Concentration Requirements

With the exception of Social Studies 99, which is graded SAT/UNSAT, all of the courses below must be taken for a letter grade. No Social Studies courses may be taken pass/fail. 

Course TitleSubstitution/Waiver
Social Studies 10a
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Social Studies 10b
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Social Studies 98 (1)
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Social Studies 98 (2)
*Or approved paper from semester abroad
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Social Studies 99 (Spring)
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*Or a 5 on the AP Stats 
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Focus Field 1 (Historical)
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Focus Field 2
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Focus Field 3
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Focus Field 4
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Focus Field 5 (optional)
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Focus Field 6 (optional)
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Courses for Concentration Credit

Beginning in AY25-26, the 13 to 15 courses taken to fulfill concentration requirements are the only courses that will count towards a student's Social Studies GPA. Note that any approved courses from professional schools (e.g., Harvard Kennedy School) will not count towards a student's Harvard College or concentration GPA, but must still be taken for a letter grade.

For general information, visit the Harvard College Student Handbooks.