Business Studies Certificate

The Business Studies Certificate program allows students to focus in on one of the following areas of study:

  • Accounting
  • Business computer applications
  • Entrepreneurship and small business management
  • Financial services
  • Human resources management
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Tourism and Hospitality Management
  • Health care professionals
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Our Bachelor of Business Administration Degrees, Business Administration Diplomas, and Business Administration Certificates are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

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Campus

  • Kelowna
  • Vernon
  • Penticton
  • Salmon Arm
View schedule and campus details
Legend:
  • Full program offered
  • Partial program offered

Credential

Certificate

Delivery options

Full-Time, Part-Time

Tuition and fees

2023-24: $3,851.00

  • Fees listed are 18 credits (the entire program) for a typical, full-time student. Depending on the campus of study and the courses selected fees may vary.

  • Fees include all mandatory fees: Activity fee, Health & Dental, Student Association fee, Education Technology fee, Development fee.

  • All amounts are approximate and are subject to change.

  • Detailed domestic tuition and fees information

Program details

The Business Studies Certificate allows students to focus on a specific discipline. This program may be of interest to those who are already employed. Some courses are also available by distance education. All Business Studies Certificates require the use of Microsoft Office software. Computer experience is recommended.

Regional delivery of studies can differ according to the campus location, but first year of study is available at every campus. Some courses are also available by online delivery and distance education and students can combine on campus courses with online and distance courses.

For details on what is offered visit: 

Please contact an Education Advisor or a Business Advisor to find out which options are available at the Salmon Arm and Vernon campuses.

Campus Start date Schedule
Kelowna Jan. 08, 2024
Penticton Jan. 08, 2024
Vernon Jan. 08, 2024
Kelowna May 2024
Kelowna Jul. 2024
Kelowna Sep. 04, 2024
Penticton Sep. 04, 2024
Salmon Arm Sep. 04, 2024
Vernon Sep. 04, 2024
Kelowna Jan. 06, 2025
Penticton Jan. 06, 2025
Vernon Jan. 06, 2025

Admission requirements

Regular Applicants

  • B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent.
  • English 12 with minimum 60% or alternatives.
  • Students graduating from secondary school in or prior to 2012: Principles of Mathematics 11, or an equivalent Advanced Level Adult Basic Education mathematics course; or a minimum grade of 70% in Introductory Mathematics 11; or a minimum grade of 60% in Applications of Mathematics 11.
  • Students entering Grade 10 in or after 2010 and/or completing the new mathematics curriculum: A minimum of 60% in one of Pre-calculus Grade 11, Foundations of Mathematics Grade 11, or Apprenticeship and Workplace Mathematics Grade 11, Workplace Mathematics 11, or an equivalent Advanced Level Adult Basic Education mathematics course.
  • Senior secondary students who enter the Business Administration diploma program with a minimum grade of 73% in Accounting 12 may receive credit for BUAD 111.

Mature Applicants

  • Mature applicants are at least 19 years of age and have been out of full-time senior secondary study for at least one year. Senior secondary graduation will be waived for mature applicants. Mature applicants without English 12 can write the LPI and must receive a minimum score of level 4.
  • Mature applicants without Mathematics 11 can take the mathematics diagnostic test, administered by Okanagan College. A minimum score of 16/25 is required.

Prior Learning Assessment:

  • Where a student has prior learning in the following courses BUAD 111, 116, 121, 128, 176 and 293, credit may be awarded if the student successfully passes a challenge exam. Contact the Business Administration department for more information.

Selective Admission Process:

  • Admission of regular senior secondary applicants will be based on the grade average (GA) on English 12, Mathematics 11 and two other of the student's highest provincially recognized Grade 12 courses.

Qualifying status:

  • Applicants who ultimately fail to satisfy the specific English and/or math entrance requirements may be granted admission to and be allowed to remain enrolled in the business program as qualifying students subject to the availability of space after the admission and registration of qualified applicants. Qualifying students may concurrently register in a maximum of three first-year business courses, any three for which they satisfy the prerequisites. Qualifying first-year business students will not be considered to be continuing students and will, therefore, be allowed to continue in the program after the qualifying year only if all outstanding course entrance requirements have been successfully completed.

Co-operative Education:

  • Entry into the co-operative education option is a student's choice, and subject to completion of all first-year courses and an overall grade average of 65%.

Program outline

Complete All of the following:
To review the program outline for each specialty, click below.

Successful completion of the prescribed and elective courses as listed in the program outline with a minimum graduating grade average of 60%.


Program specializations

The Business Studies Certificate allows students to focus on a specific discipline. This program may be of interest to those who are already employed. Some courses are also available by distance education. All Business Studies Certificates require the use of Microsoft Office software. Computer experience is recommended.

BUAD 111 - Financial Accounting I
BUAD 121 - Financial Accounting II
Complete at least 4 of the following:
BUAD 208 - Canadian Income Tax I
BUAD 236 - Accounting Computer Applications
BUAD 263 - Intermediate Accounting I
BUAD 273 - Intermediate Accounting II
BUAD 264 - Management Accounting
NOTE: Math 114 - Business Mathematics and BUAD 128 - Computer Applications I are required prerequisites for BUAD 264 - Management Accounting

The Business Studies Certificate allows students to focus on specific disciplines. These programs will be of interest to mature students who are already employed. The series will be available in the evening on a two- or three-year rotation depending on the discipline. Some courses are also available by distance education. All programs in the Business Studies Certificate require the use of computers. It is recommended that students without computer experience complete a beginners level computer course before beginning their program or at the beginning of their program.

Complete All of the following:
BUAD 128 - Computer Applications I
BUAD 231 - Project Management in an Information Technology Environment
BUAD 283 - Management Information Systems
BUAD 335 - Electronic Commerce
Plus two (2) electives

The Business Studies Certificate allows students to focus on specific disciplines. These programs will be of interest to mature students who are already employed. The series will be available in the evening on a two- or three-year rotation depending on the discipline. Some courses are also available by distance education. All programs in the Business Studies Certificate require the use of computers. It is recommended that students without computer experience complete a beginners level computer course before beginning their program or at the beginning of their program.

Complete All of the following:
BUAD 111 - Financial Accounting I
BUAD 116 - Marketing
BUAD 123 - Management Principles
BUAD 195 - Financial Management
BUAD 293 - Entrepreneurship
BUAD 298 - Small Business Management

The Business Studies Certificate allows students to focus on a specific discipline. This program may be of interest to those who are already employed. Some courses are also available by distance education. All Business Studies Certificates require the use of Microsoft Office software. Computer experience is recommended.

Complete All of the following:
MATH 114 - Business Mathematics
BUAD 111 - Financial Accounting I
BUAD 251 - Personal Financial Planning
Complete at least 3 of the following:
BUAD 195 - Financial Management
BUAD 208 - Canadian Income Tax I
BUAD 234 - Retirement Income Planning
BUAD 235 - Insurance and Estate Planning
BUAD 298 - Small Business Management
As 1 of the above 3 courses, students can also select BUAD 250 - Canadian Securities

The Business Studies Certificate for Healthcare Professionals consists of six courses in Business Administration for graduates of Health and Social Development certificate and/or diploma programs. It is designed to provide basic business administration skills to supplement qualifications to Certified Dental Assisting, Early Childhood Education, Home Support/Resident Care Attendant, Health Care Assistant, Human Service Work, Practical Nursing or Therapist Assistant, or equivalent, for application in the various health and social development fields.

BUAD 111 - Financial Accounting I
BUAD 195 - Financial Management
BUAD 123 - Management Principles
BUAD 269 - Human Resources Management
Complete at least 2 of the following:
CMNS 112 - Professional Writing I
BUAD 116 - Marketing
BUAD 262 - Organizational Behaviour
BUAD 272 - Business Simulation
BUAD 336 - Services Design & Development

The Business Studies Certificate allows students to focus on a specific discipline. This program may be of interest to those who are already employed. Some courses are also available by distance education. All Business Studies Certificates require the use of Microsoft Office software. Computer experience is recommended.

Complete All of the following:
BUAD 123 - Management Principles
BUAD 269 - Human Resources Management
Complete at least 4 of the following:
BUAD 201 - Conflict Resolution and Negotiation
BUAD 246 - Recruitment and Selection
BUAD 247 - Training and Development
BUAD 248 - Occupational Health and Safety
BUAD 262 - Organizational Behaviour
BUAD 279 - Industrial Relations

The Business Studies Certificate allows students to focus on a specific discipline. This program may be of interest to those who are already employed. Some courses are also available by distance education. All Business Studies Certificates require the use of Microsoft Office software. Computer experience is recommended.

Complete All of the following:
BUAD 111 - Financial Accounting I
BUAD 116 - Marketing
BUAD 123 - Management Principles
BUAD 195 - Financial Management
BUAD 293 - Entrepreneurship
BUAD 298 - Small Business Management

The Business Studies Certificate allows students to focus on a specific discipline. This program may be of interest to those who are already employed. Some courses are also available by distance education. All Business Studies Certificates require the use of Microsoft Office software. Computer experience is recommended.

Complete All of the following:
BUAD 116 - Marketing
BUAD 176 - Professional Sales
Complete at least 4 of the following:
BUAD 200 - Digital Marketing
BUAD 210 - Introduction to Marketing Research
BUAD 266 - Advertising and Marketing Communications
BUAD 289 - Purchasing and Materials Management
BUAD 297 - Retailing

The Business Studies Certificate allows students to focus on a specific discipline. This program may be of interest to those who are already employed. Some courses are also available by distance education. All Business Studies Certificates require the use of Microsoft Office software. Computer experience is recommended.

BUAD 111 - Financial Accounting I
BUAD 215 - Restaurant Management
BUAD 220 - Hotel Management
BUAD 230 - Wine and Culinary Tourism
Complete at least 1 of the following:
TOUR 105 - Introduction to Tourism
BUAD 115 - Introduction to Tourism
Complete at least 1 of the following:
BUAD 116 - Marketing
BUAD 123 - Management Principles
BUAD 209 - Business Law
BUAD 269 - Human Resources Management
BUAD 200 - Digital Marketing
Additional information

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Learn more about the department
View the Tuition and fees page

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