Overview

This program will give you the skills and knowledge you need to become a successful entrepreneur, business owner, franchisee or improve existing businesses as a manager, consultant, or innovator.

You will boost your problem-solving abilities, leadership skills, and creativity. You'll also learn how business functions and how to apply that knowledge to different areas. Our instructors have real business experience, and they'll guide you every step of the way. 

By the end of the program, you will be able to: 

  • use basic financial and accounting principles in a business setting
  • apply marketing theory and processes in a business environment  
  • develop personal skills and professional behaviours for effective management and teamwork
  • leverage information and communication technology for efficient business practices
  • understand entrepreneurship and small business theory, and show critical thinking and innovation in business-related situations. 

You can choose four elective courses from options, including technology, communications and several others. These options allow you to tailor the program to your interests and needs. 

The program includes a capstone course where you'll apply what you've learned in a real-world project. This experience will help you develop critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and organizational skills, which are vital in business. 

This program is your gateway to a world of possibilities in business and entrepreneurship. 

Those in the management consultant, business and entrepreneurial fields tend to be innovative, directive, and social.  

You need: 

  • intellectual and emotional maturity 
  • control over your emotions and behaviour 
  • independence and objectivity
  • energy, confidence, and creativity 
  • tact 
  • good listening and communication skills 
  • problem-solving skills 
  • project-management skills 
  • the ability to learn quickly and easily, then share knowledge, teach, and train people 
  • the ability to observe, gather, select, and evaluate facts 
  • the ability to work effectively as part of a team 
  • perceptiveness, to recognize an organization's dynamics and politics 
  • persuasiveness and the ability to motivate others 
  • integrity. 

You should enjoy conducting research, presenting, taking charge, and providing constructive advice.

The business and entrepreneurship certificate provides you with options for advanced education. 

Graduates of this program can receive credit for up to nine courses required for the Business Administration diploma or Bachelor of Business Administration degree (varies by major). Additional admission requirements apply. 

In your capstone course, you'll work collaboratively with other students to create a solution to a challenge faced by a business or community organization.  

If you choose Business Productivity Tools and Technology as your technical elective, you may have opportunity to complete one or more Microsoft Office Specialist certifications. 

After successfully completing this program, you'll receive a SAIT Business and Entrepreneurship certificate.

Download program info

Careers and opportunities

Each year, SAIT conducts a survey between February and April to determine the employment rate, salary and satisfaction of our newest SAIT alumni. 

people icon 86% graduate employment rate

salary icon $46,800 average starting salary

Find out more about our graduate employment statistics >

Our graduates may work in the following occupations. Some careers require additional experience and education.

Associated National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes: 10010, 11101, 11202, 13100, 41402.

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Career planning support

Unsure which career path is for you? Here are some recommended career planning resources to help you decide your future.

You can also head to Alberta alis for lots of information about careers in Alberta, including quizzes and labour market information to help you narrow down a path.

Finally, you can take our online career finder quiz, which can help narrow your options based on your current skills and interests.

Courses

The Business and Industry certificate requires 30 credits (10 courses) to complete. 

MNGT 257 Business Certificate Capstone should be taken only after completing all other required courses and four elective courses.

The program spans one to five years. 

View recommended order of classes

Course Credits

This course provides an introduction to financial accounting from the perspective of the user who makes decisions based on financial information. The course includes an introduction to the accounting framework, generally accepted accounting principles and financial statements. Accounting concepts such as accounting for cash, accounts receivable, assets, liabilities, sales and inventories, are covered in the context of how they are applied to decision making. Decision analysis regarding corporate ownership and application of financial ratios will also be studied.

Equivalents:
  • ACCT 1010
3

Entrepreneurship is a course offering you insights and experience into the dynamic environment of entrepreneurial thinking and innovation. Working individually through guided content and discoveries, you will evaluate yourself and case studies to identify mindset and career opportunities. In teams, you will work through the development and presentation of an applied business plan to explore the many integrated facets of business in entrepreneurial ventures. Your research, self discovery, application and collaboration skills will be developed and reinforced as you progress through the journey of entrepreneurship and innovation.

Pre-requisites:
  • One of:
    • MKTG 260
    • MKTG 265
    • MKTG 205
  • One of:
    • ACCT 215
    • ACCT 210
Equivalents:
  • ENTR 2350
3

Marketing Essentials is an introductory course offering you a solid foundation in marketing principles. Working individually and in teams, you will research and discover how marketing decisions are made and identify the components of sustainable marketing programs. Your research, content application and teamwork skills will be developed and reinforced as you progress through the course.

Equivalents:
  • MKTG 1060
3

The Introduction to Business course will provide you with tools to understand multiple business functions including management, human resources, marketing, operations, and personal finance. You will also explore the Canadian Business and economic system, as well as the importance of business ethics and social responsibility in an increasingly global environment.  Working through a team project and business simulation, you will begin to develop a 21st-century skillset, including communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and effective teamwork. By the end of this course, you should have the foundations for understanding business and business ownership in Canada.

Equivalents:
  • MNGT 1200
3

This introductory course examines the multi-faceted role of managers and leaders within the organization. Issues such as planning and controls, managing the team and group dynamics, and creating and leading change will be examined within the cultural context of the organization. Decision making and communication skills from a management perspective will be developed in light of sustainability, ethical, and diversity issues combined with a constantly changing competitive environment.

Equivalents:
  • MNGT 1255
3

In this capstone course, students from different disciplines work collaboratively to apply classroom knowledge and diverse viewpoints to a challenge faced by a business or community organization. Combining their disciplinary perspectives for broader context, students will investigate and analyze the problem before presenting a solution. By adding a service-learning component that strengthens community ties, the course allows teams to showcase applied learning and technical skills in a project that expands the individual student's workplace insights while also forging business connections.

Pre-requisites:

One of:

  • ACCT 215, ACCT 255, ACCT 315, ACCT 338, ACCT 395, BCMP 225, and MNGT 200
  • ACCT 215, COMM 300, HRMT 320, LDSH 360, MNGT 250, MNGT 255, and MNGT 321
  • COMN 220, MKTG 260, MKTG 306, MKTG 366, MKTG 265, MNGT 200, MNGT 321

Or

  • ACCT 215, ENTR 350, MKTG 260, MNGT 200, MNGT 255
  • One of:
    • BCMP 225
    • MNGT 321
    • MNGT 322
  • One of:
    • COMN 220
    • COMM 300
3

You will choose four courses from the following lists.

Communications (choose one)

Course Credits

  This course will examine intercultural communication and its relationship to personal, organizational and societal identity and influence. The ability to communicate with people from diverse cultures will promote increased understanding of cultural differences, challenge perceptions and develop tolerance for differences. Developing intercultural communication skills will enable you to work successfully and collaboratively in a global marketplace.

Equivalents:
  • COMM 3300
3

Communication and Presentation Skills provides you with the foundational knowledge and skills needed to compose business documents and give engaging, formal presentations. You will learn how to effectively communicate in a professional environment and consider different aspects of spoken, written and nonverbal communication (e.g., channel, content, organization, style, tone, format and mechanics) in order to share clear and concise messages with your audience. You will be required to work in both individual and collaborative settings.

Equivalents:
  • COMM 1030
  • COMM 1070
3

Technical (choose one)

Course Credits

The use of industry-standard software is essential to effectively manage the information technologies that are required in business and online environments today. In this course, you will demonstrate skills in managing and customizing the Windows environment, as well as effectively using internet resources to enhance business productivity. You will develop skills in creating professional documents, managing data using spreadsheets and using technology for effective presentations. Through hands-on applications, you will learn to use productivity tools and application software in various business situations, and be able to select the right tool for the business need.

Equivalents:
  • BCMP 1225
3

Project Management introduces you to the standards and best practices of the Project Management Institute. We will cover both the technical and sociocultural components of project management at an introductory level, including project definition, work breakdown structures, cost and scheduling techniques, and an introduction to earned value concepts. Stakeholder communications, risk management, project leadership, and project closure round out the topic coverage.

Equivalents:
  • MNGT 2321
3

Management Information Systems and their role in managing operations is the focus of this introductory systems course. Topics you will cover include systems theory, computer hardware and software, computer networks, file and database structures, computer security and internal control, and the systems design and development process.

Pre-requisites:
  • COMN 220
  • MNGT 200
Equivalents:
  • MNGT 2322
3

Business (choose two)

Course Credits

Personal Financial Planning is an introductory course offering the student a solid foundation in financial principles. The goal of understanding personal financial planning is to achieve personal economic satisfaction. Significant areas that will be covered will be setting financial goals, budgeting, income taxes, insurance, investment products, and retirement/estate planning.

Equivalents:
  • BFIN 1255
3

This is an introductory course in business finance with an emphasis on improving financial performance from a management perspective. You will study the various elements that impact financial planning, risk management and management decision making. From a variety of business function perspectives, financial elements including capital financing, debt vs equity, working capital and leasing will be studied. An overall analysis of financial statements, corporate structure, and capital budgeting are also included.

Pre-requisites:
  • One of:
    • ACCT 215
    • ACCT 210
    • ACCT 330
  • One of:
    • BMAT 230
    • BMAT 205
Equivalents:
  • BFIN 2301
3

Business Law outlines the Canadian legal system in the context of a business environment and empowers students to apply the law and make informed decisions concerning their legal affairs. Emphasis is placed on the construction of the judicial system, the resolution of disputes, tort law, contract law, business structures, and employment law. These legal principles are applied to personal and business scenarios. Upon completion, students will have an understanding of when to seek legal advice.

Equivalents:
  • BLAW 2030
3

Business Mathematics introduces you to mathematical techniques used to solve finance problems involving simple and compound interest, debt repayment, valuation of investments, simple and general annuities, amortization of debts, sinking funds and bond valuations.

Equivalents:
  • BMAT 1040
  • BMAT 205
3

Macroeconomics introduces you to the operation of the Canadian economy. You will apply economic principles to analyze a national economy. Topics include measuring and analyzing demand and supply, economic performance, and unemployment and inflation; As well, government fiscal, trade, and monetary policies are explored.

Equivalents:
  • ECON 1110
3

Human Resource (HR) Management includes the foundational knowledge and skills required by HR Professionals and business managers. This course includes an overview of the field of human resource management, along with human resource planning, employee compensation and benefits, recruitment, selection and training of employees, performance management, government regulation and health and safety in the workplace.

Equivalents:
  • HRMT 2320
3

Business Leadership is a course that will take you on a journey of self discovery as well as an inside look at current perspectives of Leadership today. We all take on leadership roles in our lives. In business, success is often attributed to great leadership. However, today in business this role has evolved as has the business environment. Teamwork is an essential component of an organization's efficiency and effectiveness. From time to time, you may be called upon to take on a leadership role for your work group, even without a title. Throughout this course you will gain the knowledge and skills to help you fulfill your role as a leader through your understanding of personal and organizational leadership.

Pre-requisites:
  • One of:
    • MGMT 254
    • MNGT 250
Equivalents:
  • LDSH 3050
  • LDSH 405
3

Marketing Action will take the concepts learned in Marketing Essentials and build on them so students will have application experience in creating a new product. The key areas of focus will be on value proposition and business models. Marketing Action will ground their marketing knowledge so they will create sustainable decisions. This is an immersive class where students are required to continue their team projects outside the classroom and present their findings to their instructor and industry professionals.

Pre-requisites:
  • MKTG 260
Equivalents:
  • MKTG 2336
3

This introductory course provides an overview of human behaviour in organizations at the individual, group, and organizational level and the effect of each on organizational effectiveness. Topics include: individual differences, motivation, communication, teams, power and politics, conflict and negotiation, leadership, organizational culture, and change management.

Equivalents:
  • MNGT 2250
3

Supply chain management (SCM) is the movement of material and information through integrated processes in a supply chain to provide the highest degree of customer satisfaction at the lowest possible cost to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage. Elements of a supply chain include Transportation and Logistics, Procurement and Contract Management, Operations Management, Materials Management and Quality and Safety. You will analyze different components of the integrated process including: location choice, distribution system design, selection of suppliers and distributors, contracting issues, partnership formation, inventory policies, production plans and electronic data interchange. You will be introduced to the planning and management of the production and distribution of goods and services and you will start developing the skills needed to support the integrated SCM process.

Equivalents:
  • SCMT 1255
  • MNGT 2370
3

Progression

You must attain a PGPA and/or a CGPA of 2.0 or better each semester and pass the prerequisite courses to progress through the program.

To qualify for graduation, you must pass all courses, attain a CGPA of 2.0 or better and complete course requirements within the prescribed timelines.

Review our grading and progression procedure > 

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Explore your options!

Some courses in this program are available through Open Studies. You can complete courses via Open Studies to get a head start on your education, reduce your course load once accepted into a credentialed program, or determine which career path best suits you before you fully commit. 

You may also take courses for general interest or personal and professional development.

Admission requirements

Applicants educated in Canada

Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency.

There are no further requirements to enter this program.

All applicants who were educated outside of Canada must demonstrate English language proficiency and provide proof they meet the program admission requirements with an international document assessment. Find accepted educational documents and assessment options

SAIT may also accept courses completed at certain international post-secondary institutions.

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Academic Upgrading

Missing an admission requirement for this program? Upgrade your prior education to help you receive admission into one of SAIT's career programs.

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English language proficiency

All applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada.

Transfer agreements

At SAIT, we evaluate post-secondary credit you have previously earned and apply it to your SAIT credential. Explore our formal transfer agreements available for this program.

We can evaluate your prior education, even if we don't have a formal agreement in place.

Submit a transfer credit application

There are no formal transfer agreements currently in place for this program.

Transfer options for graduates

Build on the knowledge you’ve learned at SAIT. The opportunity to advance your education at an accredited post-secondary institution may be available.

🔗 Visit Transfer Alberta search tool for all transfer agreements in Alberta (including UCalgary, MRU and BVC).

If there are transfer agreements with other institutions outside of Alberta, nationally or internationally, they will be listed below.

Available intakes

Winter 2025

Start dates:

Domestic students: Closed
  • Application deadline: Extended
International students: Closed
  • Application deadline: Sept. 30, 2024

Spring 2025

Start dates:

Domestic students: Open
  • Application deadline: April 30, 2025
International students: Open
  • Application deadline: March 28, 2025

Fall 2025

Start dates:

Domestic students: Open
  • Application deadline: June 30, 2025
International students: Open
  • Application deadline: May 30, 2025

Costs

2024/25 tuition and fees

The following estimated costs are effective as of July 1, 2024. 

Domestic students

The estimated total cost of tuition and fees for domestic students is based on the recommended course load per year.
Year Number of semesters Tuition fees Additional fees Total per year
1 2 $5,910 $1,608 $7,518
Total cost:
$7,518

The estimated total cost of tuition and fees for international students is based on the recommended course load per year.
Year Number of semesters Tuition fees Additional fees Total per year
1 2 $18,210 $1,608 $19,818
Total cost:
$19,818

Books and supplies are approximately $1,000 - $1,500 per full-time year.

This is a bring-your-own-device program with a standard computer hardware and software requirement. See the specific requirements on our computers and laptops page.

Find your booklist on the SAIT Bookstore's website. The booklist will be available closer to the program start date. Can't find your program or course? The bookstore didn't receive a textbook list. Contact your program directly to determine if they're still refining course details or if you're in luck; no textbook purchase is required this term.

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Financial aid

Paying for your education may feel overwhelming, but we have resources and programs that can help, including information about payment options, student loans, grants and scholarships.

Alberta Job Grant

This program is eligible for Canada Alberta Job Grant funding.

Application process

International bundle program applicants

International applicants who wish to apply for this program as part of a program bundle should review the admission requirements for both programs and then sign in to the application portal to begin their application.

When selecting your programs, your first choice should be the program delivered in year one. The second choice program will be the program delivered in year two.

The bundle is unavailable to domestic applicants, who may apply to the stand-alone program.

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Begin your application

Apply now using the online application portal. 

Ensure you have a valid Visa or Mastercard to pay the non-refundable application fee of $120 for domestic applicants or $175 for international applicants. 

Communication during admission

Email is the primary source of communication during the admission process. Ensure your personal email account is managed appropriately to receive our emails, files and communications. We recommend you add the business.advising@sait.ca domain to your safe senders' list, or you risk missing critical email messages.

Information sessions

Prepare for a strong start in your chosen program or get the details you need to decide your future path.

Our expert staff and faculty are ready to answer your questions and provide information about the following:

  • What sets SAIT apart
  • An introduction to the program and area of study
  • Admission requirements
  • Future career paths
  • Information on the earning potential and graduate employment rates.

Contact us

School of Business Advising

Phone
403.284.8485
Email
business.advising@sait.ca

International Student Advising

Phone
403.284.8852
Email
international@sait.ca
a view of the moutains and stream in between

Oki, Âba wathtech, Danit'ada, Tawnshi, Hello.

SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.

We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.