Harvard University

About Harvard University

Harvard University is a private Ivy League research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. Established in 1636, it is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. The university's main campus spans approximately 209 acres and is situated along the Charles River. Harvard University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The university is structured into several schools and faculties, each with its own academic focus and course offerings. These include: * **Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS):** This is the largest faculty at Harvard and encompasses Harvard College, the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and the Division of Continuing Education. * **Harvard College:** Offers undergraduate degrees (Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science) across a broad range of liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Common concentrations (majors) include Computer Science, Economics, Government, History, Human Evolutionary Biology, English, Applied Mathematics, and Physics. Students are required to complete a general education curriculum in addition to their concentration requirements. This curriculum typically covers areas such as aesthetics and culture, ethics and civic engagement, histories, societies, and individuals, and science and technology in society. Research opportunities are integrated into many undergraduate programs, particularly through senior thesis projects and faculty-mentored research. * **Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS):** Provides master's and doctoral programs in numerous fields within the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Examples of doctoral programs include Ph.D. in Astronomy, Ph.D. in Biological Sciences in Public Health, Ph.D. in Chemistry, Ph.D. in Comparative Literature, Ph.D. in Earth and Planetary Sciences, Ph.D. in East Asian Languages and Civilizations, Ph.D. in Economics, Ph.D. in Government, Ph.D. in History, Ph.D. in Mathematics, Ph.D. in Music, Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Ph.D. in Philosophy, Ph.D. in Physics, Ph.D. in Psychology, and Ph.D. in Sociology. Master's degrees such as the Master of Arts (AM) and Master of Science (SM) are also offered, often as part of a doctoral track or as terminal degrees in specific fields. * **Harvard Division of Continuing Education:** Offers a variety of programs for non-traditional students, including the Harvard Extension School and Harvard Summer School. The Extension School provides undergraduate and graduate courses, certificates, and degrees, including a Bachelor of Liberal Arts (ALB) and a Master of Liberal Arts (ALM). Courses cover subjects from business and management to arts and humanities, science, and technology. The Summer School offers courses for college students, high school students, and adult learners, including credit-bearing courses and non-credit programs. * **Harvard Medical School (HMS):** Focuses on medical education and biomedical research. It offers the Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree, as well as various master's and Ph.D. programs in medical sciences. Joint degree programs, such as the MD/PhD, are also available. The curriculum for the MD program typically includes foundational science courses, clinical rotations, and opportunities for research. Master's programs include Master of Medical Sciences (MMSc) in areas such as Clinical Investigation, Immunology, and Global Health Delivery. PhD programs are offered through the Division of Medical Sciences (DMS) in fields like Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS), Immunology, Neuroscience, and Virology. * **Harvard Law School (HLS):** Offers legal education. Its primary degree is the Juris Doctor (JD). Other degrees include the Master of Laws (LLM) and Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD). The JD curriculum typically involves foundational courses in contracts, torts, property, constitutional law, and criminal law, followed by a wide array of elective courses and clinical opportunities. HLS also has various research centers and clinics that allow students to gain practical legal experience. * **Harvard Business School (HBS):** Provides graduate-level business education. The main program is the Master of Business Administration (MBA). Other programs include doctoral programs (DBA and Ph.D.) in business administration. The MBA curriculum at HBS is known for its case method approach, which involves analyzing real-world business scenarios. Coursework covers areas such as finance, marketing, operations, strategy, and leadership. * **Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD):** Offers master's and doctoral degrees in architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning, and urban design. Degrees include Master in Architecture (MArch), Master in Landscape Architecture (MLA), Master in Urban Planning (MUP), and Master in Design Studies (MDes). Doctoral programs include the Doctor of Design (DDes) and Ph.D. in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or Urban Planning. The curriculum emphasizes design studio work, theoretical studies, and historical context. * **Harvard Divinity School (HDS):** Focuses on the academic study of religion and theological education. Degrees include the Master of Divinity (MDiv), Master of Theological Studies (MTS), and Master of Theology (ThM). Doctoral programs are offered in conjunction with the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Ph.D. in the Study of Religion). Coursework covers religious history, ethics, theology, and interreligious studies. * **Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE):** Offers master's and doctoral programs in education. Degrees include the Master of Education (EdM), Master of Arts in Education (MA/Ed), Doctor of Education Leadership (EdLD), and Doctor of Philosophy in Education (Ph.D. in Education). Areas of study include human development, learning environments, education policy, and school leadership. * **Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health:** Provides graduate degrees in public health. Degrees include the Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Science (SM), and Doctor of Public Health (DrPH), as well as Ph.D. programs in various public health disciplines (e.g., Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Health Policy). The curriculum addresses global health issues, disease prevention, health policy, and health management. * **John F. Kennedy School of Government (HKS):** Focuses on public policy and public administration. Degrees include the Master in Public Policy (MPP), Master in Public Administration (MPA), and Master in Public Administration/International Development (MPA/ID). Doctoral programs include the Ph.D. in Public Policy and Ph.D. in Political Economy and Government. Coursework covers economics, statistics, policy analysis, and leadership in public service. * **Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM):** Offers dental education and research. The primary degree is the Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD). It also offers advanced graduate programs and postdoctoral training in various dental specialties. The curriculum combines basic science with clinical training. * **Harvard Radcliffe Institute:** Supports scholarship and creative work across academic disciplines and the arts. While not a degree-granting school, it hosts fellows and supports research initiatives that contribute to the broader academic environment of the university. Harvard University maintains a system of libraries, including the extensive Harvard University Library system, which is one of the largest academic library systems in the world. It also operates several museums, such as the Harvard Art Museums and the Harvard Museum of Natural History, which serve as resources for research and education. The university has numerous research centers and institutes that facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration and advanced study across its various schools and departments. These centers often focus on specific areas like international affairs, environmental studies, ethics, and technology. Academic strengths are observed across a wide range of disciplines, particularly in the sciences, humanities, social sciences, medicine, law, and business. The university's research output is substantial, contributing to various fields of knowledge.