Harvard Extension School Students Rally for Degree Name Change

[LevelUP]

But if an employer does a background check, Harvard will say your degree is this:
"Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies"
It won't list your concentration. And if I'm not wrong (someone can correct me), Harvard won't show your concentration on the actual diploma either.

That part's not unusual, and what it says on your diploma isn't really material as nobody except you (and the people who look at it hanging on your wall) ever sees it. My diploma from TESU just says "Bachelor of Arts". You have to go to my transcript to see that it was in Computer Science.

For TESU if you get a Business Administration degree, it will say on the diploma "Bachelor of Science in Business Administration."

[davewill]

But if an employer does a background check, Harvard will say your degree is this:
"Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies"
It won't list your concentration. And if I'm not wrong (someone can correct me), Harvard won't show your concentration on the actual diploma either.

That part's not unusual, and what it says on your diploma isn't really material as nobody except you (and the people who look at it hanging on your wall) ever sees it. My diploma from TESU just says "Bachelor of Arts". You have to go to my transcript to see that it was in Computer Science.

For TESU if you get a Business Administration degree, it will say on the diploma "Bachelor of Science in Business Administration."

Yes, but it won't mention your concentration, like marketing, accounting, etc...

---

You have to go to my transcript to see that it was in Computer Science.

But doesn't the HES transcript ALSO say Bachelors/Masters of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies? I think that's the issue. That means nothing; it's a joke. Obviously the school name should remain as is --- that is distinction enough from "real" Harvard. Further delegitimization through degree concentration tomfoolery is punitive and... Silly.

I know. I already said that part was BS. I was just commenting on the concentration not being on the diploma.

[sanantone]

I'm not a big fan of all 'extension' schools lol
That means you're getting 'less than' normal school.
Less prestige, less competitive admissions, less challenging education, etc ...

Why bother with 'extension' schools unless you're not serious about degrees?

There are many other top universities that offer 'online' version of their degree programs that don't come with 'extension' stigma.
These top school 'online' programs are interchangeable with their on-campus programs. e.g. you can start as an online student and later transfer to on-campus program.
I choose these top school online programs over any watered down 'extension' programs.

The argument people give is that they wanted a Harvard education. HES students do get to take classes with Harvard professors. My opinion is that one can get a good education at a state university with a higher acceptance rate. 

Truthfully, I think a lot of people attend HES because they think it's a backdoor way to get a Harvard degree one can brag about. Harvard has done everything possible to try to prevent HES students from benefiting from the Harvard name. Harvard is being elitist in separating its students but so were the students when they chose to attend HES over a well-ranked state university that might have been cheaper. 

With that said, admission to a well-ranked state university isn't guaranteed either, and HES offers earn-your-way admission.

[Alpha]

It's total speculation on my part but I believe that Harvard wants to retain some distinction between the "regular Harvard degrees" and the HES degrees.  I'll bet that, despite the protests, the name will remain as it is.

[ss20ts]

It's total speculation on my part but I believe that Harvard wants to retain some distinction between the "regular Harvard degrees" and the HES degrees.  I'll bet that, despite the protests, the name will remain as it is.

Of course Harvard wants to retain distinction between the 2. HES admits people that Harvard won't. They're also not paying the same tuition.

[SweetSecret]

Here's a thought, if HES is technically issuing Harvard degree (no separate business was setup), then HES is essentially one of Harvard's schools the same as the school Harvard School of Law, or Harvard School of Medicine. Therefore, shouldn't everyone who applies and is admitted to HES be counted in Harvard's overall admittance rate - therefore changing their 2% claim? It's ridiculous to say "we are exclusive" just because we "want to look exclusive" especially if the classes are taught by the same professors and students are co-mingled. Maybe what the current and past students should do is take Harvard to court for false claims.

Havard's tagline for HES is "division of continuing education", which at any other school would offer CEUs rather than formal college credits. This also is rather misleading. HES bachelor and master degrees or no more continuing education than any other mainstream college or university schools that also offer formal credits.

I agree that I find the whole random degree names ridiculous. I think HES offers some great programs but when I wanted to pursue an MBA I realized I did not want to have to explain how an MBA and their HES Management degree (with the option for electives that essentially bring the credits up to the same as an MBA) are essentially the same thing.

I see no reason to differentiate people who earned their way in through the initial classes than anyone taking the regular Harvard college courses. If anything I would say that this could be a form of classism because some students simply cannot do well because of the situations they live in, and thus need an opportunity to control their own environment better in order to succeed. There's no reason that needs to be listed on the degree though.

In my opinion the fact that the students are simply doing a petition to the school is the nicest way to go, but I would also say I think they have valid reasons to take it to court.

[smartdegree]

In my opinion the fact that the students are simply doing a petition to the school is the nicest way to go, but I would also say I think they have valid reasons to take it to court.

I've never imagined the possibility of this getting to court.  But now that I think about it, all the advertising online and even HES' website says the degree is an ALM in X and not extension studies.  In court, Harvard could argue that's it's all in the fine print when they sign on the dotted line, but the students could win some $$$ with a false advertising claim.  That is a possibility.  If students win a false advertising claim, that could be the strongest incentive for HES to fix this issue once and for all.

[Alpha]

From the website:
"We are a fully accredited Harvard school. Our degrees and certificates are adorned with the Harvard University insignia. They carry the weight of that lineage. Our graduates walk at University commencement and become members of the Harvard Alumni Association.

As one of 12 degree-granting institutions at Harvard University, we teach to the largest and most eclectic student body. Our students come to us from every time zone, every culture and career background, every age from 18 to 89."

So they actually are one of the 12 schools that comprise Harvard University.  They do use many of the same instructors but I do not think the Harvard College students generally attend HES courses.
https://extension.harvard.edu/

[SweetSecret]

"They do use many of the same instructors but I do not think the Harvard College students generally attend HES courses.
https://extension.harvard.edu/"

Someone else on this thread mentioned that online classes often contains students from both HES and the more exclusive Harvard schools, so I'm guessing they are commingled through whatever online system (i.e. Canvas or Blackboard) that is being used. I could easily see that happening.

[raekwon]

The Extension School isn't the regular Harvard. So yeah I can see some employers not hiring people with the Extension School degrees. Same thing happens with PUG. Same thing happens to lots of people because there is bias against and for certain schools. Where I live, people either love or hate the local college. Some graduates have an easy time finding a job locally. Others don't because not everyone loves the school. There's bias everywhere and it's around us in everything in life.

True. And working to remove bias as much as possible would be a good thing, yes?

Actually, Harvard could rename the 'Extension School' to 'Executive School.'
Hurrah, problems have gone, and they can charge triple the price even.

That would really anger the Harvard alumni base since that would sound more prestigious.

Good.