Candidates should first review the complete degree requirements and download a requirements worksheet from Requirements Summary.
Degree course search
Candidates may use the degree course search to find courses that apply toward the degree.
Harvard Summer School courses
Find Harvard Summer School courses that count toward the degree.
About liberal arts courses
Courses that count toward the 19 fields of the ALM degree are available in many areas of study, including government, history, biology, English, and psychology, and can only be identified using the degree course search above for your chosen field.
Courses from some areas do not count toward ALM degrees. These areas include:
- Computer science
- Education
- Engineering sciences
- Expository writing
- Information systems management
- Journalism
- Management
- Mathematics
- Museum studies
- Physics
- Speech
A few exceptions exist in each field, and these can be found in the degree course search. Students should consult an ALM advisor with questions about course selection.
Courses in creative writing may count only toward a concentration in literature and creative writing. Only the CREA courses listed in the degree course search count toward that concentration.
In general, January term courses do not count toward the master’s degree. See the degree course search to determine which courses, if any, may be counted. No more than 1 approved January course will be accepted toward degree requirements.
Please be aware that some courses, which may have counted in previous years, may not be on the list of approved courses in subsequent years. Only if taken in a year when the course was on the list of accepted courses will it count toward the degree.
Courses may not be repeated in order to earn a higher grade or to raise the GPA. Only required courses such as the proseminar, statistics, or creative writing courses with an “r” may be repeated.