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About Us

Whether you want to take a course, earn a certificate, or work toward a degree, Harvard Extension School has options for you.

Harvard Extension School—a cornerstone of Harvard University for a century—represents the University’s dedication to extending its rich academic resources to the public, locally, nationally, and internationally.

More than 650 on-campus and online courses

At Harvard University’s primary resource for continuing education courses for a century, you’ll find open-enrollment classes in more than 65 fields.

You don’t have to be in a degree program to enroll.

Browse our fall, January, and spring on-campus and online classes.

Reviews are in: 98 percent of recent survey respondents report they are either “very or generally satisfied” with the quality of courses, and 97 percent reported that they are either “very or generally satisfied” with the quality of instructors.

Interested in short, noncredit courses? See the professional development programs offered by the Division of Continuing Education.

Undergraduate and graduate degrees

As 1 of 13 schools at Harvard University, Harvard Extension School has degrees that allow you to enhance professional skills, prepare for a new career, or pursue intellectual inquiry for personal enrichment.

  • Undergraduate degrees and graduate liberal arts degree programs combine a classic curriculum with opportunities for practical training and applied knowledge, priming you for success in academic and professional arenas.
  • Graduate professional degrees provide focused study in preparation for careers in a variety of competitive fields.

See all blended on-campus and online degree programs.

World-class faculty

Instructors from the Harvard University and Greater Boston communities bring scholarly expertise and real-world experience to on-campus and online classes. You study with:

  • Scholars, researchers, and professionals from Harvard University
  • Leading faculty from local universities
  • Experienced professionals from community and business organizations

Competitive tuition rates

On average, tuition ranges from $975 to $1,950 for undergraduate and graduate 4-credit courses. Charged per course, tuition is listed in course descriptions. Financial aid is available to students in degree programs.

Read about tuition.

Motivated classmates and rich resources

A wealth of resources

As a student, you have access to extensive electronic resources available through Harvard’s libraries, career and academic workshops, and computer facilities. You can attend campus lectures and participate in student organizations.

Read more about the benefits of being an Extension School student in Resources.

Our students: focused, independent

The student population of more than 13,000 women and men is diverse, but they all share a goal of engaging themselves in thought-provoking pursuits. In class, you might encounter a lawyer studying creative writing, a teacher broadening her knowledge of technology, a parent pursuing graduate studies part time, or a traditional college student working toward a degree. The age of our students ranges from the teens to the eighties, with the average of 33 years. Most students already have degrees, and all bring abundant life experience to the classroom.

Each of our past and present students has a story. Meet our students and faculty.

Alumni success

Graduates of our programs, who are members of the worldwide Harvard Alumni Association, have gone on to attend prestigious graduate programs and become leaders in fields such as business, medicine, education, law, and politics.

See a list of some of the graduate schools or careers that our students in the Master of Liberal Arts program have entered upon completing their degree.

Accreditation

Harvard Extension School is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Learn more about our accreditation and transfer credit.