Harvard Undergraduate Majors (Degree Guide)
Harvard College calls its majors “concentrations.” Students earn a Bachelor of Arts (AB) by completing 32 courses and meeting College-wide and concentration-specific requirements. The best choice depends on your academic interests, course plan, and goals after graduation. Requirements differ by field and can change, so confirm details in Harvard’s current catalog and with an adviser.
Harvard College Admissions and Concentration Overview
A concentration is Harvard College’s term for an undergraduate field of study. This guide covers the College’s four-year undergraduate program, not graduate degrees or the separate programs at other Harvard schools. Harvard College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
One useful starting point is the scale of the degree: a standard AB requires 32 courses. That gives applicants and families a concrete way to think about academic planning, but it does not mean every student follows the same course path. General Education, language, writing, quantitative reasoning, and concentration requirements all shape an individual plan.
What “concentration” means
A concentration gives a student focused study in one academic field. Students also take courses beyond that field to complete College-wide requirements and explore other subjects. Requirements, course sequences, and any final project depend on the department or program, so check the current concentration handbook rather than relying on a general estimate.
For families searching for Harvard undergraduate majors, the key distinction is between the name of a subject and its actual degree rules. A concentration may include required courses, electives, prerequisites, and milestones. Many require roughly 12 to 14 courses, but that range is not a universal rule. The current handbook and degree audit are the reliable sources for each program.
Harvard does not publish a minimum GPA or test-score cutoff for admission. Its review is holistic, so no single score guarantees acceptance. Applicants should check Harvard Admissions directly for the testing policy and deadlines for their intended entry year, since both can change.
A sensible preparation sequence is:
- Build strong academic preparation and explore fields that hold your interest.
- Review admission, testing, and financial-aid rules for your application year.
- Compare possible concentrations with the subjects and work you want to pursue.
- Keep an open mind: you do not need to settle on a concentration before applying.
Harvard’s accreditation is institutional. It does not mean that every program leads to a particular license, job, or career outcome. If a career requires a license or set of courses, check the relevant professional requirements as well as Harvard’s program information.
AB Curriculum, General Education, and Concentration Requirements
The AB combines a concentration with shared College requirements. Students complete 32 courses in all, but the exact mix depends on their concentration, prior preparation, course choices, and applicable rules. Check the catalog for your entering class and review progress with an adviser.
A student’s schedule is not simply “concentration courses plus electives.” Harvard College also requires eight General Education courses, ordinarily two in each of four areas: Aesthetics & Culture; Ethics & Civics; Histories, Societies, Individuals; and Science & Technology in Society. Students must also meet language, expository writing, and quantitative reasoning requirements. Approved options and rules for placement or prior study can affect how a student fulfills them.
A practical way to map the requirements
Start with the requirements that have specific sequences or placement rules. Language study, writing, quantitative reasoning, and concentration prerequisites may affect when other courses fit. Then map General Education courses across several terms rather than leaving all eight for the end. Course availability and scheduling can change, so treat a plan as a guide to review, not a guarantee.
| Requirement | What to confirm | Planning question |
|---|---|---|
| 32 courses | The applicable degree rules and your completed-course count | How many courses remain after approved prior study or placement? |
| General Education | Current rules for the four areas and approved course options | Which areas can you explore through courses that also interest you? |
| Language | Placement, prior-study rules, and approved ways to fulfill it | Do you need a sequence, and when should you begin? |
| Expository writing | Current course and completion rules | Which term gives you room to complete the requirement well? |
| Quantitative reasoning | Approved options and any relevant preparation | Which course fits your strengths and academic goals? |
| Concentration | Handbook, prerequisites, electives, and milestones | Which courses must be taken in a particular order? |
A degree audit can help show how completed and planned courses fit requirements. It does not replace the catalog or an adviser’s guidance, especially when rules change or a course has limited availability. Recheck your plan each year.
Compare fields by the work they involve
A concentration title can sound appealing without showing what students do day to day. Look at course descriptions, prerequisites, and the range of subjects within the field. For example, a student considering Economics, Computer Science, or History should compare the actual courses and methods involved, not just the career image attached to each name.
| If you enjoy… | Questions to investigate |
|---|---|
| Working with data, models, or formal problems | What preparation is expected, and how do courses build on one another? |
| Reading, writing, and interpreting evidence | What kinds of sources and arguments appear in required courses? |
| Combining methods across fields | Does the program allow joint or interdisciplinary study, and what rules apply? |
| Independent research | Is a thesis or other final project required, optional, or available in the program? |
These are prompts, not claims about the exact structure of a named concentration. Use the current handbook to confirm what a particular program requires. The best fit is not always the subject with the most familiar job title; it is a field whose work you are willing to study in depth.
Academic Success, Advising, and Student Experience
A strong academic plan connects course choices to requirements, interests, and a realistic workload. Advising and degree-planning tools can help students track progress, but students remain responsible for checking current rules and seeking help when a plan changes. Early planning can reduce the risk of missed prerequisites or delayed milestones.
A four-year planning sequence
Before applying: Explore subjects and review course requirements where available. Build a college list based on academic fit, cost, and admissions realities. Confirm Harvard’s current application requirements rather than using an old checklist.
After admission: Compare the financial-aid offer with your family’s resources and expected costs. Use Harvard’s current net-price and aid resources, then review the personalized offer carefully. Sticker price alone does not show what a particular family will pay.
After enrollment: Meet with advisers, review placement results, and map requirements term by term. Include General Education courses, language, writing, quantitative reasoning, and likely concentration prerequisites. Keep some room for exploration and changes in interest.
As you progress: Check your degree audit and concentration handbook regularly. Ask about research, internships, or a thesis when relevant to your interests. Confirm deadlines and requirements for any major milestone before building your schedule around it.
A common planning scenario illustrates why this matters. Imagine a student who enters interested in a field with prerequisites, then discovers a second concentration that also appeals to them. The student can compare both handbooks, identify overlapping requirements, and ask an adviser about a realistic schedule before committing. This is an illustrative example, not a report about a specific Harvard student.
The main risk is requirement and cost drift. Course rules, availability, and annual expenses can change. A delayed prerequisite may affect the sequence of later courses, while an outdated cost estimate may leave a family unprepared. Recheck the catalog, degree audit, and personalized aid information each year.
Career Pathways, Graduate Study, and Employment Outcomes
A concentration can build subject knowledge and skills, but it does not guarantee a job, salary, or graduate-school admission. Career planning works best when students connect coursework with experience, advising, and the requirements of their intended field. Consider possible next steps while staying open to more than one path.
Concentrations may support many kinds of work and further study. Students can explore those options through internships, research, campus advising, and career services. The value of a field depends in part on how a student uses it: courses, projects, writing, quantitative work, and experience can all help demonstrate preparation.
If you are considering graduate school, check what programs in your intended field expect. Requirements vary, and some paths may call for specific courses, research, exams, or other preparation. For licensed professions, consult the relevant licensing body and Harvard advisers; do not assume a concentration alone meets professional requirements.
For employment, look beyond a major-to-job list. Review job descriptions and identify the skills or experience employers request. Then ask whether courses, research, campus work, or internships can help you build and show those skills. This is a planning method, not a promise of a particular outcome.
When comparing concentrations, use three checks:
- Academic fit: Do the core subjects and methods hold your interest?
- Practical fit: Can you complete the requirements alongside College-wide rules and other commitments?
- Next-step fit: Does the program offer ways to explore the skills or experiences relevant to your goals?
Discussing these questions with an adviser, faculty member, or career counselor can help you test assumptions. Keep a record of your options and revisit them as your interests develop.
Conclusion and Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing a Harvard concentration is a process, not a one-time prediction of your future. Start with the current requirements, build a course plan that includes College-wide rules, and use advising and financial-aid information to check your assumptions. Revisit the plan as your interests and circumstances change.
Is a Harvard undergraduate major called a concentration?
Yes. Harvard College uses the term “concentration” for an undergraduate field of study. Students complete concentration requirements as part of the AB degree.
How many courses are required for a Harvard AB?
A standard AB requires 32 courses. The requirements within that total vary by concentration and may also depend on applicable placement or prior-study rules.
How many courses does a Harvard concentration require?
There is no single number for every concentration. Many require roughly 12 to 14 courses, but students should check the current handbook for their intended program.
Does Harvard require General Education courses?
Yes. Students complete eight General Education courses, ordinarily two in each of four areas. Check current College rules for approved courses and other details.
What other College requirements should students plan for?
Students must meet language, expository writing, and quantitative reasoning requirements, as well as General Education and concentration requirements. Approved options and placement or prior-study rules may affect a student’s plan.
Must applicants choose a concentration before applying?
Applicants can explore possible fields, but they should confirm current application rules with Harvard Admissions. A student’s interests may also change after arriving at college.
Does Harvard have a minimum GPA or test score for admission?
Harvard does not publish a minimum GPA or test-score cutoff. Review is holistic, and no particular score guarantees admission. Check the testing policy for your intended application year.
How should students compare concentrations?
Read the course descriptions and current handbook. Compare prerequisites, required courses, electives, and any thesis or research milestones, then discuss your plan with an adviser.
Can a concentration guarantee a job or salary?
No. A concentration does not guarantee employment, pay, or graduate-school admission. Outcomes depend on many factors, including the student’s experience, preparation, and choices.
How can families estimate Harvard’s cost?
Use Harvard’s current net-price and financial-aid resources, submit required forms on time, and review the student’s personalized aid offer. Recheck annual costs and aid details rather than relying only on the published sticker price.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Christopher Langston. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
