Admitted Degree Candidate Privileges

Harvard Extension School Opportunities

Academic and Research Advising

Upon your admission, the Bachelor of Liberal Arts (ALB) and Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) academic advising team will support you until graduation by offering you expert course selection advice, referring you to special opportunities that can enhance your degree-earning journey, and reminding you about critical deadlines as well as course sequencing requirements.

In addition, if you are a graduate student pursuing a thesis project and certain individual-research capstones, you are assigned a research advisor who helps you design a scholarly final project.

To meet and schedule a time with your academic or research advisor, log in to MyDCE, choose “ALB/ALM Community” to access the Degree Candidate portal. Have a quick question? Email them via the portal as well.

Also, on MyDCE you’ll find your most up-to-date academic progress report, “My Academic Progress,” which tracks your specific remaining degree requirements, academic standing, GPA, and mandatory 5-year-degree-completion deadline. The report is updated after each term; however, it also offers you real-time registration confirmation. After you register for courses, run your progress report to be sure you chose correctly!

Priority Registration

Admitted degree candidates have the advantage of enrolling in classes before the general population. See the calendar for dates.

Reduced Harvard Summer School Tuition Pricing

Admitted degree candidates pay the Harvard Extension School tuition rate for undergraduate and graduate credit in Harvard Summer School courses. This includes three-, four-, and seven-week courses as well as on-campus and online courses and represents a significant cost savings.

Study abroad and noncredit courses are not eligible for the tuition discount. All you need to do is register for a Harvard Summer School course as usual, and the reduced pricing will be automatically applied during the final step of the process. 

Student Researcher Jobs

You can work as a paid research assistant for an instructor through the Career and Academic Resource Center’s (CARC) Faculty Aide Program.

Convocation

Each fall, Convocation is held to honor the achievements of recently admitted degree candidates and welcome them to our vibrant community. This inspiring ceremony marks the beginning of their academic pursuits just as gloriously as Commencement punctuates its conclusion.

Degree candidates admitted between August of the previous calendar year and June of the current calendar year are sent invitations requesting their attendance.

LinkedIn

Strengthen connections with Harvard Extension School degree candidates and alumni who share similar academic experiences and career interests and goals to yours!

• As an admitted degree candidate, you’re eligible to join the Harvard Extension Degree Candidates and Alumni LinkedIn group, as well as the LinkedIn group that corresponds to your degree program. These exclusive forums allow you to take part in discussions and expand your network in areas that are relevant to your life as a professional as well as a student at Harvard. 
• Membership is open to alumni and active degree candidates in good academic standing. Candidates should visit the ALB/ALM Community in MyDCE for more information.

Harvard Extension Student Association, Societies and Clubs

The Harvard Extension Student Association (HESA) is the umbrella organization for all student societies and clubs at the Extension School (e.g., the international relations, management and finance, or environmental club). Degree candidates are voting members of HESA. Visit the HESA website for more information.

The Office of Student Affairs

The Office of Student Affairs (OSA) is committed to providing resources and support to our vibrant DCE community of lifelong learners. Their dedicated staff is invested in your success and in creating holistic space for advancing your overall growth and development. OSA runs two degree-candidate-only student services: Global Ambassadors Program and DCE Equity Fellows.

All Ivy Environmental and Sustainable Development Career Fair

The annual All Ivy Environmental and Sustainable Development Career Fair, hosted at Columbia University (typically in late February or early March), provides admitted degree candidates and alumni with an opportunity to meet with representatives from organizations in the private, non-profit and public sectors across a multitude of industries.

In previous years, the Harvard Extension Student Environmental Club (HESEC) has organized bus transportation (ticket purchase required) to New York City for degree candidates residing in the Boston area who wish to travel to the career fair together as a group. Registration for the fair is completed separately via the All Ivy Career Fair website where additional information can be found.

New England Museum Association

The Harvard Extension School’s Museum Studies Program is a member of the New England Museum Association (NEMA), which allows all degree candidates to become individual members through it. Enjoy access to discounts on the annual conference, webinars, and workshops; NEMA’s online resource library and publications; their Professional Affinity Groups and informal networking opportunities; and free admission to some regional NEMA member museums. Contact Kathy Jones, Museum Studies Program Director, for more information.

Harvard University Opportunities

LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning provides degree candidates with over 15,000 on-demand courses on computer software, business skills, and creative skills from industry experts.

To access LinkedIn Learning: Click the Login button and enter your HarvardKey. Once your eligibility is confirmed, you’ll be automatically logged into LinkedIn Learning and given the option of connecting your account to a LinkedIn profile.

ID Card Privileges

You are eligible for a Harvard University photo ID card that grants you access to benefits like the Harvard libraries and Harvard museums.

University-wide policy requires you to pick up your ID card in person. Please visit the Announcements page on Campus Services’ website to view pick-up locations and hours, as well as the Harvard University Identification Card Policy.

Microsoft Office

Your program benefits include access to Microsoft Office, OneDrive, and SharePoint. You can access these tools at Office.Com. Select “Sign in”, then “Sign-in options”, “Sign in to an organization”, and finally input “harvard.edu” as the organization domain. From there, you will be prompted for your HarvardKey credentials.

If your HarvardKey login address is a non-Harvard email address, you must use <NetID>@Harvard.edu as your login address with your HarvardKey password.  Don’t know your assigned NetID? Visit Find your NetID.

If you continue to have difficulties accessing O365, contact AcademicTechnology@dce.Harvard.edu.

Harvard University Online Directory

Your name, school affiliation, email address, and ID card photo are automatically included in Harvard Connections, Harvard University’s internal directory. If you prefer to restrict the display of your information in Harvard Connections or other public or internal Harvard directories, you can update your directory privacy settings in MyDCE at any time during your affiliation.

You can update your directory privacy settings in MyDCE under My Profile at any time during your affiliation.

Career Services

The Mignone Center for Career Success at Harvard University provides extensive career resources to admitted degree candidates. Visit Career Services to learn more about how the office can help you.

Academic Resource Center

The Academic Resource Center (ARC) at Harvard University provides subject-matter peer tutoring and individual academic coaching to a limited number of admitted degree candidates and Premedical Program participants on a referral basis.

For more information, talk to your academic advisor or refer to the ARC Information sheet.

Innovation Lab

The Harvard i-lab is the central component of the Harvard Innovation Labs, a cross-disciplinary ecosystem for the Harvard community to explore innovation and entrepreneurship. It consists of the Student i-lab Membership for current degree-seeking Harvard students, the Life Lab, a wet lab for student- and faculty-led life science ventures, and Launch Lab X GEO for alumni-founded ventures in the pre-seed to seed stage. The Student i-lab Membership provides advising and subject-matter experts to help Harvard students move their startup ideas forward.

Harvard Extension admitted degree candidates in ALB and ALM programs and PMP students can participate in the Student i-lab Membership community in fall and spring semesters if they currently hold a minimum 4-credit course registration status.

Membership is by application only. Apply at the beginning of the term to take advantage of orientation, mentorship, and funding opportunities for your venture idea. Or, you may apply later in the semester using the rolling admission cycle for membership.

Please visit the Student i-lab Membership page for more information and to apply. Please reach out to the Career and Academic Resource Center if you have any questions.

Culture Lab

The Harvard Culture Lab Innovation Fund awards grants to Harvard students, staff, faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and academic personnel to pursue ideas that seek to strengthen Harvard’s capacity to advance a culture of belonging. Proposals should aim to focus on having a direct connection to the Harvard community and influence the University’s trajectory towards sustainable inclusive excellence.

Full-time admitted ALB and ALM degree students are eligible to apply. Admitted degree candidates whose current registration status is less than full-time may apply if a member of their team is a full-time admitted degree candidate — at Harvard Extension School or another school within Harvard University.

You can learn more about the program — including deadlines, grant guidelines, and FAQs — on the Harvard Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion & Belonging website.

Athletics, Dining, and Student Employment

You can purchase discount athletics privileges, open a Crimson Cash debit account, and dine in the various cafes on campus. In addition, you can access the Student Employment job database where you can connect with employers offering on-campus job opportunities.

Harvard Off-Campus Housing

Harvard University Housing has engaged Off Campus Partners to create an apartment rental listing for Harvard University Affiliates. On the site you can view maps, photos, and more. You are invited to post a listing for a small fee or search the site for free. There is also a free roommate matching section. 

Study Spaces and Collaboration

The Richard A. and Susan F. Smith Campus Center offers comfortable and convivial gathering spaces for Harvard University students, faculty, academic personnel, staff, and visitors. While three floors are open to the general public, ​Harvard affiliates have the option to reserve additional space.

In addition, the Harvard Library website offers the Find a Space tool that allows you to search for group study rooms; shows the availability of amenities like printers and scanners; and lists food and drink policies for the spaces.

Presidential Public Service Fellowship Program

The Harvard University President’s Office, with the generous support of an anonymous donor, has established the Presidential Public Service Fellowship Program to provide funding to students interested in pursuing public service work during the summer. Deadlines are in early February.

Office for the Arts at Harvard

The Office for the Arts at Harvard (OFA) supports student engagement in the arts and integrates the arts into University life. Through its programs and services, the OFA teaches and mentors, fosters student art making, connects students to accomplished artists, commissions new work, and partners with local, national, and international constituencies.

The OFA enables students to explore an art form in depth and to work directly with professional artists in a wide range of classes, workshops, and apprenticeships. The OFA also sponsors Arts First, a weekend of artistic celebration each May.

Phillips Brooks House Association

Phillips Brooks House Association is a student-run public service organization at Harvard University consisting of nearly 80 program committees and more than 1,800 student volunteers, and serves close to 10,000 clients in the Cambridge and Boston area.

To volunteer, attend the PBHA open house that is ordinarily held during the first of week of classes each fall and spring term.

Institute of Politics Forum

This Harvard Kennedy School institute hosts the JFK Jr. Forum, the premier arena for political speech, discussion, and debate. The forum regularly hosts heads of state and leaders in politics, government, business, labor, and the media. Be sure to sign up for e-mails so you won’t miss an important event at the forum.

Writers at Work

The Harvard Writers at Work lecture series focuses on the ways that writing, by those at Harvard, connects academic and professional work and the broader public. The series is co-sponsored by many University entities, including the Harvard Extension School Journalism Graduate Program.

The Harvard Chaplains

The University’s interfaith coalition of chaplains, Harvard Chaplains, offers on campus services and guidance for members of many world religions.

Office of Student Life

The Office of Student Life is the place to explore student organizations. While some organizations are limited to Harvard College students, others are open to members of the entire Harvard Community. Once you find an organization that interests you, email the contact person to inquire if Extension School degree candidates can participate. Degree candidates have enjoyed participating in the Harvard Chorus, ballroom dancing, and much more.

Harvard Graduate and Professional Student Government

The HGSG is the official student government for all graduate and professional schools of Harvard University. If you are a master’s degree candidate, we encourage you to get involved.

Beyond Graduation

Harvard Extension Alumni Association

Alumni can attend the many events sponsored by the Harvard Extension Alumni Association (HEAA). For information about upcoming events, see the HEAA website.

Harvard Alumni Association

Alumni of the Harvard Extension School also have access to the benefits of the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA). The HAA is the official alumni association of Harvard University, and it sponsors events, continuing education opportunities, and activities around the world. To find out more, visit the HAA website.

Access to Other Harvard University Schools’ Student Services

Harvard Extension School makes no claim that as a Harvard Extension School undergraduate or graduate degree candidate you have full access to all Harvard College or Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) students services. Each of the 12 schools that compose the University—Harvard Extension School being one of them—is distinct from the other, with its own academic programs, reporting structures, and funding, among other attributes. These conditions justifiably permit each school to extend student services to other University populations at their discretion.