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Executive Education
    Harvard Business School Right arrow Executive Education Right arrow Programs for Individuals Right arrow Corporate Director Certificate
    ... Right arrow Harvard Business School Right arrow Executive Education Right arrow Programs for Individuals Right arrow Corporate Director Certificate

    Corporate Director Certificate

    Corporate Director Certificate
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    Corporate Director Certificate
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      Back to Programs for Individuals
      • Comprehensive Leadership Programs
      • Topic-Focused Programs
        • Digital Transformation
        • Family Business
        • Finance
        • General Management
        • Governance
        • Health Care
        • Innovation
        • Leadership
        • Marketing & Sales
        • Negotiation & Decision-Making
        • Social Enterprise & Nonprofits
        • Strategy
      • Regional Programs
      • Virtual Programs
      • Certificate of Management Excellence
      • Corporate Director Certificate
    Need Help? Contact Us:
    Program Advising team
    Email: executive_education@hbs.edu
    Corporate Director Certificate Brochure
    Corporate Director Certificate Brochure
    The certificate is awarded to corporate board directors who complete three qualifying programs.
    Learn More
    Program Finder
    Corporate Director Certificate Brochure
    Corporate Director Certificate Brochure
    The certificate is awarded to corporate board directors who complete three qualifying programs.
    Learn More
    Program Finder
    Need Help? Contact Us:
    Program Advising team
    Email: executive_education@hbs.edu

    Corporate Director Certificate

    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.

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    Corporate Director Certificate

    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.

    Qualifying Programs

    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.

    • Making Corporate Boards More Effective
    • Audit Committees in a New Era of Governance
    • Compensation Committees: New Challenges, New Solutions

    If you previously completed a qualifying program in a virtual format, your program can be counted towards your Corporate Director Certificate.

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    Qualifying Programs

    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.

    • Making Corporate Boards More Effective
    • Audit Committees in a New Era of Governance
    • Compensation Committees: New Challenges, New Solutions

    If you previously completed a qualifying program in a virtual format, your program can be counted towards your Corporate Director Certificate.

    Certificate BenefitsExpand AllCollapse All

    Master the leadership and decision-making skills that drive long-term corporate successMaster the leadership and decision-making skills that drive long-term corporate success
    • Learn how to work more effectively with fellow directors and company management.
    • Examine the qualities of strong board stewardship and immerse yourself in the latest research critical to today's board directors.
    • Network with a highly accomplished group of global peers.
    Receive tangible recognition for your accomplishmentReceive tangible recognition for your accomplishment
    • Your certificate is a meaningful credential that signifies your ongoing dedication to professional development and the breadth of your learning.
    Expand your personal and professional networkExpand your personal and professional network
    • Extend your network by working with accomplished directors from various backgrounds, industries, and countries around the globe.
    • Build relationships with a diverse group of peers who can provide wide-ranging insights into your business challenges and career decisions.
    Access to HBS resourcesAccess to HBS resources
    • Access to digital content curated by the program faculty chairs regarding the latest thinking and challenges in corporate governance
    • A complimentary, one-year digital subscription to Harvard Business Review for each program you complete
    • Membership in our exclusive LinkedIn group, where you can continue to engage with peers as well as with HBS Executive Education
    • Updates on timely faculty research via the HBS@Work monthly newsletter

    Certificate Benefits Dropdown up

    Certificate Benefits Dropdown down

    Master the leadership and decision-making skills that drive long-term corporate success

    • Learn how to work more effectively with fellow directors and company management.
    • Examine the qualities of strong board stewardship and immerse yourself in the latest research critical to today's board directors.
    • Network with a highly accomplished group of global peers.

    Receive tangible recognition for your accomplishment

    • Your certificate is a meaningful credential that signifies your ongoing dedication to professional development and the breadth of your learning.

    Expand your personal and professional network

    • Extend your network by working with accomplished directors from various backgrounds, industries, and countries around the globe.
    • Build relationships with a diverse group of peers who can provide wide-ranging insights into your business challenges and career decisions.

    Access to HBS resources

    • Access to digital content curated by the program faculty chairs regarding the latest thinking and challenges in corporate governance
    • A complimentary, one-year digital subscription to Harvard Business Review for each program you complete
    • Membership in our exclusive LinkedIn group, where you can continue to engage with peers as well as with HBS Executive Education
    • Updates on timely faculty research via the HBS@Work monthly newsletter

    Who Should Participate

    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.

    Dropdown up

    Who Should Participate

    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.

    Getting Started

    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.

    Dropdown up

    Getting Started

    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.

    Frequently Asked Questions
    HBS Corporate Director Certificate

    How do I earn the HBS Corporate Director Certificate?

    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.

    • Making Corporate Boards More Effective
    • Making Corporate Boards More Effective—Virtual
    • Audit Committees in a New Era of Governance
    • Audit Committees—Virtual
    • Compensation Committees: New Challenges, New Solutions
    • Compensation Committees—Virtual

    Which programs earn 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:

    • Making Corporate Boards More Effective
    • Making Corporate Boards More Effective—Virtual
    • Audit Committees in a New Era of Governance
    • Audit Committees—Virtual
    • Compensation Committees: New Challenges, New Solutions
    • Compensation Committees—Virtual

    Is there a discount available for the three required programs?

    No, there is no discount available.

    Is it possible to select different programs than the options available?

    No, candidates may only choose the three programs listed below (virtual or in-person).

    • Making Corporate Boards More Effective
    • Making Corporate Boards More Effective—Virtual
    • Audit Committees in a New Era of Governance
    • Audit Committees—Virtual
    • Compensation Committees: New Challenges, New Solutions
    • Compensation Committees—Virtual

    How does the COVID-19 pandemic affect the Corporate Director Certificate completion timeline?

    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.

    If I completed one or two qualifying programs at HBS in the past, do these count toward the Corporate Director 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.

    How do I apply? What are the admissions requirements?

    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.

    What are the benefits of completing the HBS Corporate Director Certificate? Do I get alumni status?

    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:

    • Access to digital content curated exclusively by the program faculty chairs.
    • A complimentary, one-year digital subscription to Harvard Business Review. You will receive a year’s subscription after completion of each program.
    • Membership to our exclusive LinkedIn group where you can continue to engage with peers as well as with HBS Executive Education.
    • Updates on timely faculty research, thought-provoking articles, and emerging business trends via our HBS@Work monthly email newsletter.

    If I am a director on a nonprofit board, do I qualify for the HBS Corporate Director Certificate?

    The Corporate Director Certificate is for corporate directors only.

    Does participation in the Women on Boards: Succeeding as a Corporate Director program count toward the HBS Corporate Director Certificate?

    The Women on Boards program is for aspiring board members and therefore, does not count toward the Corporate Director Certificate.

    Will accommodations be provided for me in between programs?

    Access to on-campus accommodations in between programs is based on space availability, and can be confirmed closer to a program's start. Please consult with a Program Advisor for additional information.
    Need Help? Contact Us:
    Program Advising team
    Email: executive_education@hbs.edu
    Corporate Director Certificate Brochure
    Corporate Director Certificate Brochure
    The certificate is awarded to corporate board directors who complete three qualifying programs.
    Learn More
    Program Finder
    Corporate Director Certificate Brochure
    Corporate Director Certificate Brochure
    The certificate is awarded to corporate board directors who complete three qualifying programs.
    Learn More
    Program Finder
    Need Help? Contact Us:
    Program Advising team
    Email: executive_education@hbs.edu

    View Frequently Asked Questions

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