Harvard Extension School (HES) is the extension school of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The School offers nearly 1000 courses to help anyone gain new perspectives, develop a professional skill, and earn a Harvard credential.
Harvard Extension School is one of 12 degree-granting institutions at Harvard University Their degrees and certificates are adorned with the Harvard University insignia thus making Harvard Extension School degrees worth it.
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A brief history of Harvard extension school
Why is it called Harvard Extension School?
This is the reason why it is called Harvard Extension School.
The origin of Harvard Extension School can be traced back to 1835. This was when John Lowell Jr. founded the Lowell Institute.
In 1906–07, A. Lawrence Lowell, a trustee of the Lowell Institute and Harvard professor of government, revealed a plan to offer public courses in collaboration with Harvard University. In 1909, when Lowell became president of Harvard, he made that vision a reality.
Later in 1910 Lowell founded the Commission on Extension Courses—hailed by the Boston Evening Transcript as “a new milestone” in education. He saw the commission as an experiment in “popular education.”
The goal was to serve those in the community who had the ability and desire to attend college but had other obligations that kept them from traditional schools.
Admission and registration
Harvard Extension School offers multiple paths to enrollment. Whether you want to fill a knowledge gap in a single course or gain a set of new skills through a certificate or degree, you’ll find an accessible path to meet your goals.
Courses are offered during 15-week fall and spring terms, as well as a 3-week intensive January term. You can also take summer courses through Harvard Summer School.
2022–23 tuition for 4-credit courses.
- $1,880 for undergraduate
- $2,900 for graduate
- $1,500 for noncredit
All figures are based on the 2022–23 tuition rate for 4-credit courses.
Harvard Extension School online
To support active learning, HES created a platform called the Helix classrooms and web conferences. The technology brings together students from around the globe to join an instructor in a live classroom. Check out how to access myDCE.
Helix classrooms and web conferences are “hyflex” – a combination of hybrid and flexible formats.
- Students may join professors live in the classroom.
- Live online students join the class through Zoom displayed on large monitors and seamlessly interact with students in the classroom.
- On-demand students watch professional recordings of the class on their own schedule and interact through online discussion tools.
- Students participate in thoughtful discussions with their peers and engage with their instructor in real-time.
