What does HASS stand for?
Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences
What is the difference between HASS, HASS-E and HASS-D?
HASS refers to any Humanities, Arts, and/or Social Science subject or area. HASS-E refers to a HASS-Elective class, which is basically any HASS class. When referring to classes, HASS and HASS-E are usually used interchangeably. HASS-D’s are HASS-Distribution classes. These constitute a subset of all HASS classes which meet very specific criteria and count toward the HASS-Distribution Requirement.
What exactly is the HASS Requirement?
Every undergraduate student at MIT must take at least 8 HASS classes. At least 3 of these must be HASS Distribution (HASS-D) classes. The 3 HASS-D classes must each be from a different category. In addition, 3 or 4 of the 8 classes must form a concentration. A concentration may include one HASS-D that counts toward the HASS-D Requirement (if allowed by the concentration field). The total number of classes required (3 or 4) varies by concentration field. To sum up, every student needs at least 3 HASS-D classes and a 3- or 4-subject concentration. The remaining classes, to make a total of 8, can be any HASS classes. For a detailed description of the HASS Requirement, click here.
How can I receive HASS credit for a course that isn’t already designated “HASS?”
You may petition to receive HASS credit for some classes that are not already designated as “HASS.” The petition is available online through the Registrar’s Office website. For a list of the types of classes which may be and may not be petitioned for HASS credit, click here.
Do I have to wait until I’ve received a grade to petition for HASS credit?
Unless you are in your last term before graduation, you should wait until you have a grade for that subject in WebSIS. Once you have a grade, you may fill out a petition (PDF) and contact Dr. Bette Davis to have it approved. If you would like confirmation that you will receive HASS credit before you complete the class, you may ask Dr. Bette Davis for preliminary approval.
Can I get HASS credit for a class I took abroad?
Yes. You should talk to the appropriate Transfer Credit Examiner before taking the class to make sure that it will be approved. If you are going abroad with the CME program, you should talk to Dr. Bette Davis.
If I took a HASS class my first semester freshman year and got a “P,” does it still count toward all the requirements (HASS, HASS-D, Concentration, etc.)?
Yes.
May I use classes taken under the junior-senior P/D/F option toward the HASS Requirement?
No.
Are there any HASS classes offered during IAP?
Yes, but not many, and enrollment is very limited. If you are interested in this possibility, you should check the IAP offerings on the web and inquire early at the relevant department or program about the class you would like to take.
How can I get my hidden grades?
You may obtain hidden grades from whichever department/section/program offered your class. For example, if you would like your grade for 21L.001, you should ask in Literature Headquarters.
Are there placement exams for languages at MIT?
Only for Japanese. For Japanese classes, there is a meeting in the first week before classes and then a placement exam on the first day. For further details, you should contact Foreign Languages & Literatures. Other languages have no placement exams but you should speak with the professor for an informal assessment of your level of proficiency.
Can I use AP credit toward any part of the HASS requirement?
No, AP credit cannot be used toward any part of the HASS requirement; it counts as general unrestricted elective units.
Can a 9-unit HASS class count toward the HASS requirement?
Yes.
Who can I talk to about CME?
While the HASS Education Office does not administer the CME program, you can make an appointment with Dr. Bette Davis to discuss anything regarding HASS and CME.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology