Psychology Degree Requirements

• SSCI 100A Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Anthropology and Psychology
• STAT 150 Intermediate Statistics: Methods and Modeling
• 4 psychology courses
• 1 Engaging in Scholarly Conversation (see on-campus experience)
• 1 psychology seminar
• 1 psychology elective
  • EXPO 42b Writing in the Social Sciences is an elective option.

Tip: Seminars offer small-class discussions as well as ample opportunities to connect with faculty and peers while engaging in research. We encourage you to complete multiple seminars.

Learn how to search and register for courses.

The thesis is a nine-month independent research project where you work one-on-one in a tutorial setting with a thesis director. It is an opportunity to work independently on a research project that contributes to the scholarly literature in the field of psychology.

Additional Courses:

• PSYC 497 Crafting the Thesis Proposal in Psychology Tutorial
• PSYC 499AB ALM Thesis in Psychology (8 credits)

The capstone track 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.

Additional Courses:

• 1 psychology elective
• 1 precapstone course (choose one topic):
  • PSYC 597 Theory and Research in Human Development
  • PSYC 597C Measuring the Mind Precapstone in Psychometrics
  • PSYC 597D Psychologist as Educator: Precapstone in Communicating Science through Public Engagement
  • PSYC 597E Theory and Research in Stress and Psychological Well-Being
  • PSYC 597F Positive Psychology Precapstone: Theory and Research
  • SSCI 597B Identity: Theory and Research
• 1 capstone course (choose the same topic):
  • PSYC 599 Bridging Science and Practice in Human Development
  • PSYC 599C Measuring the Mind Capstone in Psychometrics
  • PSYC 590D Psychologist as Educator: Capstone in Communicating Science through Public Engagement
  • PSYC 599E Bridging Science and Practice in Stress and Psychological Well-Being
  • PSYC 599F Positive Psychology Capstone: Designing for Strength
  • SSCI 599B Identity Capstone: Bridging Research and Practice

Capstone experience. In the precapstone, you gain foundational preparation through critically analyzing the scholarly literature. Then, in the capstone, you execute your own research project that supports your professional goals.

Capstone sequencing. You enroll in the precapstone and capstone courses in the same topic 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 to earn an optional graduate certificate along the way.

Graduate Certificates:

• Positive Psychology and Well-Being
• Topics in Human Behavior Graduate Certificate

For either the thesis or capstone track, eight of the above courses (32 credits) need to be taught by instructors with the Harvard-instructor designation. The thesis course is taught by a Harvard instructor.

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

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 4-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 three 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.

• SSCI 100A Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Anthropology and Psychology
  • Before registering for SSCI 100A 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.
  • The proseminar cannot be more than two years old at the time of application.
• STAT 150 Intermediate Statistics: Methods and Modeling
• One psychology course

You need to perform well in the three 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 the proseminar and STAT 150 (a withdrawal grade counts as an attempt).

While the three courses don’t need to be taken in a particular order or in the same semester, we recommend that you start with the proseminar (or the prerequisite EXPO 42b).

You can register for the courses in fall, spring, or summer. We offer three starts.

Learn how to search and register for courses.

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

Don’t delay! You must prioritize the three 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 nine 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 three 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. 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 five-year timeline begins at the end of the term in which you complete any three degree-applicable courses, regardless of whether or not you have been admitted to a degree program.

Don’t delay! Potential degree candidates must plan accordingly and 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: Psychology. 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.