AMDP | FAQs

Please see the Program and Curriculum pages for information on scheduling, content, Team Project, Independent Project, and additional requirements for completion.

AMDP Terms are cumulative and each term builds on the prior term. The program begins once a year, and the class stays together throughout the year, learning in three consecutive terms as a group.

On-campus participation is required for all AMDP terms to complete the program and become a Harvard alum. If, for any reason, participants are unable to attend part of an AMDP term, they will need to make that up on-campus in a future term to complete the program.

The AMDP elective requirement can be satisfied through both on-campus and online offerings.

Finally, please note program events are open to AMDP participants only.  Please consider the time commitment of the program when determining whether to have your family join you.

English proficiency (spoken and written) is required for our AMDP program. You must be able to read and discuss complex cases in English, and to engage in interactive exercises and project-based work in English with your peers. A TOEFL score of at least 100 (internet based) is recommended.

4 Elective units must be taken through programs offered by Executive Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Design online, on campus, or in our joint programs that we offer at the other Harvard schools. Electives allow  you to take advantage of our programs where you seek more information on that subject or something new that you seek to explore.

Many AMDP applicants actually complete their AMDP Electives requirement before they begin AMDP and don’t realize it. They usually learn about AMDP when they are in one of our other programs. We allow you up to five years before you begin AMDP to credit your previous Harvard GSD Executive Education programs, and one year after completing your AMDP Terms to complete electives.

More information here.

Once all AMDP requirements have been completed and tuition has been paid in full, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion and will be awarded Associate Member status within the Harvard Alumni Association.

As a graduate of the AMDP, a non-degree program, you will be awarded Associate Member status within the Harvard Alumni Association. Please see here to learn about some of the benefits to which you will have access: https://alumni.gsd.harvard.edu/benefits/. General questions about Harvard GSD alumni resources should be directed to their office at: [email protected]

If you are offered acceptance to the program, a $2,000 non-refundable deposit will be due within 10 days in order to reserve a class seat. The tuition balance will be due within 60 days of acceptance (or upon receipt of the invoice if admission is within 60 days of the start of the program). If your deposit or tuition balance is not received on time, we unfortunately will need to offer your seat to another candidate.

For more information, please read our AMDP Payment Policy.

Our students make their own arrangements either in hotels, bed and breakfasts, Airbnb rentals or elsewhere near campus. You can find some local options here. Unfortunately, there is no on-campus housing available, as on-campus dormitories and student housing are used year-round for full-time students.

Please consult your consulate/embassy to verify whether a visa is necessary for your stay in the U.S. Because the time required to obtain a visa can be lengthy, we encourage you to consult your consulate/embassy as soon as possible. GSD Executive Education does not provide visas for program participants.

AMDP is an intensive academic program.  The curriculum consists of full-day sessions as well as additional readings, and discussion groups outside of class.  There are some evening social events, however, most nights and weekends are your own.  If your family accompanies you there are many local camps and attractions in the Cambridge/Boston area.

Please note program events are open to AMDP participants only.  Please consider the time commitment of the program when determining whether to have your family join you.  

Due to our privacy policy, we do not circulate the Class List until the day the program begins.

There are no books that need to be purchased for the AMDP. The majority of reading for the AMDP are case studies, articles, and other readings. All AMDP materials will be posted online to the course website and available to those in the class who have paid their tuition in advance.

Once you have paid your AMDP tuition and approximately one month before the AMDP term begins, we will send you the access link to the AMDP on-line course site which will be complete with all readings and further information for the term. You can either print your readings or use your laptop.

If you have been accepted and you must withdraw your AMDP application, we allow a one-year deferment to next year’s class. If you elect this one-year deferment, we require payment of a $2,000 non-refundable deposit within 10 days. This deposit will be applied to your tuition balance. The remaining tuition balance will be due by January 31st of the following year.