J-Term 2025 Registration

J-Term Registration Information 

HGSE January Term Courses offered during academic year 2024-2025 are viewable in my.Harvard. Please be aware that development of the course list is an ongoing process, and that additions and changes will be made right up until the time of course enrollment. For that reason, it is a good idea to check the listing frequently.  

 
 
Enrollment Overview  

 
Course Previews  
Students will have two opportunities to preview HGSE classes in advance of course enrollment:  

 

January Term FAQ 

(This FAQ will be updated as new enrollment information becomes available. Last Updated: 4/14/24)  

 

What is January Term? 

January Term at HGSE (also referred to as “J-Term” and more officially across Harvard as “Winter Session”) is part of a University-wide initiative to create meaningful for-credit and noncredit opportunities for student learning and development during a three-week period. At HGSE, we are proud to have one of the most vibrant January learning environments at Harvard.  

  

Are there additional costs associated with participating in January Term? 

No. Spring 2025 active students enrolled under the Spring 2025 flat tuition rate may take January courses at no extra charge. Noncredit activities at HGSE are generally included in regular tuition but may have fees for materials or for no-shows or late cancellations in popular offerings. Some activities offered by other Harvard schools may charge additional fees.  

  

Do January Term course credits count against the Spring Term maximum of 10 credits for part-time students and 20 credits for full-time students? 

January Term credits do not count against Spring Term credit maximums for part-time and full-time students. Students may take a 2 or 4 credit course in January Term, and these credits will not reduce their maximum available credits in Spring 2025.  

  

May I take more than one January Term module or course? 

January Term modules are intensive and require concentrated work over a brief period of time. For that reason, students are encouraged to enroll in only one January Term module or course at a time (including courses through cross-registration). Students may choose to enroll in more than one course during January Term only if the faculty members of the courses they plan to take allow students to take additional courses concurrently, but under no circumstances will students be permitted to miss class meetings due to a conflict of class meeting times. Students may enroll in no more than 4 credits during January Term.  

  

Can I audit HGSE in-person courses? 

In 2045-2025, HGSE will return to permitting auditing in our courses, subject to instructor permission. HGSE never guarantees auditing and does not require faculty members to accommodate auditing requests. Auditors must also pay any applicable course materials fees and are subject to Covid antigen testing and other ongoing health protocols.  
 
I will complete my Ed.M. requirements in Fall 2024 and am a March 2025 degree candidate. Am I able to enroll in January Term courses? 

Congratulations on completing your degree requirements at the end of the Fall 2024 term! Since you have completed all your degree requirements by the end of the Fall term, you will not have an active status for upcoming terms, including January term; therefore, you will not be able to enroll in January, Spring, and May 2025 courses.  

  

Can students from other schools cross-register into HGSE January Term courses? 

Many HGSE January Term courses allow cross-registration. Cross-registrants must follow all the same process steps (e.g., application for course admission, meeting enrollment deadlines, etc.) as HGSE students, in addition to any requirements for cross-registration into any University course (such as obtaining an instructor permission in order to enroll). Harvard College does not permit cross-registration of undergraduate students in January Term.  

  

Who should I contact for more January Term Enrollment information? 

Please contact the Office of the Registrar at registrar@gse.harvard.edu 

 

Important Dates and Deadlines 

Please continue to check our Academic Calendar for important dates and updates.