Getting Started

Confirm Your Intent to Pursue

Students may join the Certificate in Civic Engagement by filling out this form. Please note: 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 Leadership
Director, First Year Urban Program

Contact Information
vghosh@fas.harvard.edu

Sarah Champlin-Scharff

Director of Academic Policy
Office of Undergraduate Education

Contact Information
scharff@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.

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.