Harvard Business School Begins Offering Credit for some Online Extension Courses

Beginning in January, students who take select courses in Harvard Business School's online digital education initiative, also known as HBX, will receive college credit for them.

Students who receive the HBX Certificate of Readiness (CORe) after passing three business fundamentals courses — business analytics, economics for managers and financial accounting — will receive eight undergraduate credits from the Harvard Extension School.

Previously, those who took the courses, conceived a year and a half ago as an online counterpart to the on-campus Harvard Business School experience, received only the credential but no college credit. The eight units can count toward an undergraduate degree from the extension school and, if transferable, used toward a degree at another university.

"We know that many CORe participants are currently pursuing their degrees," said Harvard Business School Professor and HBX Faculty Chair Bharat Anand. "Allowing these students to apply CORe credits toward their degree at their home institution or at Harvard Extension School will further facilitate attainment of that degree."

Since June 2014, more than 4,500 students have enrolled in CORe classes. The online courses are designed for undergraduate students, graduate students in non-business fields and those just starting their business careers.

Applications are now being accepted for the 12-week credit option of CORe that will begin January 12.

Harvard Extension School is Harvard University's continuing education school that gives part-time learners access to Harvard courses, certificates and degrees.

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