Harvard's open side door: no application essay lottery — you earn admission by passing the two gateway courses with strong grades, then finish twelve courses (eleven of them online) around a full-time job, capped by a thesis or capstone. The most affordable named-Harvard credential in sustainability, and the honest pick for working professionals who need flexibility more than a campus.
Key facts
Duration
24 months (2 years)
Language
English
Format
Online
Tuition
42,960 USD total
Intake
Fall, January, spring and summer terms (year-round registration)
USD 3,580 per course x 12 courses (~USD 42,960 total), verified on the official Harvard Extension programme page. Typical completion 2-5 years; 11 of 12 courses online, one on-campus weekend or 3-week summer course required.
Curriculum modules
Proseminar: graduate studies in sustainability — Gateway admission course.
Analytical methods in sustainability — Second gateway; quantitative toolkit.
Electives & stackable certificates — Ten further courses across the sustainability curriculum.
Thesis or capstone — Culminating independent work.
Admission requirements
Performance-based admission: complete the two gateway courses (Proseminar and Analytical Methods) with qualifying grades
Bachelor's degree
English proficiency (TOEFL for non-native speakers)
The 2026 Sustainability Degree Shortlist Guide: pick, compare and afford the right programme — plus occasional emails with new programmes, scholarships and application tips.