Harvard Online? Not Quite

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by friendorfoe, Dec 21, 2006.

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  1. friendorfoe

    friendorfoe Active Member

    Okay, just out of morbid curiosity I looked into the Harvard External Studies to see if it is truly a distance learning gig, and what I found is that it is, sort of, but not really.

    See apparently you must take some of the coursework as given by an on campus tenured Harvard Prof.........and these do not seem to be available online.

    So am I missing the boat, or do all the Harvard External Studies degrees have a campus requirement?
     
  2. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    I believe that Pugman (Greg) can answer this question. I think he has a great experience with Havard Extension.
    :cool:
     
  3. eric.brown

    eric.brown New Member

    I've looked at the Extension programs at Harvard out of curiosity and I think I remember reading that the program is DL except for a 1 month (or is it 1 semester?) residency on campus.
     
  4. MrLazy

    MrLazy New Member

    Directly from the Harvard Extension School website:

     
  5. planejane

    planejane New Member

    One semester is on campus.
     
  6. Pugman

    Pugman New Member

    Hi Friendorfoe!

    You are correct that it's Harvard's ALM is mostly online (is mostly even a word?).

    I plan on taking the 1 class in residence during summer session (I think it's ~ 8 weeks).

    Kind of a pain - but I can't say I blame them...and the remaining courses can be taken online (at least for the ALM-IT degree).

    Greg
     
  7. jesatlarge

    jesatlarge New Member

    It's not really a DL program

    Hey Guys---I'm currently an ALM candidate in Government with this Harvard program. I'm on my fourth course, and since I'm living in China, they've all been DL. I'd like to address a couple of misconceptions about the program.

    1. Only one program--I think it a CIS course-- is set up to be mostly DL. I think there is one course that must be on campus.

    2. Most of the other majors have very limited DL courses. History and Government seem to have the most. However, the programs AREN'T meant to be DL programs. In fact, most of the courses aren't available through DL, and those that are usually have simultaneous Live components. Also, one limits himself severly in terms of course offerings if one tries to construct a primarily DL program. At least that's my experience.

    4. Also, aside from the computer program, at least TWO courses, will be required on campus. The Proseminar is available both summers and term time, but the other required seminars are not available summers and thus require regular term attendance. So, it's a one term, not one summer minimum.

    5. As far as the tenured Harvard Prof stuff goes, there is no requirement about that. What the ALM does require is that 8 of your courses are from "Harvard Instructors". This term is defined in a sort of non-intuitive way by the school, so check it out carefully. But many of the DL offerings are from Harvard Profs including fully tenured holders of endowed Chairs. This is because many of the DL courses are just videos of actual Harvard College course, so you see the same Profs as the HC students.Three of my four courses were like this and all were excellent.

    6. Last, it's a great program!Everyone involved from profs, to TA's, to all the admin folks are incredibly responsive both on the phone and via email. They actually hold your hand---which is the last thing I thought Harvard would do for its DL students. You can even get a Harvard email adress to impress your friends.

    7. I'd be glad to answer any other questions if I can, and if you have them. Cheers.
     

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