What to Expect When Coming to Campus
We are thrilled to host our learners and visitors on Appian Way. As we welcome Professional Education participants to the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) campus, we assure you that the health, safety, and well-being of our community remain our top priority. We closely monitor health and safety protocols as provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the State of Massachusetts, and Harvard University, and we will continue to make adjustments in response to evolving public health guidelines. Professional Education participants must adhere to all public health guidelines instituted by Harvard University and HGSE.
Due to the uncertainty of evolving public conditions, HGSE’s COVID-related safety requirements may be different when your program begins. If you are enrolled in an on-campus program, and our requirements and policies change, the HGSE Professional Education team will contact you by email and on the program’s Canvas site. You may also find information about COVID-19 responses and expectations on the HGSE website and Harvard’s coronavirus website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated: May 4, 2023
Will I need to prove my vaccination status or provide an attestation to attend an on-campus Professional Education program?
As of May 11, 2023, participants will not be required to submit attestations of vaccination, test results, or overall wellness in order to attend. However, we strongly encourage all Professional Education participants, visitors, and guests coming to campus to be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters. In addition, we ask that you do not come to campus if you are sick, have been asked to quarantine or isolate, or have tested positive within the past five days.
Will international participants be permitted to attend on-campus programs?
We welcome all participants. All international applicants should review the current U.S. travel restrictions before applying to and/or registering for an HGSE Professional Education Program.
Is COVID-19 testing required for program registration or attendance?
No, we do not require participants to test for COVID-19 before a Professional Education program.
What if I experience symptoms of COVID-19 during my on-campus program?
If you experience symptoms that you believe may indicate COVID-19, HGSE will provide a rapid antigen test for your use. If you do not feel well, please do not come to campus.
What if I test positive for COVID-19 during my on-campus program?
If you test positive for COVID-19, please contact us through the Professional Education Community. (Select “Program Experience” in the drop-down, and use “Urgent: {Program Name} Attendance” in the subject line.) Your positive result will stay anonymous and not be shared with your faculty or classmates. Participants who test positive for COVID-19 at any time during the program will be asked to exit the program for their health and safety. Depending on the exit date, a program refund, deferral, or certificate of program completion will be issued.
Are masks required to participate in my on-campus program?
No, masks are not required for attendance. However, though no longer mandatory on Harvard’s campus, voluntary masking is encouraged in crowded settings and when virus transmission rates are high. If you would like a mask for your program, HGSE will provide one for you. Please note that though masking is not required, each member of the HGSE community should choose whether and when to wear a mask based on their own comfort level. We ask everyone to respect the choices of others.
Rescheduled Programs, Cancellations, and Refunds
What happens if HGSE cancels my on-campus program due to COVID-19 or for any other reason?
HGSE is closely monitoring public health guidelines as well as case counts in Cambridge and on the Harvard University campus. If it is determined that a planned on-campus program is no longer safe to host in person, the Professional Education team will either transition the program to an online format (with an option to attend, defer your enrollment and use the tuition for another HGSE Professional Education program within one calendar year, or receive a tuition refund) or postpone the program to a later date (with options to defer participation until the next offering, defer your enrollment and use the tuition for another HGSE Professional Education program within one calendar year, or receive a tuition refund).
Will HGSE refund travel fees or other incurred costs related to attendance of a canceled program?
HGSE will refund tuition fees only—not travel costs or other expenses incurred. However, many airlines have waived cancellation fees in light of COVID-19. It may be helpful to share emails you have received from the Professional Education team regarding a canceled program with the airline when requesting an airfare refund.
What if I test positive for COVID-19—will I be refunded?
If you cannot attend the program due to a positive COVID-19 test, you may defer your enrollment and use the tuition for another HGSE Professional Education program within one calendar year, or HGSE will refund your tuition. We are unable to reimburse travel costs or other expenses incurred.