Graduate Certificates | Harvard Extension School (2024)

Table of Contents
Explore Topics & FAQs Arts, Literature, & Media American Literature and Culture Graduate Certificate Digital Storytelling Graduate Certificate Museum Studies Graduate Certificate Philosophy and Ethics Graduate Certificate Visual Arts Graduate Certificate Business & Management Business Communications Graduate Certificate Business Economics Graduate Certificate Corporate Finance Graduate Certificate Data Analytics Graduate Certificate Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Leadership Graduate Certificate Innovation and Entrepreneurship Graduate Certificate Marketing Management and Digital Strategy Graduate Certificate Nonprofit Management Graduate Certificate Organizational Behavior Graduate Certificate Principles of Finance Graduate Certificate Project Management Graduate Certificate Real Estate Investment Graduate Certificate Strategic Management Graduate Certificate Education Learning Design and Technology Graduate Certificate Math Leadership Graduate Certificate Global Studies International Relations Graduate Certificate International Security Graduate Certificate Nuclear Deterrence Graduate Certificate Religions of the World Graduate Certificate Life Sciences Bioinformatics Graduate Certificate Biotechnology Management Graduate Certificate Health and Society Graduate Certificate Topics in Biology Graduate Certificate Psychology Topics in Human Behavior Graduate Certificate Social Sciences & Cultural Studies American Literature and Culture Graduate Certificate Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Leadership Graduate Certificate Health and Society Graduate Certificate Philosophy and Ethics Graduate Certificate Religion and Society Graduate Certificate Religions of the World Graduate Certificate Social Justice Graduate Certificate Sustainability & the Environment Corporate Sustainability and Innovation Graduate Certificate Environmental Policy and International Development Graduate Certificate Natural Resource Management and Sustainable Ecosystems Graduate Certificate Sustainable Cities and Communities Graduate Certificate Sustainable Food Systems Graduate Certificate Technology Back End Web Development Graduate Certificate Cybersecurity Graduate Certificate Data Analytics Graduate Certificate Data Science Graduate Certificate Front End Web Development Graduate Certificate Learning Design and Technology Graduate Certificate Programming Graduate Certificate FAQs How do I get started pursuing a certificate? Is a graduate certificate valuable? Can I earn a graduate certificate while earning a master’s degree? Explore Related Programs FAQs References

Develop new skills and build expertise in a specialized area to advance your career. Nearly 90% of our certificate earners report that they are confident that their certificate has prepared them for their next step. Explore your graduate certificate options below.

Explore Topics & FAQs

  • Technology
  • FAQs

Arts, Literature, & Media

  • American Literature and Culture Graduate Certificate

    Deepen your understanding of American literary works and cultural themes.

    Program Details

  • Digital Storytelling Graduate Certificate

    Learn how to produce and distribute journalistic content through engaging, innovative digital formats.

    Program Details

  • Museum Studies Graduate Certificate

    Gain a deeper understanding of what it takes to be an agile museum practitioner for the twenty-first-century museum.

    Program Details

  • Philosophy and Ethics Graduate Certificate

    Explore questions of human existence and knowledge, truth, ethics, and the nature and meaning of life through some of history’s greatest thinkers.

    Program Details

  • Visual Arts Graduate Certificate

    Explore and analyze the arts in their contexts through observation, hands-on artistic creative processes, and academic study.

    Program Details

Business & Management

  • Business Communications Graduate Certificate

    Learn to deliver clear, concise, and convincing messaging to advance ideas, build consensus, and resolve conflict.

    Program Details

  • Business Economics Graduate Certificate

    Learn how to integrate economic principles and business concepts.

    Program Details

  • Corporate Finance Graduate Certificate

    Gain the knowledge and tools needed for corporate financial analysis and decision making.

    Program Details

  • Data Analytics Graduate Certificate

    Deepen your analytics knowledge to inform strategic business decisions.

    Program Details

  • Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Leadership Graduate Certificate

    Lead your organization to a culture of inclusive excellence.

    Program Details

  • Innovation and Entrepreneurship Graduate Certificate

    Develop essential knowledge and skills to innovate and develop new ventures.

    Program Details

  • Marketing Management and Digital Strategy Graduate Certificate

    Gain the tools and techniques you need to engage audiences and inspire action in today’s complex, multichannel landscape.

    Program Details

  • Nonprofit Management Graduate Certificate

    Gain a deeper understanding of the skills and knowledge needed to solve problems.

    Program Details

  • Organizational Behavior Graduate Certificate

    Develop a deeper understanding of human behavior in an organizational setting.

    Program Details

  • Principles of Finance Graduate Certificate

    Learn to use financial information to make business decisions.

    Program Details

  • Project Management Graduate Certificate

    Gain the technical and business management skills to initiate, plan, execute, monitor, and close a project.

    Program Details

  • Real Estate Investment Graduate Certificate

    Develop practical, real-world knowledge and skills for investing in real estate.

    Program Details

  • Strategic Management Graduate Certificate

    Help contribute to the big picture at your organization using key business and management principles.

    Program Details

Education

  • Learning Design and Technology Graduate Certificate

    Learn to create and implement effective learning experiences on digital platforms.

    Program Details

  • Math Leadership Graduate Certificate

    Gain transformational skills in math teacher leadership, including coaching and mentoring.

    Program Details

Global Studies

  • International Relations Graduate Certificate

    Build an interdisciplinary understanding of the roles of sovereign nations, relationships among countries, and international organizations.

    Program Details

  • International Security Graduate Certificate

    Gain insight into the complex issues that shape the global security landscape.

    Program Details

  • Nuclear Deterrence Graduate Certificate

    Gain understanding of the history and contemporary issues related to nuclear deterrence, security, nonproliferation, and arms control.

    Program Details

  • Religions of the World Graduate Certificate

    Gain insight into the historical origins of the world’s religious traditions.

    Program Details

Life Sciences

  • Bioinformatics Graduate Certificate

    Learn to identify, compile, analyze, and communicate complex biological and genetic data.

    Program Details

  • Biotechnology Management Graduate Certificate

    Gain skills to effectively lead teams working in the field biotechnology.

    Program Details

  • Health and Society Graduate Certificate

    Learn to address systemic health inequities and understand how these impact public policy and business practices.

    Program Details

  • Topics in Biology Graduate Certificate

    Deepen your understanding of advanced concepts in the field of biology.

    Program Details

Psychology

  • Topics in Human Behavior Graduate Certificate

    Understand human emotion, resilience, motivation, and bias.

    Program Details

Social Sciences & Cultural Studies

  • American Literature and Culture Graduate Certificate

    Deepen your understanding of American literary works and cultural themes.

    Program Details

  • Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Leadership Graduate Certificate

    Lead your organization to a culture of inclusive excellence.

    Program Details

  • Health and Society Graduate Certificate

    Learn to address systemic health inequities and understand how these impact public policy and business practices.

    Program Details

  • Philosophy and Ethics Graduate Certificate

    Explore questions of human existence and knowledge, truth, ethics, and the nature and meaning of life through some of history’s greatest thinkers.

    Program Details

  • Religion and Society Graduate Certificate

    Build a multidisciplinary foundation for understanding the complex religious influences in modern societies at the local, national, and global level.

    Program Details

  • Religions of the World Graduate Certificate

    Gain insight into the historical origins of the world’s religious traditions.

    Program Details

  • Social Justice Graduate Certificate

    Explore theoretical and practical questions of economic, political, and social rights through a variety of lenses.

    Program Details

Sustainability & the Environment

  • Corporate Sustainability and Innovation Graduate Certificate

    Gain the skills you need to help your organization adopt sustainable practices.

    Program Details

  • Environmental Policy and International Development Graduate Certificate

    Deepen your knowledge of pressing global issues like climate change, resource scarcity, and population growth.

    Program Details

  • Natural Resource Management and Sustainable Ecosystems Graduate Certificate

    Gain a deeper understanding of the impact that population growth and climate change is placing on food supply, resources, and land.

    Program Details

  • Sustainable Cities and Communities Graduate Certificate

    Build the knowledge and skills necessary to help cities and communities design, develop, and maintain more sustainable systems.

    Program Details

  • Sustainable Food Systems Graduate Certificate

    Prepare yourself to address present and future challenges of food sustainability.

    Program Details

Technology

  • Back End Web Development Graduate Certificate

    Learn how to build and maintain the technology that powers the administrator side of a website.

    Program Details

  • Cybersecurity Graduate Certificate

    Gain a critical understanding of the technological needs, threats, and weaknesses in cybersecurity.

    Program Details

  • Data Analytics Graduate Certificate

    Deepen your analytics knowledge to inform strategic business decisions.

    Program Details

  • Data Science Graduate Certificate

    Derive predictive insights by applying advanced statistics, modeling, and programming skills.

    Program Details

  • Front End Web Development Graduate Certificate

    Gain the technical knowledge and skills necessary to power dynamic visuals and interactions on the web.

    Program Details

  • Learning Design and Technology Graduate Certificate

    Learn to create and implement effective learning experiences on digital platforms.

    Program Details

  • Programming Graduate Certificate

    Learn the fundamentals of computer programming and language.

    Program Details

FAQs

How do I get started pursuing a certificate?

To learn more about getting started on a certificate, joining virtual office hours, and using student resources, visit Pursuing a Certificate.

Is a graduate certificate valuable?

Harvard Extension students most often report pursuing a graduate certificate to deepen their professional expertise and advance in their current career. A certificate is ideal for people attempting to move up in their current field. The courses can be completed on a part-time basis, allowing many to continue working full time. In fact, many studentsreported achieving their goals while still in the program.

In a survey of 1,000 students who had just completed their certificate program, 42 percent said they took on more responsibilities at work, received a promotion, or changed careers while pursuing the credential. Read more about the value of a graduate certificate.

Can I earn a graduate certificate while earning a master’s degree?

Yes! Earning a graduate certificate can be a great first step toward earning a master’s degree. At Harvard Extension School, 44% of certificate earners choose this route, affording them the benefits of both credentials.

Most of our certificates stacktoward at least one Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) degree. You can earn a graduate certificate on your way to a master’s degree by choosing courses required for a certificate that also count toward a related master’s.

For prospective students having trouble deciding between a degree and a certificate,stackable credentials make it easy to start with smaller goals before making the leap to a master’s.

Explore Related Programs

Browse ourProgram Finderto search for graduate degrees, certificates, undergraduate degrees by topic area.

Graduate Certificates | Harvard Extension School (2024)

FAQs

Is a graduate certificate from Harvard Extension School worth it? ›

Develop new skills and build expertise in a specialized area to advance your career. Nearly 90% of our certificate earners report that they are confident that their certificate has prepared them for their next step.

Are graduate certificates worth it? ›

A graduate certificate can boost your stats and demonstrate that you have unlocked a new set of skills. Benefits of earning a graduate certificate include broadening your professional opportunities, increasing your salary and qualifying for new jobs.

Will a graduate certificate help me get into grad school? ›

A graduate certificate is not considered a graduate degree, like a master's or doctoral degree. However, it can provide a strong foundation for future study that results in a graduate degree. The credits earned in a graduate certificate program may satisfy requirements for entry into certain graduate programs.

What is the difference between a graduate certificate and a diploma? ›

The main difference between a graduate certificate vs graduate diploma is the time it takes to complete each. Compared to the four-five months it takes to finish a graduate certificate, it takes up to 12 months of full-time study to complete the eight units required in a graduate diploma.

Is Harvard Extension School a real Harvard degree? ›

Harvard Extension School is one of the 12 degree-granting schools at Harvard University. Since 1910, we have been providing educational opportunities to adult, part-time learners driven to make an impact in the world.

Is Harvard Extension School looked down on? ›

Unfortunately, the reputation of the Harvard Extension School in the eyes of the public is mixed. This is partly because of a large number of HES grads who don't acknowledge they went to the Extension School.

Do employers like graduate certificates? ›

Graduate certificates demonstrate your specialization in these skills for immediate application and your commitment to keeping your abilities current. Even if post-graduate education is not mandatory for a job, having a mastery of specialized knowledge can put you at the front of the applicant pack.

Is a graduate certificate respected? ›

Yes, earning a graduate certificate can be valuable to employers. Certificates cover various topics, such as technology, leadership, environmental issues, IT, and diversity and inclusion. Earning a graduate certificate demonstrates an ongoing commitment to learning.

What is a graduate certificate equivalent to? ›

Similar to a master's degree, a graduate certificate is a credit-based academic credential offered by a university. However, a graduate certificate is more narrowly focused on a specialized field than a master's degree. Graduate certificates are a significantly smaller investment in time and money than a master's.

Can you turn a graduate certificate into a Masters? ›

While graduate certificate courses are offered at the graduate level, they do not amount to a graduate degree. However, you may be able to apply the credits you earn toward a master's if you choose to pursue an advanced degree.

Does a graduate degree certificate look good on a resume? ›

Having an extra credential like a Graduate Certificate on your resume can give you an edge at hiring time. It also shows potential employers that you're willing to go beyond to achieve your career goals.

How do you list a graduate certificate on your resume? ›

For each certification and license that you list on your resume include:
  1. The full name of the certification (any common abbreviation can be included in parentheses)
  2. The issuing organization (or state)
  3. The date you earned the certification.
  4. The location (if applicable and not implied by the issuer)
Jan 17, 2023

How long is a graduate certificate? ›

Most graduate certificates require at least two semesters of coursework, which takes 7 – 12 months to complete. Students may complete the certificate over a longer period if desired. If you take just 1 course per semester, you can complete a graduate certificate in 2 -3 years.

What is a graduate certificate worth? ›

The value of this is twofold: 1. It reduces your upfront tuition burden if you choose to pursue a master's degree in the future and 2. It allows you to dip your toes into the water of a new field or career path without requiring you to commit to a full-time graduate program.

What is a graduate certificate vs. master's? ›

A master's degree offers in-depth education, requiring 1 to 3 years of commitment with 30 to 45 credit hours. A graduate certificate provides specialized skills in a shorter time frame—typically within a year—requiring 9 to 15 total credit hours.

Are certificates from Harvard worth it? ›

An online certificate from Harvard can pay off. According to Harvard, nearly 90% of certificate graduates say the certificate prepared them for their next step. Harvard also reports that many certificate students earned a promotion or landed a new job while earning their certificate.

Is Harvard Extension respectable? ›

"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." Extension students hold Harvard ID cards, get a Harvard email address, study in the university's libraries, and work in its labs.

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