HBX Credential of Readiness (CORe)—the online business fundamentals program launched by Harvard Business School in June 2014 to provide a strong foundation in the language and tools of business—will be offered to entering students at Harvard Law School for the second consecutive year.

This summer, CORe will be available on a first-come, first-served basis to applicants admitted to Harvard Law School’s Class of 2019. HLS will subsidize the $1,800 enrollment cost so that the program is available to its students for $300.

Both Harvard Law School and Harvard Business School are eager to build off of last year’s success. In 2015, 89% of HLS survey respondents indicated that CORe increased their confidence in discussing business topics. “I thoroughly enjoyed my HBX CORe experience and found that a fresh background knowledge in business analytics and financial accounting helped me to better understand the decision-making factors managers often consider in domestic and international trade,” noted Abraham Williamson, a current first-year student (1L) at Harvard Law School and a participant in the pilot offering of CORe to HLS students last summer. “I would highly recommend HBX CORe to new 1Ls.” Nate Szyman, another first-year HLS student and previous CORe participant, said, “HBX CORe provided me with a firm grasp of basic business concepts. It helped me feel more comfortable with the accounting, economic, and analytic principles that came up during my 1L course work. I also was asked about HBX CORe during my summer internship interviews. The offer to take the program also demonstrated HLS’s commitment to prepare its students however it can. I appreciate it!”

HBX CORe is designed to teach participants the key fundamentals of business, using Harvard Business School’s signature case-based approach in a digital learning environment that requires active participation and social learning. This unique program consists of three courses: Business Analytics, Economics for Managers, and Financial Accounting. Upon successful completion of CORe, participants receive the Credential of Readiness from HBX and Harvard Business School.

“I am delighted that Harvard Business School’s innovative CORe program will continue to be available for Harvard Law School students,” said Harvard Law School Dean Martha Minow. “We know from recent studies and surveys that law firms, businesses, and also public sector and non-profit employers increasingly value these skills. All lawyers need to understand and use these business concepts to assist clients or to launch entrepreneurial ventures of their own. CORe offers real value through engaged and interaction learning harvesting the best of Harvard Business School knowledge and instruction.”

“HBS is delighted to continue to partner with Harvard Law School in making CORe available to its students,” said Harvard Business School Dean Nitin Nohria. “An understanding of business essentials is increasingly important for many different kinds of professionals.  CORe, with its emphasis on engaged learning, will provide that understanding to Harvard Law School students as a complement to their legal education.”

Incoming HLS students will be eligible to participate in either the May or June cohorts of CORe. Students can expect to spend 150 hours on the program’s three online courses, which they take simultaneously:

  • Business Analytics introduces quantitative methods of analyzing data and making better management decisions.
  • Economics for Managers covers the fundamentals of cost and demand, the functioning of markets, the forces of competition, and strategies for differentiation.
  • Financial Accounting covers financial statement analysis, calculation of critical ratios, forecasting financial statements, and making capital budgeting decisions.

“The offering of the CORe program to the HLS student body exemplifies how students at Harvard Law gain benefits from not just the Law School, but also from the amazing resources across Harvard University,” said Harvard Law School Assistant Dean for Admissions Jessica Soban. “As evidenced from last year’s success, I am thrilled to see the continuation of this partnership.”