Tips for Choosing Courses
These tips can help you decide which Harvard Extension School courses to take. Because registration ends before classes begin, it’s particularly useful to research all your options before the semester begins.
Read course descriptions
Browse courses by subject or use the course search to find course descriptions. Any prerequisites or required placement tests are noted in descriptions. Management, writing, and many other courses require proof of English proficiency if your native language is not English. EXPO E-25, all proseminars, and some management courses require a passing score on the test of critical reading and writing skills before registration.
Check out online course options
More than 200 courses are offered online in various formats. To learn more, visit Distance Education. You can also see a complete list of online options or use the course search to find courses available online.
Review syllabi
We provide links to syllabi and course websites in course descriptions when they are available.
Check out course textbooks
You can visit the Harvard Coop to see books in person. Or look up the course textbooks in the Coop’s customized textbook search.
Read student evaluations
They are available in Grossman Library and at 51 Brattle Street. Also, review the 2011–12 Dean’s List of Harvard University Extension School Faculty, for a list of instructors who received letters of commendation for distinguished teaching in their courses. They represent a “Dean’s List” of faculty because their evaluations placed them in the top 20 percent of instructors in courses varying in enrollment numbers.
E-mail the instructor
If you have questions about course content, level, or prerequisites, contact the instructor after registration begins. E-mail addresses can be found on course syllabi or websites. Some are also listed in the faculty directory or Harvard directory.
Are you considering an Extension degree program?
Keep admission and degree requirements in mind when choosing courses to take. Read about the degree program that interests you and check out the degree course search.
