Distance Education: Online Courses at Harvard

Distance education by video and web conference

Study from anywhere in the world. We offer more than 200 Harvard online classes, available in two formats, in fall and spring semesters.

Video courses

Most of our distance education courses feature videos of faculty lecturing on campus. You watch each week’s online lecture at your convenience, submitting assignments as scheduled. In some cases, classes meeting on campus are broadcast live; check course syllabi or websites to see if you can watch videos live during class meeting times and to learn if live participation is required.

Next steps

• Use the course search to choose an online course.
• See the technical requirements.
• Note the registration dates and steps.
• To watch your videos once enrolled, find a link to your course website in the online courses list.

Live web-conference courses

These courses are conducted live at a scheduled time each week. Instead of watching videos, you log in to a virtual classroom to participate.

Next steps

• Use the course search to find web-conference courses.
• See the web-conference guidelines.
• Note the registration dates and steps.
• Find the link to your virtual classroom by logging into online services a few days before classes begin.

Watch a sample distance education video

The following sample distance learning lectures will give you a feel for the online course experience.

• Sustainable Buildings: Design and Construction sample course video

• American Foreign Policy sample course video

• Crisis Management and Emergency Preparedness sample course video

• Creativity: Geniuses, Madmen, and Harvard Students sample course video

• Understanding Islam and Contemporary Muslim Societies sample course video

• Constitutional Law sample course video

Sample distance learning courses and lectures are also available to download to your computer or mp3 player for free at Harvard Extension School on iTunes U.

Harvard faculty and rigorous academics

Most of our distance education classes are taught by Harvard faculty and affiliates. In fact, more than 40 courses are videos of Harvard College lectures. Other courses are taught by faculty from nearby universities and by industry practitioners.

Popular subjects include management, computer science, environmental management, English, and government. Courses are offered at one or more credit levels (undergraduate or graduate credit, or noncredit).

Learn how to apply course credit toward an Extension School degree.