Program Overview

---

Program Overview

Transform your business idea into reality and join the ranks of 1.2 million successful Canadian businesses. Small businesses constitute over 97% of all employer businesses nationally. Our expert faculty team will equip you with the necessary skills to research, plan, and manage your venture effectively. Seize the opportunity to join the sector that employs more than half of the private workforce and lay the groundwork for success in the world of entrepreneurship.

Intakes and Availability

• Date: September 2025
• Domestic Availability: Open
• International Availability: Open

Program Highlights

• DC Experience
• Success Stories
• Resources

Admission Requirements

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
• Grade 12 English (C or U)
• Grade 11 mathematics (C, M or U)

Are you missing admission requirements? We are here to help.

• Durham College (DC) offers pre-admission assessment testing to mature domestic applicants to meet admission requirements in English and/or math.
• DC also offers Academic Upgrading. Courses are FREE and designed to help you meet the admissions requirements for this program.

Tuition

• Year one domestic: $2,722 (CAD)
• Year one international: $15,309 (CAD)

Semester 1 Courses

• Introduction to Accounting (ACCT 1101)
• Introduction to Entrepreneurship (ENTR 1100)
• Financial Planning (FINC 1100)
• Human Resource Management 1 (HURM 1100)
• Marketing 1 (MKTG 1100)
• Supply Chain Management (SCMT 1100)

Career Options

As a graduate you will be prepared to pursue self-employment as an entrepreneur/small business owner or employment in a small business.

Experiential Learning

Your learning experience will be complemented by an entrepreneur mentorship, which will give you the opportunity to consult with, observe and network with an entrepreneur/business owner or a small business manager.

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

Durham College also offers degree completion opportunities with a number of Canadian and international institutions.

Tech Requirements

• Laptop: Personal computer (PC). A Mac is not recommended.
• Operating System: Windows 10 Professional (64-bit only) and later
• Processor: Intel Core i5 or better
• Memory: 4 GB of RAM (8 GB preferred)
• Hard Drive: 250 GB or larger (Solid State Drive (SSD) preferred)
• Warranty: 3 years parts and labour (On-site preferred)
• 2 USB ports
• Webcam
• Microphone (headset preferred)

Program Details

Entrepreneurship and small business development are vital components to a successful economy. This program will provide you with the skills required to start, grow and manage a small business including developing the personal skills needed for success as an entrepreneur.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Identify and discuss the impact of global issues on an organization's business opportunities by using an environmental scan.
2. Apply principles of corporate sustainability, corporate social responsibility and ethics to support an organization’s business initiatives.
3. Use current concepts/systems and technologies to support an organization's business initiatives.
4. Apply basic research skills to support business decision making.
5. Support the planning, implementation and monitoring of projects.
6. Perform work in compliance with relevant statutes, regulations and business practices.
7. Explain the role of the human resource function and its impact on an organization.
8. Use accounting and financial principles to support the operations of an organization.
9. Describe and apply marketing and sales concepts used to support the operations of an organization.
10. Outline principles of supply chain management and operations management.
11. Outline and assess the components of a business plan.
12. Develop strategies for ongoing personal and professional development to enhance work performance in the business field.

Industry Partners

• Certifications: Students can earn the following globally recognized certificates by taking Microsoft Office Specialist exams as part of their computer courses.
• ACCREDITATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS: Students entering their first year of studies in a Faculty of Business and Information Technology program will receive a membership to all of Durham Region’s Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade for the duration of their studies, plus an additional year following graduation.

Courses

The courses listed below are for incoming students. If you are a current student, please refer to your program of study for the year you began your program.

Semester 1

• Introduction to Accounting (ACCT 1101)
• Introduction to Entrepreneurship (ENTR 1100)
• Financial Planning (FINC 1100)
• Human Resource Management 1 (HURM 1100)
• Marketing 1 (MKTG 1100)
• Supply Chain Management (SCMT 1100)

Semester 2

• Communication Foundations (COMM 1100)
• Business Computer Applications 1 (COMP 1112)
• Macroeconomics (ECON 1202)
• Marketing for Entrepreneurs (ENTR 1302)
• Online Accounting for Small Business (ENTR 1303)
• General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
• Business Mathematics (MATH 1207)

Semester 3

• Business Communications 2 (COMM 3202)
• Business Computer Applications 2 (COMP 1214)
• Starting The Business (ENTR 2200)
• Website Design and Management (ENTR 2201)
• Mentoring and Networking (ENTR 2202)
• Social Media Marketing and Sales (ENTR 2204)
• General Education Elective (GNED 0000)

Semester 4

• Taxation for Entrepreneurs (ENTR 2205)
• Mentoring and Networking 2 (ENTR 3304)
• Launching The Business (ENTR 4200)
• General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
• Small Business Law (LAWW 2202)
• Digital Marketing (MKTG 2205)

Costs

The fees below are estimates only based on information available at the time of publication, and do not include the cost of textbooks.

Entrepreneurship and Small Business - Business Year 1 Costs

• Semester 1:
  • Tuition: $1,361.02
  • Program Fee: $181.93
  • Ancillary Fee: $493.77
  • DCSA Ancillary Fee: $430
  • Total: $2,466.72
• Semester 2:
  • Tuition: $1,361.02
  • Program Fee: $0
  • Ancillary Fee: $493.77
  • DCSA Ancillary Fee: $120
  • Total: $1,974.79

Entrepreneurship and Small Business - Business Year 2 Costs

• Semester 3:
  • Tuition: $1,361.02
  • Program Fee: $29.38
  • Ancillary Fee: $474.19
  • DCSA Ancillary Fee: $430
  • Total: $2,294.59
• Semester 4:
  • Tuition: $1,361.02
  • Program Fee: $0
  • Ancillary Fee: $474.19
  • DCSA Ancillary Fee: $120
  • Total: $1,955.21

Land Acknowledgement

Durham College is situated on the traditional lands of the First Peoples of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. These lands are covered under the Williams Treaties and rest within the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg. We offer our gratitude to the Indigenous Peoples who care for and, through the treaty process, share the lands on which we live, learn, teach and prosper today.