Harvard Extension School

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The Harvard Extension School, part of the Harvard University, was founded by Harvard University President A. Lawrence Lowell in 1909. Originally an academic program designed to serve the educational interests and needs of the greater Boston community, it has since grown into one of the largest and highly appraised continuing education programs in the world, and attracts students globally as do the other divisions of Harvard. Harvard University's Extension School offers, to "nontraditional students who appreciate the intellectual rigor and professional value of a liberal arts education,"[3] undergraduate and graduate liberal arts degree programs, both of which require passing a rigorous formal admissions process. [4] Enrollment to individual classes, however, is made open to the public, and a segment of the student body, especially in the introductory classes, is not pursuing a degree but rather undertaking studies for professional or personal enrichment. The Extension School is part of the Division of Continuing Education, which itself is part of the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences, and boasts world-renowned Harvard faculty and students from across the globe.

[edit] Degrees

The school currently awards the following credentials:

Undergraduate - associate in arts (A.A.) and bachelor of liberal arts (A.L.B.). Both are aimed primarily at adult learners who began college and did not complete their studies, or for those who have yet to commence coursework. Degree requirements are patterned after that of Harvard College as far as possible. And the degrees are awarded within one of three areas: natural sciences, social sciences or humanities. In recent years, the option of adding a major, or a Field of Study, to one’s primary field has been feasible. Up to half of the coursework for the A.A. or A.L.B. may come in the form of transfer credit from other institutions. However, for graduation, the student's majority of courses must be taken with Harvard faculty. Degree Candidates may apply for Special Student Status, which allows them to take two classes per semester from the Harvard College or Graduate School. Admission to this program requires faculty recommendations, and at least a 3.33 GPA. Students applying to be Degree Candidates must first establish themselves as capable of handling the rigorous curriculum of Harvard, by maintaining at least a ‘B’ average across the Core courses, and prove their strong academic potential, maturity, and motivation, followed by a formal admissions application. Like Yale University's Eli Whitney Students Program for nontraditional undergraduate students, the Extension School's standard for admission to its degree programs is designed to follow that of the traditional undergraduate's, while, considering most of its applicants are adults, "relatively more weight is given to achievement." [5]

Graduate Degree - Master of Liberal Arts (A.L.M.). Offered in the traditional arts and sciences fields such as government and biology, as well as relatively new fields such as information technology or business management. All fields require eight out of ten courses to be taught with Harvard faculty. In addition, the A.L.M. programs require a thesis, which must be written under the direction of a Harvard faculty member holding a teaching appointment in the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences at the rank of senior lecturer, assistant professor, associate professor, or full professor, or an appropriate teaching appointment in another Harvard professional school, such as the Law School, Graduate School of Education, or Medical School. While courses for the A.L.M. meet at a separate time, they are often exact replicates in terms of their syllabi of the graduate courses taught in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Students may exercise the option of taking courses in the GSAS for graduate credit, after applying for "Special Student Status." Because of the rather traditional nature of the coursework for the degree, most students use it as a stepping stone towards post-graduate study at Harvard or elsewhere. Admission to the program requires a ‘B’ or better in graduate proseminars, as well as two regular courses, one of which must be in the student’s proposed field of study. A formal application is also required after establishing academic standing, with a 3.0 or better in one’s graduate studies generally being required for consideration for admittance.

Professional Degree - Master of Liberal Arts (A.L.M.) in Biotechnology (terminal degree), in mathematics for teaching, in information technology, in environmental management, in journalism, in educational technologies, in business management, and in museum studies. These Professional Masters programs largely follow the same procedures as admittance to the graduate schools however, some of the faculty may be adjuncts whose primary occupation may be in the corresponding industry. For instance, the Journalism faculty is primarily made up of editors of major publications such as the Boston Globe and New York Times.

According to the United States Census Bureau, on average, those possessing professional degrees earn more than those in any other category of educational attainment, including those holding academic doctorates.

Certificates - management, applied sciences, environmental management, publishing and communications. Draw primarily on adjunct faculty and have a GPA requirement of a ‘B’ to be awarded the certificate upon completion of coursework.

[edit] Harvard Extension Student Association

Established in 2001, Harvard Extension Student Association (HESA) serves over 13,000 students annually at Harvard Extension School. Its mission is to build and maintain a sense of community among students. In partnership with many other organizations on campus, HESA provides a variety of social activities, educational events, and forums that enrich student life and experience.

All degree, cerificate, and diploma candidates in good standing at Harvard Extension School are voting members of HESA.

[edit] Recent headlines

• NY Times: Harvard, for Less: Extension Courses' New Allure

• The Crimson: Virtual Veritas Through hard work and commitment, Harvard Extension School students prove they can go the distance.

• The Crimson: Extension Students Seek Ivy Degrees With lower costs, Extension School education appeals to a broad crowd.

[edit] References

• [6]

[edit] External links

• Harvard Extension School website
• Harvard Extension Student Association (HESA)
• Harvard Extension Alumni Association
• Harvard Extension Business Society
• Harvard Extended blog
• Extension Student Discussion Forum