What is the Harvard Department of Economics website?

Updated

The site at economics.harvard.edu is the official website of Harvard University's Department of Economics. It is an informational, academic site rather than a service or store: it presents the department's academic programs, research activity, faculty and staff, and news and events. Use it when you want to learn about the department, find a person or research area, or check what the department is currently doing — not when you need admissions decisions, transcripts, or course registration, which are handled elsewhere in the university.

What the site is for

The department describes itself as a Department of Economics, and the site functions as its public face. In practice, that means it is organized around a few recurring questions visitors arrive with:

  • Who works here? Faculty and staff directories, often with individual profile pages, research interests, and contact details.
  • What does the department study? Research areas, working papers, seminars, and other scholarly activity.
  • What can I study? Information on undergraduate and graduate programs, though the site is a starting point rather than the application system itself.
  • What is happening? News, events, and announcements from the department.

How to use it

  1. Start from the navigation. The site's menus are the most reliable map of what it covers; look for sections labeled for people, research, and academics.
  2. Search for a person or topic. If you already know a name or a field, a site search or the directory is faster than browsing.
  3. Follow links outward for transactions. Anything that looks like an application, registration, or official record will typically route you to a central Harvard system. Treat the department site as the signpost, not the destination.

Expected result: you should be able to identify the right person, program, or research area and know where to go next for anything official.

Common sticking points

  • Confusing the department with the university. Admissions, tuition, and student records live in central Harvard systems, not on the department site.
  • Assuming completeness. Department sites vary in how much detail they publish about programs and requirements; always confirm specifics with the department or the relevant admissions office.
  • Expecting current prices or deadlines. The available site information does not include pricing or deadline details, so do not infer them from the site's presence.

When this site is the right starting point

Use economics.harvard.edu if you are researching the department, looking for a faculty member or research area, or checking on its public activities. If your question is about applying, enrolling, paying, or obtaining records, go to the relevant Harvard University office instead — the department site will usually point you there.