Harvard Extension School
Harvard Extension School, one of 12 degree-granting schools at Harvard University since 1910, offers part-time undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees, certificates, microcertificates, and individual courses to working adult learners globally through online and on-campus formats.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1910
- HeadquartersCambridge, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Harvard Extension School does
Harvard Extension School is one of 12 degree-granting schools at Harvard University and has operated since 1910 as part of the Harvard Division of Continuing Education (DCE). It provides part-time adult learners with access to Harvard-level education through online, evening, and on-campus formats, serving a global student body that includes working professionals, career changers, premedical students, and graduate degree candidates.
The school's curriculum is built on a stackable credential architecture spanning individual courses, microcertificates, undergraduate and graduate certificates, undergraduate degrees (ALB), graduate degrees (ALM), and a postbaccalaureate premedical program. Recent additions include an Artificial Intelligence Graduate Certificate, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Certificate, Professional Communications Certificate, and Social Justice Certificate, signaling a pivot toward in-demand vocational skills. Delivery is built on the Canvas learning management system with live virtual classroom sessions and on-demand recorded lectures (typically available within hours of class completion).
Revenue is generated primarily through tuition charged per course or per credit hour, with published rates of $1,560 (noncredit), $2,100 (undergraduate credit), and $3,340 (graduate credit) per standard 4-credit course, alongside microcertificate and degree program fees. The school operates as a nonprofit academic division of Harvard University, with no venture funding or external investment, and supports learners globally through a direct-to-consumer enrollment model via extension.harvard.edu and courses.dce.harvard.edu, subject to geographic restrictions on certain sanctioned jurisdictions.
Harvard Extension School firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Harvard Extension School
- Legal name
- Harvard Extension School (Division of Continuing Education, Harvard University)
- Website
- https://extension.harvard.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1910
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Harvard Extension School, one of 12 degree-granting schools at Harvard University since 1910, offers part-time undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees, certificates, microcertificates, and individual courses to working adult learners globally through online and on-campus formats.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Harvard Extension School industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Continuing Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Educational Services (61)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs (EDAAAEAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Online Divisions of Traditional Universities (Hybrid/Extension) (EDAHALAB), Professional & Applied Skills Noncredit Certificates (Non-licensure) (EDAAAEAD), Retention, Persistence & Completion Programs (EDALABAD)
Keywords
Where Harvard Extension School is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cambridge
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Harvard Extension School business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Tuition Revenue: Harvard Extension School generates revenue primarily through tuition fees charged per course or by credit hour. Course fees vary by credit type: noncredit ($1,560), undergraduate credit ($2,100), and graduate credit ($3,340) for standard 4-credit courses.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Noncredit courses |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Undergraduate credit courses |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Graduate credit courses |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Harvard Extension School product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Harvard Extension School provides part-time continuing-education programs including undergraduate and graduate degrees, graduate and undergraduate certificates, microcertificates, individual noncredit and credit courses, and a premedical postbaccalaureate program. Offerings are delivered in online, on-campus evening, and hybrid formats and are designed for working adults who want a Harvard credential.
Product overview
Harvard Extension School is one of 12 degree-granting schools at Harvard University, offering a comprehensive portfolio of continuing education programs since 1910. The institution provides a flexible pathway architecture consisting of undergraduate and graduate degrees (ALB and ALM programs), graduate and undergraduate certificates, microcertificates, individual courses, and a premedical program. Programs are designed for part-time adult learners and offered online, in the evenings, and at the learner's own pace. Core offerings include graduate certificates in fields like Artificial Intelligence, Professional Communications, Social Justice, and Innovation & Entrepreneurship. The school supplements its academic programs with student support services including career services, academic advising, accessibility services, and library access. The portfolio is unified through Harvard's brand and DCE infrastructure while maintaining distinct credential tiers that allow students to stack microcertificates into certificates and ultimately into full degrees.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Graduate Degrees
Companies that use Harvard Extension School
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Harvard Extension School technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Harvard Extension School partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Harvard Extension School competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- edX (2U): Online learning platform offering university-partnered degrees, certificates, and courses, including Harvard-specific content. Direct competitor in the online prestige-credential space.
- Coursera: Online platform partnering with universities (including Ivy League schools) to offer certificates, degrees, and courses globally. Competes with HES on price, format flexibility, and global reach.
Direct peers
- Georgetown School of Continuing Studies: Georgetown's continuing education school offering certificates and professional programs. Comparable in delivering continuing education under a major university brand.
- Columbia University School of General Studies: Columbia's continuing and professional education college for nontraditional/adult learners, offering undergraduate and graduate degrees. Direct structural analog to HES at another Ivy League institution.
- Stanford Continuing Studies: Stanford's continuing education program offering courses, certificates, and degrees for adult learners. Most direct peer in terms of prestige-brand extension school structure.
- Penn LPS (College of Liberal and Professional Studies): University of Pennsylvania's school for part-time adult learners, offering undergraduate and graduate degrees with flexible formats. Direct Ivy League continuing education peer.
- NYU School of Professional Studies (SPS): NYU's school dedicated to part-time adult learners, offering degrees, certificates, and continuing education. Mirrors HES's model of prestige-university continuing education with flexible formats.
- University of Chicago Graham School: UChicago's continuing and professional education division offering certificates, courses, and select degree programs. Comparable Ivy-plus-tier continuing education model.
- UC Berkeley Extension: Berkeley's continuing education arm offering certificates, courses, and select degrees to adult learners. Direct analog as a major research university's extension/continuing education division.
Broad incumbents
- MIT Professional Education: MIT's professional and executive education arm offering short courses and certificates. Overlaps with HES's professional/continuing education focus but with a STEM-and-executive emphasis.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Harvard Extension School social profiles
Digital presenceHarvard Extension School compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Harvard Extension School financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Harvard Extension School leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Harvard Extension School subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Harvard Extension School funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Harvard Extension School M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Harvard Extension School
What does Harvard Extension School do?
Harvard Extension School provides part-time continuing-education programs including undergraduate and graduate degrees, graduate and undergraduate certificates, microcertificates, individual noncredit and credit courses, and a premedical postbaccalaureate program. Offerings are delivered in online, on-campus evening, and hybrid formats and are designed for working adults who want a Harvard credential.
Is Harvard Extension School a public or private company?
Harvard Extension School is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Harvard Extension School founded?
Harvard Extension School was founded in 1910. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Harvard Extension School based?
Harvard Extension School is headquartered in Cambridge, United States, in the North America region.
How does Harvard Extension School make money?
One revenue line is on record: tuition Revenue.
Who are Harvard Extension School's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are edX (2U) and Coursera. Direct peers are Georgetown School of Continuing Studies, Columbia University School of General Studies, Stanford Continuing Studies, Penn LPS (College of Liberal and Professional Studies), NYU School of Professional Studies (SPS), University of Chicago Graham School and UC Berkeley Extension. MIT Professional Education is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Harvard Extension School have an API?
No public API is recorded for Harvard Extension School.
What industry is Harvard Extension School in?
Harvard Extension School's product category is Continuing Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAAEAA, University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs, with a secondary code of EDAHALAB, Online Divisions of Traditional Universities (Hybrid/Extension). Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.