Overview
Follow your entrepreneurial aspirations and gain skills to become a successful entrepreneur working for yourself or in businesses with an entrepreneurial mindset.
Boost your problem solving, leadership and creativity as you gain an understanding of core business functions and apply that knowledge to various disciplines. Led by instructors with real business experience, this program can prepare you to start your journey as an entrepreneur or enhance your skills to optimize and expand operations for an existing small business in any industry.
You can choose four electives from an extensive list, including technology and communications courses, to tailor the program to your specific needs and interests. Depending on your electives, you’ll gain business and financial acumen encompassing end-to-end and peripheral business processes, including project management, accounting, human resources, marketing, digital literacy, supply chain and more.
You will finish the program with a capstone course that enables you to apply your abilities in a work-integrated learning project, further developing critical thinking, communication, collaboration and organizational capabilities. You’ll have up to five years to complete this certificate.
When you finish this program, you have the opportunity to ladder into higher credentials at SAIT. Up to 27 credits from this certificate can be applied to our Business Administration diploma or Bachelor of Business Administration programs (varies by major). Both programs have additional admission requirements and your timeline to complete a diploma or degree begins when you start the first certificate course.
Is this the right program for me?
To achieve success in this program, students should:
- be proactive, independent, and resourceful
- have strong written and oral communication skills
- be prepared to work in teams
- be proficient in the use of a Windows-based computer and Microsoft Office software
- spend nine-12 hours per week on each course, including in-class hours
- actively participate in all classes and activities
- become familiar and adhere to SAIT’s policies and procedures
- be ready for a challenge and committed to keeping yourself on schedule
Also, students who are engaged and take advantage of SAIT services and resources usually experience more success in SAIT’s programs.
Credentials
After successfully completing this program, graduates will receive a SAIT Business and Entrepreneurship certificate.
Get important updates about our business and tech programs
Tuition and fees
Estimated cost per year:
Domestic total 2023/24
- Year 1: $7,710
International total 2023/24
- Year 1: $20,171.90
Final costs are dependent on the number of courses a student takes per semester.
This program is eligible for Canada Alberta Job Grant funding.
Requirements
You will be offered admission to this program through direct entry if you meet the admission requirements and space is available.
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Admission requirements
Program requirements
Students (including those educated in Canada) must demonstrate English language proficiency prior to admission.
When should you apply?
Visit our Apply page to see when applications open and close for upcoming semesters.
To see which semesters this program has intakes for, look at the Available Intakes information at the top of this page.
Direct entry: four-step process
Step 1: Read the program information to see the qualities needed for student success.
Step 2: Ensure that you meet all of the admission requirements listed above.
Step 3: Apply to the program and submit your transcripts.
Admission will be extended on a first-qualified, first-offered basis until the program is full.
Step 4: Continue to monitor your application status through mySAIT.ca.
You must submit final transcripts/grades to show you have completed the courses and met the minimum admission requirements by the transcript deadline or your seat will be rescinded.
This program meets the eligibility criteria for the Post-Graduation Work Permit program for international students as long as the student is enrolled in the on-campus delivery mode or completes more than 50% of the courses on campus (for the blended option). International students attending all classes online will NOT be eligible for a Post-Graduate Work Permit. International students are responsible for maintaining their eligibility throughout their studies.
Communication during admission
Email is the primary source of communication during the selection 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.
When do classes start?
Classes for this program adhere to the following year start and end dates based on the semester the student begins their program.
| Classes begin | Year start date | Year end date |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2022 | Sept. 6, 2022 | April 28, 2023 |
| Winter 2023 | Jan. 9, 2023 | Aug. 18, 2023 |
| Spring 2023 | May 8, 2023 | Dec. 15, 2023 |
| Fall 2023 | Sept. 5, 2023 | April 26, 2024 |
| Winter 2024 | Jan. 8, 2024 | Dec. 14, 2024 |
Courses
Program outline
This program consists of 30 credits (10 courses).
Looking for course descriptions and requisites? Visit the course catalogue
Open Studies courses available
Some courses in this program are available through Open Studies.
Open Studies is a great way to explore a certain subject before diving into the full program. See what courses are offered by finding this program on the Open Studies courses tab.
Required courses
It is recommended that you complete the courses in the order that they are listed below.
MNGT 257, Business Certificate Capstone, should be taken only after all other required courses and four elective courses have been completed.
| Course code | Course name | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| MNGT-200 | Introduction to Business | 3.0 |
| MKTG-260 | Marketing Essentials | 3.0 |
| ACCT-215 | Introductory Financial Accounting I | 3.0 |
| MNGT-255 | Introduction to Management | 3.0 |
| ENTR-350 | Entrepreneurship | 3.0 |
| MNGT-257 | Business Certificate Capstone | 3.0 |
Communications course (choose one)
| Course code | Course name | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| COMM-300 | Intercultural Communications | 3.0 |
| COMN-220 | Communication and Presentation Skills | 3.0 |
Technical course (choose one)
| Course code | Course name | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| BCMP-225 | Business Productivity Tools and Technology | 3.0 |
| MNGT-321 | Project Management | 3.0 |
| MNGT-322 | Information Systems | 3.0 |
Elective courses (choose two)
| Course code | Course name | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| BFIN-225 | Personal Financial Planning | 3.0 |
| BFIN-301 | Finance for Managers | 3.0 |
| BLAW-300 | Business Law | 3.0 |
| BMAT-230 | Business Mathematics | 3.0 |
| ECON-305 | Macroeconomics | 3.0 |
| HRMT-320 | Human Resource Management | 3.0 |
| LDSH-360 | Business Leadership | 3.0 |
| MKTG-336 | Marketing Action | 3.0 |
| MNGT-250 | Organizational Behaviour | 3.0 |
| SCMT-255 | Introduction to Supply Chain Management | 3.0 |
Progression
Students must attain a PGPA and/or a CGPA of 2.0 or better in each semester and pass the necessary prerequisite courses to progress through the program. To qualify for graduation, students 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 >
Transfer options
The opportunity to advance your education by transferring in, within or on from SAIT is available.
Learn more about program and institution partnership agreements.
Costs 2022/23
Domestic tuition and fees
Cost per credit: $189
| Year | Number of semesters | Tuition fees | SAIT fees | Saitsa fees* | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | $5,670 | $916 | $553 | $7,139 |
Domestic cost per course
| Course credits | Course cost |
|---|---|
| 1.5 | $283.50 |
| 3.0 | $567 |
*Maximum fee. Actual fees may be less and are based on the number of credits a student takes per semester and whether they opt-out of health and dental benefits.
International tuition and fees
Cost per credit: $606.93
| Year | Number of semesters | Tuition fees | SAIT fees | Saitsa fees* | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | $18,207.90 | $916 | $553 | $18,207.90 |
International cost per course
| Course credits | Course cost |
|---|---|
| 1.5 | $910.40 |
| 3.0 | $1,820.79 |
*Maximum fee. Actual fees may be less and are based on the number of credits a student takes per semester and whether they opt-out of health and dental benefits.
SAIT fees
- Campus athletic and recreation fee: $196
- Universal transit pass (Upass): $320
- Student support fee: $200
- Student technology fee: $200
The above fees are based on a course load of nine (9) or more credits per semester. Students taking less than nine (9) credits per semester do not qualify for the UPass. Other fees will be adjusted based on reduced credit load.
Saitsa fees
Student Association fee
- Maximum: $291
This is the maximum amount the student will pay. Actual fees may be less and are based on the number of credits the students take per semester.
Health and dental fees
- Health plan: $127
- Dental plan: $135
Students with existing health and/or dental plans can opt-out. Please refer to Saitsa's website for information.
Students taking less than nine (9) credits per semester do not qualify for health and dental benefits.
Books and supplies*
Books and supplies are approximately $1,000 - $1,500 per full-time year.
For an estimate of the costs associated with purchasing a computer that meets the program's hardware and software requirements, see our computers and laptops page.
Learn more about tuition and financial aid.
*Tuition, fees, books and supply costs are subject to change.
Costs 2023/24
Tuition and fees
The following costs are effective as of July 1, 2023. They are an estimate of tuition and fees based on the recommended course load per year. *
Domestic students
| Year | Number of semesters | Tuition fees | SAIT fees | Saitsa fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2.5 | $5,910 | $1,105 | $695 | $7,710 |
International students
| Year | Number of semesters | Tuition fees | SAIT fees | Saitsa fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2.5 | $18,207.90 | $1,105 | $859 | $20,171.90 |
*For a detailed breakdown of tuition costs per course, visit the domestic and international fee tables.
Fees
Your fees are calculated based on the number of course credits you take per semester (approximately 16 weeks of study). In most cases, your fee is determined based on whether you're taking more or less than nine (9) course credits (more than nine credits in a semester are considered full-time studies.)
Fees are adjusted for programs with start dates outside of the typical 15-week program.
Learn more about what your fees are for
Fees are subject to change without notice.
| Fees | < 9 credits per semester | > 9 credits per semester |
| SAIT fees | ||
| Campus athletic and recreation | $51.50 | $103 |
| Student support fee | $52.75 | $105.50 |
| Student technology fee | $52.75 | $105.50 |
| UPass* | N/A | $160 |
| Total | $157 | $474 |
| Saitsa fees | ||
| Student association fee** | $16.22/credit | $146 |
| Health plan*** | N/A | $86 ($172 annually) |
| Dental plan*** | N/A | $79 ($158 annually) |
| Total | $311 maximum | $476 |
*Additional eligibility requirements apply for students to obtain a UPass. To check your eligibility, visit our Upass page.
**Saitsa fees are paid per credit to a maximum amount of $146 per semester.
***Health and dental fees are charged per semester to an annual maximum amount of $172 for health and $158 for dental. In most cases, program fees quoted are based on students paying for a full year of health and dental coverage. International students are charged these fees regardless of course load. Domestic students with existing health and/or dental plans can opt-out. Learn more at saitsa.com/benefits.
Books and supplies*
Books and supplies are approximately $1,000 - $1,500 per full-time year.
For an estimate of the costs associated with purchasing a computer that meets the program's hardware and software requirements, see our computers and laptops page.
*Tuition, fees, books and supply costs are subject to change.
Next steps for incoming students
Have you been accepted to this program? Here's what you'll need for your first day of classes.
Orientation
Program orientation (ORNT 118) for students starting in Spring 2023 will take place online on May 4. Check your schedule in mySAIT for the time and location details.
Learn more about campus orientation.
How to register for classes
Course registration opens on March 1 through March 15 for Spring 2023.
You’ll receive an email from us indicating what registration process you’ll use to enroll in your classes.
Learn more about how to register and the different registration methods used at SAIT.
Computers and laptops
This is a bring your own device program with a standard hardware and software requirement. See the specific requirements on our computers and laptops page.
Preparation courses
To support your success, short courses are available to you to help prepare you for the academic year:
PERS 050: Student Rights and Responsibilities
This course is designed to introduce you to student rights and responsibilities at SAIT. You will learn about SAIT's rich and diverse community, become familiar with guidelines and procedures that create a safe, respectful learning experience for you, and gain practical tips for how you can engage in the SAIT community in a positive and responsible way. PRES-050 must be completed within 30 days from the start of the semester.
PREP 100: The SAIT Experience
Get tips and insider information on time management, exam preparation, effective notetaking and more through this free, online short course for new students. Plus, learn about discussion boards, online communication and submitting assignments online. Course completion is recommended by the end of your first semester.
Both courses can be accessed through Brightspace (D2L) before the first day of classes.
Students taking a full-time course load, or more than nine (9) credits per semester, will be automatically enrolled in these courses.
They are optional for students taking a part-time course load (9 or fewer credits per semester). Part-time students can register by emailing academic.coaching@sait.ca.
Required textbooks
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 required this term.
Contact
For any questions, or to set up a virtual advising appointment, please contact our School of Business Advising Centre.
Phone: 403.284.8485
Email: business.advising@sait.ca
Academic chair
Grace McKenna, Academic Chair
Email: grace.mckenna@sait.ca
Next steps for all students
Here's what else you'll need to do to get ready!
Next steps for accepted students
Important dates and deadlines
Find important dates applicable to all students, including your transcript and tuition payment deadlines on our Important Dates page.
Your journey starts here
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