NYU SPS Guaranteed Admission Program

[Jonathan Whatley]

NYU SPS, while sharing goals and vision similar to Harvard Extension, exhibits several significant differences:

1. NYU SPS offers not only non-traditional programs but also traditional undergraduate and postgraduate programs. It is home to NYU's flagship degree programs in Real Estate and Global Affairs, meaning that to study these subjects at NYU, one must attend SPS. Notably, the NYU Schack Institute of Real Estate is ranked among the top undergraduate real estate degrees by US News.
   https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/ran...eal-estate
   https://www.sps.nyu.edu/homepage/academi...-news.html
   

Harvard Extension also offers traditional (on-campus) undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Harvard Extension is home to Harvard University's only programs in several fields, including its only degree in Journalism and its only post-baccalaureate pre-medical and pre-health program, meaning that to study these subjects at Harvard University, one must attend Harvard Extension.

2. Unlike Harvard's policy with its Extension School, NYU does not require graduates to list "SPS" on their resumes, nor do employers expect it. NYU SPS is fully recognized as part of NYU. Anecdotally, my cousin, an SPS graduate, has stated that his degree is perceived no differently from those awarded by other NYU schools.

The HES situation is more complicated.

3. Regular NYU students regard NYU SPS graduates as equals, without the elitism sometimes associated with Harvard. This inclusivity is a point of pride for the university.

I was an on-campus student at HES, where I became president of a student society. I knew several fellow Extension students who were either graduates of or concurrently students completing their degrees at other Harvard schools (College, Divinity, Law). All but maybe one treated us Extension-only students as equals. One in particular contributed great community building and enrichment programming work to our Extension student group. As to the "maybe one" exception, difficult people exist everywhere.

4. The policy of guaranteeing admissions for veterans, requiring a respectful GPA (3.5 for master's programs), is commendable and could serve as a model for other universities. This approach demonstrates support without compromising academic standards.

Agreed!

5. The term "School of Professional Studies" arguably has a more positive connotation than "Extension Studies," which might contribute to the stigma associated with Harvard Extension. A name change to "Harvard School of Professional Studies" could potentially alter public perception, as "Extension" can sound exclusionary.  The term "Extension" can imply a separation from the main campus or core academic programs, suggesting that these programs are an extension of the university rather than an integral part of it.

I like the historic name Harvard Extension School, est. 1910. Respect to NYU SPS, too.