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    You Are Harvard Material: Accessible Online Learning at Your Pace

    Traveling man on a plane online learning while ivy grows on the walls
    • 09 Jan 2025
    Kiley Reitano Author Staff
    tag
    • Work-Life Balance

    You might equate Harvard Business School with Ivy League exclusivity. But at HBS Online, the mission has always been to educate leaders who make a difference in the world wherever they are—in their careers, lives, and the world—offering high-quality, accessible online learning designed for everyone.

    Education is evolving to meet professionals’ busy, demanding schedules. Whether you’re working full-time, a caregiver, an entrepreneur, or seeking new skills to advance or pivot your career, online learning can fit seamlessly into your unique lifestyle.

    HBS Online’s accessible online certificate and credential programs enable you to take charge of your education. From self-paced learning and a supportive global community to affordability and measurable career outcomes, here’s why you’re the perfect fit for HBS Online.


    Free E-Book: Your Guide to Online Learning Success

    Access your free e-book today.

    DOWNLOAD NOW

    Advantages of Accessible Learning at HBS Online

    Learning That Fits Your Life

    No matter where you are in your professional journey—whether you're just starting out, changing careers, or have years of experience—HBS Online offers a wide range of courses to meet your unique educational needs and life circumstances.

    Our flexible certificate and credential programs are taught by world-renowned HBS faculty and feature the School’s signature case method, in which you’re presented with a real-world business challenge and asked how you’d solve it. The learning model brings HBS’s transformative learning experience to you—no matter where you are in the world.

    The programs are self-paced to accommodate your lifestyle, allowing you to complete coursework on your schedule. Whether traveling, working full-time, or juggling family commitments, the accessibility ensures you can pursue your goals without compromise.

    Related: Balancing Life & Learning with Flexible Online Courses

    Access to a Global Network

    At HBS Online, learning happens inside and outside each program.

    The HBS Online Community is a global network of like-minded business professionals that can enhance your learning experience and help you build your professional network before, during, or after your course. By joining the Community, you can:

    • Find and attend in-person events in your area
    • Explore virtual events, such as webinars, panels, and meetups
    • Connect with peers through discussion boards and direct messaging
    • Access industry-related Chapters to ask questions and network with others in your field
    • Earn badges for engagement

    Those who complete a course are also invited to HBS Online’s annual learner conference, Connext—an exclusive hybrid event where you can engage with peers and HBS senior leadership and faculty, exchange ideas, and deepen your professional growth.

    “Learning from an establishment like Harvard Business School and being in a cohort of people from all over the world from a variety of fields was truly monumental for me,” said Tina Kamel of her experience taking HBS Online’s Design Thinking and Innovation course.

    With more than 30 regional and topic-based Chapters and learners from over 190 countries, the HBS Online Community provides opportunities to connect with fellow learners in person and virtually, helping you expand your network and advance in or pivot your career.

    Related: 7 Ways to Grow Your Network Through the HBS Online Community

    Affordable and Accessible Education

    Accessibility is at the heart of HBS Online’s mission, ensuring high-quality education is within reach for learners worldwide. To support this, HBS Online offers two types of grants for most certificate and credential programs:

    • Income-Based Grants: Available for first-time HBS Online participants with limited financial resources
    • Military Grants: Available to participants who are active-duty service members or veterans of the U.S. military

    HBS Online also encourages participants to explore a valuable but often underutilized benefit: employer tuition reimbursement programs. Many organizations offer this perk as an excellent way to invest in your professional growth while reducing out-of-pocket costs.

    With the right support and hard work, anyone can be Harvard material.

    Related: How to Ask Your Employer to Pay for Your Education

    Strong ROI for Your Career Goals

    HBS Online aims to make your educational journey not only accessible but rewarding. Our programs deliver a strong return on investment, equipping you with the knowledge, skills, and credentials to set you apart in today’s competitive job market.

    In collaboration with market research firm City Square Associates, HBS Online surveyed learners to understand our courses’ impact on their careers and economic status. After earning their certificate:

    • Ninety-one percent said HBS Online had a positive impact on their careers
    • Forty-two percent received a salary increase of an average of $17,000
    • Sixteen percent received a bonus of an average of $14,000
    • Thirty-six percent changed careers
    • Thirty-one percent were promoted

    By choosing HBS Online, you’re not just investing in your education—you’re investing in your future.

    Related: What Is the Value of a Certificate from HBS Online?

    Unlock Your Potential with HBS Online

    HBS Online is more than just an educational platform--it's an opportunity to unlock your full potential. With flexible, accessible learning options, a global community of peers, and a strong return on investment, HBS Online empowers you to achieve your goals at your own pace.

    Related: With HBS Online, you can grow your business skills wherever you are. Your potential is the only prerequisite.

    View Video

    Immerse yourself in a world-class Ivy League education, regardless of where you are in your career, life, or the world. With HBS Online, you are Harvard material.

    Are you interested in experiencing accessible online learning? Explore HBS Online’s course catalog and download our free guide—complete with interactive workbook sections—to determine if online learning is right for you and which course to take.

    About the Author

    Kiley Reitano is a marketing manager at Harvard Business School Online. Before joining HBS Online, she developed content across various industries, including health and wellness, restaurant, and home improvement sectors. Kiley holds a B.S. in Business Administration and an MBA from UMass Lowell. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and raising awareness for chronic illnesses.
     
    All FAQs

    Top FAQs

    How are HBS Online courses delivered?

    +–

    We offer self-paced programs (with weekly deadlines) on the HBS Online course platform.

    Our platform features short, highly produced videos of HBS faculty and guest business experts, interactive graphs and exercises, cold calls to keep you engaged, and opportunities to contribute to a vibrant online community.

    Are HBS Online programs available in languages other than English?

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    We expect to offer our courses in additional languages in the future but, at this time, HBS Online can only be provided in English.

    All course content is delivered in written English. Closed captioning in English is available for all videos. There are no live interactions during the course that requires the learner to speak English. Coursework must be completed in English.

    Do I need to come to campus to participate in HBS Online programs?

    +–

    No, all of our programs are 100 percent online, and available to participants regardless of their location.

    How do I enroll in a course?

    +–

    Certificate Programs

    HBS Online welcomes committed learners wherever they are—in the world and their careers—irrespective of their professional experience or academic background. To extend the reach of HBS Online, we no longer require an application for our certificate programs. (Applications are still required for our credential programs: CORe and CLIMB.) You can now immediately enroll and start taking the next step in your career.

    All programs require the completion of a brief online enrollment form before payment. If you are new to HBS Online, you will be required to set up an account before enrolling in the program of your choice.

    Our easy online enrollment form is free, and no special documentation is required. All participants must be at least 18 years of age, proficient in English, and committed to learning and engaging with fellow participants throughout the program.

    Updates to your enrollment status will be shown on your account page. HBS Online does not use race, gender, ethnicity, or any protected class as criteria for enrollment for any HBS Online program.

    Credential Programs

    HBS Online's CORe and CLIMB programs require the completion of a brief application. The applications vary slightly, but all ask for some personal background information. You can apply for and enroll in programs here. If you are new to HBS Online, you will be required to set up an account before starting an application for the program of your choice.

    Our easy online application is free, and no special documentation is required. All participants must be at least 18 years of age, proficient in English, and committed to learning and engaging with fellow participants throughout the program.

    Updates to your application and enrollment status will be shown on your account page. We confirm enrollment eligibility within one week of your application for CORe and three weeks for CLIMB. HBS Online does not use race, gender, ethnicity, or any protected class as criteria for admissions for any HBS Online program.

    Does Harvard Business School Online offer an online MBA?

    +–

    No, Harvard Business School Online offers business certificate programs.

    What are my payment options?

    +–

    We accept payments via credit card, wire transfer, Western Union, and (when available) bank loan. Some candidates may qualify for scholarships or financial aid, which will be credited against the Program Fee once eligibility is determined. Please refer to the Payment & Financial Aid page for further information.

    We also allow you to split your payment across 2 separate credit card transactions or send a payment link email to another person on your behalf. If splitting your payment into 2 transactions, a minimum payment of $350 is required for the first transaction.

    In all cases, net Program Fees must be paid in full (in US Dollars) to complete registration.

    What are the policies for refunds and deferrals?

    +–

    After enrolling in a program, you may request a withdrawal with refund (minus a $100 nonrefundable enrollment fee) up until 24 hours after the start of your program. Please review the Program Policies page for more details on refunds and deferrals. If your employer has contracted with HBS Online for participation in a program, or if you elect to enroll in the undergraduate credit option of the Credential of Readiness (CORe) program, note that policies for these options may differ.

     

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