Harvard Extension School offers a range of graduate degree programs designed for working professionals seeking academic rigor, flexibility, and real-world application.
Explore master’s degree programs across disciplines — from business and technology to psychology, life sciences, and the humanities — and discover pathways that align with your professional goals.
Master’s degree programs at Harvard Extension School are hybrid programs that feature mostly online coursework and an immersive on-campus experience.
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Online programs with short, immersive experiences on campus
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A vibrant community of faculty, peers, and staff who support your success
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A Harvard University degree program that is flexible and customizable
Graduate degree programs are organized by academic area to help you compare options and find the right fit for your interests and experience.
Explore Graduate Degree Programs by Topic
Arts, Journalism, Writing & Literature Graduate Degrees
Graduate degree programs that develop advanced skills in writing, journalism, literary analysis, and creative expression across professional and academic contexts.
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Creative Writing and Literature Master’s Degree Program
Unlock your creative potential and hone your unique voice.
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English Master’s Degree Program
Deepen your understanding of fiction, poetry, and drama while learning to analyze and interpret literary texts.
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Journalism Master’s Degree Program
Gain the writing and digital storytelling skills necessary for success as a journalist or communications professional.
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Museum Studies Master’s Degree Program
Advance your museum career and discover new ways to create enriching experiences and engage patrons.
Business & Management Graduate Degrees
Graduate degree programs focused on leadership, finance, organizational strategy, and management in global and professional environments.
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Finance Master’s Degree Program
Gain specialized knowledge in financial analysis and planning to advance in today’s global economy.
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Industrial-Organizational Psychology Master’s Degree Program
Optimize organizations and empower employees through a social science lens.
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Management Master’s Degree Program
Expand your leadership skills and position yourself for the next step in your career.
Education Graduate Degrees
Graduate programs designed for educators seeking deeper subject expertise, instructional leadership skills, and advanced pedagogical approaches.
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Mathematics for Teaching Master’s Degree Program
Increase your impact in the classroom by learning new strategies from Harvard-trained faculty.
Global Studies Graduate Degrees
Graduate degrees that examine global systems, international relations, and development challenges through interdisciplinary perspectives.
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Global Development Practice Master’s Degree Program
Gain knowledge, practical skills, and an interdisciplinary perspective on global development issues.
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International Relations Master’s Degree Program
Explore the complexities of foreign affairs and gain a global perspective.
Life Sciences Graduate Degrees
Graduate programs emphasizing scientific inquiry, biotechnology, and applied life sciences to address real-world challenges.
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Biology Master’s Degree Program
Learn how to apply critical thinking to real-world scenarios in the life sciences.
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Biotechnology Master’s Degree Program
Gain insight into the latest biotechnology discoveries and trends.
Psychology Graduate Degrees
Graduate degree programs focused on human behavior, organizational psychology, and applied psychological research.
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Industrial-Organizational Psychology Master’s Degree Program
Optimize organizations and empower employees through a social science lens.
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Psychology Master’s Degree Program
Deepen your understanding of human behavior. Advance your career.
Social Sciences & Cultural Studies Graduate Degrees
Graduate degrees examining societies, cultures, and social systems through historical, political, and interdisciplinary lenses.
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Anthropology Master’s Degree Program
Explore human cultures and societies.
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Government Master’s Degree Program
Gain in-depth knowledge of government systems to make a difference in the world.
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History Master’s Degree Program
Examine the past through a variety of critical approaches.
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Religion Master’s Degree Program
Explore the history, texts, and functions of religion within different societies and cultures.
Sustainability & the Environment Graduate Degrees
Graduate programs focused on sustainability, environmental systems, and interdisciplinary approaches to global environmental challenges.
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Global Development Practice Master’s Degree Program
Gain knowledge, practical skills, and an interdisciplinary perspective on global development issues.
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Sustainability Master’s Degree Program
Learn to evaluate and design viable solutions to help build a more sustainable future.
Technology Graduate Degrees
Graduate programs focused on computing, data science, cybersecurity, and systems engineering in today’s digital and data-driven world.
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Computer Science Master’s Degree Program
Develop advanced computational and software development skills and knowledge to solve real-world challenges in the digital age.
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Cybersecurity Master’s Degree Program
Build a strong foundation and detailed technical knowledge in security, privacy, and threat intelligence.
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Data Science Master’s Degree Program
Develop the technical and analytical skills you need to discover, analyze, model, and visualize information in today’s data-rich world.
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Digital Media Design Master’s Degree Program
Deepen your knowledge and skills to create dynamic digital content
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Systems Engineering Master’s Degree Program
Master the skills you need to design and manage complex information systems.
Browse our Program Finder to see graduate certificates, undergraduate degrees, and other programs.
FAQs
What types of graduate degrees does Harvard Extension School offer?
Harvard Extension School offers part-time, hybrid graduate degrees in more than 20 academic fields, including management, data science, creative writing, and biotechnology.
These programs are designed for working professionals and combine online and on-campus learning. All master’s degree programs feature rigorous graduate-level coursework, completed primarily online. The courses are designed to prepare you for real-world applications in your field.
Are Harvard Extension School degrees official Harvard University master’s degrees?
Yes. All Harvard Extension School master’s degrees are official Harvard University degrees, conferred by the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Graduates receive a Harvard diploma, participate in Harvard University Commencement, and become members of the Harvard Alumni Association.
Who are the Harvard Extension School graduate programs designed for?
Harvard Extension School’s graduate degree programs are designed for working professionals who want to advance their careers through part-time study. Students typically balance coursework with full-time employment and bring prior academic or professional experience to their degree program.
Can I complete a master’s degree from Harvard Extension School online?
Harvard Extension School master’s degree programs are primarily delivered online, but they are not 100% online. Each program includes a required on-campus component, which varies by degree program and ranges from two weekends to three weeks. This hybrid format lets you complete the majority of your courses online while connecting with classmates and faculty through an immersive in-person experience on the Harvard campus.
How do Extension School degrees differ from other Harvard graduate school degrees?
The main distinction between Harvard Extension School and other Harvard graduate schools is flexibility. The majority of coursework for a Harvard Extension School master’s degree can be completed online, making it well-suited for working professionals.
Courses are taught by Harvard faculty and industry experts who bring real-world experience into the classroom, translating what is happening across industries into your coursework in real time.
The admissions model for graduate programs is also different at Harvard Extension School. You complete 2 or 3 admission courses, all of which are offered online and count toward your degree. You qualify for admission by earning at least a B in each course. No standardized test scores, past GPAs, or letters of recommendation are required.
Is a graduate degree from Harvard Extension School worth it?
For many alumni, the degree leads to measurable career impact. In a recent alumni survey, 96% of respondents reported that their Harvard Extension School education positively impacted their careers, contributing to salary increases, job title changes, and career pivots. Alumni have also pursued doctoral programs at institutions such as Brown, Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, Harvard, and Yale.
How will a Harvard Extension School master’s degree help me in my career?
Many alumni report that earning a Harvard Extension School master’s degree expands their professional skills and supports career advancement. Alumni cite gaining new knowledge and skills. Harvard Extension School graduates work at companies across industries, including Apple, American Express, Bank of America, Coca-Cola, HBO, Microsoft, Meta, TikTok, The Smithsonian, Starbucks, Pfizer, and The World Economic Forum. Many also pursue entrepreneurial ventures, leveraging the Harvard Innovation Labs to expand skills and launch startups. Read individual alumni stories here.
