哈佛大学的作曲课程旨在通过提供一般的音乐指导以及对作品的个别批评，为学生提供发展作曲家的时间和机会。该计划的重点是通过发展学生对作曲技巧的掌握，使学生获得清晰的表达。另外，通过分析和性能来了解过去和现在的文献被认为是必不可少的。大多数课程都是研讨会，涉及特定主题或学生作品。通常情况下，学生将在本系的头两年花在课程上。第三，第四和第五年致力于论文和教学，并积极参与作曲研讨会和哈佛大学新音乐音乐会。如果能够获得特定的研究项目或艺术居留权，作曲家可能会在第4年中在另一个艺术机构或大学度过一个学期。在完成预备培训
Harvard's program in composition is designed to give students the time and opportunity to develop as composers by offering general musical guidance as well as specific individual criticism of their works. The program is centered around the students' achieving clarity of expression through developing their command of compositional technique. In addition, acquaintance with the literature of the past and present through analysis and performance is considered indispensable. Most courses are seminars and deal with specific topics or student works. The student typically spends the first two years in the department on coursework. The third, fourth, and fifth years are devoted to work on the dissertation and teaching, as well as active participation in composition colloquia and Harvard Group for New Music concerts. Composers may spend one term during their 4th year at another art institution or university if a particular research project or artistic residency can be obtained. On the completion of preparatory training and the passing of the general examinations, PhD dissertations comprising a substantial portfolio of between five and seven pieces of varied scoring and length may be submitted.