The Harvard Summer School community includes diverse and motivated students from around the world. Joining this community requires that every student, whether on campus or online, commit to Harvard Summer School’s high standards of academic and personal conduct. This website, as well as the Student Handbook website, outlines our policies and expectations for all students enrolled at Harvard Summer School.
Student Responsibilities
It is your responsibility to know your rights and obligations as a Harvard Summer School student. These responsibilities include your personal conduct both in and out of the classroom. They also include adhering to the academic standards set by Harvard Summer School.
Learn more about:
Policies
Throughout the summer, you may have questions regarding policies and services, such as the ones below. Feel free to call Academic Services at (617) 495-0977 with questions.
Become familiar with all policies that affect you at Summer School by reading Student Responsibilities, Regulations and Compliance, and Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment Policy and Resources.
State Authorization of Distance Education
Harvard University has been approved by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education to operate its distance education programs under the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), a voluntary agreement among member states, districts and territories that establishes national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education.
Student Complaint Procedures for Online Students
Students enrolled in online courses at the Harvard Division of Continuing Education (DCE) who are residents of states other than Massachusetts, and when such state is a SARA participating state, may submit complaints regarding their courses in accordance with the following school-specific complaint procedures:
- Students must first attempt to resolve their complaint by working with the course instructor.
- If students are unable to resolve their complaint with the instructor, students are encouraged to share their complaint with DCE by writing to AcademicServices@Extension.Harvard.edu. Complaints should include relevant identifying course information, a detailed description of the complaint or inquiry, and an account of any actions already taken to resolve the matter. Efforts will be made to determine the appropriate course of action, and the student will be notified within 10 days following the receipt of a complaint.
- If the attempt to resolve the complaint via these internal school processes fails, students enrolled in online courses may exercise further complaint processes as detailed on the Harvard University State Authorization of Distance Education site.
Harvard University will not in any way retaliate against an individual who reports a perceived violation of Harvard policy, state, federal, or local law. Further, Harvard will not tolerate retaliation by any employee or student.
Exams
Many courses have final exams during the last week of Summer School. In online courses with final exams, instructors may give an online exam or a timed and proctored exam. To learn more about exam policies, see Exams. Check your course website or syllabus for exam details.
Grades
Grades are assigned to students who register in courses at the undergraduate and graduate level. Grades for study abroad programs are generally available one week after the program’s official end dates. Learn more about grades.
Transfer Credit and Accreditation
Many institutions accept transfer credit from Harvard Summer School, which is fully accredited. Learn about accreditation and transfer credit.
Transcripts and Enrollment Verification
You may request a transcript online or submit a transcript request form to Academic Services, and you may also seek verification of your enrollment. See Transcripts and Enrollment Verification.
