Harvard grad credit w/o bachelor degree

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by cookderosa, Aug 15, 2008.

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  1. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    I just ran over this and think many of you may be interested! Through Harvard's Extension school, you can register for grad credit (open enrollment) without having completed your bachelor's degree!

    http://www.extension.harvard.edu/2008-09/register/guidelines/credit.jsp

    It's not stated in the above link, however, in this next link, they do state a maximum of 3 courses for grad credit may be counted toward the ALM degree before you have earned your bachelor's degree. There is no requirement, however, to ever apply to the ALM program. Technically, you could take as many grad credits as you wanted without ever having a bachelor's degree.

    http://extension.harvard.edu/2008-09/programs/alm/reqs/enroll.jsp

    A loop hole or just a cool technicality- however you look at it, this might be very helpful to someone trying to work on their degree(s) at light speed!
     
  2. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    I've seen the course requirements for Harvard Extension graduate courses, and taking those on without the preparation of an undergrad degree would be foolhardy for most people, IMO. It would be like trying to enter the Indy 500 with a learner's permit.

    In any case, the most transfer credit I've seen any graduate program accept is 15 for the Excelsior MLS so I'm not sure how useful this policy would be. I would rather spend the time, effort and money getting the Bachelor's degree finished.

    Good find, though!
     
  3. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    >>

    don't shoot the messenger LOL

    I think a smart way to utilize this type of program might be to use the short 4 week summer sessions DURING the completion of a bachelor's degree. Taking one per summer (available on campus or distance) for 3 summers would give you a great head start if you were planning to enroll at Harvard. Harvard ALM requires 10 courses (40 credits). After only 12 cumulative weeks, you would have accumulated 12 grad level credits...not too large amount to try and transfer into another program if you decided to look elsewhere- but very very fast way to knock out serious credit with minimal time invested. (let's not introduce cost into the discussion LOL)

    Again, I think the perk here, is that it's a bit like dual enrollment for high schoolers- you are not cutting out any work, your just getting a nice head start.
     
  4. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    Oh, I didn't mean to come across like that....as I said, a good find which is interesting. I'm just a believer in completing one goal before taking steps towards another; I'd rather use the time to work in more exams or courses towards the undergrad degree.

    And even for someone who already has a graduate degree, some of the Harvard graduate course requirements created a bit of sticker shock for me.
     
  5. japhy4529

    japhy4529 House Bassist

    Of course one could take the graduate credits obtained from Harvard and apply them towards an undergraduate degree elsewhere. I imagine that most schools will accept transfer credits from Harvard. ;)

    BTW, great find Jennifer!

    Tom
     
  6. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef



    Ya know.....maybe, maybe not. Check first. I have noticed a few schools flat out don't accept transfer credit from "extension" or "continuing ed" divisions/colleges....so of course it's best to explore this possibility before going nuts and enrolling in Mesoamerican Civilizations and Maya Hieroglyphics (unless you simply can't control yourself).

    On the same note, I have run across many online master programs at various universities that ultimately are offering their degrees through continuing education and or extension colleges within the university. Harvard Extension gets crap for it because they're high profile, but I think extension/cont ed colleges are pretty common- and the little detail of "which college at the university?" may not be glaringly obvious.... so as with anything- do your homework first.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 16, 2008
  7. TescStudent

    TescStudent New Member

    This shouldn't be too surprising, as it is quite standard, not a "loophole" or something that is peculiar to Harvard. When you have courses with open enrollment, naturally you can take courses without having a bachelor's degree.

    I'd taken courses at Harvard Extension, and at another graduate school as my bachelor's work at TESC was winding down, and I was later matriculated into both graduate programs, and transferred the graduate credits I had earned before I graduate from TESC, with no problems and no questions asked.
     
  8. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    >>

    That's awesome! Do you mind sharing the names of a few other programs that allow this? Thanks!!
     
  9. lchemist

    lchemist New Member

    Harvard Extension School does not offer summer classes, they are offered through Harvard Summer School, usually the courses are eight weeks long (not 4)
     
  10. TescStudent

    TescStudent New Member

    I don't precisely want to be on record saying that any particular school (aside from Harvard) explicitly allows this, but it's usually not something that forbidden in their policies, and in fact, follows logically from their other policies. A school allows any student to take graduate credit through open enrollment, and permits a certain number of graduate credits taken prior to matriculation to be transferred to the program. Ergo, you can transfer graduate credits you earned when you were not yet a college graduate.

    When I applied to graduate schools, I presented them with two facts:

    1. I have previously earned graduate credit at your institution.
    2. I possess a bachelor's degree.

    That was sufficient for anyone.
     
  11. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    >.

    Oh, ok. I understand what you are saying. The point I was making, is that Harvard doesn't require the bachelor's degree for grad credit.
     
  12. traderneil

    traderneil New Member

    Jennifer post your experience

    Hi: I am very interested in how well you are doing in Harvard's program.

    What is you area of interest? What is your course load? Could you be as specific as possible as to what your goals are???

    I awould love to read it.:):):) Thanks Traderneil LV
     
  13. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    I'll post my update in a new thread.
     

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