Summer Study at Harvard Summer School
Summer Study at Harvard Summer School
Harvard Summer School offers classes over the summer that may provide credit towards your Harvard degree. Course offerings span the full spectrum of the liberal arts and are offered both in person in Cambridge and online in either a four- or seven-week session. Harvard undergraduates may be granted up to 8 credits (generally 2 courses) for courses taught in remote formats for College credit. (See “Harvard Summer School” in the Harvard College Student Handbook for more information.)
All classes are taught by Harvard faculty and visiting experts and offer a challenging and rewarding academic experience. Summer School courses are not restricted to Harvard College students. They may include high school students, students from other colleges and universities, graduate students, and other adult learners.
Summer courses provide you with the opportunity to finish requirements or take classes that interest you if you have not had the time to do so during the academic year. Many Harvard Summer School courses take place on campus, so it is also a way to spend the summer in Cambridge if you want to!
Harvard Summer School is on a registration basis for Harvard College students. Be sure to check course availability and to register online early, as courses with limited enrollment fill up quickly. Visit the website to learn more about deadlines for registration.
In summer 2025, the cost of a 4-credit course was $3,850, and the cost of an 8-credit course was $7,700. On-campus housing is not provided by default for Harvard College students enrolled in Summer Study Courses. Students can inquire about purchasing a Room and Meal Plan. See the Tuition, Fees, and Payment for Adult and College Courses page for more information.
Financial aid does not carry over into the summer term; however, students who receive need-based aid during the regular academic year are eligible for a Harvard loan to help with Summer School costs.
Students can also apply to be a Secondary School Program Proctor or General Program Proctor and receive free room, board, and a 4-credit, 7-week Harvard Summer School course as compensation for their work. Please note that pursuing some courses, like CHEM S-20AB: Intensive Organic Chemistry, are incompatible with holding a part-time job such as the summer proctor position.
If continuing to earn credit towards your undergraduate degree over the summer appeals to you, consider pursuing summer classes at the Harvard Summer School. Taking summer courses allows you to further your academic interests or learn something new. Since College credit may be granted for up to 8 credits for courses taught in remote formats, it is also possible to combine an online Summer School class with summer employment. Whether you want to learn something new, or get a head start on coursework prior to the academic term, Harvard Summer School may be a good fit for you.