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    Harvard Business School Online's Business Insights Blog provides the career insights you need to achieve your goals and gain confidence in your business skills.

     
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    What Is the Value of a Certificate from HBS Online?

    HBS Online learner Sheneka Balogun holding her certificate
    • 27 Oct 2022
    HBS Online Author Staff
    tag
    • Career Development
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    In an unstable global economy, online certificate programs can equip you with skills to advance in your career, transition to a new industry, or secure your next job. What's more, you can achieve those goals on your schedule and learn from top-tier institutions without ever leaving your couch.

    Are you interested in learning more about the benefits of an online certificate course? Harvard Business School Online recently collaborated with market research firm City Square Associates to survey learners about how our courses impacted their careers and economic status. Here's a deeper dive into the results.


    Free E-Book: A Guide to Advancing Your Career with Essential Business Skills

    Access your free e-book today.

    DOWNLOAD NOW

    The Value of an HBS Online Certificate

    The response was overwhelmingly positive. Forty-two percent of more than 2,000 respondents said an HBS Online course helped them increase their compensation. The average increase was $17,000—meaning those who realized such benefits saw a 10-times return on their $1,750 investment in a course. Extrapolated to our global learner base, the total global economic impact was nearly $700 million.

    "From previous outcomes surveys, we knew we helped people advance their careers, but we were thrilled to see how we could also help our learners significantly increase their pay," says HBS Online Executive Director Patrick Mullane. "It's gratifying to know we're helping our participants by offering valuable courses that enable them to expand their global networks, improve their confidence at work, and enhance their economic well-being."

    Respondents were asked how HBS Online assisted with securing promotions, salary increases, bonuses, and career changes. Here are some of the results, which are included in the infographic below:

    • Ninety-one percent of past participants said HBS Online had a positive impact on their careers
    • Forty-two percent received a salary increase with a $17,000 average
    • Sixteen percent received a bonus with an average increase of $14,000
    • Thirty-six percent made a career change
    • Thirty-one percent got a promotion
    • More than three-quarters of respondents completed their last course within the past two years
    HBS Online salary infographic
    Visit the PDF of this infographic.

    Earning Your HBS Online Certificate

    Our learners come from more than 190 countries and various industries and career paths. Wherever you are in the world or in your career, HBS Online can help you achieve your personal and professional goals.

    If you're interested in advancing your career and increasing your compensation, explore HBS Online's business certificate programs.

     
    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?

    +–

    HBS Online offers a variety of payment methods to provide flexibility, including:

    • Credit and debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and AMEX)
    • PayPal
    • Wire transfers
    • Western Union
    • Bank loans (When available)

    You may split your payment across two credit card transactions or send a payment link to another individual to complete payment on your behalf. A minimum payment of $350 is required for the first transaction.

    Some learners may also 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 more information.

    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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