Harvard University is a private university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., that was founded in 1636 by the colonial Massachusetts legislature. The University is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and is a member of the Ivy League. It is also the first and oldest corporation in North America.

Harvard strives to create knowledge, to open the minds of students to that knowledge, and to enable students to take best advantage of their educational opportunities.

World-class faculty and industry experts are at Harvard to teach students. Harvard offers more than 100 Harvard Extension School and Harvard College courses online that allow students to enrich their knowledge, begin a degree program, or advance their career. With convenient and simple to use, distance learning individuals can take a semester-long class from anywhere in the world. And as long as students have access to the Internet, they can take a class. Students also have the opportunity to interact with classmates and instructors through e-mail and the Web, and review and complete the scheduled assignments wherever they are most comfortable.

Whether students want to take a class for personal gratification or professional growth, the Extension School’s virtual classroom offers they the rigorous and engaging coursework that they would expect from Harvard University. More than 600 courses are offered at Harvard Extension School. But it also offers a range of possibilities for study, representing more than 65 fields.

Harvard University is made up of 10 principal academic units — nine faculties and the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study. The nine faculties oversee schools and divisions that offer courses and award academic degrees.

The goal of Harvard is to identify and to remove restraints on students' full participation. This allows individuals to explore their capabilities and interests and to develop their full intellectual and human potential.