Class of 2014 & Beyond FAQ

The revised Requirement applies to students who enter as freshmen in Fall 2010 or later and to transfer students who enter as sophomores in Fall 2011 or later, as illustrated in the following chart.

Distribution Component/Year of Entry
Enter as...	2009-10 or earlier	2010-11	2011-12	2012-13
Freshman	HASS-D	HASS categories	HASS categories	HASS categories
Sophomore	HASS-D	HASS-D	HASS categories	HASS categories
Junior	HASS-D	HASS-D	HASS-D	HASS categories

This means that the distribution for incoming first-year students consists of three HASS distribution subjects, one from each of the three categories: Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.

Can I petition if I want to be under the old rules?

No. The requirements you must complete are determined by your year of entry and your class standing (freshman, sophomore, etc.) at the time you begin your studies at MIT.

How do I find out which subjects are in which categories and which are electives?

On the Advanced Search page of the MIT Online Subject Listing & Schedule, you can search for subjects in any of the HASS categories. [Look for the label: HASS Categories (for students entering in Fall 2010 or later).] Please note that a few subjects have been assigned to more than one category; these subjects will automatically audit for the category needed by the student.

Hint: because there are many subjects in each category, you may wish to limit your search to a specific term – or even to a specific Course or time of the day. Additional search tips are posted on the Help page of the subject listing.

Can I take more than one distribution subject in one semester?

Yes, you can register for more than one distribution subject in the same semester. Both subjects may count towards your degree requirements, either as one of the three distribution subjects or one of the other five HASS classes.

What if I take more than one subject in the same distribution category?

If you take more than one subject in the same category, one of the classes will fulfill part of the Distribution Component while the other may count as one of your other five HASS classes.

Do my distribution subjects count towards my concentration?

One of the subjects that counts toward the Distribution Component of the HASS Requirement may also be designated as a concentration subject with the permission of the concentration advisor.

Is the Distribution Component paced? Does it need to be completed by a certain time?

Students may complete the Distribution Component of the HASS Requirement at their own pace. However, students are encouraged to complete it as early as possible during their academic career. These subjects could introduce you to a new area of interest and help you identify a field for further exploration in your HASS Concentration.

What is a HASS-E?

HASS-E designates a subject that may count toward fulfilling the 8-subject HASS Requirement, but cannot be used to fulfill the Distribution Component, which requires one subject in each of the following categories: Arts (HASS-A), Humanities (HASS-H), and Social Sciences (HASS-S).

Does a HASS-D count as my HASS-A, HASS-H, or HASS-S?

It can. Existing subjects, including HASS-D classes, have been assigned to one of the new HASS categories.

Will I be able to count Harvard or Wellesley classes towards the Requirement?

To receive credit toward the HASS Requirement for a subject taken at Harvard or Wellesley, students must petition the Subcommittee on the HASS Requirement. Please contact the HASS Academic Administrator with questions about Harvard cross-registration. Students may receive elective credit for classes taken outside of MIT. For more information, please email hassreq@mit.edu.

Will performance subjects count towards the Distribution Component of the Requirement?

If a student under the revised Distribution (HASS-A, HASS-H, HASSS-S) takes two six-unit performance subjects in Music and Theater Arts, these two subjects will be automatically combined to count as one Arts (HASS-A) subject. No action is required on the student’s part. Similarly, unless a specific sequence of subjects is specified, any combination of two six-unit sampling subjects in Literature will automatically be combined to count as one Humanities (HASS-H) subject. Again, no action is needed on the student’s part.

Students under the HASS-D system will need to petition for two six-unit performance subjects of Literature sampling subjects to count as a HASS subject.

Does AP credit apply to any of my distribution subjects?

No, AP credit can never be used to fulfill any part of the HASS Requirement.

Does transfer credit apply to any of my distribution subjects?

Normally, transfer credit cannot be used towards the Distribution Component of the HASS Requirement. Please refer to the petitions page for more information on when the Subcommittee on the HASS Requirement would review a petition for a distribution subject.

Transfer credit may, however, be used to satisfy HASS elective requirements. Please contact the transfer credit examiner in the appropriate HASS field for more information.

How does the Communication Requirement overlap with the HASS Requirement?

All students are required to take 2 CI-H subjects and 2 CI-M subjects. The CI-H subjects may also count toward the HASS Requirement either as part of the Distribution Component or as an elective.

As an incoming freshman can I take a HASS-D class?

Yes, HASS-D subjects are open to all students. You are not required to take HASS-D subjects, but if you wish to take a subject that is designated as HASS-D you will need to enter the HASS-D Lottery.

I found a class I want to take and it says I have to enter the HASS-D Lottery. What is that?

The HASS-D Lottery manages the enrollment in subjects designated as HASS-D.

When does the HASS-D lottery close?

Please refer to the HASS-D Lottery website for more information.

What if I did not get my first choice HASS-D subject?

Please refer to the HASS-D Lottery website for more information.

I missed the HASS-D lottery, or did not get placed in the lottery. What do I do?

Please refer to the HASS-D Lottery website for more information and a list of open subjects after the lottery has been run. You may be able to add a HASS-D after the term begins through the normal Add process — just remember that instructor approval is always required to add a HASS-D subject.

Hint: keep in mind that you may also choose from among the many HASS-A, HASS-H, and HASS-S subjects that are not part of the lottery system and can register for them on Registration Day.