Has anyone seen Harvard's latest online venture....HBX? This article does a great job of explaining what it is and is not... http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/06/01/business/business-school-disrupted.html?post_id=1421296208_10204160897808947#_=_ And, of course, a link directly to the HBX site: HBX - Educational initiative powered by Harvard Business School
My impression is that it looks like a rigorous and practical introduction to business principles, fully online except for the proctored final exam, for the surprisingly reasonable tuition of $1,500 (subject to change). It is not clear how many students are enrolled, or if admissions are competitive. From a purely educational perspective, it seems like it could be a very solid deal. But as a credential, it's somewhat unconventional. The program awards a "Credential of Readiness" (CORe) -- not a degree or certificate. And this "CORe" is issued by "HBX" -- not Harvard Business School (HBS). HBX is not HBS, HBX students are not HBS students, and HBX alumni are not HBS alumni. The FAQs are quite clear about this. If you complete the program, you can list it on your resume like this: I suspect that many employers will have no clue what an "HBX CORe" is.
Is it an ALM in Business or Master of Business of Administration? I don't mind to have HBX instead HBS, but I want a Master degree instead certificate. I am really interested in the Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
"The CORe tuition for the introductory June 2014 three-course sequence is $1,500. This introductory fee is subject to change in the future." No, I will not spend $1,500.00 per course without affiliation with Harvard Business School, or not even a degree. If I want the knowledge I could take MOOC course for FREE. I suspect this is a cashcow for them.
The total cost currently appears to be $1,500 for the entire three-course program (not $1,500 per course). But that doesn't affect the other concerns about the credential. At the moment, "HBX" and "CORe" don't seem like well-recognized "brands", but perhaps they will be in the future. HBX claims that they are "actively communicating the value of CORe to employers." Nope. Here's what HBX CORe graduates get: Your transcript is held by HBX (not HBS) and your Credential is issued by HBX (not HBS). Your HBX "credit" applies to the HBX "CORe", but is not guaranteed to transfer to any conventional degree programs anywhere else (including Harvard).
It seems like HBS is, in effect, trying to establish "HBX" as a separate extension school brand, affiliated with -- yet separate from -- Harvard Business School. But if HBS wants an extension program, maybe it would make more sense to team with the long-established Harvard Extension School, which already issues professional certificates. Maybe they could leverage the HES brand, rather than trying to establish a new one. Assuming that the course material was identical, which credential would be more attractive for $1,500 ? 1. Harvard Extension School, Certificate in Core Business Principles 2. HBX, Credential of Readiness (CORe) My guess is that most people would vote for #1.
It sounds like Harvard Business Extension of Harvard Business School of Harvard University. Neither affiliate with others...I would recommend them to change to: H3B2ESU = HBX of HBS of HU. I agree with CalDog that the program should be partnership with HES, which is more appealing then a new brand of HBS extension without affiliation.
You're someone who's been around for a while, and what you've said makes a lot of sense. I expect the reason not to offer this through HES is more about turf than anything else.
