LAST UPDATED: May 1, 2023

The health, safety, and well-being of the HKS community is our top priority. As we continue to monitor the health and safety protocols provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the State of Massachusetts, and Harvard University, we will continue to adjust as the public health situation changes.

As of May 1, 2023, HKS Executive Education participants are no longer required to attest to their COVID-19 vaccination status prior to attending an in-person program.  We do, however, continue to recommend participants stay up to date with current COVID-19 vaccinations. 

For information about specific programs, please refer to the specific program webpage using our program finder.


FAQs

Preparing to Come to Campus

Will I need to be vaccinated before coming to campus?
No. As of May 1, 2023, HKS Executive Education participants are no longer required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to attending an in-person program.  We do, however, continue to recommend all eligible participants stay up to date with current COVID-19 vaccinations. 

Do I need a COVID booster shot before coming to campus?
No. The COVID booster is not required for coming to campus, although Harvard recommends all eligible members of the community receive booster shots, based on the current CDC guidelines.  


Will testing be required before arrival?
Executive Education participants are no longer required to test prior to arrival, although we do recommend testing before traveling.    

 
What proof of vaccination is required?
As of May 1, 2023, HKS Executive Education participants will no longer require proof of vaccination. 


Are other Harvard community members required to be vaccinated?
In order to reach the high levels of vaccination needed to protect our community, and consistent with Federal guidance, Harvard University is requiring all faculty, staff and students to be vaccinated. 


Visa & Travel

Will I need to quarantine if I am traveling from outside the U.S. to Boston, MA?
Please review the requirements for travelers arriving to the U.S. from abroad. In addition, you are advised to confirm requirements for your place of origin and your specific airline. No quarantine is required for entering the State of Massachusetts from outside of the U.S. 


Is HKS able to help me facilitate an expedited visa appointment?
As travel regulations vary greatly and are updated frequently, we encourage you to stay abreast of all travel requirements that will apply to your personal travel plans. Given the backlog that many countries are experiencing, we encourage you to consult with your nearest U.S. Embassy. While HKS is not able to influence the visa or NIE process for executive education programs, we can provide a letter with additional program information that you can include with your documentation.


Do I qualify for a National Interest Exception (NIE)?
We recommend a B1/B2 visa for travel to the U.S. for an executive education program. Since participants are not considered full-time students, they do not qualify for a student visa and, therefore, may not qualify for the NIE.  Given how rapidly travel guidelines are changing, we recommend that you contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate with all visa and NIE questions and to confirm your qualification.


If I am unable to secure a visa, can I cancel and receive a refund?
If you are unable to secure a visa, we can discuss options to either transfer your enrollment to a future program or cancel your participation for a full refund.

Attending an On-Campus Program

Will I be required to take a COVID-19 test during my stay on campus?
As of May 1, 2023, HKS Executive Education will no longer require COVID-19 testing during your stay on campus.  However, tests will be available during the program should you experience symptoms.

 

What protocols are in place if I test positive? Will I be required to isolate?
If you test positive, you will be required to isolate in your hotel room for five days. You may return to class if your symptoms have resolved after completing the five-day isolation period. Upon your return, you will be required to wear a mask around others for an additional five days and take meals in a separate location away from the cohort unless you have received two negative test results taken 48 hours apart. However, if on day five of your isolation period you are still experiencing symptoms, you may need to isolate for an additional five days.


Will I be required to quarantine if a fellow participant tests positive?
No. Being exposed to someone who tests positive does not generally require quarantine. Those considered a close contact are required to mask for 10 days, self-monitor for symptoms, and test on day one and five following exposure. Participants who develop symptoms and test positive must follow the isolation protocols outlined above. 
 
Will I be required to wear a mask?
Masks are not required but are always welcome for Executive Education programs. 


How will meals be prepared and served on camp?
Harvard University Dining Services closely coordinates with Harvard University’s various health and safety professionals who guide the campus’ overall health and safety planning and response. We follow all University protocols regarding vaccination, distancing, masking, health attestation, testing, cleaning, and sanitizing as local health conditions necessitate. That means we are prepared, at a moment’s notice, to modify services along a continuum in order to best protect the health of our community.


What are the lodging arrangements and what precautions are being taken for those spaces?
HKS Executive Education participants are housed in individual rooms in the DoubleTree Suites Hotel. Information on their CleanStay program can be found here.


What precautions are taking place to ensure air quality and ventilation on campus?
Harvard University ensures that our buildings have an air filtration capability equal to or better than that required by EH&S for COVID-19 compliance. HKS meets or exceeds Harvard's EH&S recommendation of doubling the normal ASHRAE 62.1 standard for outdoor air per person. This meets or exceeds the standards recommended by the CDC.


Do you offer any remote/virtual/online offerings?
Yes. Please explore our portfolio of online programs


Rescheduled Programs, Program Cancellations, Refunds 

What are my options if HKS cancels or postpones a program to which I am admitted?

If you have been admitted to a program that HKS cancels or changes the dates or format, we will contact you with available options. These may include transferring to the next session of the program or transferring to a different program. You will have the option to receive a full refund of any paid tuition if you are not transferring to another program. Refunds are made to the original form of payment. You may re-apply to future sessions of the program once dates have been set. If you elect to transfer to the next session or to a new program, standard payment terms will apply.
 
If a program is postponed or cancelled, can I receive a refund of paid tuition, transfer my enrollment to the next session, and then pay closer to the start of the new session?
If you transfer to the next program session, any paid tuition is transferred as well. Payment secures your seat in the program. If you prefer to obtain a refund now, you may cancel from the program and re-apply to the program when you are ready. The new application would be reviewed by the Admissions Committee as part of the standard review process. If you are admitted, standard payment terms will apply.
 
What will happen if I transfer to another program and the tuition fee is different from that of my cancelled program?
If the new program fee is higher, you will be invoiced for the difference. If the new program fee is lower, a refund for the difference will be issued.
 
Will HKS refund any travel fees or other incurred costs related to attendance of a cancelled program?
HKS will refund tuition fees only—not travel fees or other expenses incurred. Many airlines have waived cancellation fees. It may be helpful to share emails you have received from your Program Director or from HKS Executive Education regarding a cancelled program with the airline when requesting an airfare refund.


How long will it take to receive my tuition refund?
Refunds take approximately 6-8 weeks at this time.

If I am waitlisted for a program session that is cancelled, will my waitlist status be transferred to a future session of the same program?
Yes, you will be added to the pool of waitlisted applicants for the next scheduled session of the same program.


Program Updates

A full list of on-campus programming can be found here

Have other questions not related to COVID-19? Please consult our standard Executive Education FAQs.