Archive · 28 May 2025
Harvard Engineering School to Discontinue Dual Degree Programs
Harvard's engineering school is changing how students can get master's degrees.
They're stopping a program where students could get a bachelor's and master's at the same time in certain subjects, starting in 2025.
This affects students in Bioengineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, and Mechanical Engineering.
Current students in those programs will be fine, but future students won't have this option.
This change is because professors want students to focus on the Bachelor of Science degree.
The dual program was also not very popular.
They will still offer other master's programs.
Harvard's SEAS will end concurrent bachelor's and master's programs in select engineering fields.
The change affects Bioengineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, and Mechanical Engineering.
Current students in the programs won't be impacted by the change.
The decision aims to steer students toward the Bachelor of Science (S.B.) degree.
The concurrent master's programs will remain in other fields like Computer Science.
- Who
- Harvard’s John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS)
- What
- Phasing out concurrent bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in Bioengineering, Electrical Engineering, and Materials Science and Mechanical Engineering.
- When
- Starting in the 2025-2026 academic year.
- Where
- Harvard University
- Why
- Faculty desired to guide students toward the Bachelor of Science (S.B.) degree which aligns with professional and academic standards
Reasons for the Change
Potential Downsides of the Change
Flexibility and Access
Reasons for the Change
N/A
Potential Downsides of the Change
Future students may face a more rigid choice between the broader A.B. path and the highly technical S.B. program earlier in their college careers.
Cost and Time Savings
Reasons for the Change
N/A
Potential Downsides of the Change
The A.B./S.M. allowed students to earn a master’s without extending their time at Harvard—offering both time and cost savings.
- Affected Programs
- Bioengineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering
- Effective Date
- 2025-2026 academic year
- Impacted Students
- Students in the Class of 2027 and beyond
- Continuing Programs
- Applied Mathematics, Applied Physics, Computer Science, Environmental Science and Engineering
- Reason for change
- Faculty preference for S.B. degree.