for a range of financial assistance, including federal, state, or institutional aid. See Financial Aid for more information. To apply for financial aid for the fall semester, we recommend that you apply to the degree program on March 15 and apply for aid before June 1. To apply for financial aid for the spring semester, we recommend that you apply to the degree program on October 15 and apply for aid before November 1. See How to Apply for more information on the degree program application process. If you have not yet been admitted to the undergraduate program and are taking the 3 preadmission courses, financial aid is limited primarily to private loans. Review the nonadmitted student financial aid options for more information.

What Harvard University student services are available?

Once admitted to the degree program, registered undergraduate degree candidates are issued a Harvard ID card that allows them access to many Harvard facilities and resources. See Candidate Perks for more information. Undergraduate degree candidates can use—on a limited basis and by referral—the services of the Bureau of Study Counsel and Office of Career Services. Also, for a fee, health insurance, including dental, is available to candidates through campus University Health Services. Our graduates become full members of the Harvard Alumni Association.

Do I get an ID card?

Yes, as a registered degree candidate, you receive an Extension School photo ID card. You can use it to:

  • Access Harvard libraries and other campus resources.
  • Purchase athletic privileges at the Athletic Department Ticket Office; see the athletics website.
  • Open a Crimson Cash debit account.
  • Check listings at the Harvard Real Estate Housing Office, 7 Holyoke Street.

Can I live on campus?

Harvard Extension School is designed for a commuting student population, so it does not provide housing. Prospective degree candidates registered in their preadmission courses can access listings of apartments and houses available for rent in Cambridge and the surrounding area by visiting the Harvard Real Estate Housing Office. The office, which has listings of apartments, houses, and condos for rent or sale; opportunities to work in exchange for rent; local real estate agents; and roommates. The office also provides Cambridge maps, public transportation information for Cambridge and surrounding areas, and the Harvard Off-Campus Housing Guide. The office does not reply to mail or telephone inquiries regarding available housing; students must go in person to 7 Holyoke Street. The office is open 9 am to 5 pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday; and 10 am to 5 pm on Tuesday.

If you are moving to the Boston area for the degree program, see Moving to Massachusetts. Harvard Summer School does provide housing.

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