The Harvard Business School (HBS) Corporate Director Certificate will enhance your board leadership skills and improve your ability to succeed as a director in an increasingly complex environment. The certificate is awarded to corporate board directors who complete three qualifying programs in the areas of board leadership, oversight of financial reporting and internal control, and executive compensation.
To earn the certificate, current board directors must apply to and be accepted into the three programs (virtual or in-person) listed below, as well as successfully complete the three programs within 36 consecutive months.
The Harvard Business School (HBS) Corporate Director Certificate will enhance your board leadership skills and improve your ability to succeed as a director in an increasingly complex environment. The certificate is awarded to corporate board directors who complete three qualifying programs in the areas of board leadership, oversight of financial reporting and internal control, and executive compensation.
To earn the certificate, current board directors must apply to and be accepted into the three programs (virtual or in-person) listed below, as well as successfully complete the three programs within 36 consecutive months.
In designing the certificate, HBS has selected programs that prepare you to strengthen your board, design better compensation policies, ensure effective risk management, and promote a corporate culture that motivates top executives and valued employees.
If you previously completed a qualifying program in a virtual format, your program can be counted towards your Corporate Director Certificate.
In designing the certificate, HBS has selected programs that prepare you to strengthen your board, design better compensation policies, ensure effective risk management, and promote a corporate culture that motivates top executives and valued employees.
If you previously completed a qualifying program in a virtual format, your program can be counted towards your Corporate Director Certificate.
The certificate is appropriate for directors of corporate boards. Directors must meet the admissions criteria for all three programs to be eligible for the Corporate Director Certificate.
The certificate is appropriate for directors of corporate boards. Directors must meet the admissions criteria for all three programs to be eligible for the Corporate Director Certificate.
To be considered for the Corporate Director Certificate, you must be accepted to each individual program and currently serve on a corporate board. Simply indicate your interest in pursuing the certificate by checking the box included on eligible program applications. When checked, a member of our Program Advising team will contact you to discuss the certificate. To earn the certificate, you must complete the three programs within 36 consecutive months. The three programs are conveniently offered in succession each July, giving you the option to complete the certificate in as little as two weeks.
To learn more, please contact a Program Advisor.
To be considered for the Corporate Director Certificate, you must be accepted to each individual program and currently serve on a corporate board. Simply indicate your interest in pursuing the certificate by checking the box included on eligible program applications. When checked, a member of our Program Advising team will contact you to discuss the certificate. To earn the certificate, you must complete the three programs within 36 consecutive months. The three programs are conveniently offered in succession each July, giving you the option to complete the certificate in as little as two weeks.
To learn more, please contact a Program Advisor.
To earn the certificate, you must complete the three open-enrollment programs (virtual or in-person) within 36 months from the date of your first qualifying program. Upon successful completion of all three programs, you will be awarded the HBS Corporate Director Certificate.
The open-enrollment programs that qualify you to earn the HBS Corporate Director Certificate, assuming successful completion within 36 months, are as follows:
No, there is no discount available.
No, candidates may only choose the three programs listed below (virtual or in-person).
We are offering a 12-month extension of the completion deadline for the Corporate Director Certificate. Anyone who has already taken one qualifying program, as well as anyone who completes a qualifying program before December 31, 2020, will have 48 months to earn their certificate.
You may receive credit for up to two qualifying programs that you have completed successfully since July of 2016. If you are interested in requesting credit for past qualified programs, please contact a Program Advising team member to review your program history and next steps. Please note that the amount of time you will have to complete your remaining program(s) will depend on the date of the first qualifying program for which you claim credit. All three programs must be completed within 36 months.
To be considered for the HBS Corporate Director Certificate, all interested candidates must be accepted to each of the three qualifying programs. To learn more, please contact our Program Advising team to review your program options, each program's qualifications, and the application process.
While the Corporate Director Certificate does not grant HBS alumni status, there are a number of benefits. After you complete your first program, you will receive:
The Corporate Director Certificate is for corporate directors only.
The Women on Boards program is for aspiring board members and therefore, does not count toward the Corporate Director Certificate.