Business

Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s one-year Business certificate program provides a solid foundation of the major business concepts and principles for careers in accounting, marketing, management, human resources, insurance, finance and entrepreneurship.

Benefits of the Saskatchewan Polytechnic Business certificate include:

• Focus on applied learning = skills required by employers
• More instructional time = increased student success
• Average class size of 25 students = personalized, collaborative, interactive learning
• Ability to ladder learning:
  • Into year two of the Business diploma (and access to co-op work terms)
  • The certificate and diploma programs are fully transferable to the University of Saskatchewan, University of Regina and other post-secondary institutions.

Business encompasses many disciplines. The Business certificate program prepares you for a wide variety of entry-level positions. It is offered full-time in Saskatoon. Flexible learning options are available through the School of Continuing Education​.

1 Year to a Diploma

The Business certificate program is equivalent to the first year of the diploma program. You have the option of taking one more year to earn a specialized Business diploma in accountancy, financial services, human resources, insurance, management or marketing.

You can apply to transfer your Business courses to degree programs at various universities. See the get credit for what you know section below.

Part-time Business certificate students 

• If you wish to pursue the Business Accountancy specialty diploma, you must take ACCT 125 in order to meet pre-requisites for most second year Accountancy courses
• If you wish to pursue the Business Accountancy specialty diploma, you must take ACCT 136 in order to graduate

 

Your Career

A Saskatchewan Polytechnic Business certificate opens many doors. Explore entry-level opportunities in banking, retail, real estate, human resources, insurance, marketing and more. Work for a small business, large corporation, government department or non-profit organization. Start your own business or take the family business to the next level. Entry-level positions include management trainees, administrative assistants, financial officers and sales representatives.

Potential Careers

Sample Job Title	NOC Classification1	Earning Potential2
Management Trainee	Banking, Credit and Other Investment Managers (0122)	$63,900 - $149,800
Financial Officer	Accounting Technicians and Bookkeepers (1311)	$34,400 - $80,000
Accounting Clerk	Accounting and Related Clerks (1431)	$33,300 - $67,800

Start Date(s):

September: Saskatoon (full-time)

Note: The Business certificate is also the first year of the Business Diploma.
Full-time students in Saskatoon interested in the Business diploma apply to
the Business certificate program. After completing the required prerequisites
they apply to the diploma program.

September: Prince Albert (full-time; apply to the Business diploma; Management
specialty option only)

September: Moose Jaw (full-time; apply to the Business diploma)

January: Moose Jaw (full-time; apply to the Business diploma)

Note: Students starting the program in January will complete the program in an accelerated format. Students will study semesters 1 and 2 consecutively from January to July.

Length:

32 weeks (full-time); 11 courses

• Moose Jaw
• Saskatoon
• Online/Distance options available



Some programs offered online or otherwise by distance (i.e., correspondence) include on-site labs, clinicals, practicums or work experiences. They may be offered course-by-course or full-time, or both, and deliveries may change over time.

Students do not apply to this program, but take courses part time and apply to graduate (pdf) through Enrolment Services once all courses are completed.

View the program page for a complete list of courses and additional information.

Admission Requirements

Alternative Admission

Applicants who do not possess the academic qualifications for a program may be admitted if evidence of probable success can be established through an alternative admission assessment. Applicants are automatically considered for alternative admission. However, some specific admission requirements may still need to be met.

ACCUPLACER©

Refer to the ACCUPLACER© cut scores for this program below, and review additional details concerning Alternative Admission using Accuplacer.

• 250 Arithmetic
• 250 Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics
• 243 Reading
• 241 Writing

Post-secondary

Some programs allow applicants to meet the admission grade level requirement using 15 approved post-secondary credits. Review additional information.

If the program applied to has specific course requirements, they may be met through alternative post-secondary courses. Review already approved courses that may be used for admission purposes for your programs.

Admission Method

First Qualified/First Admitted

The First Qualified/First Admitted (FQFA) process is used for the majority of Saskatchewan Polytechnic programs. When we determine that you meet the program's admission requirements, you will be offered admission based on the date you fully qualify for the program. The earlier you provide the appropriate documents and information that qualify you for admission to the next intake, the earlier you might begin your studies. Your application, once qualified, is always considered for the next intake. 

Applicants to programs with multiple intakes in an academic year remain in the application pool until the last intake for that academic year has begun. Programs using the FQFA process receive applications year round and maintain an application pool for each academic year. Qualified applicants who are not offered a seat must reapply for the next academic year. 

Sponsored programs or programs targeted to specific groups do not accept applications year round or maintain an application pool.

See Admission Processes for more information about this method of admission.

Estimates are based on current rates and are subject to change. Amounts for a program may vary by campus. Totals shown here include all mandatory fees as well as approximate cost for books and supplies. Visit the Tuition and Fees web page for a complete breakdown of tuition and fees for this program.

 

2022/23 Academic Year

$9,795

Continuing Education Students: Contact Registration Services

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 2 Electives (1 of 2)

Semester 2 Electives (1 of 4)

 

Note:

• Students who wish to pursue the Business Accountancy specialty diploma must take ACCT 125 in order to meet pre-requisites for most second year Accountancy courses
• Students who wish to pursue the Business Accountancy specialty diploma must take ACCT 136 in order to graduate

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

Saskatchewan Polytechnic recognizes that adults learn in many different ways. This includes acquiring knowledge and skills through life and work experience or non-formal training.

See link(s) below to get more information about PLAR.

• Candidate Guide
• More about PLAR

Transfer Credit

Many Sask Polytech students benefit from transferring course credit. You may be eligible to transfer credit to Sask Polytech or to another college or university.

Thanks to the generosity of donors and alumni, Saskatchewan Polytechnic gives away more than $2 million in student awards during the academic year.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic offers student awards for every certificate and diploma program at every campus. Not all student awards are based on marks - some are based on financial need or things like community or volunteer involvement.

More about scholarships

• Personal Readiness
• Have a question? Email askaquestion@saskpolytech.ca.  

• Accounting
• Business (Diploma)
• Human Resources Management