Negotiation Programs

The Program on Negotiation (PON) at Harvard Law School offers negotiation programs and courses designed to help professionals strengthen negotiation skills, navigate difficult conversations, and manage complex negotiations more effectively.

The offerings range from one-day sessions to semester-length courses. Participants come from around the world from both the profit and non-profit sectors, as well as from a variety of industries, including business, government, law, and education.

IN-PERSON

Test your beliefs and assumptions, overcome emotional and rational biases, examine complex negotiation scenarios, and discover a range of competitive and cooperative negotiation strategies. In this acclaimed program, we compress 30 years of groundbreaking research into six thought-provoking sessions. In sessions taught by our expert faculty, you’ll broaden your understanding of negotiating concepts, acquire proven negotiating techniques, and have the opportunity to put your learning into practice. … LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS PROGRAM

IN-PERSON

The Program on Negotiation is offering a master-level course for experienced negotiators. The program is taught by seven negotiation experts from Harvard Law School, Harvard Business School, Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Graduate School of Education, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. If you are selected to participate, you will take part in dynamic exercises with two-way feedback and participate in intensive simulations.

Register Online:
December 2026
April 2027

… LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS PROGRAM

ONLINE

Empower yourself with proven negotiation skills, techniques, and strategies in Negotiation Essentials Online. This course features lessons distilled from PON’s flagship in-person program, Negotiation and Leadership. … LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS PROGRAM

ONLINE

Navigating complex negotiations requires you to manage multiple parties with diverse objectives while continuously solving problems and adapting to new developments. To equip you with the skills to handle these more challenging situations, the experts at the Program on Negotiation have developed Managing Complex Negotiations: Strategies for Success. … LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS PROGRAM

ONLINE

This virtual and highly interactive semester-length seminar explores the ways that people negotiate to create value and resolve disputes. Designed to improve understanding of negotiation theory and build negotiation skills, the curriculum integrates negotiation research from several academic fields with experiential learning exercises. … LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS PROGRAM

Negotiation Program Comparison

Negotiation and Leadership: Dealing with Difficult People and Problems

  • Format: In-Person
  • Ideal For: Professionals seeking advanced negotiation and leadership training
  • Key Focus Areas: Difficult conversations, negotiation strategy, emotional dynamics, value creation, leadership
  • Length: 3 days (optional bonus day)

Harvard Negotiation Master Class

  • Format: In-Person
  • Ideal For: Experienced negotiators and executive leaders
  • Key Focus Areas: High-stakes negotiations, advanced simulations, strategic decision-making, leadership
  • Length: 5 days

Negotiation Essentials Online

  • Format: Online
  • Ideal For: Professionals seeking foundational negotiation training
  • Key Focus Areas: Negotiation preparation, difficult conversations, creating and claiming value
  • Length: 2 days

Managing Complex Negotiations: Strategies for Success

  • Format: Online
  • Ideal For: Professionals managing multi-party negotiations
  • Key Focus Areas: Coalition building, stakeholder management, complex negotiations, consensus building
  • Length: 2 days

Semester Negotiation and Dispute Resolution Online

  • Format: Online
  • Ideal For: Professionals seeking in-depth negotiation study
  • Key Focus Areas: Negotiation theory, dispute resolution, experiential learning, negotiation research
  • Length: Semester-length

Negotiation Program FAQs

What is a negotiation program?

A negotiation program is a structured training experience designed to help participants strengthen negotiation, communication, and decision-making skills. Negotiation programs often combine negotiation theory, practical frameworks, simulations, case studies, and collaborative exercises to help professionals handle workplace negotiations, difficult conversations, and conflict more effectively.

How to choose a negotiation program?

The best negotiation program depends on your experience level, professional goals, and the types of negotiations you regularly manage. Foundational programs like Negotiation Essentials Online are well-suited for professionals building core negotiating skills, while advanced programs such as Managing Complex Negotiations or the Harvard Negotiation Master Class are designed for experienced negotiators managing more complex, high-stakes situations.

When comparing negotiation courses, consider factors such as:

  • Program format (online or in-person)
  • Experience level required
  • Time commitment
  • Focus areas and curriculum
  • Opportunities for simulations and interactive learning

Are negotiation training courses worth it for career growth?

Yes. Negotiation training courses can help professionals strengthen communication, leadership, decision-making, and conflict management skills that are valuable across industries and roles. Strong negotiation skills can improve workplace relationships, support career advancement, and help professionals navigate challenging conversations with greater confidence.

Many organizations also use negotiation programs as part of leadership development and professional training initiatives.

How to master negotiation?

Mastering negotiation requires ongoing practice, preparation, and reflection. Effective negotiators learn how to prepare strategically, manage emotions, communicate clearly, build relationships, and adapt to changing dynamics during negotiations.

Participating in negotiation programs, simulations, and negotiating skills courses can help professionals develop these capabilities over time. Many experienced negotiators continue refining their approach through advanced training, real-world experience, and collaborative learning with peers and negotiation experts.