FYI: Harvard Extension Diploma

From http://distanceed.dce.harvard.edu/

What does the transcript/diploma?

Any student who completes a course at the Extension School can get a transcript listing their grade(s). Because the Extension School does not distinguish between on-campus and distance students, the transcript does not specificy if a course is completed via Distance Education or not. Students who complete a program through the Extension School receive a diploma. All Harvard University diplomas list the university (Harvard), the school (Extension), and the type of degree but not the concentration of study. Harvard diplomas are in Latin, and therefore not generally useful for describing a course of study. It is appropriate to list a degree or certificate obtained by the name used in the program description, and additional detail can be obtained by requesting a transcript of coursework.



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Jonathan Liu
http://www.geocities.com/liu_jonathan/distance.html

 

My diploma from Harvard says:
Bachelor of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies
although it is always abbreviated ALB (as in the Latin). The ALB is the only Bachelors degree you can get at Harvard Extension. At one point the ALM was the only Masters you could get although you can now get an IT Masters now (still called an ALM). When I got my ALB (1986) there were no DL classes at all. You had to navigate all those torturous one-way streets in Cambridge searching for a parking space. Of course, I could have paid for a Harvard parking sticker but then I never would have learned the secrets of illegal parking in Cambridge. ;-) Jack

 

Hey fellas, another quick problem I found I have with the Harvard Extension DL program is that they only offer about 26 classes a year (~12 a semester), the bulk of them are strictly computer related (like Java programming and the like), and even the few that are regular courses seem to have prerequisites which are not currently being offered that semester. (I know that Harvard Ext. says you do not HAVE to take the prerequisite, but it would still be a good idea)...

All in all, at that pace, (with most classes pertaining to computers, and most classes with prerequisites) it seems to make it almost impossible for a DL student to take 3 or 4 classes a semester and complete the program in a timely manner.

Any clarification on this?

Thanks.

 

As I mentioned in my previous posting in this thread, There were no DL courses being offered by Harvard Extension when I got my degree so I don't know any more about it than anyone else who peruses the website. It seems to me however that they are quite clear about the fact that you cannot complete any of the degree programs solely through the DL courses on offer. The school continues to expect that you'll have your butt in a Harvard classroom for a significant number of classes before you'll get a degree. I imagine that the DL courses are more for the purpose of helping with scheduling conflicts or so students can more easily take a credit overload without having to drive into Cambridge too many times per week, etc.
Jack

 

Oh ok, I apologize (a bit anyways) as I was somehow under the impression that it could be done practically completely DL, please forgive me I've been browsing alot recently and been in a flurry, wasn't able to get everything down no matter how much I read. But I still thought, after reading alot, I thought I rememeber reading that Harvard Ext. tried to design their program that a DL student could do it all over internet. You know, sometimes information gets mixed around in your mind a bit.

Upon second look, it appears from what they are saying is that the DL program is still very new, only about 6 months old?

Anyways, another stickler about the program is that, a minimum of 64 units (exactly half the BA) must be completed with Harvard. This is no doubt legitimate and understandable, but just makes it that much tougher , as many other schools have a 30 unit residency requirement. (64 units, that's about 16 (+) classes, or at least 2+ years with considerable effort). No doubt difficult for someone who already has 90 or 100 credits under their belt and has to go back to being a late sophomore.

Let's cross our fingers and just hope that Harvard DL decides to multiply their available online courses. I am anyways.

Any other comments on Harvard Extension, small talk or big, appreciated. Thanks.

 

Hi, Mike!

I was considering enrolling in one of Harvard Extension's certificates since there are a couple of them that can be completed entirely via distance education. The fact that they were relatively expensive took me aback, nonetheless. Thus, I ordered a printed catalog to try to see if there was an alternative to this, like transferring classes. Unfortunately, the printed catalog clearly states that transferring is not permitted for any of the certificates. Too bad for me! Incidentally, transferring policies (at least for the certificates) are not online, so that is why I ordered the printed catalog.

My two "peniques".

Take care,


Karlos Albert Lacaye
[email protected]

 

You're right, they will let you transfer only so many credits. It's a discouragement for many people. Another thing ... one of the great things about this program is that it's the regular Harvard faculty who teach the extension classes. There are instructors from lots of the surrounding universities in the Boston area as well but you have to be carful because the regulations require that a certain significant percentage of your courses be taught be the Harvard faculty. This sometimes means having to let go of a course that you'd like to take because it's being taught by a Professor from Boston College or Boston University, etc. It's just another indication of how picky they are about wanting this to be a "Harvard" degree.
Jack

 

Oh how I do echo that! I've heard very good things about Harvard Extension School courses, but my oh my, to get an actual degree through the School requires an everpresent, sharp-eyed understanding of what courses may be counted toward the degree, including requirements that only a limited amount of Harvard Extension School courses taught by "non-Harvard" people may be applied toward the credit allotment. To make things even more confusing, some teachers who have formal, institutional Harvard affiliations don't count as "Harvard faculty" for these purposes.

 

You can try the certificate programs offered through Penn State- they allow up to two transfer courses for most.

 

Thanks, Dunklint!

Regards,

Karlos A. Lacaye
[email protected]