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Microcertificates

Looking to boost your current career, impress a potential employer, or explore a new field of interest? Microcertificates can lower the cost and time barriers to earning a credential — and potentially kickstart a longer academic journey.

By earning a microcredential, you demonstrate proficiency in academic knowledge and in real-world applications, adding value to your experience and professional acumen.

  • Person climbing toward a flag.

    Accelerated. Earn a Harvard credential in 2 courses.

  • Diploma.

    Stackable. Apply courses toward a graduate certificate — or degree.

  • Earth in a conversation bubble.

    Actionable. Gain a new skill set for real-world impact.

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FAQs

What is a microcertificate?

A microcertificate offers a short, focused program composed of competency-based courses designed to help you build and demonstrate mastery in a given area. At Harvard Extension School, microcertificates offer a path to a credential that is shorter (only 2 courses), affordable, and highly focused on a skill set. Our microcertificates also stack toward related graduate certificates and graduate degrees.

Who should enroll in a microcertificate?

Microcertificates are designed for career accelerators who are interested in building a focused skill set in an accelerated timeframe.

Microcertificates are a great way to enhance your professional learning and development. Industries across the board are ever-changing and increasingly competitive. If you are looking to fill a skill gap and build confidence in your current field — or even explore a new one — microcertificates are a good fit.

How do you complete a microcertificate?

The microcertificate curriculum consists of a small set of two to five tightly curated courses, from which you select two. To earn the microcertificate, you complete the two courses at the graduate level, with a grade of B or higher, within one year. This short timeline will support momentum and reinforce the learning between the two related courses.

Repeat Courses

Because repeating course content has limited educational value, you may not repeat a course for which you have already received undergraduate or graduate credit to earn a microcertificate.

Repeat courses are identified by their subject and course number (for example, MGMT E-4000 Organizational Behavior and MGMT S-4000 Organizational Behavior are the same courses) and occasionally by a notation in the course description (for example, “Students may not take both ECON E-1600 and ECON S-1615 for degree or certificate credit”).

How do you request your microcertificate once it’s completed?

Once you have successfully completed all requirements, you may log in to the Certificate Tracker and Request Form to request your microcertificate. You will confirm the courses that you will apply toward the credential and submit your request.

After your request is reviewed, approved, and awarded, you will receive information about how to access your electronic microcertificate through our certified electronic credentials site.

Once a microcertificate has been awarded, no adjustments can be made.

Be sure to request your certificate within 30 days of the release of your final grade in your last certificate course (see calendar for dates). This will ensure that you receive your credential in a timely manner.

If you request your microcertificate after this 30-day deadline, but before the 6-month petition deadline (see below), it will be awarded as part of the next conferral cycle at the end of the subsequent semester.

Requests submitted more than 6 months after completing the last microcertificate course must be accompanied by a petition to the Harvard Extension School Administrative Board explaining the reason for the delay.

Who teaches courses for the microcertificates at Harvard?

The courses featured in the microcertificates are taught by Harvard Extension School instructors who teach across Harvard and peer institutions and work as expert practitioners in their fields.

Visit our faculty page to meet some of them.

How will a microcertificate help me improve my career or company?

The completion of a microcertificate shows proficiency in specific industry competencies and awards academic credit at the same time. In a semester or 2, you can upskill or reskill to demonstrate initiative and develop new skills in your place of business. You also have the opportunity to explore new industries without a full career change or to jumpstart a longer academic journey.

Who do I contact with questions?

We are here to help. Send us an email at Microcredentials@Extension.Harvard.edu.

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