Well...I certainly don't think it has the same cachet as getting a degree from Harvard College, but I would take exception to saying it isn't a real "Harvard" degree.

I did a lot of research before I decided on taking this path. I live not 3 miles from a respected state school and not far from Georgetown, George Washington University, American, and Univ of Md. NONE of these schools could offer me what I could get from Harvard, namely, a REAL education. Too many of these schools are simply not set up to take in a 35-year old who has a job and a family and give them a shot at a degree OR they will give you a kind of rush-job degree that really isn't worth the paper it's printed on.

I've spent a considerable amount of time talking with people and trying to figure out if this is REALLY a good option for me and in particular, how this degree is TRULY viewed. I went out to Harvard and started asking questions and met with instructors and advisors there. SEVERAL of their students went on to Harvard Law School. Many others went on to Harvard Medical School and more went to graduate programs at other respected schools. Also, there is the option of becomming a "special student" which entitles you to take the exact same classes that the regular Harvard College students take during the day.

It's NOT easy to do this. Let me dissuade you of that notion. They haven't handed out degrees to a lot of students because the program is academically challenging.

I've heard the naysayer arguments before. This isn't University of Phoenix. If I have to get my degree in a non-traditional program, I want it to be the BEST program I can find.