Curriculum Choices

Earning a well-rounded education in the liberal arts is the ideal foundation to prepare for thousands of careers and application to graduate schools. In addition to pursuing an optional field of study and a liberal arts minor, we encourage students to learn universal skills, such as computer programming and web development, academic and professional writing expertise, intermediate foreign language ability, public speaking, statistical reasoning, and cross-cultural understanding.

There are also the following options for candidates interested in pursuing careers that require advanced degrees:

Business. Prepare for an MBA or a career in business by choosing a field of study in computer science, economics, international relations, or mathematics; pursuing a leadership role through the Harvard Extension Student Association; and earning a business minor (see below).

Law. Pursue a prelaw track by selecting courses in government, history, philosophy, public speaking, and writing; volunteering through Phillips Brooks House; completing a reading and research course; and earning a legal studies minor.

Medicine. Apply to the Health Careers Program, which offers a premedical curriculum and sponsors students in their applications to medical school. As an ALB candidate, you do not need a bachelor’s degree to apply.

Clinical psychology. Prepare for a psychology career or graduate program by selecting courses in biology, psychology, statistics, and writing; applying for Special Student status; and participating in the Faculty Aide Program to gain research experience.

Business courses and minors

You may complement your liberal arts education with up to four business courses from a variety of management fields, such as accounting, finance, or marketing.

Alternatively, you can earn one business minor by completing a maximum of four courses all within one specific management area (e.g., organizational behavior) or any four management courses for the general management minor with grades of B− or higher, and an overall GPA of 3.0. To earn a minor, submit a minor petition.

Minors are offered in the following areas (alternatives are not considered):

• Accounting
• Business communications
• Enterprise management
• Finance
• General management
• Marketing
• Organization behavior

To view course offerings in the above areas, see the management courses.