"Harvard for Less" 

 This recent   article   in the  New York Times   talks about the growing number of traditional college-aged students pursuing degrees through continuing education programs, including the   Harvard Extension School .  This year, for the first time some of the Gov Department methods courses are being offered through DCE.  I can't speak for the rest of the university, but at least in our little corner of it, there is no difference between the distance and traditional versions of the course that I TF ( Gov 2000 ).  In the spring term,  Gov 2001 (Advanced Quantitative Research Methodology)  will be offered through DCE as well.