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  • Policy Changes→

Policy Changes

 

These policies applied to programs that started before February 1, 2020. Access the current policies here.

Deferrals

After admission to a Harvard Business School Online program but before enrollment (completed payment), prospective participants may opt to defer to a later program through the “My Dashboard” page. Deferring your start date may be made a maximum of four times. After the enrollment deadline passes, prospective participants will need to submit a new application to be considered for enrollment in a future cohort.

If you have been admitted to take CORe with the undergraduate credit option and wish to defer, or if you wish to switch to the undergraduate credit option from non-credit CORe, please write to us at hbsonlinesupport@hbs.edu.

Once you have enrolled and paid for a program, you may request a deferral by emailing hbsonlinesupport@hbs.edu. Your available options will depend on your program and the timing of your request:

CORe

Prior to the first day of CORe: Participants can defer to a later program by writing into hbsonlinesupport@hbs.edu.

Once CORe has started: Participants may be granted a deferral, contingent on the following guidelines:

  • Deferral request must be submitted to hbsonlinesupport@hbs.edu within three weeks of the course start date
  • Maximum of one deferral is allowed
  • Deferral must be applied to one of the next three offerings of CORe
  • Participant is not enrolled in CORe with the undergraduate credit option

If you deferred after the start of your CORe program, you will not be eligible to receive a refund at a later date.

Deferrals are not permitted if you enrolled in CORe through your employer (this does not include participants who get reimbursed by their employer).

Course Platform Certificate Programs

Prior to the first day of a course platform certificate program: Participants can defer to a later program by writing into hbsonlinesupport@hbs.edu.

Once the course platform certificate program has started: Participants will not be permitted to defer.

Deferrals are not permitted if you enrolled in a program through your employer (this does not include participants who get reimbursed by their employer).

Withdrawals and Refunds

CORe

A refund, minus a 10 percent processing fee, will be granted for CORe program participants if a withdrawal is requested within 10 days of start of course. A withdrawal, with no refund, will be granted if requested between day 11 and five weeks from start of course. In such a case, "WD" will appear on the transcript. Refunds will not be permitted for company-sponsored participants who enrolled in CORe through their employers (this does not include participants who applied as an individual and plan to get reimbursed by their employer). A withdrawal, with no refund, will be granted for company-sponsored employees if requested within five weeks from start of course. In such cases, "WD" will appear on the transcript. Participants who withdraw will be eligible to apply and pay to enroll in CORe again.

Course Platform Certificate Programs

A refund, minus a 10 percent processing fee capped at $250, will be granted if withdrawal is requested prior to the start of the course platform certificate program. No withdrawals or refunds are granted after the start of the program. Refunds will not be permitted for company-sponsored participants who enrolled through their employers. (This does not include participants who applied as an individual and plan to get reimbursed by their employer.)

 
All FAQs

Top FAQs

How are HBS Online courses delivered?

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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.

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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