What You Earn

Explore the badges, certificates, and credentials you could earn from Harvard Business School Online.

HBS Online equips learners with vital business knowledge, applicable skills, and resume-worthy credentials. Explore the badges, certificates, and credentials you can earn, along with the requirements for completing each offering.

  • Badges

    Badges are earned upon completion of a paid short-form learning experience called Sprints. It represents that learners have acquired skills in a particular hands-on topic.

  • Certificates

    Certificates are granted upon completion of a paid course or three related programs. It signifies that learners have acquired knowledge or skills in a particular topic or subject area.

  • Credentials

    Credentials are awarded at the end of multi-course programs, where learners demonstrate competencies across various disciplines and complete a final exam or capstone project.

Badges

There is one type of badge you can earn.

Completion Badge

All paid individual Sprints grant a Completion Badge. Each Sprint features practical, hands-on exercises and can be completed fully online in just three to five hours.

To earn a Completion Badge, you must complete every Sprint lesson and AI-based activity by the 30-day access end date.

Individual Sprints do not qualify towards a Certificate of Specialization.

Certificates

There are two types of certificates you can earn.

HBS Online learner Lyssen Blakely holding her Certificate of Completion.

Certificate of Completion

All paid individual HBS Online courses grant a Certificate of Completion. Each program is 100 percent online and can be completed on your schedule.

To earn a Certificate of Completion, you must finish all coursework in a thoughtful and timely manner, including completing each module, meeting required deadlines, offering feedback on others’ reflections, and contributing to conversations on the course platform.

Certificate of Specialization

If you’ve finished an individual course and want to dive deeper into the subject, you might consider pursuing a Learning Track to earn a Certificate of Specialization.

Learning Tracks enable you to take three HBS Online courses within a specific subject area. If completed successfully, you’ll earn a Certificate of Specialization, which can bolster your resume and signal to employers how committed you are to professional growth and lifelong learning.

To earn a Certificate of Specialization, you must complete three courses from your selected Learning Track within 18 months. HBS Online currently offers a Learning Track in seven subject areas:

Credentials

There are three types of credentials you can earn depending on your goals.

A person stands outside, holding their certificate of readiness.

Credential of Core Business Essentials

A Credential of Core Business Essentials is granted to those who complete all three courses that comprise the program—Business Analytics, Business Strategy, and Financial Accounting—plus a workplace dynamics module and multi-part capstone project.

Throughout Core Business Essentials, you’ll apply your learning through a capstone project that integrates analytics, strategy, and accounting—challenging you to synthesize what you’ve learned and apply it to your professional development goals.

To learn more about the program, visit our Core Business Essentials FAQs.

Credential of Leadership, Impact, and Management in Business

A Credential of Leadership, Impact, and Management in Business (CLIMB) is granted to those who successfully complete CLIMB—a selective, cohort-based learning experience and HBS Online’s most comprehensive business offering.

CLIMB enables new and experienced leaders to ignite their careers with a combination of essential and forward-looking business skills, self-reflection, and membership in a diverse global network of peers.

The year-long program includes seven courses and a capstone project. Participants must complete CLIMB within two years to earn a credential.

Explore our CLIMB FAQs for more information.

Credential of Digital Innovation and Strategy

A Credential of Digital Innovation and Strategy is granted to those who complete all four courses in the program, plus all peer learning activities and a capstone project.

To earn a Credential of Digital Innovation and Strategy, you must complete all four courses—Leading in the Digital World, Design Thinking and Innovation, Digital Marketing Strategy, and AI for Leaders—and the capstone project within six months. In addition to module and assignment completion, you must offer feedback on others’ reflections and contribute to conversations on the course platform.