Declaring Government as your concentration is an easy 2-step process:
- Submit a declaration of concentration request on my.harvard. Directions on how to do that can be found here. Note that the declaration won’t be approved until you complete the next step.
- Fill out an advising survey: Fill out the Government Department’s advising survey, which will be used to match you with a concentration advisor (CA) who will serve as your primary academic advisor for the rest of the academic year.
The Government Department’s Undergraduate Office will be automatically notified once you complete the survey. We will then approve your concentration declaration in my.harvard. Within a few weeks, you will receive your CA assignment.
The deadline for current sophomores to declare their concentration is Friday, October 10, 2025. You do not need to meet with anyone to declare your concentration. After you declare, you will be assigned an advisor with whom you will have to meet to register for Spring term classes.
If you require individual assistance, please email undergrad@gov.harvard.edu or sign up for a meeting on the Government Department’s Calendly page.
Switching into Government from another Concentration
The process for switching into Government is the same as declaring Government as a pre-concentrator. Please follow the instructions above.
Double concentrations with Government
A double concentration means that you are completing two separate concentrations at the same time. There does not need to be academic overlap between the two fields, and per Harvard College rules, you cannot double count more than 2 classes (8 credits) for the two fields.
To declare a double concentration, simply complete the 2-step declaration process above and then separately complete the declaration process for your other concentration.
Joint concentrations with Government
A joint concentration requires combining two related fields into a single course of study. The centerpiece of a joint concentration is a single senior-honors thesis that meets the requirements of two different disciplines.
Because a joint concentration requires substantial planning to ensure that it lends itself to a single thesis project, it requires an application. Sophomores cannot apply for the joint concentration. Sophomores who might be interested in applying for a joint concentration in the future should declare the two fields as a double concentration in the interim.
More information about the joint concentration can be found here.
Optional Curricular Programs in Government
The Government Department offers optional curricular programs in Data Science, Tech Science, Public Policy, Political Economy, & Law and Justice. You do not need to declare these programs until your senior year. If you have particular questions about a program or you want to complete the paperwork to declare one of the programs, please get in touch with the following advisers:
- For questions about Data Science, please contact Concentration Advisor Uma Ilavarasan.
- For questions about Political Economy or Public Policy, please contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Nara Dillon.
- For questions about Tech Science or Law and Justice, please contact the Assistant Director of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Gabriel Katsh.
We hope the information above helps you as you explore your options and decide on the concentration that is best for you. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about the concentration.