Re: the bolded part of the quote, I have heard many people suggest just that about the Harvard Extension School. Students and faculty at the Extension School, no. People from other institutions (or other programs at Harvard), yes.
This would simply be a difference in experience. I know many Harvard Alumni and have never heard anything negative about HES, quite the contrary actually. For the record, faculty at the extension school are usually faculty of the HC or GSAS or HLS or HBS, etc. Readers should take my words and the words of the above poster as simply our own personal experience. Do your own research and inquire with those in the field and the grad programs you have an interest in. I am in Harvard Yard daily, and in the library a few times a week. I often ask what other Harvard School students think about HES when I see an opportunity to inquire. Again, just different responses I guess. Mine are coming directly from Widener students and those I visit with around the Yard. I am curious to what school you are from? Is it Harvard Medical I assume? You really hear negative things about the extension students?
When employers hire applicants with degrees from a top-tier colleges, they aren't just looking for the quality of education that these degrees represent. They're also looking for the caliber of student who gets admitted to a highly-selective program in the first place. That's where much of the prestige attached to schools like Harvard comes from. I'm not suggesting that the ALM isn't worth the money, or that it isn't a good-quality program. I'm suggesting that no one is kidding themselves about extension students being in the same bracket as other Harvard students, either on the job market or anywhere else.
Absolutely we agree on this. Admission requirements are worlds easier, but also not "easy" as it's too often "easy" to suggest... especially for those that are A. not at HES and B. Not affiliated with Harvard in any way at all. (I assume that you are).
Extension students are all too often reminded that their level of accomplishment is not on par with Harvard College... most of us disagree, but still realize this stems simply from the difference in application process competitiveness. We hear the same rhetoric: "I'm not saying it isn't a good degree, worth the cost, but you KNOW it isn't like all the other Harvies, right?" LOL... When that line comes from non-Harvard affiliates, it's very annoying.
The degree's prestige depends on many factors, including who you're talking to, specifically what they do know (and most don't) of the admission process, of course rigor, and how the candidate presents himself - including the honesty of taking coursework at HES. Bottom line: Yes, the degree is prestigious; No, the degree is not as prestigeous as Harvard College or Harvard Law, etc. if you're looking for those clearing cut-throat admissions.
One point on this: Earning this degree can be a stepping stone in proving your worthiness to Harvard so that you CAN then apply to the higher-standard admission schools (this is my reason for attending HES: to increase the chances of admittance to the Law School... and of course its a hellofa great deal. A quick google search shows many alumni who have gone from an ALB or ALM to a Harvard MD, JD, PhD (less of these), M.Ed., M.Div... it REALLY comes down to what a student wishes for HES to accomplish within their academic career goals. Passing off your degree as one from the College or GSAS is certainly unacceptable.
If anyone in this thread is looking for master's programs in psychology, check your state regulations carefully. Many (most?) states won't allow you to practice with just an M.A. in psychology, and I'm not sure what states consider an MLA/ALM sufficient.
I don't know any state that won't allow you to practice with a masters level clinical degree. Each student should absolutely do their own research and not rely on forums of any kind. State codes are easy to find online for just about every state. The board can direct you to relevant code. Every state that I have looked at (only about ten or so) offer a master-level license usually termed "Psychological Associate" (texas) or something of that nature where the clinician practices under the [limited] supervision of a fully licensed psychologist or psychiatrist. For those states that I looked at, the clinical ALM will satisfy this requirement. More importantly, it gets you clinical and research experience which looks good on Clinical PhD applications... forget the fact that Harvard Medical School professors teach the courses and the level of education is is a notch above most. (opinion of course)
Edit: Apparently the ALM program at the Extension School allows you to take distance education courses. There's another thread in this forum about distance clinical education, so I won't go into this in depth, but I would be wary of getting any sort of clinical education online.
1. The ALM in General Psychology is hybrid and not intended for those with a clinical interest, but you can also do the entire thing in person if you like and make it "feel" more clinical-ish. You can't, however, do even that one all online. 2. The ALM in Clinical Psychology (harder to gain admission to) is clinical in nature, and requires residency. I strongly encourage those considering a degree in psychology from the extension school to come to Cambridge. The academic culture is like no other that I've experienced. Even for those with a purely academic intent, do the General Psych program in person. The resources Harvard offers are crazy awesome.
I think the sum of the above posters' comments and mine are this (even though said from a different perspective):
An ALB or ALM from Harvard is prestigious and is a huge accomplishment.
It is in my mind, a greater accomplishment than most U.S. Universities.
Those who complete the degree will be an alumnus of Harvard and most do join the local Harvard Clubs.
An ALB or ALM DOES NOT include the prestige associated with earning competitive admittance into the College or Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
You should not let the above fact deter you from earning an excellent degree at the country's top University. (remember, there is an admissions process even at HES)
If you want to appeal to employers looking for the elite grads or simply want the puffery that comes with the other schools, then apply to those schools instead, or come to Harvard, complete an ALM, write a top-notch thesis, and GET TO KNOW professors from those schools, and then apply to them. OR - simply be proud of your ALB or ALM and educate your interviewer.
I simply don't want those considering an ALM or ALB to be turned off because they keep hearing, "Yea, it's Harvard, BUUUUTTTT..."
Consider those things, yes.
But do not be put off because of them.
Know your competition in the job market and be ready to stand by whatever degree you have from whichever establishment you received it.
