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Why Harvard Extension?

You want to learn from the best to be your best.

dome of Lowell House at Harvard University
Extension Information Session participants
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A Flexible Harvard Education Designed for You

You may be balancing a lot already: A demanding job. A hectic personal schedule. But going back to school doesn’t have to mean putting your life on hold.

Our courses, certificates, and degrees give you the flexibility to pace your studies to fit your schedule.

Balancing life with the rigors of the Harvard classroom will be challenging. It’ll also be deeply rewarding.

Ready to get started?

My experiences at Harvard Extension changed my life. Harvard encouraged me to think bigger and to be bold. It empowered me and gave me the confidence to lead change.”

Sunita Mittal Agarwal

Sunita Mittal Agarwal

ALM, Management, 2013

Study with Harvard Faculty and Industry Experts

When you’re investing in your education, you want to be sure you’re learning from the best. In our classrooms, you engage with researchers and professionals at the forefront of their fields.

Study with faculty at Harvard and the greater academic community—including MIT, Princeton, and University of Cambridge, England. Learn from leading industry professionals, and gain insights on current research and trends. Under the guidance of our instructors, you can build the knowledge and skills to achieve your goals.

  • 1,000+ Offerings

    Courses, Degrees, and Certificates

  • 15,000

    Students Served Annually

  • 70

    Degrees and Certificates

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The real advantage of continuing education is the rigor of academia closely intertwined with experience.”

Shawn Henry

Shawn Henry

ALM, Government, 2018

Experience Harvard Online

Whether you live minutes from campus or across the globe, you can experience the Harvard classroom. Engage with our world-class faculty, participate in peer discussions, and receive one-on-one support from teaching staff—all from your home or office.

Choose to attend live streaming lectures, interact with classmates in a web conference, or study flexibly in module-based lessons. We’ve designed a variety of online course formats, so you can find a learning experience that best meets your needs and circumstances.

Learn more about online learning at Harvard Extension School.

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See the Impact of Your Education in Real Time

You don’t have to wait to have your degree in hand to see the impact of your education. Your career advancement begins the moment you first step into the classroom.

Bring challenges that you face at work or in your community into the classroom. Consult with your faculty and peers to find new, innovative solutions. Test a fresh concept or framework in the workplace and see immediate results.

You will find yourself more skilled, confident, and empowered when you’ve seen the real-world results of your education.

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“I was able to use that knowledge that I was getting right away in my workspace, where I was getting feedback from my leadership, my board members, and other colleagues. They saw me morphing into a different professional. They saw me thinking differently. That was something that I felt happening.”
– Evan Bernstein, ALM, Management, 2011

Students Making a Real-World Impact

Customize Your Pathway to Meet Your Goals

We know that you’re coming to the classroom with years of experience. We want to support your continued growth with a personalized curriculum that supplements the knowledge you already have.

Our certificates and degrees offer you the power of choice. You have the ability to choose from a range of courses in a field of study, designing a curriculum that meets your specific needs and interests. If you need some guidance, our advisors are here to help you plan your degree courses. With nearly 900 courses to choose from each year, you are sure to find a pathway that meets your personal and professional goals.

Jennifer Buchli

My new position at NASA involves overseeing project activity and fostering international collaboration. My studies at Harvard Extension School have given me the management skills and confidence to help me succeed in this challenging role.

Jennifer Buchli, ALM, Biotechnology Management, 2016

Join a Global Community of Learners

All too often, you can find yourself trapped in your own bubble. By attending our courses, you will study among diverse voices who can expand your worldview.

You might encounter a parent pursuing a graduate degree, an adult student completing their bachelor’s degree from China, or a CEO studying psychology. By blending multiple perspectives, discussions become more complex, surprising, and illuminating. You may find that you learn just as much from your peers as your professors.

When you choose Harvard Extension School, you’re not simply joining a program. You’re joining a global learning community.

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Harvard Division of Continuing Education

A division of Harvard University dedicated to bringing rigorous programs and innovative online teaching capabilities to distance learners, working professionals, high school students, college students, and those seeking higher learning in retirement.