Second, the Division of Continuing Education offers 32 online courses for credit. Enrollment is open to the general public, but is not free.
For a small fee, registered users can attend on-campus lectures or watch them online. Some courses are available online only.
Finally, Harvard’s course websites are freely accessible to the online public. Outside web surfers sometimes contact Faculty members to pose an academic question or request permission to use course materials.
Martin says that there are currently proposals on the table to make current distance learning initiatives like “Harvard at Home” available to a broader audience.
“We like to think that our alumni would take pride, as do alumni of MIT, in offering glimpses of what an education at Harvard [offers] to others,” Martin said, “but without the interaction that’s essential to a Harvard education and a Harvard degree.”
—Staff writer Kate L. Rakoczy can be reached at rakoczy@fas.harvard.edu.