Key takeaways
Understanding your concentration at Harvard College is crucial for shaping your academic journey. This article outlines the importance of exploring various subjects, the process of declaring concentrations, and the benefits of joint and secondary fields. Knowing how to navigate these options can enhance your educational experience and align your studies with your career goals.
- Most students declare their concentration during the fall of their sophomore year, typically involving 12-14 courses and a senior thesis (Harvard).
- Engage with professors and advisors early to explore research opportunities and career paths related to your concentration.
- A double concentration requires meeting all requirements for two majors, which may include high-level courses and two final projects (Harvard).
- Consider a secondary field as a way to deepen your knowledge in another area without the full workload of a major, typically requiring just 5 courses.
Contents
At Harvard College, your “major” is called a concentration—but it’s more than just a label for your academic interest. Harvard encourages academic exploration in your first three semesters, so you have time to figure out what really sparks your curiosity. We will explain everything you need to know about concentrations.
What Is a Concentration in Harvard College?
“The concentration events sophomore fall are super helpful. Beyond getting to talk to faculty and advisors of the concentration about any questions or concerns you have, it’s great to get a feel for the department… Department size (faculty and students)… can be deciding factors in how supported you feel”
A concentration is the primary academic focus of your undergraduate degree. Most students declare their concentration during fall of sophomore year, and it typically includes:
- 12-14 courses in the subject area
- A senior thesis or capstone project (in many cases)
- Regular advising and departmental guidance
How to Choose a Concentration?
Start by taking different intro classes in your first year. They help you try new subjects and see what you enjoy. Notice which classes make you excited to learn more or ask questions. That’s often a better sign than just your grades.
Then, talk to professors and advisors. In your second year, many colleges support this. Ask about research, past student projects, or job paths after graduation. This helps you see how a major might fit your goals.
Think about how your interests connect. Maybe you like both economics and environment, or psychology and writing. Some schools let you mix fields or choose two areas. For example, students at Brown or Bowdoin often combine things like neuroscience and philosophy.
Also, consider careers—but don’t stress. Your major won’t decide your whole life. Most liberal arts majors teach useful skills like thinking, writing, and problem-solving. What you do outside of class—like internships and clubs—also matters a lot.
Overview of Concentration Requirements
While each department has unique expectations, here’s what most concentrations include:
| Requirement Type | Details |
| Core Courses | Typically 4-6 foundational classes |
| Electives | Choose from department-approved lists |
| Research or Thesis | Required for honors track; optional in others |
| Tutorials/Seminars | Small, discussion-based courses, often sophomore year |
| General Education | Still required alongside your concentration |
What Does It Mean to Declare a Double Concentration?
Declaring a double concentration means you’re studying two majors in depth, not just taking a few extra classes. You have to meet all the requirements for both departments, which can include high-level courses and sometimes two final projects or one joint thesis.
At most schools, a double concentration is like earning two full majors. You’ll need to plan carefully with advisors from both fields. That means balancing class schedules, finding overlapping courses, and avoiding overload later on.
At flexible schools like Brown, you can only do a double concentration if you can clearly explain why both areas are important to your goals. You can’t pick two just to keep options open—you need to show how they connect. For example, psychology and education, or CS and visual arts for UX design.
The value of a double concentration is the clear story it tells: you went deep in two fields, managed a heavy load, and connected big ideas. That can impress grad schools or employers.
But it’s also more work and leaves less time for electives or breaks. If you truly care about both subjects, it can be a strong path. If one is your main focus, adding a minor might give you more balance.
How to Pursue a Joint Concentration?
First, explore both fields through foundational courses. You’re expected to demonstrate serious interest and competency in each—just dabbling in one won’t cut it. Then, schedule meetings with academic advisors in both departments. These conversations are essential for mapping out your course plan and making sure your thesis idea meets both departments’ standards.
Next, you’ll write a proposal explaining your joint concentration. This includes:
- A clear statement of the intellectual connection between the two fields
- A working thesis idea that ties them together
- A tentative course plan for junior and senior years
- Confirmation that you’ll have thesis advisors from both departments
Approval isn’t guaranteed. Some department pairs don’t allow joint concentrations. Others may agree only if your proposed thesis is rigorous enough and fits both academic frameworks. Once approved, your degree path becomes highly structured. You’ll likely have less room for electives and must stick to deadlines for your joint thesis.
What is a Joint Concentration?
“Joint concentrations require you to write a thesis which incorporates both fields. Double concentrations don’t require a thesis (it’s like you’re doing two …)”
A joint concentration is a specialized academic track where you combine two disciplines into one integrated program, usually tied together by a single senior thesis or capstone project. It’s different from a double concentration, where you fulfill two separate sets of requirements. In a joint concentration, the two fields are expected to overlap meaningfully—and the final project must reflect that connection.
To declare a joint concentration, you’ll need approval from both departments. That usually means:
- Completing foundational courses in each discipline
- Proposing a thesis that draws from both fields
- Getting faculty support, often including two thesis advisors
Joint concentrations are ideal for students who want to dive deep into a cross-disciplinary question. They also show admissions committees or employers that you’re intellectually driven and capable of independent research.
Requirements for a Joint Concentration
The requirements for a joint concentration are designed to ensure that your academic work genuinely bridges two disciplines—not just fulfills two sets of checkboxes. The core requirements usually include the following:
- Approval from Both Departments
- Integrated Senior Thesis or Capstone
- Coursework in Both Fields
- A strong GPA
- You need to submit your joint proposal by a certain point—typically the end of sophomore year
- Joint concentration students must adhere to all thesis deadlines for both departments
What Is a Secondary Field and How Does It Work?
Think of a secondary field as a mini-concentration. It allows you to build depth in a subject outside your concentration, without the full workload.
- Requires 5 courses (minimum)
- No thesis required
- Appears on your transcript
- Offers academic structure for your electives
Students often choose secondaries in foreign languages, math, psychology, or something completely unrelated—just for fun or balance.
How to Choose a Secondary Field?
“Personally I say minor in a passion. It makes the extra classes fun. However if you think business is more practical, then do that. Either would be a good choice”
Start by asking why you want a secondary field. Is it to explore a passion, learn a useful skill, or support your career goals? Your reason will guide your choice. For example, an economics major might add computer science for tech skills. A biology student might choose philosophy to study bioethics.
Next, check the course requirements. Most secondary fields need about 5–6 classes, including one intermediate-level course. At Harvard, you can’t use the same course for both your main and secondary fields—so you’ll need to plan ahead. Some departments are stricter than others, so read the rules carefully.
Timing matters too. You usually must declare by the end of junior year. Make sure you can take all the classes without adding extra semesters or overloading. Use your electives wisely—try an intro course early to see if the subject fits.
The best secondary fields tell a clear story. They show how your interests connect. Whether it’s government and stats or art and coding, the combo should reflect your curiosity and goals—not just add to your résumé.
How to Create a CS Plan of Study?
Most schools, including Harvard, expect you to complete a combination of required and elective courses, plus supporting math or statistics classes. A typical CS plan of study includes:
| Category | Typical Requirements |
| Introductory CS | One or two courses (e.g., CS 50, CS 51) |
| Core Systems or Theory | Two to three courses (e.g., CS 61, CS 121) |
| Technical Electives | Four to five advanced CS courses |
| Math/Statistics Support | One to two courses (e.g., MATH 21, STAT 110) |
| Capstone/Thesis (optional) | Senior project or research with advisor |
It’s helpful to sketch out your course timeline by semester. This makes it easier to account for prerequisites, course availability, and balance with other commitments:
- Year 1: Intro to CS + one math course
- Year 2: Core theory and systems + first elective
- Year 3: Focused electives + potential research
- Year 4: Capstone or thesis + electives to round out credit
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Top Tips from Our Expert
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Alyssa Mendoza, AP Coordinator and College Prep Specialist
Sources: Harvard, Reddit
