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Getting Started
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On This Page
Confirm Your Intent to Pursue
Students may join the Certificate in Civic Engagement by filling out this form. You must be logged with a Harvard email address to view the form.
Speak with an Advisor
For questions about the program, please contact civicengagement@fas.harvard.edu or reach out to one of the advisors below.
Varsha Ghosh
Director, Student Engagement and LeadershipDirector, First Year Urban Program, Harvard Collegevghosh@fas.harvard.edu
Before Graduation
Students will be required to complete all components of the program before the degree application deadline:
- August 1st for November degrees
- December 1st for March degrees
- April 1st for May degrees
Frequently Asked Questions
What classes count towards the coursework requirement?
A full list of courses can be found on the certificate website. The list will be updated annually.
Can I petition for a class that is not on the approved course list to count towards the coursework requirement?
Students cannot petition for non-approved courses to count towards their certificate. If they believe a course is appropriate for the certificate, they can ask the course instructor to request that the course be reviewed for inclusion on the approved course list. Information on the criteria for course approval and instructions for requesting a course be reviewed is on the website.
What types of activities count toward the certificate service requirements?
To count toward the certificate, your service must involve sustained, direct engagement with communities beyond Harvard. Examples include volunteering regularly at a homeless shelter, tutoring in after-school programs, or participating in internships with public service organizations. Programs through the Center for Public Service & Engaged Scholarship and PBHA are pre-approved.
Activities that do not count include:
- One-day service projects
- Fundraising or awareness-raising events on campus
- Voter registration drives limited to the Harvard campus
- Course-required service work
- Internships with campus offices
- Any service performed before enrolling or while on leave
If you’re unsure whether an activity qualifies, email civicengagement@fas.harvard.edu for clarification.
Do remote opportunities count toward the fulfillment of the service hours?
Yes, remote opportunities completed while enrolled as a Harvard College student can count towards fulfillment of the service hours requirement.
Does service work during winter and spring break count towards fulfillment of the service hours?
Yes, service work completed during winter and spring breaks can count toward fulfillment of the service hours requirement.
Does SPARK, participation in FUP, and work done during a gap year count toward the service hours?
No, service done prior to matriculation into the College and while students are not actively enrolled in the college cannot be counted towards fulfillment of the service hours requirement.
Do planning meetings, pre-work, and transportation for programs count towards the service hours?
Yes, time spent planning meetings, transportation, and pre-work done in preparation for delivering programming can count towards the fulfillment of the service hours requirement.