Business Strategy Specialization

• What is the refund policy?

  If you subscribed, you get a 7-day free trial during which you can cancel at no penalty. After that, we don’t give refunds, but you can cancel your subscription at any time. See our full refund policy.

• Can I just enroll in a single course?

  Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate, or you can audit it to view the course materials for free. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.

• Is financial aid available?

  Yes, Coursera provides financial aid to learners who cannot afford the fee. Apply for it by clicking on the Financial Aid link beneath the "Enroll" button on the left. You'll be prompted to complete an application and will be notified if you are approved. You'll need to complete this step for each course in the Specialization, including the Capstone Project. Learn more.

• Can I take the course for free?

  When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for financial aid.

• Is this course really 100% online? Do I need to attend any classes in person?

  This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.

• How long does it take to complete the Specialization?

  Time to completion can vary based on your schedule, but most learners are able to complete the Specialization in about 6 months.

• How often is each course in the Specialization offered?

  Each course in the Specialization is offered on demand, with cohorts opening each month. If you don't complete a course on the first try, you can easily transfer to the next session, and your completed work and grades will carry over. The Capstone is offered a few times per year.

• What background knowledge is necessary?

  No background knowledge is required. This Specialization is designed for all professionals interested in enhancing their business strategy skills, including executives, entrepreneurs, management consultants, financial analysts, and nonprofit sector leaders and employees.

• Do I need to take the courses in a specific order?

  We suggest you take the courses in the order presented to get maximum benefit from the materials.

• Will I earn university credit for completing the Specialization?

  UVA's Darden School of Business does not currently offer university credit for completing this Specialization.

• What will I be able to do upon completing the Specialization?

  You will be able to conduct a strategic analysis, make recommendations for firm positioning and value creation, analyze a firm’s market position and capabilities alongside industry dynamics, and execute a strategic analysis.

• If I finish the Specialization, will it help me gain admission to Darden's MBA programs?

  Admission to Darden is highly competitive and based on a number of requirements, including undergraduate record and degree, GMAT scores, and work experience. Successful completion of the Specialization is in no way a guarantee of admission - but you should mention it in your application!

• Are there any required readings?

  Our video lectures are designed to be self-contained; therefore, we suggest but do not require readings. The suggested readings have been selected to enhance the course experience; however, not all of the intellectual property owners of these materials make them freely available on the internet. While we strive to find sources of additional materials which are freely available, sometimes the best additional materials we would like to alert students to (books, magazine articles, journal articles or newspaper articles) are only available from their respective copyright owners for compensation. Rather than not alert the students to these materials, we have decided to list them and let students make their own decision on whether they would like to invest the money to view these materials.

• Can I download materials to share with my colleagues?

  All course materials are for your personal use while participating in this course. You are not allowed to share or distribute them in any form; however, they are available for licensing. If you’re interested, please contact DardenOnline@darden.virginia.edu.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.