Key takeaways
Harvard University offers a unique opportunity for students interested in education through its Secondary Field in Educational Studies, allowing them to explore educational impacts while majoring in another discipline. This program is rapidly expanding and provides a comprehensive curriculum that prepares students for various roles in the education sector.
- Harvard's Secondary Field in Educational Studies requires five courses (20 credits), including one foundational course and electives from at least two different departments.
- Students can strategically integrate this secondary field into their curriculum by planning their course load effectively throughout their undergraduate years.
- The program emphasizes real-world experience, with opportunities for internships at local schools and involvement in teaching initiatives like Teach For America.
- Future developments in the program will focus on interdisciplinary approaches, community engagement, and addressing contemporary issues in education, such as equity and technology.
Contents
- 1 What Degree Programs Are Available in Harvard’s Educational Studies?
- 2 How Does the Secondary Field in Educational Studies Work?
- 3 What Are the Student Voices in Harvard’s Educational Studies Programs?
- 4 How Can Students Prepare for a Career in Secondary Education?
- 5 What Is the Future of Educational Studies at Harvard by 2025?
Thinking about becoming a teacher—or working in education more broadly—but still want to major in something else? Harvard doesn’t offer an undergraduate major in education, but its Secondary Field in Educational Studies is a powerful option. It lets you explore the impact of teaching and education policy while majoring in another discipline. And it’s growing fast.
What Degree Programs Are Available in Harvard’s Educational Studies?
Here’s an overview of Harvard’s current degree programs in Educational Studies:
| Degree | Length | Focus Areas |
| Ed.M. (Master of Education) | 1 year (full-time) | 11 areas of specialization, including Learning Design, Education Leadership, and Human Development |
| Ed.L.D. (Doctor of Education Leadership) | 3 years | Designed for future system-level leaders; includes residency in education organizations |
| Ph.D. in Education | 5-6 years | Joint program with Harvard’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences; heavy emphasis on research |
Courses Offered Every Semester for Undergraduates
Here’s a list of core and elective courses commonly available every semester for undergraduates focusing on secondary education or education-related studies:
- EDUC E-10: Introduction to Education
- EDUC E-100: Foundations of Secondary Education
- EDUC E-110: Learning and Cognition
- EDUC E-120: Classroom Management and Diversity.
- EDUC E-130: Technology in Education
- EDUC E-140: Curriculum Design and Assessment
- EDUC E-150: Field Experience and Practicum
These courses often include seminars and opportunities for fieldwork.
How Does the Secondary Field in Educational Studies Work?
“Yes, ‘secondary field’ is Harvard terminology for a minor. It appears on your transcript but not on your diploma. Of course, you can also put it on your resume”
A “secondary field” is the equivalent of a minor. The Secondary Field in Educational Studies lets undergraduates explore how education shapes society, policy, and individual development—without majoring in it. It’s designed for students majoring in other disciplines like psychology, who want to apply their field through an educational lens.
Here’s how the structure breaks down:
| Requirement | Details |
| Total courses | 5 (typically 20 credits) |
| Gateway course | One required foundational course (e.g., Education 1100: Introduction to Education) |
| Electives | 3-4 additional courses, chosen from an approved list across departments |
| Breadth | Courses must span at least two disciplines (e.g., sociology + philosophy) |
| Capstone / optional thesis | No thesis required, but students can petition for independent research |
| Grading | All courses must be letter-graded, C- or better |
| Advising | Each student is assigned a faculty advisor from the Education Studies Board |
Example electives include:
- Education Policy and the Politics of Reform
- Adolescent Development
- Global Education and Social Movements
- The History of Schooling in America
- Equity and Access in Higher Education
Requirements for Students Interested in Educational Studies
To complete the secondary, students must meet the following academic requirements:
| Requirement Type | What’s Needed? |
| Total number of courses | 5 approved courses (20 credits total) |
| Intro/Gateway course | One required foundational course (e.g., Education 1100: Introduction to Education) |
| Electives | 3-4 additional courses chosen from a curated list across departments |
| Departmental breadth | Courses must come from at least two different departments |
| Grading policy | All five courses must be taken for a letter grade (C– or better) |
| Advising | Students must meet with a faculty advisor affiliated with the program |
How to Integrate Secondary Education into Your Curriculum?
Adding a secondary field in Educational Studies to your Harvard undergraduate curriculum takes planning—but it’s fully doable, even with a demanding concentration. The key is to treat it as a strategic complement to your primary academic path, not an afterthought.
Here’s how to fit the secondary into your overall schedule:
| Year | What to Focus On? |
| First Year | Complete Gen Ed and concentration prerequisites; explore an Ed-related elective |
| Sophomore Year | Take the gateway course (e.g., Education 1100); declare the secondary early |
| Junior Year | Add 1-2 electives from the approved list; balance with concentration work |
| Senior Year | Finish any remaining secondary courses; consider an education-related capstone |
What Are the Student Voices in Harvard’s Educational Studies Programs?
Here’s what current and former students have shared:
“Hands down the best part of the program is the cohort of other students you work with. Our cohort was about 70 people who represented lots of different backgrounds. Off the top of my head there were successful entrepreneurs, classroom teachers, programmers, business consultants, political activists, project managers, medical professionals and more. There were not a lot of people straight out of undergrad and the majority had some kind of education related experience”
“Another current HGSE student here. I’m in a different program, but I’m completely blown away by the resources, the faculty, and the other students. In two semesters I’ve met some of the most impressive people of my life, and I’ve been around the world meeting impressive people. The variety in courses is amazing and you have the chance to take a ton of them”
“As for CS the intro track is CS1, CS10 (if you’re good at coding you can skip CS1), then you have to take 2 classes each in theory, systems and applied CS, plus a few electives and a final project/thesis. There’s a LOT of choice there, but you’ll still end up taking some core classes like 30‑31 (algorithms) and 50 (basically C coding)”
How Can Students Prepare for a Career in Secondary Education?
Here’s how students use the Secondary Field as a launchpad:
- Join Harvard’s Phillips Brooks House for teaching or mentoring opportunities
- Intern at Boston Public Schools or charter networks like MATCH
- Apply for Teach For America or Harvard Teacher Fellows after graduation
- Pursue an Ed.M. in Teaching & Teacher Leadership
- Consider licensure options via HGSE or a postgraduate certificate program
Harvard doesn’t license you to teach during undergrad, but it helps you get there.
What Is the Future of Educational Studies at Harvard by 2025?
Educational Studies at Harvard is shifting toward greater interdisciplinarity, community engagement, and real-world impact. The program is evolving in response to national conversations about equity, technology, and the future of learning—both inside and beyond the classroom.
The future of Harvard’s Educational Studies looks like this:
- More partnerships with the Graduate School of Education (HGSE)
- A growing emphasis on justice-centered education
- Integration with tech and design thinking
- Expansion of fieldwork opportunities
- Increased student voice in shaping the curriculum
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Top Tips from Our Expert
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Alyssa Mendoza, AP Coordinator and College Prep Specialist
Sources: Harvard University, Reddit
