Business

Certificate

Program Overview

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​.

Full-time students in Saskatoon apply to the Business certificate program before entering the Business diploma program.

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

 

Career and Salary Information

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 TitleNOC Classification1Earning Potential2
Management TraineeBanking, Credit and Other Investment Managers (0122)$63,900 - $149,800
Financial OfficerAccounting Technicians and Bookkeepers (1311)$34,400 - $80,000
Accounting ClerkAccounting and Related Clerks (1431)$33,300 - $67,800

Length and Start Date

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


Locations

  • 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.

Part-time Delivery

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.

Admissions

Admission Requirements

  • If you take courses through Flexible Learning, you are not required to apply for admission or meet the requirements. Once you have successfully completed all the courses in the program, simply apply to graduate
  • Effective beginning 2020/2021 Year 1 (Business Certificate): Grade 12 or successful completion of at least 15 credit units, from this Business certificate program or the Business diploma (year 1) program
  • Effective beginning 2020/2021 Year 2 (Business Diploma): Grade 12 or successful completion of at least 15 credit units, from this program (Year 1 - Business Certificate)
  • English Language Requirement
  • Computer experience using a Windows application is recommended

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.

Tuition and Fees

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

Courses

Expand All +

Semester 1

Code
Name/Description
Credits
 
ACCT 122
Introductory Financial Accounting 1
5
Show course details
Your studies will focus on an introduction to financial accounting designed to provide you with accounting skills to handle business transactions. The course will include bookkeeping techniques, accounting for a merchandising concern and control over cash and receivables. ACCT 122 is a companion to ACCT 125 (Introductory Financial Accounting 2) which continues the study of basic financial accounting.
Credit Units: 5
Course Hours: 75.0
Equivalent Course(s): ACCT 140, ACP 110
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Online, Prior Learning, Remote Delivery
ADMN 220
Organizational Behaviour
4
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You will study human behaviour in organizations and develop the skills needed to deal with people at work. Your studies include content on individual behaviour, values, interpersonal relationships and communications, groups and team dynamics, organizational culture, leadership, and change. You will study these aspects of human behavior within the context of diverse formal organizations.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 60.0
Equivalent Course(s): BUS 182
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Online, Prior Learning
BCOM 105
Business Communications
4
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You will develop fundamental employability skills through the study of the principles of communication and active listening techniques. The course content includes the development of effective writing skills and formatting. You will apply the principles and skills by writing business messages for positive, negative and persuasive purposes. You will examine ways to apply communication skills to cross-cultural and Indigenous situations. You will learn to apply effective presentation skills when delivering oral presentations. You will write business reports.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 60.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Online, Prior Learning
BUS 104
Introduction to Business
4
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You will be introduced to fundamentals of business. You will study structures, activities and forces that impact businesses. The course will explore the importance of ethical business practices, corporate social responsibility, and economic diversity in the global economy. You will begin your exploration of the functional business areas of leadership, human resources, operations, marketing, accounting, finance, and entrepreneurship. The course will prepare you for further study in these areas and others. You will work on a business case and prepare a simple business plan.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 60.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Online, Prior Learning
COMP 120
Business Solution Software
4
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Your studies will focus on the practical use of File Management, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel from the Microsoft Office Professional software suite. You will learn a wide range of skills from intermediate to advanced in each of the applications.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 60.0
Equivalent Course(s): COMP 140
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Prior Learning
ECON 120
Microeconomics
4
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Your studies will focus on an introduction to microeconomics. You will learn how individuals, businesses and governments make decisions in a world of scarce resources and unlimited wants. You will study how production and consumption choices are made in a market economy. You will learn to analyze economic fundamentals in supply, demand, costs, response to price changes, and income distribution. Finally, you will gain an understanding of the most common market structures along with their price and output determination in the Canadian economic marketplace.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 60.0
Equivalent Course(s): RT 191
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Online, Prior Learning, Remote Delivery
Total semester credits: 25

Semester 2

Code
Name/Description
Credits
 
HR 120
Introduction to Human Resource Management
4
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Your studies will focus on an overview of human resource management and practices. You will discuss and apply the concept of job analysis: planning, recruiting, and selection processes; training, developing and compensation considerations, and management performance and labour relations. You will discuss employee and organizational ethics throughout the course, and your studies will emphasize the use of human resource management to achieve high organizational performance.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 60.0
Equivalent Course(s): ADMN 222
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Online, Prior Learning, Remote Delivery
LAW 220
Commercial Law
4
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Your studies will focus on the field of commercial law. You will apply the concepts of tort law and contract law. You will examine various legislative acts. Legal concepts in your studies will include torts, contracts, agency, forms of business organizations, the sale of goods, employment, bailment, insurance, personal as well as real property, and secured transactions.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 60.0
Equivalent Course(s): ACP 170, LAW 240
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Online, Prior Learning
MATH 139
Business Mathematics
4
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You will solve business problems involving ratios, proportions and percentages. You will use the concept of the time value of money and how it is applied to both simple and compound interest. You will calculate ordinary annuities and bonds.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 60.0
Equivalent Course(s): FIN 120
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Online, Prior Learning, Remote Delivery
MKTG 120
Marketing
4
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You will discover the dynamic field of marketing. You will explore what marketing is, how it works, and the effect it can have on consumers and society. At the end of the course, you should have a strong sense of how to market ideas, skills, as well as products and services. You will apply these marketing concepts: the strategic marketing planning process, market research, segmentation, positioning, consumer behaviour, and the marketing mix.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 60.0
Equivalent Course(s): MKTG 140
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Online, Prior Learning
Total semester credits: 16

Semester 2 Electives (1 of 2)

Code
Name/Description
Credits
 
ACCT 125
Introductory Financial Accounting 2
5
Show course details
Your studies will focus on an introduction to financial accounting building on the skills you earned in ACCT 122 (Introductory Financial Accounting 1). Your studies include these topics: accounting for property, plant and equipment assets, current and non-current liabilities, partnerships, corporations, and accounting for payroll. In addition, you will learn to prepare a cash flow statement, perform ratio analysis, and explore ethical issues.
Credit Units: 5
Course Hours: 75.0
Prerequisites(s): ACCT 122
Equivalent Course(s): ACCT 141, ACP 110
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Online, Prior Learning, Remote Delivery
ACCT 225
Managerial Accounting
5
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Your studies will provide an introduction to the fundamentals of managerial accounting. You will use cost concepts, manufacturing accounting, cost allocation and budgeting processes, and you will be able to employ appropriate managerial accounting techniques for decision making.
Credit Units: 5
Course Hours: 75.0
Prerequisites(s): ACCT 122
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Online, Prior Learning

Semester 2 Electives (1 of 4)

Code
Name/Description
Credits
 
ACCT 136
Automated Accounting
4
Show course details
Using an automated accounting software package, you will learn how to enter transactions into journals (general, purchase, payments, sales, cash receipts and payroll) and ledgers (general, accounts receivable, accounts payable and payroll), learn to account for inventory, and learn to prepare banking records. You will also prepare the initial automated accounting setup for use by a company.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 60.0
Prerequisites(s): ACCT 105 or ACCT 122
Equivalent Course(s): COAP 137
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Online, Prior Learning
FIN 100
Personal Finance
4
Show course details
You will explore concepts related to planning and managing personal finances. You will develop the knowledge and decision-making tools to help you make sound financial decisions and/or provide advice to others. Your studies will introduce concepts in banking, deposit accounts, investing, tax and retirement planning. You will explore the uses and misuses of personal credit and review the importance of insurance and estate planning. You will apply the skills and knowledge that you develop in a wide variety of real world situations.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 60.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Online, Prior Learning
INS 100
Principles and Practices of Insurance
4
Show course details
Your studies will introduce the principles and practices of the insurance industry. You will examine the multi-faceted nature of the insurance business, develop an understanding of risk and strategies to respond to it, and examine contract law as it relates to the industry. You will be introduced to the terms and practices of the insurance business.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 60.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Online, Prior Learning, Remote Delivery
MGMT 108
Introduction to Sport Management
4
Show course details
You will discover the dynamic field of sport management. Specifically, you will explore the diverse career paths and opportunities within the sport industry in Canada and prepare yourself for success as a sport management professional. Additionally, you will study a sport industry model, the Canadian sport system and sport policy, sociological aspects of sport, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action related to sport, the functions of sport management, governance and legal considerations, and emerging trends.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 60.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Online, Prior Learning

 

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

Get Credit for What You Know

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.


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.

Graduates may be eligible for transfer of courses from the Sask Polytech Business Certificate program on an individualized basis depending on the AU program selected.  
Students from the Sask Polytech Business Certificate program who have successfully completed specific courses within the past five years will be assigned transfer credit from Briercrest College and Seminary as detailed in the Articulation Agreement.
Students from Sask Polytech to CITT, or students from CITT to Sask Polytech, may be eligible for credit of courses.
Students from Sask Polytech may be eligible for transfer of courses.
Graduates from the Business certificate program may be eligible for a maximum of 30 credit hours towards the Bachelor of Business Administration. A grade of 60% or more must be achieved in courses for which graduates are seeking transfer credit. Graduates must maintain a minimum PGPA of 65% in the Business certificate program.

Completion of SaskPolytech Business Certificate program may be eligible for a block transfer of 30 credit units towards the Edwards School of Business Bachelor of Commerce degree.

Student Awards

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

Additional Information

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