Office of Undergraduate Education
Stewarding the undergraduate academic experience at Harvard.
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“Many things have changed since 1636, but one thing remains the same. Now, as then, Harvard College is an institution devoted to training future leaders—not anymore for a small theocratic settlement on the periphery of a growing empire, but for pluralistic democracies around the world.”
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“You’ll learn leadership in your clubs, in your yards and your houses, and in your courses as well. Harvard’s founders believed that education in leadership begins in the classroom, and I believe this as well. In your courses, you will learn certain subjects, but more importantly you will develop certain virtues. Not moral virtues like fairness or compassion or kindness—or piety, patriotism, or valor. Those are all important virtues, but we do not teach them in class. In class, we teach what we might call the intellectual virtues, those capacities that enable the pursuit of truth. Things like curiosity, intellectual independence; intellectual humility, carefulness, thoroughness, open-mindedness, intellectual courage. Those capacities will make you better thinkers in the classroom, and they will also, I want to argue, make you better leaders outside it.”
Amanda Claybaugh
Dean of Undergraduate Education
The Office of Undergraduate Education (OUE) creates an enriching academic environment where each student is encouraged to explore their interests, challenge their perspectives, and realize their full potential. We partner with faculty, advisors, and a wide range of campus offices to ensure that every student has access to personalized support and opportunities for growth both inside and outside the classroom.
Resources for Teaching
The OUE provides resources to empower teaching at the College including the administration of instructional support, student feedback opportunities, and funding. The OUE also implements policies and guidelines on academic field trips, guest lectures, generative AI, and more.
Academics
Learn about the Harvard College curriculum requirements, browse special opportunities for learning in and outside the classroom, and discover unique programs that can help students customize their academic pathway to align with their interests.
Experiential Learning
Students can enhance their learning experience beyond the classroom with a variety of co-curricular options such as engaging in research, studying abroad, participating in public service, securing internships, and more.
Resources for Learning
Offices and programs housed in the OUE offer dedicated staff, like academic advisors through the APO, academic coaches through the ARC, and tutors through the Writing Program, to help guide and support all students.
News & Announcements
- First-Year Seminar Tackles Science’s Toughest Questions
Fifteen first years are taking Genuinely Hard Problems, a new seminar developed by FAS Dean of Science Jeff Lichtman. The course challenges students to explore unanswered questions, such as the origins of life, the evolution of complex…Continue Reading First-Year Seminar Tackles Science’s Toughest Questions - Harvard appoints four University Professors
Catherine Dulac, Noah Feldman, Claudia Goldin, and Cumrun Vafa were recognized with appointments as University Professors, the highest distinction a faculty member can receive at the University. The title was created in 1935 to honor individuals whose groundbreaking…Continue Reading Harvard appoints four University Professors - OUE releases new Report on Grading and Workload
On Monday, October 27, The Office of Undergraduate Education released an update to the Report on Grading, following a review of grading trends and surveys of representative students and faculty. The report describes the current state of…Continue Reading OUE releases new Report on Grading and Workload
Key Academic Dates
Students
Faculty
For a full list of academic dates, please visit the Registrar’s Academic Calendar.