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Business Essentials

Interpret data to inform business decisions, explore the economic foundations of strategy, and discover what’s behind the numbers in financial statements.

93%

Added new skills to their resume

86%

Satisfaction Rating

84%

Feel better prepared for getting their MBA

Source: 2019-2020 surveys and course data
Video Embed
3 Courses

Credential of Readiness (CORe)

Designed to help you achieve fluency in the language of business, CORe combines Business Analytics, Economics for Managers, and Financial Accounting with a final exam.

10-17 weeks, 8-15 hrs/week
Apply by February 1
$2,250Credential 

Certificate Courses (3)

Business Analytics

Professor Janice Hammond

Apply fundamental data analysis to real business problems.

8 weeks, 5 hrs/week
Apply by March 15
$1,600Certificate 

Economics for Managers

Professor Bharat Anand

See the world through the lens of economics and gain the knowledge and skills to craft successful business strategy.

8 weeks, 6-8 hrs/week
Apply by February 8
$1,600Certificate 

Financial Accounting

Professsor V.G. Narayanan

Discover what's behind the numbers in financial statements.

8 weeks, 6-8 hrs/week
Apply by March 8
$1,600Certificate 

What You Earn

Certificate

Boost your resume by completing an HBS Online course.

Credential of Readiness

Prove your mastery of business fundamentals by completing the three-course CORe curriculum.

Learn More About What You Earn

What Learners are Saying

I feel like now I can speak more high-level about where we want to take the company and what strategic initiatives we want to put in place.

Bethany Larson
HBS Online Participant
Business Analytics

The platform was engaging, innovative, and allowed me to interact with the material in a way I never expected from an online course.

Jocelyn Johnson
NYC Lawyer
Credential of Readiness (CORe)

I'd never experienced such an immersive platform online. It was more effective at building and solidifying knowledge than some in-person courses I've taken.

Ryan Dumlao
MBA Candidate
Financial Accounting

What sets HBS Online apart?

Our flexible, online programs are designed to bring the Harvard Business School classroom to you, and are built around three key characteristics:

Active

HBS Online courses are nothing like a typical sit-back-and-listen lecture. You’ll engage in a new activity every three to five minutes. Each element is designed to keep you interested, involved, and on your toes.

Social

Engaging with your peers is a big part of what makes HBS Online unique. You exchange ideas, offer input, and seek out viewpoints from a community of learners gathered from around the globe. In the process, you learn from each other’s experiences and perspectives.

Case-Based

Immerse yourself in real-world learning. Lessons are brought to life through cases, which put you in the shoes of business leaders. Hear firsthand the challenges they faced, and wrestle with the same issues and imperfect information.
More on Our Learning Model

Related Content

Free E-Book

Advance Your Career with Essential Business Skills

Learn how to contribute to key business discussions and drive strategic decision-making with this free guide.
Access your free e-book
Article

10 Reasons It Makes Sense to Get an MBA

If you’re considering business school but aren’t sure it’s the right path for you, here are ten reasons to consider getting an MBA.
Read the Article

More Subject Areas

  • Analytics
  • Leadership & Management
  • Entrepreneurship & Innovation
  • Strategy
  • Finance & Accounting
  • Business in Society
93% added new skills to their resume, 84% feel better prepared for getting their MBA — From a recent survey of past participants across all HBS Online programs, conducted by City Square Associates. 86% satisfaction rating — From all respondents to a post program survey to all 2019 and 2020 participants within this subject area.
 
All FAQs

Top FAQs

How are HBS Online courses delivered?

+–

Self-paced programs (with deadlines) are offered 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.

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

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

How do I enroll in a course?

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All programs require the completion of a brief application. The applications vary slightly from program to program, 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 applicants must be at least 18 years of age, proficient in English, and committed to learning and engaging with fellow participants throughout the program.

After submitting your application, you should receive an email confirmation from hbsonlinesupport@hbs.edu. If you do not receive this email, please check your junk email folders and double-check your account to make sure the application was successfully submitted.

Updates to your application and enrollment status will be shown on your Dashboard. We confirm enrollment eligibility within one week of your application.

Does Harvard Business School Online offer an online MBA?

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No, Harvard Business School Online offers business certificate programs.

What are my payment options?

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We accept payments via credit card, 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.

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

 

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