Overview

The Business Administration Automotive Management program is your gateway to a successful business career in the automotive industry.

Designed in collaboration with industry representatives, this two-year diploma program is unique in Western Canada. You'll acquire expertise in communication, marketing, management and essential automotive knowledge.

In this program, you'll gain:

  • a comprehensive understanding of the industry and how different parts of the business work together
  • effective communication abilities to communicate with team members, customers, suppliers and other stakeholders
  • marketing expertise, including how to promote new vehicle models, services offered by car dealerships or aftermarket products
  • an understanding of marketing strategies and consumer behaviour
  • management and strategy skills to lead teams, allocate resources, set goals and ensure efficient business operations and profitability.

Our program offers a blended learning environment. You'll engage in traditional classroom instruction, collaborative coursework with your peers and online learning.

In addition to classroom instruction, our program includes a valuable paid summer work practicum. This real-world experience will give you a head start in your automotive management career.

Upon graduation, you can pursue careers in various areas of the car industry, including leadership or management positions within dealerships, roles in parts, sales, service and finance departments or positions with related organizations, like aftermarket companies, insurance or credit companies.

To work in automotive business administration, you need:  

  • self-confidence and self-motivation 
  • listening and presentation skills 
  • perseverance and resilience 
  • flexibility and adaptability 
  • an even temperament 
  • stress-management skills 
  • time-management, communication and problem-solving skills 
  • the ability to work independently and as part of a team 
  • the ability to serve both company and client needs 
  • computer literacy. 

You should enjoy meeting new people and selling goods or services. For certain positions, you should be comfortable identifying and approaching potential customers, building new relationships, or overseeing the preparation of sales contracts. 

Between your first and second year, you will participate in a paid work term where you'll gain experience in the automotive industry.

After successfully completing this program, you'll be awarded a SAIT Business Administration - Automotive Management diploma.

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 93% graduate employment rate

salary icon $45,320 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: 60010, 60020, 64100, 64409.

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Career counselling and support

Unsure which career path is for you? SAIT offers career planning services to help you decide your future.

You can also get started by taking our online career finder quiz, which can help you narrow down your search based on your current skills and interests.

Finally, you can also head to Alberta alis for various tools and resources, including additional quizzes and labour market information to help you narrow down a career path.

Courses

The Business Administration Automotive Management diploma requires 63 credits (24 courses) to complete.

The program spans two years, with three semesters in year one and two semesters in year two.

View classes by semester

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

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

Professional Communication and Presentation Skills will introduce learners to the professional writing, collaboration and presentation skills needed to be successful in their chosen field.  Learners will gain an understanding of the strategies and competencies required for effective communication with an emphasis on developing the interpersonal skills needed to perform as part of a high-functioning team.  Coursework will require learners to work in individual and collaborative settings.

Equivalents:
  • COMM 265
3

This practical course on computer functionality and commonly used industry software covers current productivity software to develop industry-specific solutions in the areas of communication and organization, documentation, data management, analysis, and visualization. In addition, file management techniques and best practices; security considerations such as identifying threats, safeguarding data and intellectual property; and digital citizenship and etiquette are also included.

Equivalents:
  • BCMP 225
3

In this introductory course in Microeconomics, you will learn about economic principles involved in analyzing problems in the business and consumer sectors of the Canadian economy. Some of the topics covered are: economic scarcity, demand, supply, elasticity, and perfect and imperfect competition.

Equivalents:
  • ECON 1010
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

This course provides a comprehensive view of the Fixed Operations Department of a typical automotive dealership. It explores the best practices for optimizing the return on investment in the dealership and how the after-sales business contributes to overall dealership profitability. Particular emphasis will be placed on the impact of customer satisfaction, loyalty and repurchase intentions.

1.5

This course introduces the functions of the business office and examines in detail all key aspects of automotive leasing, finance and insurance. It includes the features of each type of contract and their legal and ethical considerations. The impact of credit and leasing versus buying decisions are also key components of this course.

1.5

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

Introduction to Automotive Technology provides an overview of the operation and function of the main components and systems of automobiles. Topics include the operation of the engine, transmission and drive train, as well as the fuel, exhaust, emissions, ignition, electrical, air conditioning, cooling and lubricating systems. Also discussed are the suspension, steering and braking systems. The role of the onboard computer in various systems is also reviewed.

1.5

This course is an introduction to the automotive industry as a whole. The history, present and future business of the industry will be explored, including trends, innovations and issues in the Canadian Automotive Industry.

1.5

This course introduces the participant to the vast opportunities and the significance of the automotive aftermarket industry in Canada. Furthermore, this course examines the history, channels of distribution and product supply chain. As well it explores career opportunities and trends in this segment of the automotive industry.

1.5

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

Building and Managing Brands  explores the intangibles, such as corporate culture, as well as the tangibles, such as product differentiation, which help attain and maintain brand equity in the market. Rapidly emerging business trends, such as corporate social responsibility, are also featured, which help shed light on what companies are doing to separate their brand from competitors. Students will produce a brand book and plan to manage a brand.

Pre-requisites:
  • MKTG 260
Equivalents:
  • MKTG 2306
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

Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) represents the "Promotions" P of the marketing mix. An IMC Proposal includes campaign messages and their translation into each of the elements of the marketing communications mix along with a proposed budget and evaluations for success. In our fast paced marketplace, messages need to be on target and on brand. Integration in business is imperative. Working in teams, each student will experience the planning process for IMC. This course offers the students case analysis, creative development structure, and facilitated problem solving, to develop a unified IMC proposal.

Pre-requisites:
  • One of:
    • MKTG 260
    • MKTG 265
Equivalents:
  • MKTG 2375
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

The student work practicum provides an opportunity to prepare for and gain industry experience. Topics covered include effective communication, professionalism, SMART goals and time management. The workplace portion of the course will provide real-world experience in the automotive industry as well as networking opportunities for future employment.

3

In the capstone course, learners are given the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program in a real-world environment. Following an analysis of existing processes at an automotive company, learners will present findings and recommendations to peers, faculty and industry executives.

3

A Dealer Management System (DMS) is an integral part of managing the Parts and Service Department of a retail automotive dealership. An in-depth look at these departments' processes and how they apply to the individual departments will occur. An understanding of the software applications and how they inter-relate with the daily operations of the departments to achieve profitability are explored.

1.5

Automotive Business and Sales Management provides an overview of the variable sales departments, also known as the new and used vehicle sales department. The operational goals of each of these departments are reviewed as well as the people, processes and products. Daily tasks that promote a profitable sales department and the impact of customer service are also discussed.

3

Quantitative Methods will build analysis skills through the study of basic concepts in statistics, including: sampling; measurement of central tendency and variability; probability and probability distributions; random variables; estimation; hypothesis testing; small sample theory; and regression analysis.

Equivalents:
  • STAT 2040
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 and completion of the following courses or equivalents:

  • at least 50% in Math 30-1 or Math 30-2, and
  • at least 50% in English Language Arts 30-1, or at least 60% in English Language Arts 30-2.

SAIT accepts high school course equivalents for admission for applicants educated outside Alberta.

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.

Griffith University

Program name
Bachelor of Business - Management or Marketing or Human Resource Management
Available credits:
45

Upon successful completion of this program, you'll be eligible to receive up to 45 credits (1.5 years) toward Griffith's Bachelor of Business with majors in Marketing, Management, or Human Resource Management.

This degree is a three-year program with intakes offered in February and July each year.

Available intakes

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 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* $6,105 $1,840 $7,945
2 2 $5,550 $1,608 $7,158
Total cost:
$15,103

*.5 indicates a combination of full-time semester(s) and part-time semester(s) in the same academic year. In many cases, students are completing a practicum during their part-time semester. Part-time students are those taking less than nine (9) course credits in a semester.

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 2.5* $18,348 $1,840 $20,188
2 2 $16,680 $1,608 $18,288
Total cost:
$38,476

*.5 indicates a combination of full-time semester(s) and part-time semester(s) in the same academic year. In many cases, students are completing a practicum during their part-time semester. Part-time students are those taking less than nine (9) course credits in a semester.

Books and supplies are approximately $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.

Application process

Ready to apply?

Follow our step-by-step guide to submitting a successful application.

Learn how to apply

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 transportation.info@sait.ca domain to your safe senders list or you risk missing critical email messages.

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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. 

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 Transportation Advising

Phone
403.284.8471
Email
transportation.info@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.