Secondary Fields

In April of 2006, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences approved a motion to establish secondary fields for Harvard College students. Secondary fields provide the opportunity for focused study outside of the primary area of concentration. A secondary field may complement the primary area of study in the concentration, or it may be entirely separate. No integrative work between the secondary field and the primary concentration is required. Secondary fields are entirely optional and are not required for graduation. The successful completion of a secondary field will appear on a student's transcript, but no student may receive credit for more than one secondary field. A secondary field will consist of four to six half-courses, to be determined by the instructional program or committee. Only one half-course may count towards a secondary field and any other degree requirement or program (concentration, Core, language citation, etc).

Some concentrations and departments may offer multiple options for a secondary field, while others will choose not to offer any. Each program will have its own rules about what courses will count and whether students graduating in 2007 may receive secondary field credit for work completed before secondary fields were established by the Faculty. No student may file for a secondary field before declaring a concentration. Students will file for a secondary field when they have completed the required work, up until the seventh Monday of their final term, as published in the Handbook for Students.

As of this writing, no secondary field programs have yet been established. Programs will be listed on the website of the Office of Academic Programs as they are approved, along with more detailed information on requirements and advising. Interested students should discuss the possibilities of work in a secondary field with the relevant advisor in the sponsoring program. They are also encouraged to discuss their plans with the Head Tutor or Director of Undergraduate Studies in their own concentration.