You are welcome to cross-register into Harvard Kennedy School classes if you are a student at Harvard University, MIT, or the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.

 

Fall 2023 HKS building access and ID cards

All students are required to hold a Harvard University ID (HUID) card to access the HKS campus buildings. Cross-registrants may enter using the main Wexner entrance, off the HKS Courtyard. Details about building access is available on the Keep HKS Healthy page.

Students must submit their cross-registration petition at least 24 hours prior to being allowed in the HKS buildings. Harvard University cross-registrants may access the HKS campus using their student issued HUID card. MIT and Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University students who have submitted their cross-registration petition may pick up an HUID card directly from the Harvard University ID Card Services Office at the Smith Campus Center, 8th Floor.

Students may provide official government-issued identification for HKS building access if they do not yet have an HUID card.

 

Cross-registration petition submission

Here are the necessary steps you will need to take.

For Harvard University students

Cross-register into HKS through my.harvard.

  • Select “course search” to browse the course catalog
  • Add the course(s) to your Crimson Cart
  • Validate and submit your petition(s). You will submit a petition into an HKS course once the registration period has opened.
  • Once approved by the HKS Office of the Registrar, you must enroll yourself in the course to appear on the class roster and receive credit.

For MIT students

Visit MIT’s Add/Drop application site to submit your HKS cross-registration requests.

  • Harvard instructors will receive notifications that you are interested in cross-registering into their courses
  • Instructors approve or deny requests online
  • Check the MIT Add/Drop online application for updates on an instructor’s decision
  • You are not officially registered in the class until the HKS Office of the Registrar has approved your petition. If approved, the HKS Office of the Registrar will enroll you.
  • Your enrollment will be communicated back to MIT

For Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University students

Visit the Harvard University Course Catalog website.

  • Click on "Account Registration" to register for a Harvard ID number using your official school e-mail address. You will need to do this for each term that you cross-register into HKS. Once you receive your Harvard ID number, claim your HarvardKey at key.harvard.edu (complete the registration form even if you already have a Harvard ID and HarvardKey. Once identity validation is complete, you will receive an email with your Harvard ID and instructions on how to claim your HarvardKey. You can then login to my.harvard to petition Harvard courses).
  • Note that January Session is part of Spring Term
  • Log in to courses.my.harvard.edu with your HarvardKey
  • Select and add your course(s) to your Crimson Cart
  • Click on your Crimson Cart and select the course(s) to submit your petition enrollment request(s)
  • Your petition will be reviewed by the instructor once the cross-registration period has begun
  • Once your petition is processed, you will receive an e-mail to confirm whether you have been registered. If HKS confirms your enrollment, you should attend and participate in the class even if it does not yet appear on your home school record.

 

Auditing

Only currently enrolled Harvard students, Harvard employees, and Harvard fellows may be auditors due to building access policies. You must have an active Harvard University identification card (HUID) and follow the University’s COVID-19 policies and protocols. Individuals outside Harvard University are not permitted to audit courses for the 2023-2024 academic year.

If you are a student interested in auditing a course at Harvard Kennedy School, you will need to contact the faculty member or faculty assistant for the course and request permission. Once your request is approved, the faculty member or faculty assistant will grant you "guest" access to the Canvas course platform. Audited courses may not be taken for credit and may not be converted into credit for use toward a degree at a future point.

Students may not re-take an audited class for credit.

 

Disability Accommodations

Harvard University is inclusive of individuals with disabilities (including those with mental health and chronic health conditions) participating in its courses, programs, and activities.  To request accommodations or ask questions about the accessibility of a cross-registered course at or through Harvard, please contact the Harvard disability services office at the school where the course takes place (HOST School) and coordinate with the disability services office where you are currently receiving services (HOME School) in advance of the start of your course.