HELP PLEASE! Harvard Extension Certificate

Hello all, first time poster here hoping to find answer to some questions about HEX.

I have recently completed my undergrad in management, DL, and I'm looking at either the graduate degree in management or the professional certificate in strategic management. I was initially interested in the certificate because the courses offered are tailored towards my desires. Now I am debating between the Masters and certificate.

Here are my questions:

I current run my own virtual business and I am seeking more knowledge as well as solid credentials...is the certificate something that could hang in my office or is it simply a transcript for filing? Does anyone know what the certificate in strategic management looks like?

Understanding the masters degree receives full alumni status, do individuals completing the certificate receive anything such as ID card, access to libraries, networking opportunities?

I have no connections to any of my college (AA a @ BM, undergrad DL, cert?)Provided I complete the certificate will I look like a complete troll for proudly displaying my accomplishments with HEX t shirts and HEX ring? Can I even have them?

I plan of starting in the fall, if I pursue to Masters can I take all six classes online before having to relocate to the BM to complete?

Thanks in advance for any responses. If it helps any, whichever program I participate in is free to me (Vet.)

 

Hi Dollarandadream. Welcome to Degree Info. Here's some info for new members: http://www.degreeinfo.com/general-distance-learning-discussions/35100-new-users-ask-where-did-my-posts-go.html

I also have looked at Harvard Extension for studies sometime in the future so I'm interested to see if someone knows the answers to your questions.

However, one quick phone call the school should answer all of those and you would get the information straight from the source.

Harvard Extension
617-495-4024
[email protected]

 

Several of us here have taken courses from Harvard Extension (Continuing Education College). All colleges of a university are part of that university, and Harvard is no different. So, yes to all of the above. Yes, they use paper, yes you can have a ring, and yes you can attend graduation, etc. Yes to all of it. If you're at Harvard, you're at Harvard. As to how you feel (like a troll?) that's between you and yourself.

I'm an on-again-off-again student because I can't realistically complete a degree for a number of reasons. I'm unfamiliar with the management paths, however, in the liberal arts paths there are a few barriers that have prevented "me" from completion. I'll share them at the risk of some being irrelevant, you'll have to check. Everything IS on their website, just read every page and you'll be fine

-the 6 online course cap is actually 6 online "option" course cap. That means, that EVEN IF you complete a course ON CAMPUS that offers the online option, it counts toward your 6. That's a very sticky requirement, be sure to review the course selections and see how that pans out for a degree plan for you.

-there is no financial aid until you are enrolled. Before enrollment, you are simply a continuing ed student. I'm in this category. So, you have to complete the entry requirements (for me it's the proseminar, 1 in -major, and 1 other course all B or better). The proseminar is an oncampus class- available in the summer, and the other two can be done online. There isn't any way to do this for under $10k.

-once you are enrolled/accepted, you start the 5 year clock (thesis inside that window). Notice that in the liberal arts areas, each require at least one FIELD requirement. At this time, field requirements are NOT offered during summer session or online. So, that's a full semester in Cambridge or as a commuter.

-January sessions: neat idea, but they don't count toward most degree programs.

-Summer sessions: you can take 8 credits max, so you still do not hit every requirement in 1 residency. BUT, it's only 7 weeks, so potentially doable in 2 summers. (add field requirement and it's 1 summer + 1 full term on campus)

Cool things to consider: AMTRAK station is right there, so if you're within a commuter distance, you could do the class in person. All of the courses are at night and held only 1 night per week. So, in theory, it's not impossible.

Relocation? Ehhhh, I don't think a guy would have to. Frankly though, if you were willing to take everything via distance first, and then attend 1 term ~4 courses, you could temporarily relocate for 1 semester and finish. The problem (isn't there always) is that you're putting off your proseminar until that 1 term, which means you can't enroll, which means you can't get financial aid.

All this, I realize, may not matter since you're a vet. HOWEVER, these questions get asked often, so it's good to revisit from time to time.

FWIW, I love the program. Someday, I will finish. It's exceptional quality. You'll "feel" the difference right away. Your lectures are live, and then uploaded the next day so you can view in real time and then again at your leisure. You'll have professors, not mentors. You'll have TAs who handle the study groups. You'll have study groups You'll have a wide selection of material. You'll have guest speakers who are not IN the field, they ARE the field you're studying. It's truly an amazing place, and in every instance I recommend it. Whether you're 18 and can't get into Harvard College or a 40-something just wanting something cool to study. Your classes will be hard, you'll write a ton, and you'll get great feedback. Your fellow students will be invested in the class, and you'll see why they are so renowned....and that's just from a distance. I can't imagine how mind-blowing it would be to be ON CAMPUS for 4+ years.

So I vote "yes" go for it!

 

Everything Cook said...know a couple of other things too:

If you apply those 5 courses to a cert they cannot be counted towards a degree. I don't know why but they won't allow it.

Also the Management degree track has aheavier burden of required on campus classes than most (4 I think). I suspect it would still be worthwhile...if I could do it...I would.

 

Thanks for the responses all.

I decided to go for the Masters in Business. I plan on taking two classes this fall, one during the Jan session, and continuing with DL classes. I plan on taking the resident courses during the summer and jan sessions. Following this schedule, I should be able to to complete my degree by Summer '14.

Is this over aggressive?

Also, there doesn't seem to be a capstone or thesis requirement for the management degree... anyone confirm or deny this?

 

No it's not overly aggressive, but it will be tough. But in summer of '14 you will have a masters from Harvard! It will be worth it.

 

Hi DollarandaDream,

I am currently a degree candidate at HES, so I will try to answer your questions to the best of my knowledge.

The Professional Certificate program just started last year, IIRC, and to my knowledge, no one has finished it yet. I don't know what it looks like.

They definitely don't get an ID card. That is only for faculty, staff, and those admitted into one of the degree programs. Regarding library access, degree candidates get access and borrowing privledges to all 90 of Harvard's libraries. Certificate candidates get access to Grossman Library (it is a reserve library, so you can study and read the books there, but you can't borrow any of the books). In addition, you have access to the electronic journals. Certificate candidates can also get borrowing privileges at Widener Library if they pay a $100 fee per term.

Regarding networking opportunities, as a certificate candidate, you can network with folks in your class. You can also use the Extension School's Career and Academic Resource Center. However, you don't get any alumni status from Harvard University or the Extension School. If you get your master's then, as you stated, you receive full university alumni status.

I am talking specifically about the certificate program here, not the master's degree. If you want to buy and wear a HES T-Shirt, go for it. They are on sale at the Coop. HOWEVER, A HES ring would be a No Go. Rings are for graduates of degree programs , NOT certificate holders. I question whether you could even order one from the Coop, certainly not a "One Ring". Now, if you are admitted and graduate from the master's program then you can certainly buy a ring.

Yes.

Good luck with your choice. The one thing I would say is to remember that classes earned in the Strategic Management certificate CANNOT be applied to a masters at HES. This, IMHO, is a stupid rule, but it is what it is. I am actually considering going for the Strategic Management cert AFTER I finish my ALM in IT. Almost all of the classes are courses that I want to take anyway to help grow my business.

 

I wrote my post above before reading that you had decided to go the Master's route.

It is not too agressive, but let me make one suggestion. Start with just 1 course this fall. It will help you get your barrings and see how you should pace yourself. You will still graduate at the same time, and this way you don't risk your GPA. Remember that the GPA admissions criteria for the Management program is higher than the other programs (3.33 vs 3.0). Getting even a B already puts you in a position where you MUST play catchup by getting at least an A- in a course.

Also, I will share a personal experience. Before I got admitted to the program, I was planning on finishing as quickly as possible. For whatever reason, once I got admitted I decided to slow down and finish in the Fall of 2013, as opposed to the Spring of 2013. Getting done as quickly as possible just didn't seem as important as enjoying my experience. Also, I attended Harvard Summer School 9 years ago, and decided that it would be a mistake to miss out on that experience again. So I plan on being in the dorms at the Summer School next year also.

I can confirm that. masters programs are either 9 classes and a thesis, or 12 classes. In my area of concentration (Information Management Systems) it is 12 classes.

 

You need to CALL TODAY and ask, but I'm 99% sure the Jan sessions don't count toward a degree. Be SURE when you are looking at classes that you ONLY use the "degree course search" and not the "course search" because they are entirely different things. If the Jan classes are coming up in the degree course search, you might be ok, but I'd still call, because I know for a fact that they don't count toward liberal arts degrees.

 

In the pre-admission counseling they approved my daughters ALB plan to take 8 credits in the January sessions (4 credits each) They also show quite a few Business courses in the January session and state on the website " In three intensive weeks this January, gain skills to stay competitive professionally. If you are an Extension degree candidate, you may be able to fulfill requirements quickly. Use your program’s degree course search and consult an advisor." Three-Week January Courses | Harvard Extension School

 

January sessions do count for the professional masters degree programs. For example, there are 2 classes during the January session that would could for my concentration. There are even more that count toward the OP's planned major.

 

That's great to know. Thanks rebel and mc.

I wish they'd change the liberal arts rule. I just checked it, and it's still in place

"In general, January term courses do not count toward the master’s degree. See the degree course search to determine which courses, if any, may be counted. No more than one approved January course will be accepted toward degree requirements."

http://www.extension.harvard.edu/degrees-certificates/master-liberal-arts/course-selection

 

I checked today and there are many classes avail for Jan session under the management track. Does anyone have experience gaining employment from either career services or traditional job seeking post graduation? I will be transitioning off of active duty around the estimated time of degree completion provided I am able to maintain my schedule.

Also, I have recently completed my undergrad via DL and have come accustomed to online study. Most classes went away from final exams and added terms papers in lieu of finals. How are HEX classes structured? Are there required times for online classes and finals or are assignments tasked to be completed by the end of the week?

 

Let me make a recommendation, and keep in mind that I love Harvard, but I would recommend doing an MBA at a less prestigious school versus the ALM in Management. The title alone raises questions. What in the hell is a Masters in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Management? I'm not discounting the quality of the courses (HES is great) but that is the one track they offer that I'd steer clear of.