Adult Course Takers

Take a Course at Harvard Summer School

Harvard Summer School connects renowned Harvard and visiting faculty with curious learners of all ages together to learn at America’s oldest university. Whatever your goal — professional or general intellectual growth — your summer will be well spent here.

Simply Enroll in a Course — No Application Required

Harvard Summer School offers hundreds of courses — all you have to do is register. Whether you want to fill a skills gap, explore a new subject, or maybe kickstart earning a degree or certificate, taking a course here can help you reach your goals.

Ready to Register?

Course registration for Summer 2024 is closed. Join our email list to be the first to know when registration for Summer 2025 opens.

View steps to register for Harvard Summer School courses, as well as requirements and deadlines.

If you’re looking for a less intensive option or your summer plans change, the Harvard Extension School offers many of the same open enrollment courses in Fall, January Term, and Spring. You can also apply eligible Summer School courses toward a degree, certificate, or microcertificate.

Live on Campus or Study Online

If you want to truly live like a Harvard Student, and immerse yourself in campus life, we offer housing for our adult students.

Connect with Fellow Students

Both virtual and in-person activities are offered to Harvard Summer School students to meet other students and get the most out of their summer.

Meet our Faculty

At Harvard Summer School, we bring together expert faculty and motivated learners from high school to adulthood during the summer months.

Instructing hundreds of courses in over 60 subjects, our faculty inspire students to choose their college major, find new direction in their careers, earn credit for their degree program, or find their confidence in higher education.

Our faculty are educators, practitioners, and scholars. Although their professional experiences differ, faculty share a passion for educating Harvard Summer School students of all ages to help them achieve their academic goals.

Why Take a Course?

• Gain skills you need to secure your next job
• Build upon your degree expertise with complimentary topics
• Maintain a professional advantage by staying current with emerging technology
• Explore potential career interests around specific topics or popular courses
• Explore a career or industry change before committing to your next step
• Gain confidence and a sense of accomplishment by learning something new —Nearly 50% of our students said they gained confidence during their studies at Harvard Summer School!
• Gain new knowledge you can apply to your profession
• Strengthen your resume and build your network

Courses Offered

You can choose between 400+ courses at Harvard Summer School. These are some of the most popular with other adult course takers:

• BIOS: Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology
• CSCI: Intensive Introduction to Computer Science
• CSCI: Introduction to Computer Science with Python
• FREN: Beginning French I
• GERM: Beginning German
• GERM: German for Reading Knowledge
• GOVT: Debates in International Politics
• LATI: Intensive Beginning Latin
• LSTU: Global Law and Politics
• MATH: Linear Algebra and Differential Equations
• MGMT: Applied Corporate Responsibility
• MGMT: HBS CORe: Business Analytics, Economics for Managers, and Financial Accounting
• MGMT: Leadership
• MGMT: Leadership Perspectives
• MGMT: Project Management
• MGMT: Strategic Management
• STAT: Introduction to Epidemiology and Biostatistics
• STAT: Introduction to Statistics and Applied Data Analytics