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Graduate Certificates

Advance your career with an online graduate certificate from Harvard Extension School. You’ll gain specialized, in-demand skills from Harvard faculty and industry experts—earning a Harvard credential along the way. Design a stackable credential pathway with microcertificates and master’s degrees.

Real-World Outcomes

  • Person climbing toward a flag.

    98% of certificate earners report a positive career impact

  • Stack of currency.

    62% received a pay raise they attribute to HES

  • Map with a flag.

    94% reported a strong sense of personal accomplishment

Flexible Timeline to Completion

Most graduate certificates are just four courses. You can finish in 8 months by taking two courses each semester. Or, set a more flexible pace and take up to three years to complete. The choice is yours.

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FAQs

How do I get started pursuing a certificate?

To learn more about getting started on a certificate, joining virtual office hours, and using student resources, visit Pursuing a Certificate.

Is a graduate certificate valuable?

Harvard Extension students most often report pursuing a graduate certificate to deepen their professional expertise and advance in their current career. A certificate is ideal for people attempting to move up in their current field. The courses can be completed on a part-time basis, allowing many to continue working full time. In fact, many students reported achieving their goals while still in the program.

In a survey of 1,000 students who had just completed their certificate program, 42 percent said they took on more responsibilities at work, received a promotion, or changed careers while pursuing the credential. Read more about the value of a graduate certificate.

Who pursues a graduate certificate?

Most students (78 percent) are working full time while pursuing a certificate. The average age is 36. Fifty-three percent of certificate students have a master’s, PhD, or other advanced degree. Most pursue a certificate for professional reasons, but many are exploring personal interests or preparing for further studies.

Can I earn a graduate certificate while earning a master’s degree?

Yes! Earning a graduate certificate can be a great first step toward earning a master’s degree. At Harvard Extension School, 44% of certificate earners choose this route, affording them the benefits of both credentials.

Most of our certificates stack toward at least one Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) degree. You can earn a graduate certificate on your way to a master’s degree by choosing courses required for a certificate that also count toward a related master’s.

For prospective students having trouble deciding between a degree and a certificate, stackable credentials make it easy to start with smaller goals before making the leap to a master’s.

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Browse our Program Finder to search for graduate degrees, certificates, undergraduate degrees by topic area.

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Harvard Division of Continuing Education

The Division of Continuing Education (DCE) at Harvard University is dedicated to bringing rigorous academics and innovative teaching capabilities to those seeking to improve their lives through education. We make Harvard education accessible to lifelong learners from high school to retirement.