Harvard Extension School is a place to explore your interests, enhance your skills, and excel. Here you’ll find the policies and expectations to help you navigate your academic experience.
Academic Policies
Find what you need to enroll in and complete a graduate program: Enrollment Policies for Graduate Students
Find what you need to enroll in and complete an undergraduate program: Enrollment Policies for Undergraduate Students
Earning a degree at Harvard Extension requires maintaining good standing: Academic Standing Requirements for Degree Programs
Certificate students will find enrollment and minimum grade policies at Pursuing the Certificates, while Premedical Program learners should visit Premedical Program for their specific enrollment and academic standing policies.
See what types of exams you may have to take, as well as policies on missed exams and how to request transcripts: Exam Types and Policies
Learn how to view your grades, what your grades mean, and our policies on noncompletion grades: Grades
If you’re transferring to another school, be sure to read our policies on transferring your credits: Transfer Credits and Accreditation
Student Conduct
Our mission is to make the benefits of a rigorous academic experience accessible to all students. Honesty, civility, respect, and academic integrity play a vital role in maintaining our high standards of excellence. When you join our community you accept these values and agree to meet our expectations and adhere to our student conduct policies.
The Harvard Extension School has a set of clear Expectations for all registered students that center around responsible behavior regarding the creation and maintenance of their student records and contact information; in-person and virtual classroom participation; interactions with instructors about grades; and program application submissions.
In addition, students are expected to show good judgment at all times. They are to conduct themselves honestly, and with due respect and consideration for others while enrolled in Harvard Extension School, on Harvard University property, and in all their interactions and communications with their fellow members of the Harvard community. Students are expected to respond truthfully and completely to questions put to them by a properly identified official of the University
Students who violate the conduct policy (listed here and on Expectations) are adjudicated by the Administrative Board and may be subject to disciplinary action.
Conduct Concerns
Concerns regarding student conduct that are brought before the Administration Board include, but are not limited to, inappropriately behaving toward or communicating with University faculty, staff, or fellow students; misrepresentations of any kind, including University affiliation as well as prior academic or professional experience; disturbing orderly academic functions and processes; disrupting or obstructing teaching; violating the rules and regulations of any University department; or the unauthorized use of University facilities or equipment.
The Board also reviews the actions of students charged with altering or falsifying academic records; the unauthorized recording, sale, or purchase of lectures or other instructional materials; destroying or defacing University property; theft or unauthorized use of property or materials not one’s own, harassment; fraud; infringing on the rights of others; or the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of drugs and alcohol.
Any form of physical violence or threatening behavior will not be tolerated and may result in the immediate removal from a course or program if Harvard Extension School determines, in its discretion, that the student’s continued presence would pose a significant risk to the safety of any person or a serious disruption to the educational environment of the Harvard community;
Harvard Extension School expects students to understand and maintain high standards of academic integrity.
Students are not permitted to use the Harvard name, logo, or shield except as allowed by Harvard Extension School’s “Using the Harvard Name” policy.
Please note that because students are expected to show good judgment at all times, not every kind of misconduct or behavioral expectation is listed in this section.
Additional Policies
Learn more about: