The Harvard Extension School

[corpsole2]

I'm wondering how many of you have had experience or know about the Harvard Extension School?

For those who don't know, HES is Harvard's continuing education, degree granting school - on par with their world renowned business school and law school. It has been derisively called "the backdoor into Harvard" since it is open admission, largely online and costs one fourth of what you'd normally pay if you went the traditional route.

I have been communicating with a friend who "attends" HES, and he has told me that he is every bit a student as other undergrads who attend full time. On graduation, he'll get the Bachelor of Liberal Arts (ALB) degree instead of the traditional A.B. degree. Still, he says he would be a member of the huge alumni network.

I'm looking at HES for grad school work - possibly for an ALM in Government. A three credit course at the graduate level costs $2200, and you need twelve courses and a thesis to graduate. This would be far less money for a Master's in Government than if I went the full monty and attended the Kennedy School of Government.

Is the teaching and coursework the same quality as those who attend lectures in person? I have been told it is. You get the same instructors and same assignments, you have access to their extensive library network and to their mentors.

Although it is open admission, before you can enroll you are required to take three courses and get a cumulative B+ grade. This ostensibly shows them you know how to do the work. Once you enroll, financial aid can kick in.

Harvard has always been a dream for me, one that I had put in the "unreachable" category. But perhaps it isn't so much anymore. :-)