Harvard Medical School Pre-College Online Certificate Program
About the Program
If you can picture yourself in medicine, the Harvard Medical School Pre-College Online Certificate Program is where that future begins to take shape. Designed for high school students ages 13 and older, this program gives you direct access to medical science through courses taught by Harvard Medical School faculty. Whether you are drawn to the operating room, the research lab, or the science behind how the human body works, you can explore it here — on your own schedule, from anywhere in the world.
13+
Open to students ages 13 and older
9
Courses across 2 different course types
100 percent
Online and self-paced
What Is the Harvard Medical School Pre-College Online Certificate Program?
The Harvard Medical School Pre-College Online Certificate Program is an online program built entirely around medicine and medical science, designed to help you develop a genuine understanding of the medical field, the science that underpins it, and what a career in medicine or health care actually looks like. Students choose from two types of courses: Capstone Courses and Academic Enrichment Courses.
Capstone Courses are project-based courses that put your knowledge to work. You will tackle real-world medical challenges and develop the kind of applied thinking that medicine demands, concluding each course with a final project that demonstrates what you have learned. Academic Enrichment Courses go deep into the core scientific disciplines that form the foundation of medical education, covering subjects such as genetics, biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology, and immunology. These courses conclude with a final exam that tests your understanding of the material.
You can take one course or several, and mix Capstone and Academic Enrichment Courses based on where your curiosity leads you. No matter which courses you choose, you will have access to video lessons taught by Harvard Medical School faculty, personalized support from a mentor, and a certificate of completion from Harvard Medical School upon finishing each course.
Who Is This Program For?
This program is designed for high school students ages 13 and older who feel a pull toward medicine, science, or health care and want to start building real knowledge in those fields now. It is a great fit if you:
- Are passionate about medicine or science and want to explore that interest in depth
- Are considering a future in medicine, research, surgery, nursing, or another health care field and want to see what that path really involves
- Want to earn a certificate of completion from Harvard Medical School that strengthens your college applications and demonstrates your commitment to the field
- Need a flexible, self-paced program that fits around your school schedule, extracurriculars, and other commitments
How Does the Program Work?
Courses are structured around dynamic video lessons taught by Harvard Medical School faculty, bringing medical science to life through real-world applications, multimedia content, and interactive tools. You can watch lessons at any time and work through assignments at your own pace, entirely online.
Throughout each course, you will be supported by a mentor who provides guidance, answers your questions, and helps you think more deeply about the material. Capstone Courses conclude with a final project where you will apply what you have learned to a real-world medical challenge. Academic Enrichment Courses conclude with a 90-minute final exam that assesses your understanding of the subject. Upon successful completion of either course type, you will earn a certificate of completion from Harvard Medical School.
There are no required live sessions, so no matter how demanding your schedule is, you can engage with the program entirely on your own terms. Most courses take approximately 30 to 35 hours of instruction and activities to complete, so you can plan your pace around school and other commitments.
What Courses are Available?
All nine courses are focused exclusively on medicine and medical science, spanning two course types. Capstone Courses are designed for students who want to apply their knowledge to real-world medical challenges. Academic Enrichment Courses are designed for students who want to build a foundation in a specific medical science discipline. You can take individual courses or bundle them together to build a more comprehensive understanding of the field. Current courses include:
Capstone Courses
- Artificial Intelligence: Redefining the Frontiers of Medicine
- Becoming a Doctor: A Deep Dive into the Medical Profession
- Medical Research: Shaping the Future of Health and Medicine
- Surgery: Inside the Operating Room and Beyond
Academic Enrichment Courses
How To Apply:
It’s easy. No transcripts or letters of recommendation are required. Just provide some basic information and tell us why you wish to take this program.
Note: Please submit all application materials in English.
Begin the guided application process. It should take only a few minutes of your time to answer the questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Individual course fees range from $1,895 for Academic Enrichment courses to $2,195 for Capstone courses. Need-based scholarships are available for students who qualify.
Most courses involve approximately 30 to 35 hours of instruction and activities, including videos, simulations, and assignments. Since the format is self-paced, you can spread that time out in whatever way fits your schedule. Academic Enrichment Courses conclude with a 90-minute final exam, while Capstone Courses conclude with a final project that you complete by the end of your course session.
Yes. You are encouraged to take multiple courses to build a broader and deeper understanding of medicine and medical science. Course bundles are also available for students who want to take several courses together at once. The flexible, self-paced format makes it easy to take more than one course without conflicting with school, extracurriculars, or other commitments.
No. The Harvard Medical School Pre-College Online Certificate Program does not offer college credit. Upon successful completion of each course, students earn a certificate of completion from Harvard Medical School, which can be a meaningful addition to college applications and résumés.
Capstone Courses are project-based and focused on applying your knowledge to real-world medical challenges. They conclude with a final project that demonstrates what you have learned. Academic Enrichment Courses are subject-focused and designed to build a strong foundational understanding of a specific medical science discipline. They conclude with a final exam that tests your understanding of the material. Both course types include mentor support and a certificate of completion from Harvard Medical School.
This program is open to students ages 13 and older who are currently in high school (or its U.S. equivalent), as well as students taking a gap year before college. You're eligible to apply up until one year after high school graduation, as long as you haven't yet enrolled in college.
Yes. Need-based scholarships are available for students who demonstrate high potential and an inability to pay full tuition. You can apply for a scholarship during or after the application process.
