Official visitors to HGSE can hold one of four titles: Visiting Scholar, Visiting Practitioner, Associate in Practice, and Postdoctoral Fellow in Education. Only a small number of these appointments are made each year; appointment is contingent on a close match between the School's mission and the interests and expertise of the visitor. Courtesy appointees must be sponsored by a core HGSE faculty member, who is responsible for orienting the visitor to the School (e.g., by providing information about HGSE and its policies so that the appointee understands those resources that are, and are not, available). Appointments as Visiting Scholar and Visiting Practitioner are limited to one academic year and cannot be renewed.

These courtesy appointments carry no salary, office space or support services. Appointees in residence (Visiting Scholar, Visiting Practitioner or Postdoctoral Fellow) receive a Harvard ID card, which allows them to join the Faculty Club, use the Harvard libraries, participate in various academic activities and projects, and purchase parking permits and athletic facilities stickers. All courtesy appointees, with the exceptions of Postdoctoral Fellows in Education, must provide their own email, fax, and telephone services; HGSE will not provide these services. There is no presumption that courtesy appointees will be allowed to audit classes. Every appointee must sign a letter of agreement indicating acceptance of these stipulations and limitations before an appointment will be processed.

It is a violation of the Harvard Graduate School of Education's policy to use any title other than the officially designated one; use of that title is limited to the period specified in writing. The appointment of anyone misrepresenting himself or herself as a member of the faculty, a researcher, or as holding any other position or title at Harvard University or the Harvard Graduate School of Education will be immediately and permanently rescinded. Visitors may not, under any circumstances, apply for sponsored funding or receive gifts under the auspices of the Harvard Graduate School of Education. They may not be appointed as Principal Investigator.

Visiting Scholar

This title is used for experienced faculty on leave from other institutions who have made substantial contributions in their fields. A member of the HGSE faculty who wishes to collaborate on research and/or writing with the visitor must agree to act as a sponsor. The faculty member will complete an appointment request form (also available from the Office of Academic Services, 122 Longfellow Hall) and forward it, with a written descriptive rationale of the collaborative work to be completed with the visitor, a copy of the visitor's c.v., and an example of the visitor's written work (in English). The Dean, or the Dean's designee, will review all requests. Once a request has been approved, the Dean or the Dean's designee will write to the appointee, who must then provide written acceptance of the stipulations and limitations of the appointment before the appointment will be officially processed.

Visiting Practitioner

This title is used for education-related professionals affiliated with HGSE's practitioner programs (e.g., Principal's Center, Urban Superintendent's Program, Teacher Education Program) who come to HGSE. Visiting Practitioners are expected to contribute to the academic life of the school, for example, by participating in seminars or institutes, providing work settings for student interns, or working on HGSE projects. The request and appointment process is the same as that used for Visiting Scholars (see above).

Associate in Practice

This title is used for education-related professionals affiliated with HGSE's practitioner programs (as mentioned under Visiting Practitioner) who are not expected to be in residence at HGSE. Associates in Practice contribute to the academic life of the school and its students by mentoring the School's aspiring principals, superintendents, teachers or other leaders in school settings. The request and appointment process is the same as that used for Visiting Scholars (see above) with two exceptions: (1) these appointments do not come with a Harvard ID card; but (2) these appointments can be renewed annually at the request of the sponsoring program, with the approval of the Dean or the Dean's designee.

Postdoctoral Fellow in Education

This courtesy appointment and title is for individuals who have received an official Postdoctoral Fellowship from an organization outside of Harvard University, whose stipends are being paid directly to them, and who received their doctorate within the last 5 years. (Please refer to Externally Funded Postdoctoral Fellowships below.) Appointments are made for a period of no longer than one academic year, and upon review and approval may be renewed for no more than one additional academic year. The request and appointment process is the same as that used for Visiting Scholars (see above).

Externally Funded Postdoctoral Fellowships, with stipend awarded directly to individual

These postdoctoral fellows receive a stipend directly from an outside agency; they do not receive a paycheck from Harvard. Examples include: National Science Foundation (NSF) Minority Postdoctoral Fellows and NSF International Research Fellows. These Fellows all pursue their own research under the sponsorship of a core HGSE faculty member. Faculty should consult the HGSE Office for Sponsored Projects prior to agreeing to sponsor a postdoctoral fellow under this arrangement.

All applications for postdoctoral fellowship sponsorship must be accompanied by documents from the funding agency that fully disclose the financial aspects of the fellowship, including allowances for recouping HGSE institutional expenses. If HGSE is eligible to request an institutional allowance, the faculty sponsor should consult with the HGSE Office of Sponsored Projects to ensure that the maximum allowable amount is requested. While the faculty sponsor may request access to the institutional allowance, the ultimate use of the funds is at the discretion of the Dean.

Fellows in this category may receive the HGSE courtesy title Postdoctoral Fellow in Education and are eligible to purchase affiliate insurance through the student insurance office. They are not eligible for any other Harvard University benefits.

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*PLEASE NOTE NEW HARVARD AFFILIATE HEALTH INSURANCE POLICY FOR 2004-2005 and beyond. Information available from Harvard University Health Services.

Also, information for foreign visitors at the University is available from the Harvard International Office.