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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sloan School of Business, and the Tufts University Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy permit HBS students to cross-register with their graduate programs. HBS students use cross-registration to take advantage of options like enrolling in David Gergen's popular course at the Harvard Kennedy School, participating in the Entrepreneurship Lab at MIT, or taking a language class at Harvard College.