Global Development Practice Degree Requirements

• ENVR 101 Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Sustainability and Global Development (watch a course preview video)
• DEVP 102 Global Development Theory and Practice
• DEVP 110 Global Classroom: Foundations of Sustainable Development Practice
• 1 global health course
• 1 social science course
• 1 economics course
• 1 management course
• 3 global development practice electives
  • EXPO 42b Writing in the Social Sciences is an elective option
• Precapstone
• Capstone (on campus)

Learn how to search and register for courses.

The precapstone/capstone is a two-course, two-semester sequence where you work closely with your instructor and peers in a classroom setting. You receive as well as give expert advice and support creating a collaborative research environment.

You have three topic choices:

1. Case studies. You begin with ENVR 597c, Sustainability and Global Development Practice Case Study Precapstone, where you learn how to select a case topic and format, choose methodologies, and manage scope and scale. Then in ENVR 599c Sustainability and Global Development Practice Case Study Capstone, you execute your case study project, while learning best practices in conducting research, organizing and analyzing results, and writing.

2. Consulting. You begin with DEVP 597 Global Development Practice Precapstone, where you’ll learn critical issues in developing a client, a project charter, mastering methods, and executing research. You’ll also identify a partner organization. Then in DEVP 599 Global Development Practice Precapstone, you work closely with your client to produce a development action plan (DAP) to support the organization’s development efforts.

3. Innovation. You begin with ENVR 597b Innovation in Sustainability and Global Development Practice Precapstone where you draft a sustainable startup business plan for investors or a plan to assess a local innovation ecosystem for a client. Then in ENVR 599b Innovation in Sustainability and Global Development Practice Capstone you deliver an innovative new product development plan or sustainable business plan focused on reducing operating costs, minimizing the environmental footprint, and improving sustainability practices.

Capstone Sequencing

You enroll in the precapstone and capstone in back-to-back semesters in your final academic year. The capstone is taken alone as your sole remaining degree requirement.

Capstone topics are subject to change.

You can choose to concentrate your degree studies in a specific development area to earn a certificate along the way.

Graduate Certificates:

• Environmental Policy and International Development
• Managing for Climate Change
• Sustainable Food Systems

To meet the on-campus requirement, you choose the standard on-campus option and study with us in the summer. For more details, see the important visa information on the International Student Study Options page.

Come to Cambridge for Convocation (fall) to celebrate your hard-earned admission, Harvard career fairs offered throughout the year, HES alumni networking events (here at Harvard and around the world), and, of course, Harvard University Commencement (May).

• Prior to enrolling in any degree-applicable courses, you must possess a four-year regionally accredited U.S. bachelor’s degree or its foreign equivalent. Foreign bachelor’s degrees must be evaluated for equivalency.
• If English is your second language, you’ll need to prove English proficiency before registering for a course. We have multiple proficiency options.

With our performance-based admission process, you begin by taking courses with us first. You’ll simply register — no application required — for the following two 4-credit, graduate-level degree courses (available online).

These prerequisite courses count toward your degree once you’re admitted; they are not additional courses. They are investments in your studies and help ensure success in the program.

• ENVR E-101 Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Sustainability and Global Development
  • To register in ENVR 101 you’ll need to pass our online test of critical reading and writing skills or earn a B or higher in EXPO 42b Writing in the Social Sciences (counts as an elective).
  • The proseminar cannot be more than two years old at the time of application.
• DEVP E-102 Global Development Theory and Practice

You need to perform well in the two courses earning a grade of B or higher without letting your overall Harvard cumulative GPA dip below 3.0

You have two attempts to earn the minimum grade of B in ENVR 101 and DEVP 102 (a withdrawal grade counts as an attempt).

The two courses don’t need to be taken in a particular order or in the same semester and both are available for registration in our fall or spring semesters.

Learn how to search and register for courses.

If you have earned the MicroMasters credential, you may apply the credential toward admission and complete one additional course at the Harvard Extension School. Learn more about the micromasters pathway.

During the semester of your second degree course, submit the official application to the program.

Don’t delay! You must prioritize the two degree courses for admission and apply before completing subsequent courses. By doing so, you’ll:

• Avoid the loss of credit due to expired course work or changes to admission and degree requirements.
• Ensure your enrollment in critical degree-candidate-only courses.
• Avoid the delayed application fee.
• Gain access to exclusive benefits.

Eligible students who submit a complete and timely application will have 10 more courses after admission to earn the degree.

Applicants can register for courses in the upcoming semester before they receive their grades and while they await their admission decision.

Prospective ALM students can expect acceptance into the program by meeting all the eligibility and academic requirements detailed on this page, submitting a complete application, and having no academic standing or conduct concerns.

GPA. You need to earn a B or higher in each of the two degree courses required for admission and a B– or higher in each of the subsequent courses. In addition, your cumulative GPA cannot dip below 3.0.

Withdrawal grades. You are allowed to receive two withdrawal (WD) grades without them affecting your GPA. Any additional WD grades count as zero in your cumulative GPA. Please note that a WD grade from a 2-credit course will count as one of your two allowed WD grades. See Academic Standing.

Repeat courses. We advise you to review the ALM program’s strict policies about repeating courses. Generally speaking, you may not repeat a course to improve your GPA or to fulfill a degree requirement (if the minimum grade was not initially achieved). Nor can you repeat a course for graduate credit that you’ve previously completed at Harvard Extension School or Harvard Summer School at the undergraduate level.

MITx MicroMasters®

GPA. You need to earn a B or higher in the proseminar course required for admission (ENVR 101) as well as Global Development Theory and Practice (DEVP 102) and a B– or higher in each of the subsequent courses. In addition, your cumulative GPA cannot dip below 3.0.

Withdrawal grades. You are allowed to receive one withdrawal (WD) grade without it affecting your GPA. Any additional WD grades count as zero in your cumulative GPA. See Academic Standing.

Repeat courses. We advise you to review the ALM program’s strict policies about repeating courses. Generally speaking, you may not repeat a course to improve your GPA or to fulfill a degree requirement (if the minimum grade was not initially achieved). Nor can you repeat a course for graduate credit that you’ve previously completed at Harvard Extension School or Harvard Summer School at the undergraduate level.

Expired coursework. Courses over five years old at the point of admission will not count toward the degree. As stated above the proseminar cannot be more than two years old at the time of application.

Five-year degree completion timeline. Further, you have five years to complete your degree requirements. The 5-year timeline begins at the end of the term in which you complete any two degree-applicable courses, regardless of whether or not you have been admitted to a degree program.

If you are admitted using the MIT MicroMasters® pathway, your five-year timeline begins at the end of the term in which you complete any one degree-applicable course, whether or not you have been admitted to the degree program.

Don’t delay! Potential degree candidates must plan accordingly to apply to the program in a timely manner, or they risk losing degree credit for completed course work.

Admission eligibility will be jeopardized if, at the point of application to the program, the five-year degree completion policy cannot be satisfied (i.e., too many courses to complete in the time remaining).

When you have fulfilled all degree requirements, you will earn your Harvard University degree: Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Extension Studies, Field: Global Development Practice. Degrees are awarded in November, February, and May, with the annual Harvard Commencement ceremony in May.

When you become an officially admitted degree candidate, you have access to a rich variety of exclusive benefits to support your academic journey. To learn more, visit degree candidate academic opportunities and privileges.