Harvard Extension School, USA is an institute running under the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Science of Harvard University with an excellent legacy of more than 100 years in the field of highest quality distance education programs. Programs at Harvard Extension School include certificates and degrees at UG and PG level and pre-medical programs in the field of Arts, Health and STEM field. The school boasts of its diversity from more than 100 countries covering almost every time zone, gender, nationality, age, etc. of this world.

More than 1000 courses are offered at school with more than 15,000 students enrolling annually in these courses. More than 50% of students are first-generation students showing its reach towards students with lesser amenities and impacting their lives positively. Most of the participating students are part-timers and are pursuing courses from this school to increase their skills and getting better in their fields to get fast growth at their workplace.

Admission to Harvard Extension School requires no application process if certificate courses are opted; and one has to get minimum grades in a minimum number of courses to get final admission in degree courses. Students can get admitted in Fall, Spring or Summer semesters. Studying at the school is highly affordable as there is a course-based fee for all programs which is 1,920 USD for UG programs and 2,980 USD for PG programs. English proficiency is a must for international students and has to be proved through some standard tests.

Highlights

Type of University Private
Campus Setting Urban
Number of Undergraduate degree enrolments 800+
Number of Postgraduate degree enrolments 2000+
Number of International Student enrolments 4000+
Average Tuition Fee for International Undergraduate Students per annum 1,920 USD per course
Average Tuition Fee for International Postgraduate Students per annum 2,980 USD per course
Test Scores Accepted TOEFL, IELTS, DET
Official Website https://extension.harvard.edu/
Graduation Rate (6-years) NA
Employment Rate NA
Alumni 29,000+
Application Portal https://extension.harvard.edu/registration-admissions/course-registration/

Harvard Extension School Campus and Accommodation

Large world class campus of Harvard University has a large world class campus and if there is a need for any course to run on campus only, then students have to opt it through Summer terms. Otherwise, most of the courses run online only and there is no need to visit campus as the school doesn’t provide help in getting student visas for the USA for online courses. Some halls are reserved for the school events such as Sever Hall of Harvard Campus and a few buildings of Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences of Harvard University.

But, there are various events approved by the Dean of School to increase knowledge and skills for students and fun too. Events are organized online or on-campus as per rules. Harvard Extension Student Association (HESA) and Harvard Extension Student Environmental Club (HESEC) are active clubs of HES organizing all activities for HES students. There is a Global Ambassador Program for students to build their leadership skills and organize local meetings for students to make them stay motivated for online mode of learning.The student housing in the USA is not required for online students.

Accommodation

Harvard Extension School doesn’t offer any campus housing facilities to students. But, has a generous behavior to help every student to find rooms as per availability. Students must check for on-campus accommodation through Harvard Square website if available and can also opt for off-campus housing facilities. The school helps students by providing information about hotels, rentals, sublets, etc.

Harvard Extension School Programs

Programs at Harvard Extension School have more than 1000 options for students accredited by Harvard University accreditation authorities only. More than 25-degree courses and more than 45 certificate courses at UG and PG level are offered and taught by highly experienced faculties of Harvard, MIT, Princeton and such Ivy-league universities and also by leaders of industry.

Students can opt subjects from the diverse fields of Arts, Literature, Media, Business, Management, Education, Global Studies, Life Sciences, Humanities, Social Sciences, Cultural Studies, Technology, Environment, Health, etc. Every course runs primarily online allowing students to learn at their pace and time and living their life peacefully and doing their other work efficiently.

Harvard Extension School International Application Process

Harvard Extension School, USA follows a rolling process for admission and students can apply thrice in a year in Fall or Spring or Summer semesters. Timeline for application process are described below through the table:

Semester Application Duration Result Date
Summer semester July 1 – August 2 By mid - September
Fall semester November 1 – December 1 By mid - February
Spring semester March 15 – April 15 By mid – June

Candidates seeking admission in degree programs at Harvard Extension School should follow steps mentioned below:
Application Portal: Online
Application fee: 100 USD

Submit original and translated documents evaluated by Center for Educational Documentation (CED) or International Education Evaluations (IEE) as part of application process mentioned below:

  1. Proof of Nationality
  2. High School Transcript (UG)/ Bachelor’s Degree Certificate (PG)
  3. Pass Test of Critical Writing and Thinking skills and Math Placement Test as per course requirements (not for every course)
  4. Proof of English Proficiency
  5. Certification of Finances form
  6. Statement of Purpose
  7. Financial Aid application (optional)

Final admission to degree courses will be done only when students pass minimum courses (usually 2-3) with minimum 3.0 GPA. (80%)

English Proficiency for international admissions can be proved by scoring a minimum score in one of the following tests:

Test Minimum Score required
TOEFL (Internet-Based Test) 100
PTE 70
IELTS 7.0
Duolingo 125

Harvard Extension School Cost of Attendance

Harvard Extension School offers only distance education programs, hence cost of attendance mainly comprises tuition fees but there can be certain courses that require visiting campus and living there. The cost of attendance gives an idea of the budget to study in the USA and international students aspiring to study at Harvard Extension School can refer to the cost mentioned below:

Particulars Approx. Annual Cost in USD
Average Tuition Fees for UG Students 10,000 - 15,000
Average Tuition Fees for PG Students 15,000
Room and Board Charges (depending on course requirements) 10,000 - 12,000
Health Insurance Fees 2,000
Books and Supplies and Educational needs 1,500 - 2,000
Miscellaneous Expenses (if visiting campus) 500 - 1,000

Harvard Extension School Scholarships

Generally, international students are given merit-based scholarships. Scholarships to study in the USA available at the Harvard Extension School, USA are given at the time of admission. Some of the awards offered are listed below:

Scholarship Name Criteria Allowance is given through Scholarship
Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship GPA of 3.5 (85%) or higher Depending on financial and merit-based documents
Faculty of Arts and Sciences Special Student Scholarship (For UG programs) GPA of 3.33 (82%) or higher Tuition fees for one undergraduate course
Kwan Fong Scholarship (For Management and Finance programs) Merit and financial based Tuition fee for one complete course

Work While You Study

Almost all participated students are already part-timers doing some sort of work while studying at HES.

Harvard Extension School Alumni

Harvard Extension School boasts of its more than 29,000 alumni spreading across 100 countries working more efficiently with knowledge of skills gained at the school. Most of the alumni are being promoted and got better growth after studying at the school and many of them even leading some companies.

Harvard Extension Alumni Association provides various benefits to alumni such as Invitation to HEAA events, access to Harvard University resources and facilities, speaking out to new students as mentors, etc.

Now, some notable alumni of the Harvard Extension School, USA are listed below:

  • Rory Cowan, CEO of Lionbridge Technologies Inc.
  • Robert Maginn, CEO of Jenzabar Inc.
  • Sal Perisano, CEO of iParty
  • Christine Leunens, Famous Novelist
  • Jane Margolis, Famous Author and Researcher at UCLA
  • Ryan Slattery, Film and television Actor, Writer, Producer
  • Diane Neal, American actress and U.S. Congressional Candidate
  • Suzanne Koven, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School

Harvard Extension School Placements

The graduates of the school are able to get higher salaries than their counterparts from other universities. Some of the average salaries earned by the graduates are as under:

Position Annual Average Salary in USD
Software Engineer 111,030
Chief Executive Officer 202,970
NeuroSurgeon 409,550
Management Consultant 85,000

Harvard Extension School is undoubtedly the best institute for online programs worldwide increasing students’ skills and knowledge making them leaders in their respective fields. Studying at one’s own pace, watching lectures anytime and still balancing work and life and still focusing and excelling in studies is possible through this school.

FAQs

Ques. If I need to study on campus, will the school provide help in getting the US visa?

A.If you need to study on campus, the school will issue the required paperwork for you to get the visa.

Ques. Is it difficult to get admission in the Harvard Extension School?

A.It is not very difficult if the applicant has a good academic record and fulfills the eligibility criteria.

Ques. What is the total cost while studying at Harvard Extension School, USA?

Ans. The total cost while studying at Harvard Extension School, USA costs around 15,000 - 20,000 USD per annum.

Ques. Is there any requirement of minimum GPA for admission to degree courses in Harvard Extension School, USA?

Ans. Yes, a minimum GPA of 3.0 (80%) is required in courses as per their policies. Please refer to this website for more information: