The Elective Curriculum (EC) follows the RC's breadth of experience with an opportunity for depth, breadth, or both: students choose from among over 100 courses in ten subject areas as well as field-based learning opportunities—including immersion experiences—to gain a more concentrated expertise in the industries, functions, and ideas that interest them most. Additionally, cross registration enables students to take classes at other select graduate programs during their EC year.

Students may take any combination of courses—up to five courses per semester—and also have the opportunity to cross-register for courses in other select graduate programs.

Elective Course Descriptions

The course catalog provides detailed Elective Curriculum course descriptions and links to faculty biographies and unit overviews.

View course catalog

Cross-Registration

Harvard University graduate schools, the Sloan School of Business at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University permit HBS students to cross-register with their graduate programs. In past years, some students who chose to cross-register were able to take David Gergen's popular course at the Kennedy School of Government and participate in the Entrepreneurship Lab at MIT. Students may cross-register for a total of up to two courses toward their MBA degree requirements in their second year. The course must contribute to the student's expertise in management and cannot duplicate subjects that are available at HBS. The course must be at the graduate level and the student is required to earn a grade that is acceptable for graduate credit at that school. Some students choose to cross-register for enrichment purposes only, such as language classes at Harvard College.