Program Overview

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Program Overview

The Smith School of Business offers a Certificate in Business program, designed to provide students with a comprehensive introduction to business principles and practices. This program is available to Queen's University students, regardless of their faculty or background.

Program Details

The Certificate in Business program consists of six introductory-level courses, taught by the same faculty who lead the top-ranked Commerce and MBA programs. The courses are designed to build a career foundation from the ground up, with no prior business experience required.

Program Structure

• The program is composed of six courses, which can be taken in any order.
• The first two courses count as electives toward graduation at the 200-level, while the remaining four courses are taken at the 600-level.
• All courses appear on the official transcript, contribute to the cumulative GPA, and help students stand out in the eyes of employers.

Curriculum

The Certificate in Business program includes the following courses:

• Foundations of Accounting: Integrating Financial and Managerial Accounting Principles (COMM 210/610)
• Foundations of Finance (COMM 221/621)
• Foundations of Marketing (COMM 231/631)
• Managing People in Organizations (COMM 251/651)
• Elective Courses (choose two of four):
  • Fundamentals of Business Strategy (COMM 203/603)
  • Entrepreneurial Thinking (COMM 204/604)
  • Global Business in a Connected World (COMM 273/673)
  • Foundations of Digital Business: Strategy, Data, and Emerging Technologies (COMM 290/690)

Admission Requirements

There are two pathways to begin earning credits toward the Certificate in Business:

Pathway 1: Direct Admission

• For individuals with a minimum cumulative 2.60 GPA across a minimum of 18.0 graded units.
• Apply for direct admission into the CIB program.
• Note: If previously completed any of the CIB course requirements, a minimum grade of C- (1.7) is required in each course to be accepted into the program.

Pathway 2: Enroll in Core

• For individuals without a minimum cumulative 2.60 GPA across a minimum of 18.0 graded units:
  • Enroll in two core Certificate courses at the 200 level.
  • Achieve a minimum grade of C- (1.7) in these courses to qualify for admission into the CIB.

Progression Requirements

• Achieve a minimum grade of C- (1.7) in each Certificate course.
• Complete all requirements within two years (six terms) of convocation.

Fees

CIB courses can be completed at one of two levels:

600-Level Courses

• Domestic Students: $1,480.68 per course (3.0 units, $493.56 per unit)
• International Students: $5,530.89 per course (3.0 units, $1,843.63 per unit)

200-Level Courses

• Fees for CIB 200-level courses are assessed according to the student's home faculty rate and therefore vary by program of registration.

Course Descriptions

Foundations of Accounting: Integrating Financial and Managerial Accounting Principles

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the fundamental concepts and principles of accounting, integrating financial and managerial practices essential for effective organizational decision-making.

Foundations of Finance

This course provides an in-depth introduction to the principles of finance, focusing on the fundamental concepts and tools used in financial decision-making from a corporate perspective.

Foundations of Marketing

This introductory marketing course covers essential frameworks, processes, and systems that help students understand how marketing operates within organizations.

Managing People in Organizations

This course introduces students to key concepts in managing people within organizational settings, blending insights from human resource management and organizational behaviour.

Fundamentals of Business Strategy

This course explores the fundamental questions of strategy, including how businesses remain financially and socially viable in the face of competition.

Entrepreneurial Thinking

This course teaches non-commerce students key concepts in entrepreneurship, including opportunity identification, starting a new venture, and the critical role of entrepreneurship in today's global economy.

Global Business in a Connected World

This course explores the key issues that firms, governments, and managers face in today's globally integrated environment.

Foundations of Digital Business: Strategy, Data, and Emerging Technologies

This course introduces students to the essential concepts of digital strategy, data analytics, and emerging technologies, including aligning technology with business goals and interpreting data-driven insights.