Study Economics, Finance, and Public Policy at Harvard

What You’ll Learn

Are you fascinated by the forces that shape our world and drive traditional public leadership? This summer, develop your financial and business savvy while honing your critical thinking and strategic planning skills. Spend your time building a foundational understanding of economic principles or financial wellbeing.

The 7-week Secondary School Program allows you to take two courses instead of one, so you can use your summer to focus your studies on topics you are excited about or evaluate a potential field of study in college. Explore these Economics, Finance, and Public Policy subjects you can study at Harvard and design your own economics and finance summer program by choosing two courses.

Featured 7-Week SSP Courses

Economic Principles

• Principles of Economics: Macroeconomics (ECON S-10B)
• Principles of Economics: Microeconomics (ECON S-10A)
• Introduction to Financial and Managerial Economics (ECON S-190)
• Strategy, Conflict, and Cooperation (ECON S-1040)

Accounting and Investing

• Financial Accounting (ECON S-1900)
• Neuroscience and Economic Decision-Making (ECON S-1915)

Applications, Data Analysis, and Public Policy

• Introduction to Statistics and Applied Data Analysis (STAT S-100)
• Introduction to Econometrics (ECON S-1123)
• Public Finance (ECON S-1412)
• Race and US Politics (GOVT-1315)
• The Culture of Capitalism (ENGL S-207)

Explore More Economics and Finance Courses

Interested in finding more courses like this? Browse our course catalog to see all of our economics and finance courses.

High school students interested in taking justice, ethics, and human rights courses must first apply and be accepted into the Secondary School Program. These courses are also open to adult and college students over the summer. Adults and college students should complete these steps to register.

FAQs

How long are the Economics, Finance, and Public Policy classes?

These courses run the full length of the 7-week term. 4-credit courses are in session 2 days/week and 8-credit courses are in session 5 days/week (Monday-Friday). On class days, you will meet for 3 hours.

Do I earn college credit from these courses?

Yes. At the completion of the program, you may request a transcript listing your coursework, grades, and number of credits earned. Students participating in the 7-Week Residential program earn 8 credit hours, either taking two 4-credit courses or one 8-hour course, while SSP Online or Commuting students may choose to take either 4 or 8 credit hours during the 7-week summer session.

Are these classes online or in-person?

Some courses are available on-campus only, while others are available in a flexible format for 7-week SSP Online or Commuting students. Learn more about which courses are available depending on your program format.

Are my college credits transferable?

Harvard Summer School credits are accepted toward degrees at most colleges and universities at the discretion of the home institution. You can request a copy of your transcript after completing your courses. Because degree requirements vary among schools, you should check your home school’s transfer policies before you register.