Program Overview

Business Leadership Certificate Program

The Business Leadership Certificate Program is designed to equip students with the necessary competencies to thrive in high-performing industries. The program is a multi-step process that prepares students for a capstone career experience through curricular, co-curricular, and career development activities, along with an internship.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the program, applicants must:

• Be an undergraduate student with a declared major in Accounting, Economics, Corporate Finance, FinTech, International Business, or Actuarial Studies
• Have a graduation date of 2025
• Be in good academic standing
• Be prepared to complete all requirements listed, including an internship
• Commit to completing pre- and post-engagement surveys every semester

Requirements

The program requires students to complete a series of courses and co-curricular activities. The requirements include:

• Completing 4 courses and 4 sets of co-curricular activities
• Earning a cumulative index of 2.0 for each certificate
• Taking all credits for the certificate at Queens College, unless an exception is approved by the department

Program Structure

The program is structured into three key pillars:

• Curricular: Carefully curated classes designed to teach core skills needed in Accounting, Finance, Banking, and Real Estate
• Co-curricular: Professional development seminars and meetings with a career advisor to develop a resume, identify relevant career opportunities, and secure impactful internships
• Assessment: A series of assessments to measure the program's success and determine the impact of the career readiness track

Sequence

The program can be completed in less than 4 semesters. The sequence of courses and activities is as follows:

Semester 1

• CURRICULAR: BALA 201W: Business Communications, BUS 160W: An Introduction to Business Writing, ECON 228W: The Economics of the Environment
• CO-CURRICULAR: Meet with Career Advisor, attend Business School Orientation and Career Fair, participate in career workshops or business competitions
• ASSESSMENT: Pre and Post (GOAL: gain career competency)
• CAREER COMPETENCY: Communication

Semester 2

• CURRICULAR: ACCT 261: Business Law I, BALA 200: Entrepreneurship and Innovation, BUS 247: Business Economics
• CO-CURRICULAR: Meet with Career Advisor, participate in career workshops or business competitions, attend Career Fair and secure an internship
• ASSESSMENT: Pre and Post (GOAL: identify & secure internship)
• CAREER COMPETENCY: Critical Thinking, Technology, Teamwork

Semester 2, 3, or 4

• CURRICULAR: ACCT 398: Accounting Internship, BALA 391.3: Business Internship, COOP 201.3: Orientation to the World of Work, ECON 393: Economics Internship
• CO-CURRICULAR: Complete an Internship/Externship, meet with Career Advisor, attend mock interview, consider a minor to enhance career skills
• ASSESSMENT: Pre and Post (GOAL: complete internship)
• CAREER COMPETENCY: Professionalism, Career Development

Semester 3 or 4

• CURRICULAR: ACCT 393W: Seminar in Accounting, BALA 303: Strategic Management & Leadership, BALA 398: Special Topics Leading Across Cultures, BUS 341W: Intermediate Finance, ECON 392W: Honors Seminar
• CO-CURRICULAR: Meet with Career Advisor, attend mock interview, search, apply, and interview for jobs, participate in Professional Associations and attend networking events
• ASSESSMENT: Pre and Post (GOAL: complete capstone course & secure job/graduate school admission)
• CAREER COMPETENCY: Leadership

Students have the flexibility to complete this program in less than 4 semesters. The program ensures that students will gain the competencies necessary to thrive in high-performing industries such as the BFSI (Banking, Financial Service, Insurance) sectors through personalized career advising and mentoring.