Advance Your Career with the HBX Credential of Readiness (CORe) Certificate

If you thought the Ivy League was out of reach, think again. Through a collaboration with HBX—Harvard Business School's digital-learning initiative—that reflects our shared goals for business education, JA alumni receive 20% off through preferential pricing on HBX's Credential of Readiness (CORe), the online program of business fundamentals developed by Harvard Business School (HBS). You'll take the program's suite of three courses—Business Analytics, Economics for Managers, and Financial Accounting—in parallel, and finish with a single final exam. Upon completion, you'll be fluent in the language of business.

CORe courses, like HBS classes on campus, are built around real-world case studies, which you'll analyze through the eyes of CEOs and senior executives. CORe features state-of-the-art multimedia and interactive teaching elements that combine videos, animations, reading assignments, and interactive learning exercises. These interactive elements include “cold calls" (during which you'll be selected at random to answer a question about a case), graded multiple-choice quizzes in each course module, optional weekly written assignments (CORe Connections), polls, interactive graphs, and a spreadsheet emulator.

You'll take your CORe classes with 350 to 450 peers from around the world, to whom you'll have access through HBX peer-to-peer learning tools. When you apply for CORe, you're making a commitment to becoming an active participant in a community of learners. In CORe, you're not only signing up to learn, you're signing up to engage.

HBX CORe Frequently Asked Questions

What is HBX?

HBX is the online learning initiative of Harvard Business School (HBS), tasked with reimagining business education for the digital age. HBX is designed to expand the reach and impact of HBS, significantly enhancing its ability to deliver on its mission to educate leaders who make a difference in the world.

Can I afford the HBX CORe Certificate?

Through a collaboration between JA and HBX, preferential pricing is available for JA alumni that reduces the cost of tuition by 20%. (This discount is subject to change.)

What will I learn during my CORe courses?

Learn more about each of the three CORe courses, watch videos about each course, understand each course's flow, and review course syllabi.

Who teaches HBX CORe courses?

CORe comes to you straight from Harvard Business School faculty. It's not outsourced. HBX created the content, designed the platform, and delivers the teaching.

How much time will I spend on CORe courses?

Most CORe participants spend about 150 hours to complete the program. At the conclusion of the coursework, you'll take an in-person computer-based final exam that demonstrates your mastery of the material. Additional information on testing center locations can be found here. Successful participants earn the Credential of Readiness from HBX and Harvard Business School.

What other young professionals have earned the Credential of Readiness?

Young professionals from all over the world have earned the HBX Credential of Readiness. Take a look at a sample of student profiles.

Is HBX CORe right for me?

HBX is looking for people who are as serious about learning as HBX is about teaching. They're looking for intense learners, high-energy learners, who are ready to give as much as they take. What this means is that if you're an ambivalent curiosity-seeker who is looking to “browse” a course or two, HBX CORe is probably not right for you. However, if you are hungry for an immersive learning experience that could potentially change the way you think about the world, HBX may be just the thing.

As an HBX student, you won't be expected to know anything about business going in, but you should have a deep curiosity or interest in it. You may still be in college, thinking about your future career or graduate school, or you may have an established a career but have not yet had an opportunity to learn business fundamentals. Your background may be in history, literature, engineering, or science. None of that matters. What matters is you are ready to dig in, do the work, and put in the time to develop a fresh understanding of the world around you.

I have additional questions. Where can I find out more?

Visit the HBX CORe FAQs for additional information.

How do I apply for HBX CORe?

Simply complete this short form, and we'll send your information to HBX. You'll then receive a link from HBX to register for CORe, and your JA alumni preferential pricing will apply automatically.

Ready to Apply?

The HBX CORe Certificate reflects a significant investment—roughly 150 hours of your time and $1,560 USD in tuition—that will pay dividends not only in new business skills and knowledge, but also in your cohort's global HBX network. By completing this form, you're indicating that you're ready for the challenge ahead. From here, HBX will send you a special JA link to register for the CORe Certificate program, and after your registration is complete, HBX will automatically apply your JA preferential pricing.

Name: *

First Name

Last Name

Email address: *

Country of residence: *

Country of citizenship: *

Month I'd like to begin *

October 2017 (17 weeks: October 17–March 1, with a two-week holiday break)

January 2018 (12 weeks: January 9–April 5)

February 2018 (17 weeks: February 6–June 7)

By checking the boxes below that apply to me, I certify the following information. (You must check four of the five boxes to qualify for preferential pricing and streamlined admissions.) *

I am at least 18 years of age.

I have completed at least one year of college.

I have participated, volunteered, or am currently registered in an official JA (Junior Achievement) program.

I am a United States citizen, a U.S. national, or a permanent or temporary resident of the United States.

I am not a United States citizen, a U.S. national, or a permanent or temporary resident of the United States.