Program Director
Henry H. Leitner, PhD
Assistant Dean for Information Technology for Continuing Education; Senior Lecturer on Computer Science, Harvard University
- Read a Q&A with the director.
Information Session
Plan ahead and learn more about the Information Technology Program.
January 8, 6–7:30 pm
Overview
Strengthen software engineering skills, learn the theoretical aspects of computer science, or focus on information management systems through a graduate certificate and a master’s degree in the diverse information technology discipline.
Master of Liberal Arts in Information Technology Curriculum Summary
The master’s degree is designed for IT professionals with solid programming experience or a strong background in mathematics. As a degree candidate, you can pursue either a thesis or capstone track.
For the thesis track you complete nine courses and a master’s thesis in one of the following concentrations:
- Software engineering
- Mathematics and computation
- Digital media arts and sciences
For the capstone track you complete 11 courses and a capstone course in one of the following concentrations:
- Software engineering
- Information management systems
Online and on-campus options. You can earn the degree through a combination of online and on-campus courses, although there is a minimum residency requirement of one on-campus-only course.
See Degree Requirements.
Certificate in Applied Sciences Curriculum Summary
The certificate is ideal for career changers, with basic courses in computer science, math, and physics and specialized IT study.
To earn the certificate, you choose one of the following concentrations and complete eight courses that meet the concentration’s requirements:
- Software engineering
- Multimedia and creative content
- Computer science
- Information systems and electronic commerce
This program can be completed entirely online.
Getting Started: Admission to a Program
We consider success in prerequisite coursework at Harvard Extension School to be a key predictor of success in the program. Thus, to apply you must have completed three courses from the program curriculum and earned at least a B in each. For the master’s degree software engineering concentration, one of the courses must be CSCI E-124, CSCI E-207, or CSCI E-295. The courses count toward your program once you are admitted. Read about admission criteria and how to apply in Admission.