During the fall 2025 term, admitted degree candidates at Harvard Extension School will have the opportunity to travel to Spain as part of a new immersive course: Global Sustainability Practicum. This course blends weekly online class meetings with a week-long consulting experience in Barcelona and Galicia.
Online Course Dates:
September 2–December 20 (Sundays, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. except travel dates)
Travel Dates:
November 23–December 1, 2025
Course tuition:
$3,440
Spain immersion program fee:
Approximately $2,000
Who Should Enroll
The course is open to Master of Liberal Arts degree candidates admitted to programs in Sustainability, Global Development Practice, or Management. The experience offers strong preparation for the capstone tracks.
Course Overview
In ENVR E-300 Global Sustainability Practicum, you’ll work directly with organizations to tackle real-world sustainability challenges, gaining practical skills in international development, project management, and cross-cultural collaboration.
“The Global Sustainability Practicum is a unique opportunity for students to gain valuable experience advancing global sustainability and development and enhancing the capacity of client organizations in an international setting,” says Dr. Michael Mortimer, director of sustainability programs at Harvard Extension School and a co-instructor for the course.
You’ll also act as sustainability consultants, working directly with clients to address tangible challenges.
Course Structure
This course has two phases:
- Phase I: weekly online class meetings (September 2–December 20, except travel dates)
- Phase II: Immersion experience in Spain (November 23–December 1)
Phase I: Weekly Online Classes
The online phase will focus on developing the practical skills valued by today’s employers.
Before traveling, you’ll join a dynamic virtual cohort to build:
- Real-world project management skills
- Interdisciplinary analytical thinking
- Cross-cultural fluency
- Leadership and teamwork acumen
- Executive-level communication abilities
Phase II: Immersion Experience in Spain
From November 23 to December 1, students will split their time between the city of Barcelona on the Mediterranean Coast and the autonomous community of Galicia on the Atlantic Coast.
The trip begins in Barcelona, a global hub for sustainable urban innovation. Next, in Galicia, students will conduct high-impact, intensive fieldwork, working closely with local clients.
Students will stay at various hotels in Barcelona and Galicia.
Language
Educational programs will be conducted in English. Translation will be available in Spanish and Gallego as needed. No prior knowledge or fluency in Spanish or Gallego is required.
Costs & Expenses
The Global Sustainability Practicum course tuition is $3,440.
The immersion program fee is approximately $2,000 and covers:
- Lodging
- Ground transportation
- Breakfasts
- Spanish support staff
- Client and translation support
- Logistics support
- Educational fees
You will need to budget for other items, including:
- U.S. health insurance that provides coverage outside the United States if you are from the U.S.
- Transportation to Barcelona, Spain, and return travel to your home locations.
- Miscellaneous costs such as meals, tourist activities, and shopping.
- The cost of passports and visas (if the latter is needed).
When & How to Register
Fall term course registration is open from July 21 to August 28. The course is limited to 18 students, so you should register as early as possible. For deadlines — including tuition payment and registration, drop, and withdrawal deadlines — see the academic calendar.
You can access the course description in Course Search and Registration.
The program fee, paid separately from tuition, is due September 9.
Requirements & Policies
You must:
- Register with Harvard’s Global Support Services.
- Complete the Harvard Assumption of Risk and General Release form.
If you drop the course, HES will refund tuition payment according to the standard refund policy. HES is not responsible for payments made to IDRA, travel, or other expenses that students may incur.
Note that up to 45 days before the travel start date (November 23), if you withdraw from the course, you will have your prepaid fee to IDRA reimbursed, less a $250 deposit and credit card processing fees. However, cancellations within 45 days of the start date are nonrefundable.
FAQs
Who can I contact with questions?
Michael Mortimer (michaelmortimer@fas.harvard.edu) and T. Alexander Puutio (teemu_puutio@fas.harvard.edu) are pleased to answer any questions you may have about the course.
What if I need an accommodation?
Students with documented disabilities should contact the Accessibility Services Office no later than two weeks before the course begins.
Do I have to stay in Spain for the duration?
In addition to completing all required assignments for the course, students must attend the entire immersive experience in Spain to pass the course (you cannot arrive late or leave early). If you neglect to register with IDRA, pay their separate deposit, or miss their deadlines, you may not be able to register, complete, or pass the course.
