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Admission

While Extension School courses are open enrollment, degree programs are not. You must meet admission criteria, including grade and GPA requirements, and apply to earn the degree.

To apply to the program:

  1. Complete the 3 preadmission courses at Harvard.
  2. Meet all other admission criteria.
  3. Submit your application materials.

1. Complete the 3 preadmission courses at Harvard.

Earn a 3.33 (B+) or higher cumulative grade-point average (GPA) in all Harvard degree courses taken before admission, with no grade below B in the 3 preadmission courses required for your track (see below).

These courses count toward the degree once you are admitted. See the degree course search, which is the only accurate way to choose courses that count toward the degree.

Tip: We recommend you take only 1 until you have a better sense of the time commitment even though you can take up to 4 courses a semester (fall or spring). Also, the test of critical reading and writing skills is required for the preadmission organizational behavior course. Take this test by the priority deadlines: July 17, 2011, for fall and November 13, 2011. for spring.

If you earn a grade of B– or lower in 1 of the specified preadmission courses, you can repeat the course once (or take the alternate specified course) to earn a grade of B or higher. You will be denied admission if you fail to earn a B after twice enrolling in a preadmission course. Remember all program grades count toward your cumulative GPA. See the enrollment policies.

If you don’t meet the minimum GPA after completing 3 preadmission courses, speak with an admission advisor before registering for more courses. It may not be in your best interest to continue to register for courses in an attempt to raise your GPA.

You can also request via e-mail that an advisor calculate your pre-admission GPA and offer advice about future registration. Log in to online services, choose “Degree Program Admissions,” then “Pre-Admission GPA request.”

2. Meet all other admission criteria.

  • If you already hold a graduate degree or are currently pursuing another degree, you may earn our management degree provided that the existing degree is in a different field. Specifically, if you have earned an undergraduate degree in business (or equivalent) within the past 3 years or an MBA (or equivalent) within the past 10 years, you are not eligible for the general management track. Similarly, if you have earned a business degree in finance in the past 3 years, you are not eligible for the finance track.

    If you have any questions about your eligibility, please contact the management program (almm@dcemail.harvard.edu).

  • Possess a regionally accredited bachelor’s degree or its foreign equivalent. Ordinarily 3-year foreign degrees are not equivalent. We highly recommend that you have your foreign undergraduate degree evaluated by the Center for Educational Documentation (CED) prior to registering for Extension School courses to ensure that you are eligible for the degree. CED’s general evaluation will confirm if your degree is equivalent to a US bachelor’s degree.

  • Demonstrate English language proficiency.

  • Be in good academic and financial standing with Harvard University, with no disciplinary or administrative procedures pending.

  • Two or more years of professional experience is recommended for the general management track.

3. Submit your application materials.

We admit students to the program 3 times a year. You should submit your application during the term you anticipate completing the third preadmission course and all other admission requirements.

Your 5-year deadline to complete the entire degree starts at the completion of the third degree course (i.e., any course that can count toward the degree). It is crucial you register for the preadmission courses as your first 3 courses and apply to the program as soon as possible.

See How to Apply for more information.

International students

The Extension School does not issue I-20s. But you may be able to earn the degree through online courses, January session, and Harvard Summer School on-campus courses.

The Summer School offers housing and the I-20 certificate for a student visa. To fulfill the residency requirement for the management program, you will need to participate for 3 summers, enrolling in the maximum 2 courses each time.

See Online Course Options and Residency Requirement.

Financial aid

Before you apply and are admitted, you can work with Student Financial Services to secure private funding to cover the cost of the first 3 courses required for admission. Learn about financial aid for nonadmitted students.

Once you apply and are admitted, you may be eligible for a number of loan and grant programs. Learn about financial aid for admitted candidates.