Individual Courses and Special Students
Information about special student status, courses for Boston-area public health professionals, and the TAP program for Harvard affiliates
Special Student Status
Individuals who would like to take individual courses at Harvard T.H. Chan School without pursuing a formal degree can do so under special student status.
Applicants must apply through the standard SOPHAS application and must meet eligibility requirements. The following departments permit non-degree students to register for their courses for one academic year: Biostatistics, Environmental Health, Epidemiology; Global Health and Population; Health Policy and Management; Nutrition; and Social and Behavioral Sciences.
Courses for Boston-area Public Health Professionals
Public health professionals can take up to 10 credits per semester, paying a per-credit fee. This program is available only to current, full-time, paid professionals in the Boston metro area.
Applicants must submit a letter from an HR officer of their employer certifying their status, a copy of their transcript or diploma documenting at least a bachelor’s degree, and a written statement of at least 250 words indicating the reason for proposed enrollment. Each course you take must be applicable to your current occupation.
Courses for Harvard Affiliates
The School offers a variety of courses during the academic year that are open to individuals affiliated with Harvard University either through their workplace or their career and research.
Students receive non-degree credit for the coursework completed. If they enroll in a Harvard Chan School degree program within five years of completing these courses, the School will count a maximum of 20 academic and financial credits toward the degree program.
For more information about the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) for Harvard employees, please visit the TAP page.