I’ve recently started looking into getting a graduate certificate in American Studies/American Literature and I like the idea of Harvard Extension School’s program.
https://www.extension.harvard.edu/academics/professional-graduate-certificates/american-literature-culture-certificate
Can anyone tell me what their reputation is, though? Would this be similar to standard Harvard University courses or is it a bit of a joke?
It is not the same as Harvard graduate school nor is it a joke. It is what it is.
The extension is a real part of Harvard, and the courses will make you work, so it is certainly not a joke. But it’s a school intended mostly for working adults and other non-traditional students and is not nearly so difficult or competitive to gain admission to as compared to a regular Harvard graduate school.
People who know about or pay attention to such things (probably including most employers) will recognize and understand the differences between Harvard and the Harvard Extension. But if your goal is to impress people by having a “Harvard” degree, then a Harvard extension certificate hanging on your office or living room wall, when squinted at from across the room, will likely achieve that purpose with quite a few people.
Not to be disrespectful, but your question has literally been asked and answered hundreds of times before. So this thread just screams “Gee, I failed to do my due diligence and adequately search the Harvard forum’s 42-pages of questions relating to Harvard’s Extension School before I posted my already asked question”: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/search?cat=29&adv=1&search=extension+school
I did, in fact, look through a dozen or so posts on HES before posting this. The problem was I essentially found two answers. The first was that HES is a glorified community college. The second was essentially “Harvard is Harvard.” Given the distance between the two, I wasn’t satisfied. Also, it didn’t appear as though anyone had asked this in regards to a graduate certificate, which does not require admission.
Both of those statements are correct. The value of attending Harvard College, or one of Harvard’s graduate schools, is the fact that you were admitted in the first place and the network of contacts you’ll develop through attendance. Harvard is very specific and particular about how extension school students are allowed to list their extension school experience. If you receive a degree from Harvard University Extension School, the degree may be listed on your resume as either: http://www.extension.harvard.edu/resources-policies/completing-your-degree/graduation-honors
If you receive a certificate from Harvard University Extension School, the certificate may be listed on your resume as either: https://www.extension.harvard.edu/tuition-enrollment/pursuing-certificate
I would think employers who you hope to impress with your Harvard credentials would understand the difference between an HES graduate certificate, a graduate degree from HES, and graduate degree from one of Harvard University’s graduate schools, many of whom have single digit acceptance rates (http://www.harvard.edu/schools).
I’ve taken some HES classes. It is not a joke. It’s a serious program and it’s very inexpensive because it is subsidized by the university as a community service. The quality varies, but in general, the courses are very good and can be easy or hard depending on the instructor. Some courses, especially the ones taught by Harvard instructors, are similar to the courses they teach at the college. Sometimes they are a little lighter just because courses typically only meet for 2 hours per week.
Gibby, this question has not been asked often It relates to a grad certificate, not an undergrad or grad degree.
For the certificate, there are no admissions requirements at all. You don’t even have to apply, just register for courses. You have three years to finish. The certificate is four courses total.
You would be considered “preadmitted” and would not be eligible for financial aid, so the cost of the certificate would be $10,200. (For the undergrad and grad extension, you have to do well in a couple of intro courses to gain admission, after which financial aid is available.) Here are financial assistance options for a certificate:
http://www.extension.harvard.edu/tuition-enrollment/financial-aid/nonadmitted-students
I looked through the courses. To me, the trouble with the extension school is that is sometimes feels like a random collection of classes, without the focus available in the larger selection of classes at the college. In addition, 4 courses is not a lot of courses, so not sure how much is gained other than a Harvard certificate on a resume.
So to me this depends on your goals and reasons for taking this. It might be interesting and fun for enrichment. It could look good on a resume. But compared to a grad degree with some depth and focus in an area of American Studies, this approach is lacking, honestly.
Have you thought about a master’s? BU has a great American Studies program with courses in material culture, and Brown is also know for a great program. The Harvard grad program would be good too. William and Mary has a program in preservation as I remember. There are many schools to think about.
If you are already in a related field, and have a BA in American Studies, history, art history, literature and so on, this could be a nice add on without the full commitment of grad school. Harvard Extension also had a renowned museum studies certificate.
The quality of classes at Harvard Extension are varied but from what I have seen they are far more rigorous than many other schools. There are quite a lot of books for each class, for instance, and a couple of longish papers each term, that kind of thing.