<p>Hi everyone
I am interested to study masters at Harvard extension. I just have some questions.
Since it is online, Is there interaction with the professors? Or is it a self study program?
I attended a distance learning school which offer only videos of professors and the only help were from other students in a study forum. Is Harvard extension similar to this?
2. If i graduate with a Harvard extension masters can I apply for phd in other schools like NYU, UC? Or perhaps instead of going to Harvard ex I should just stick with a state university?</p>
<p>Any feedback will be great thanks</p>
<p>It is perfectly OK for you to contact the administration at Harvard Extension and ask all of these questions. They will be happy to answer them for you.</p>
<p>I also encourage you to contact the admissions office at the Harvard Extension School to ask these questions. But check the website first:</p>
<p>[Distance</a> Education | Harvard Distance Learning Courses](<a href=“http://www.extension.harvard.edu/distance-education]Distance”>http://www.extension.harvard.edu/distance-education)</p>
<p>HES says that most of their classes have video courses, in which faculty members are videotaped lecturing and the lectures are made available to students. Sometimes, the lectures are broadcast live, and sometimes they are made available through video-conferencing - which you watch live and also participate in by asking questions and having limited discussion. However, since the beauty of online classes is that you can take them whenever you want and do your assignments on your own time, I would imagine this represents the minority of the classes there.</p>
<p>Most of the times, communication with professors through online courses takes places via email and/or the discussion board in the classroom management system. The Extension school’s FAQ answers that question: [Frequently</a> Asked Questions](<a href=“http://www.extension.harvard.edu/distance-education/frequently-asked-questions]Frequently”>http://www.extension.harvard.edu/distance-education/frequently-asked-questions). A distance program is much more self-study than a taught course, though.</p>
<p>As to your second question…yes and no. Theoretically, yes, you can. Your transcript won’t indicate that you completed your course through distance education, although it probably will list that you went to the Harvard Extension School and professors will make assumptions on that basis.</p>
<p>In practice, however, successful PhD students are typically ones who have had lots of interactions with professors and research experiences directly with them. You need professors who can write you strong recommendation letters; online classes are difficult in that regard because what will they write about you? You’re a face behind a computer screen; they can only comment about your grades and classwork. You also need research experience with professors who can comment on that kind of experience, and few professors will be willing to hire or take a volunteer RA through a distance program.</p>
<p>With that, it’s probably better to attend a public university where you can go in person, develop relationships with professors, and get research experience.</p>