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

Starting in June, CORe will be available on a first-come, first-served basis to applicants admitted to Harvard Law School’s Class of 2018 and to current students on a pilot basis. HLS will subsidize the $1,800 enrollment cost so that the program is available to its students for $250.

CORe is designed to teach participants the key concepts of business, using Harvard Business School’s signature case-based approach in a learning environment that requires active participation and social learning. This unique digital learning initiative consists of three courses: Business Analytics, Economics for Managers, and Financial Accounting.

“To assist clients or even to launch entrepreneurial ventures of their own, lawyers need to understand and use the tools and skills involved in growing and running a business,” 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. In the past several years we have added new curricular opportunities for students to develop business skills, and I am especially delighted that Harvard Business School’s innovative CORe program will now be available for Harvard Law School students.”

“HBS is delighted to work with Harvard Law School to make CORe available to HLS students,” said Harvard Business School Dean Nitin Nohria. “We believe that an understanding of business essentials increasingly is key in many contexts. And we think CORe is uniquely positioned to provide that understanding to Harvard Law School students as a supplement to their legal education.”

CORe launched in June 2014 with an initial cohort of 600 students drawn mainly from regional colleges and universities. The second cohort ran in October with 500 students—this time focused on corporate partners. The third and fourth cohorts are currently in progress with more than 1,500 students. Law student participants reported very positive experiences.

The June cohort of CORe will run over an 11-week period. Students can expect to spend between 12 and 15 hours per week 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, 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 introduction of the CORe program to the HLS student body is the latest example of 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.