M&A and Corporate Development Strategies
Create strategic deal value with M&A and Corporate Development Strategies program
The M&A and Corporate Development Strategies program from Wharton Executive Education equips financial managers and senior level executives to harness mergers and acquisitions as a powerful lever for strategic growth. In today’s environment of macroeconomic uncertainty and regulatory complexity, industry leaders must go beyond identifying opportunities — they need the insight to evaluate, structure, and execute deals that deliver sustainable business value.
Led by renowned Wharton faculty, this six-week online program offers a comprehensive view of the deal-making life cycle, from corporate development strategy and mergers and acquisitions decisions to due diligence, negotiation, and divestitures. You will gain the strategic foresight, analytical tools, and leadership skills to navigate complex transactions, drive transformation, and create long-term organizational impact.
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Key takeaways
The Wharton Executive Education’s M&A and Corporate Development Strategies program will enable you to:
Gain an understanding of strategically selecting the right growth mode for your company
Learn to navigate various acquisition strategies, including asset-purchase agreements and post-closing formalities, and enhance your decision-making strengths
Acquire due diligence best practices, ensuring effective management of the due diligence process
Equip yourself with a leadership strategy plan for company-level changes
Craft an appropriate integration strategy, ensuring successful post-merger outcomes
Identify the hidden value-creation potential of divestitures to make informed decisions in uncertain times
Who is the M&A and Corporate Development Strategies program for?
The Wharton M&A and Corporate Development Strategies program is designed for business leaders, senior executives, and financial analysts who seek to leverage mergers and acquisitions to achieve strategic goals and drive long-term organizational growth. It is ideal for:
Mergers and Acquisitions decision makers looking to navigate challenging market conditions and bolster the strategic and financial goals of their companies using Mergers and Acquisitions
Mergers and Acquisitions managers looking to deepen their knowledge on strategic acquisitions and improve their deal-making skills, valuation, and divestitures
Senior advisors and consultants who need to maintain client confidence during a period of reduced deal activity
Faculty quote
Learning journey
The Wharton M&A and Corporate Development Strategies program is designed with the needs of senior professionals and decision-makers in mind. You will learn through online sessions that blend real-world case studies, scenario-based assignments, and live interactions with Wharton faculty.
What you will learn in the M&A and Corporate Development Strategies program
The program provides a comprehensive curriculum that is organized into six modules that cover each stage of the deal-making life cycle — from corporate development strategy and M&A planning to due diligence, negotiation, post-merger integration, and divestitures.
Over six-weeks, the program’s core modules are structured around key phases of M&A. Led by renowned Wharton faculty and industry experts with deep experience in corporate strategy and finance, the program prepares you to identify, evaluate, and execute successful deals that create long-term business value.
Learn how to select the appropriate corporate growth strategy. Analyze the risks and benefits of your selection. Gain an understanding of strategically selecting the right growth mode for your company.
Create a strategy plan for selecting the right M&A target to navigate various acquisition strategies, including market share and the assets and liabilities of a business, to generate value for your deals.
Learn to create a due diligence plan. Gather information about the target and flag potential pitfalls.
Learn how to identify an appropriate M&A target. Understand your company's needs and identify potential acquisition opportunities.
Understand the key elements of post-merger integration strategies.
Explore divestiture strategies and structures, and understand the value-creation potential of these transactions.
Participant testimonials from the M&A and Corporate Development Strategies program
Program Highlights
Live session with faculty
Experience a live online session with the faculty.
World-renowned faculty
Glean insights from knowledgeable faculty who are at the forefront of innovation.
Self-paced learning
Learn at your own pace with a weekly commitment of four to six hours of sessions and activities.
Global peer group
Interact with accomplished peers from around the world through class discussions and gain new perspectives on mergers and valuation techniques.
Try-it activities
Learn from try-it activities and small group projects that will elevate your strategic impact.
Scenario-based assignments
Consider solutions for real-world challenges and apply the concepts to your company with practical examples.
Access proven frameworks to evaluate opportunities, execute deals, and ensure successful post-merger integration.
You will earn a digital certificate of completion from the Wharton School, upon successful completion of the program.
Frameworks and Tools
As part of the M&A and Corporate Development Strategies program, you will explore practical frameworks and analytical tools that bring clarity to each stage of the M&A lifecycle. Learn how to identify, evaluate, execute, and integrate deals through proven models that translate strategic intent into measurable outcomes.
Attractiveness, better off, and cost of entry (ABC tests)
Identify the right opportunity to pursue M&A by understanding the structural attractiveness of the acquired business, its competitive advantage, and whether the cost of acquiring will allow the business to use the acquiring company's profits.
Better-off and ownership tests
Understand which type of acquisition to pursue and whether the present ownership of the acquired business has a competitive advantage over an alternative arrangement.
Due diligence best practices
Define the scope of the due diligence process by selecting the team and set the benchmarks for developing the customer, competition, and capabilities.
M&A deal-making and negotiations framework
Identify the objectives of the acquisition; match acquisition needs to target sources of value; avoid pitfalls in bidding and negotiation; select an appropriate acquisition target; and make implementation strategic planning decisions related to focus, scope, and strategy.
Building blocks for successful post-merger integration strategies
Learn how to address post-merger integration strategies related to asset and employee retention, adoption of processes, degree and speed of integration, and knowledge transfer.
Meet the Faculty
World-renowned Wharton faculty in the M&A and Corporate Development Strategies program will help you navigate the end-to-end deal-making process. You will gain strategic insights into identifying, evaluating, and executing successful mergers and acquisitions that drive long-term business growth.
Michael L. Tarnopol Professor and Professor of Management at the Wharton School
Emilie R. Feldman’s research focuses on corporate strategy and governance, with interests in the role that divestitures, spin-offs, and M&A play in corporate reconfiguration; ...
Certificate
Earn a Wharton Executive Education digital certificate upon successful completion of the M&A and Corporate Development Strategies program. As a past participant of this enriching learning experience, you will gain access to a global community of Wharton professionals, exclusive events, and valuable networking opportunities. In addition, you can benefit from tuition assistance when enrolling in future online electives from Wharton Executive Education.
Note: After successful completion of the online program, your verified digital certificate will be emailed to you in the name you used when registering for the program. All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of the Wharton School.
This online certificate program does not grant academic credit or a degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
FAQs
What is the M&A and Corporate Development Strategies program at Wharton?
The Wharton M&A and Corporate Development Strategies program is designed for experienced professionals seeking to develop specialized expertise in corporate development, corporate finance, and strategic acquisitions. Participants explore how to identify, evaluate, and execute deals that fuel corporate growth. The curriculum blends business strategy, valuation techniques, and deal structuring to help you capture synergies and deliver long-term value.
Is the Wharton M&A and Corporate Development Strategies program worth it?
Driven by evolving market dynamics, M&A is a cornerstone of strategic planning and business expansion. Executives who understand corporate finance, capital markets, and private equity gain an advantage in identifying viable growth opportunities. The Wharton M&A and Corporate Development Strategies program is designed to equip finance leaders with analytical and negotiation skills needed to assess financial statements, perform business valuation, and design robust acquisition and divestiture plans.
Who should enroll in a mergers and acquisitions program?
Professionals seeking to advance their corporate finance and business development expertise or align their career goals with leadership in M&A, will benefit from the Wharton Mergers and Acquisitions and Corporate Development Strategies program. It is ideal for investment bankers, private equity investors, and senior leaders in corporate finance or business development roles who want to drive strategic growth through high-impact deals.
It is also well-suited for financial managers, consultants, and executives involved in risk management, capital budgeting, and strategic acquisitions who aim to strengthen their ability to evaluate, structure, and execute complex M&A transactions with confidence.
Is investing in a mergers and acquisition program worth it?
The value of choosing an M&A strategies program depends on your career goals, professional experience, and how you plan to apply deal-making expertise within your organization. Designed for executives aiming to strengthen their strategic and financial acumen, the Wharton Mergers and Acquisitions and Corporate Development Strategies program blend financial analysis, valuation techniques, capital markets, deal structuring, business valuation, strategic planning, and risk management. Guided by Wharton’s renowned faculty and scenario-based assignments, it helps you evaluate target companies, navigate regulatory and financial complexities, and gain the confidence to translate M&A insights into long-term business value.
What is the best course to build expertise in mergers and acquisitions?
The best course to learn about mergers and acquisitions depends on your professional goals, current role, and the depth of expertise you want to build. Many business schools offer programs that focus on corporate finance, valuation, and strategic planning to help professionals understand the end-to-end deal process. You will also find executive programs that are tailored to fit in the busy life of a working professional. The Wharton M&A and Corporate Development Strategies program combine a comprehensive curriculum focused on financial analysis, deal structuring, and corporate development strategy with practical applicability through studies and faculty insights, enabling you to evaluate acquisition opportunities, manage risks, and create long-term business value.
How do I know if this program is right for me?
After reviewing the information on the program landing page, we recommend you submit the short form above to gain access to the program brochure, which includes more in-depth information. If you still have questions on whether this program is a good fit for you, please email learner.success@emeritus.org, and a dedicated program advisor will follow-up with you very shortly.
Are there any prerequisites for this program?
Some programs do have prerequisites, particularly the more technical ones. This information will be noted on the program landing page, as well as in the program brochure. If you are uncertain about program prerequisites and your capabilities, please email us at the ID mentioned above.
Note that, unless otherwise stated on the program web page, all programs are taught in English and proficiency in English is required.
What is the typical class profile?
More than 50 percent of our participants are from outside the United States. Class profiles vary from one cohort to the next, but, generally, our online certificates draw a highly diverse audience in terms of professional experience, industry, and geography — leading to a very rich peer learning and networking experience.
What other dates will this program be offered in the future?
Check back to this program web page or email us to inquire if future program dates or the timeline for future offerings have been confirmed yet.
What will I learn in the Wharton M&A and Corporate Development Strategies program?
The Wharton M&A and Corporate Development Strategies program helps professionals build a comprehensive understanding of the M&A process, from target identification to post-merger integration. Through expert-led sessions, you will explore different valuation methods, financial accounting, financial analysis, legal aspects, negotiation strategies, and risk management frameworks that shape successful deals.
You’ll learn to apply corporate strategy insights, analyze financial statements, and use strategic and practical considerations to maximize deal value, enabling you to confidently evaluate, structure, and execute mergers and acquisitions in real-world business contexts.
How do I train for a career in mergers and acquisitions?
Training for a career in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) requires developing strategic insight, financial expertise, and the ability to apply frameworks across the deal-making life cycle. The Wharton Mergers and Acquisitions and Corporate Development Strategies program provides this preparation through live sessions, scenario-based assignments, and try-it activities that strengthen your ability to identify opportunities, evaluate targets, and execute deals.
Is an M&A course relevant for professionals in investment banking and private equity?
For professionals in investment banking and private equity who are looking to expand their expertise, transition into corporate development, or strengthen their ability to drive value creation, gaining a deeper understanding of mergers and acquisitions can be a strategic advantage. It enables you to identify opportunities, optimize deal structures, and manage capital markets dynamics more effectively.
The Wharton M&A and Corporate Development Strategies program helps you build on your existing capabilities through real-world case studies and exposure to investment banking and private equity deal cycles. You’ll learn to evaluate acquisition opportunities, develop strategic acquisition frameworks, and apply M&A insights to improve portfolio performance and exit outcomes.
How much time is required each week?
Each program includes an estimated learner effort per week. This is referenced at the top of the program landing page under the Duration section, as well as in the program brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page.
How will my time be spent?
We have designed this program to fit into your current working life as efficiently as possible. Time will be spent among a variety of activities including:
Engaging with recorded video lectures from faculty
Attending webinars and office hours, as per the specific program schedule
Reading or engaging with examples of core topics
Completing knowledge checks/quizzes and required activities
Engaging in moderated discussion groups with your peers
Completing your final project, if required
The program is designed to be highly interactive while also allowing time for self-reflection and to demonstrate an understanding of the core topics through various active learning exercises. Please email us if you need further clarification on program activities.
What is it like to learn online with the learning collaborator, Emeritus?
More than 300,000 learners across 200 countries have chosen to advance their skills with Emeritus and its educational learning partners. In fact, 90 percent of the respondents of a recent survey across all our programs said that their learning outcomes were met or exceeded.
All the contents of the course would be made available to students at the commencement of the course. However, to ensure the program delivers the desired learning outcomes the students may appoint Emeritus to manage the delivery of the program in a cohort-based manner the cost of which is already included in the overall course fee of the course.
A dedicated program support team is available 24/5 (Monday to Friday) to answer questions about the learning platform, technical issues, or anything else that may affect your learning experience.
How do I interact with other program participants?
Peer learning adds substantially to the overall learning experience and is an important part of the program. You can connect and communicate with other participants through our learning platform.
What certification do you need for a career in M&A?
Professionals pursuing a career in mergers and acquisitions come from diverse educational and professional paths, and there is no single certification required. Many choose qualifications such as an MBA, CFA, or other finance credentials that strengthen their technical and analytical foundation in corporate finance and valuation. However, while such certifications validate expertise, a professional certificate offers the opportunity to build strategic insight, leadership capability, and practical deal experience.
Executive education programs, such as the Wharton M&A and Corporate Development Strategies program has been designed keeping in mind the demands of the industry and help participants build on these foundations by developing skills in valuation techniques, deal structuring, and corporate strategy, enabling professionals to lead better in their desired roles.
What is the best qualification for M&A?
Professionals aspiring to advance their careers in mergers and acquisitions often pursue qualifications that combine corporate finance, business strategy, and leadership expertise, depending on their professional journey — which stage they are in, where they would like to advance, and whether they choose to pursue a full-time degree or leverage professional executive programs.
What are the requirements to earn the certificate?
Each program includes an estimated learner effort per week, so you can gauge what will be required before you enroll. This is referenced at the top of the program landing page under the Duration section, as well as in the program brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page. All programs are designed to fit into your working life.
This program is scored as a pass or no-pass; participants must complete the required activities to pass and obtain the certificate of completion. Some programs include a final project submission or other assignments to obtain passing status. This information will be noted in the program brochure. Please email us if you need further clarification on any specific program requirements.
What type of certificate will I receive?
Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive a smart digital certificate. The smart digital certificate can be shared with friends, family, schools, or potential employers. You can use it on your cover letter, resume, and/or display it on your LinkedIn profile.
The digital certificate will be sent approximately two weeks after the program, once grading is complete.
Can I get the hard copy of the certificate?
No, only verified digital certificates will be issued upon successful completion. This allows you to share your credentials on social platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.
Do I receive alumni status after completing this program?
No, there is no alumni status granted for this program. In some cases, there are credits that count toward a higher level of certification. This information will be clearly noted in the program brochure.
How long will I have access to the learning materials?
You will have access to the online learning platform and all the videos and program materials for 12 months following the program start date. Access to the learning platform is restricted to registered participants per the terms of agreement.
What equipment or technical requirements are there for this program?
Participants will need the latest version of their preferred browser to access the learning platform. In addition, Microsoft Office and a PDF viewer are required to access documents, spreadsheets, presentations, PDF files, and transcripts.
Do I need to be online to access the program content?
Yes, the learning platform is accessed via the internet, and video content is not available for download. However, you can download files of video transcripts, assignment templates, readings, etc. For maximum flexibility, you can access program content from a desktop, laptop, tablet, or mobile device.
Video lectures must be streamed via the internet, and any livestream webinars and office hours will require an internet connection. However, these sessions are always recorded, so you may view them later.
Can I still register if the registration deadline has passed?
Yes, you can register up until seven days past the published start date of the program without missing any of the core program material or learnings.
What is the program fee, and what forms of payment do you accept?
The program fee is noted at the top of this program web page and usually referenced in the program brochure as well.
Flexible payment options are available (see details below as well as at the top of this program web page next to FEE).
Tuition assistance is available for participants who qualify. Please email learner.success@emeritus.org.
What if I don’t have a credit card? Is there another method of payment accepted?
Yes, you can do the bank remittance in the program currency via wire transfer or debit card. Please contact your program advisor, or email us for details.
I was not able to use the discount code provided. Can you help?
Yes! Please email us with the details of the program you are interested in, and we will assist you.
How can I obtain an invoice for payment?
Please email us your invoicing requirements and the specific program you’re interested in enrolling in.
Is there an option to make flexible payments for this program?
Yes, the flexible payment option allows a participant to pay the program fee in installments. This option is made available on the payment page and should be selected before submitting the payment.
How can I obtain a W9 form?
Please connect with us via email for assistance.
Who will be collecting the payment for the program?
Emeritus collects all program payments, provides learner enrollment and program support, and manages learning platform services.
What is the program refund and deferral policy?
For the program refund and deferral policy, please click the link here.
Didn't find what you were looking for? Write to us at learner.success@emeritus.org or Schedule a call with one of our Program Advisors or call us at +1 680 205 5118 (US) / +44 185 845 9995 (UK) / +65 3135 1422 (SG)
Flexible payment options available.
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