Maximum number of semesters at Harvard?

[altanner1991]

I am wondering if there are limits to the number of semesters (or maybe credits) which can be taken over the years at Harvard College, ignoring the limits of financial aid?

[gibby]

Harvard student’s are expected to graduate in 4 years by taking a minimum of 32 courses (4 classes per semester for 8 semesters – see: http://handbook.fas.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do?keyword=k104674&tabgroupid=icb.tabgroup184048).

If a student needs additional time at the college to obtain their degree, the student must petition Harvard’s Administrative Board for permission to do so in the summer term: http://handbook.fas.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do?keyword=k104674&pageid=icb.page673421

Students who have not completed the degree requirements within the allotted number of terms (“lost degree" candidates) may complete degree requirements only by enrolling in the Harvard Summer School, by successfully petitioning the Administrative Board for an additional term (see Additional Term), or, if eligible, by enrolling in a program of study approved by the Committee on Education Abroad (see Study Abroad).

If a student needs additional time at the college to obtain their degree and is on financial aid, they also must petition the Committee on Financial Aid and explain why they have been unable to complete their degree in 4 years. Depending on the reason, the Committee on Financial Aid may or may not grant FA for additional terms.

[altanner1991]

Thank you, there is however no mention of a maximum of 8 terms.

[compmom]

Four years is 8 terms. Why are you asking?

If a student takes a reduced course load due to documented health issue/disability, then extra time is possible to graduate and financial aid for that extra time is also possible- after the process of petition described above is followed.

[gibby]

Harvard is a very bureaucratic institution, and students must meet every semester with their advisor to make sure that they are on track to complete their degree in 8 terms. Students that fall behind, for whatever reason, are subject to Administrative Board action and the possibility of not being allowed to register for subsequent terms – ie. if a student falls behind their sophomore year, they must obtain permission from their resident dean, who must obtain permission from the Administrative Board, for that student to continue their studies. In the Harvard Handbook, it’s called RATE OF WORK. See: http://static.fas.harvard.edu/registrar/ugrad_handbook/current/chapter2/registration_course_enrollment.html

Rate of Work

The normal rate of work is FOUR HALF COURSES per term, at least one of which must be taken for degree credit and a letter grade and offered by the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.

Ordinarily, **no student may work at a rate less than necessary to maintain a yearly average rate of FOUR FULL COURSES passed/b.

Any freshman who wishes to complete fewer than four half courses per term must obtain the approval of his or her Resident Dean of Freshmen. Students who do not proceed toward the degree at a satisfactory rate are subject to Administrative Board action, including denial of permission to register for subsequent terms.

Additional Term

In exceptional cases, and only to meet specific degree requirements, **students may petition the Administrative Board for permission to remain in the College for one term beyond the end of the second term of their senior year. **Tuition for an additional term is charged at a per course rate. Ordinarily, students in an additional term are not eligible for College housing or financial aid. Before petitioning the Administrative Board for an additional term, students should consult with their Allston Burr Resident Dean about their proposed academic program, tuition and fees, and eligibility for College housing and financial aid. The Board will weigh the academic record and performance in the community when considering these petitions. Under no circumstances will the Board grant a student permission for more than one additional term.

[Nerdyparent]

They probably want to keep that statistic of % of students who graduate in 4 years maxed out.