At Harvard, choosing a concentration is a defining part of students’ educational journey, allowing a deep focus on a particular field while enjoying the flexibility to explore diverse interests. With over 50 concentrations and various opportunities for secondary fields or joint concentrations, students can tailor their academic experiences to match their passions and aspirations.
Browse concentrations on the Harvard College website
Double Concentration
The double concentration facilitates in-depth, structured coursework in two separate concentrations. The coursework in these two fields may not substantially overlap with each other.
Students do not need approval from both concentrations to declare a double concentration. Each concentration will review and approve declaration separately.
Joint Concentration
A joint concentration integrates two undergraduate concentrations into a coherent field of study. You will typically be required to write an interdisciplinary thesis while only enrolled in one concentration’s thesis tutorial.
Not all concentrations participate in joint concentration programs. Please consult the Fields of Concentration for specific joint concentration information and requirements for your desired field of study.
When declaring a joint concentration, you will designate one of the concentrations as your primary concentration and one as the allied concentration. Both participating concentrations must be satisfied with the coherence and merit of your plan and be prepared to supervise your program in detail.
Special Concentration
Special Concentrations are for students whose academic interests cross departmental lines. Students have the opportunity to design their own program of study with the advice and consent of various members of the faculty and administration. Special Concentrations can address educational objectives not already accommodated by existing concentrations or combinations of programs.
Special Concentrations is for students who know quite clearly what they wish to investigate, as it requires integrating courses and research from more than one area. Although there are exceptions, most successful Special Concentrations applications have been submitted by upperclassmen who have already spent one or two terms studying in one of the College’s established concentrations.
Concentration Resources
Fields of Concentration
Fields of Concentration is the official record of all concentration requirements and directs all students in what they must do in order to receive concentration credit.
Department websites and handbooks also contain concentration information, but Fields of Concentration is the official record.
Exploring Concentrations
Exploring Concentrations, (formerly The 50 Book) is a resource for pre-concentrators in learning about the many concentrations. It is overseen by the Advising Programs Office.
Concentration Changes
Concentrations who are considering making changes to the requirements should be in touch with the Office of Undergraduate Education. All substantive requirement changes are reviewed by the Standing Committee on Undergraduate Educational Policy (EPC). While changes can be brought to the EPC at any time of the year, changes can only be implemented for the subsequent academic year.