Designed solely for students who’ve completed the MITx MicroMasters program in Data, Economics, and Development Policy, this degree pathway offers an innovative sustainability and social justice curriculum to complement the MITx curriculum. The pathway will help you gain the breadth and perspective necessary to lead development initiatives for your communities.
Harvard Extension School is a member of the Global Association of Master in Development Practice. It meets the association’s standard of core development practice competencies.
What You’ll Learn
Through the master’s degree in the field of global development practice you:
- Develop a holistic understanding of policy instruments, social complexities, human health risks, ecological system dynamics, technological innovations, and financial models to advance sustainable development.
- Engage with the global network of development professionals.
- Employ state-of-the-art project management techniques.
- Leverage local knowledge through global practice.
Required Courses
In this pathway, Harvard Extension School will credit four courses (16 credits) toward the development practice program for earning the MITx MicroMasters credential in Data, Economics, and Development Policy.
To earn the master’s degree, you complete the following eight courses (32 credits).
8 Graduate Courses
Courses can be completed online or on campus. The capstone must be completed on campus.
Core Courses
- ENVR 101 Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Sustainability and Global Development
- DEVP 102 Proseminar: Critical Analysis of Global Development Systems
- Global Classroom: Foundations of Sustainable Development Practice
- 1 global health course
- 1 management course
- 2 global development practice electives
Capstone Courses
- Precapstone tutorial (noncredit)
- The final capstone (on campus)
Search for Courses
The Division of Continuing Education (DCE) offers degree courses all year round. You can study in fall, January, and spring terms through Harvard Extension School (HES) and during the summer through Harvard Summer School (HSS).
To find degree courses in the DCE Course Search and Registration platform:
- Under Search Classes, scroll to Harvard Extension Degree, Certificate, and Premedical Course Search.
- Select Graduate Degrees.
- Choose Global Development Practice to explore program courses.
The Capstone Experience
You will engage in a consulting project to design and execute a development plan (DP) for a client. You are encouraged to select a client near where you live and align the project with local community interests. Although more challenging, the client stakeholders may be located in any country. The outcome of the capstone experience includes an optional presentation at the International Conference on Sustainable Development.
On-Campus Requirements
If residing in the United States, students have the option to complete the on-campus capstone during the three-week summer term or during the spring term as an online course with an intensive weekend on campus.
International students see below.
International Students Who Need a Student Visa
To meet the on-campus requirement, you study with us in the summer, completing at a minimum the three-week capstone. You can easily request an I-20 for the F-1 student visa through Harvard Summer School. For more information, see the important visa information on International Student Study Options.
Admissions and Getting Started
Earn Your Way In
Once you have earned the MicroMasters credential in Data, Economics, and Development Policy, you begin the admission process by simply registering—no application needed—for the following graduate-level course:
Prerequisites: To register for the course, you’ll need to pass our online test of critical reading and writing skills. Alternatively, you can complete EXPO 42b with a grade of B or higher at the undergraduate or graduate level to meet the proseminar registration requirement, but EXPO 42b will not count toward the degree.
Grade Requirements: The proseminar must be completed with a grade of B or higher, without letting your overall Harvard cumulative GPA dip below 3.0. You have two registration attempts to earn the minimum grade of B in the proseminar, which cannot be more than two years old at the time of application.
Eligibility: Prior to beginning this pathway, which starts with your first MITx course, you need to possess a four-year, regionally accredited US bachelor’s degree or its foreign equivalent. You cannot already have or be in the process of earning a master’s degree in development practice or related field.
Submitting Your Application
During the semester that you are completing the proseminar, submit the official application to the program.
Don’t delay! To achieve academic success and meet your expected graduation date, it is critical to prioritize the degree course for admission and apply before completing subsequent courses. By doing so, you’ll avoid the delayed application fee and the loss of credit for expired course work, and you’ll gain access to exclusive degree candidate privileges.
Eligible students who submit a complete and timely application will have 7 more courses after admission to earn the degree.
For more details about eligibility, the application process, and application fees, visit Admissions.
MicroMasters Program Admission Pathway Policy
The MITx MicroMasters credential in Data, Economics, and Development Policy must be earned prior to enrolling in any degree-applicable courses at Harvard. Further, the credential cannot be more than three years old at the time of application. Credit is only granted for the entire MicroMasters credential; Harvard credit will not be awarded for individual courses.
For more details about Harvard Extension School degree program eligibility and the application process, visit Admissions. If you have questions about the MicroMasters program, contact MITx directly.
Cost and Financial Aid
Affordability is core to our mission. You’ll find our tuition comparable to tuition at public universities. And when compared to our continuing education peers, it’s a fraction of the cost.
| Our Tuition (2022–23 rate) | $3,100 per course ($775 per credit) |
| Average Tuition of Peer Institutions | $5,476 per course |
| Average Total Cost | $24,800 |
After admission, you may qualify for financial aid. Typically, eligible students receive grant funds to cover a portion of tuition costs each term, in addition to federal financial aid options.
To Complete Your Degree
Required GPA, Withdrawal Grades, and Repeat Courses
GPA. You need to earn a B or higher in the proseminar course required for admission as well as the proseminar ENVR 101 Introduction to Graduate Studies in Sustainability and Global Development 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.
Courses Expire: Finish Your Coursework in Five Years
You have five years to complete the degree requirements. The five-year timeline begins at the end of the term in which you complete any one degree-applicable course at Harvard, regardless of whether or not you have been admitted to the degree program. Moreover, Harvard courses over five years old at the point of admission will not count toward the degree.
Potential degree candidates must plan accordingly and submit their applications to comply with the five-year course expiration policy or they risk losing degree credit for completed course work. Additionally, admission eligibility will be jeopardized if, at the point of application to the program, the five-year degree completion policy cannot be satisfied.
Graduate with Your Harvard Degree
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, March, and May, with the annual Harvard Commencement ceremony in May.
Degree Candidate Exclusive Benefits
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.
