Business certificates

The School of Extended Learning offers four undergraduate certificates to help you acquire new or upgrade existing skills to respond to your professional needs. Whether you are a current or aspiring Entrepreneur or a Business, Marketing or Human Resources professional, completing a certificate can help you:

Boost your employability
Lead to a career transition
Further professional or personal development
Plan and implement your own business venture

Certificates offered in:
Entrepreneurship | Business Practices | Human Resources Practices | Marketing Practices

Certificate in Entrepreneurship (30 credits*)

The Certificate in Entrepreneurship is aimed at the growing market of entrepreneurs seeking skills development related to the startup, management, marketing, financing and ultimate growth of their respective business concepts. Every course in the SEL Entrepreneurship Certificate develops competencies toward the eventual creation of the Business Plan. Students who complete this certificate will graduate with a bank-ready document that may also be employed as a user manual for the student’s real new business venture.

SEL 150 Entrepreneurship: The Fundamentals (3 credits*)

Prerequisite required: None This course provides an overview of starting and managing a new business. The course focuses on concept development, the uncontrollables that can impact the nascent concept and an introduction to the specific business functions and strategies related to marketing, finance, accounting, management and human resources.
Schedule & course sequence:
Entrepreneurship course sequence
Business course schedule by term

SEL 152 Business Practices: Financial Accounting (3 credits*)

Prerequisite required: None This course develops a foundational understanding of basic accounting principles and statements, considering the role of accounting information as it relates to decision-making. Students develop competencies in journal entry processing and in the preparation and interpretation of income statements, balance sheets, and statements of changes in owners’ equity.
Schedule & course sequence:
Entrepreneurship course sequence
Business course schedule by term

SEL 157 Marketing Practices: The Fundamentals (3 credits*)

Prerequisite required: None This course introduces the basic concepts of marketing by focusing on the components of the marketing mix, market segmentation, and positioning. Competencies are built by examining the changing business environments, both external and internal, and developing an understanding of relevant target markets employing rapidly evolving distribution and promotional techniques.
Schedule & course sequence:
Entrepreneurship course sequence
Business course schedule by term

SEL 160 Entrepreneurship: Management of a New Business (3 credits*)

Prerequisite required: SEL 150 This course introduces students to basic entrepreneurship skills. Students learn how to recognize and approach opportunity, and to assess feasibility and potential of the idea. They assemble the necessary business and financial resources to launch, organize, manage, and grow a new business profitably, respond to obstacles and change, and employ harvesting, replication and exit strategies. The course also explores the dynamics of family business, buying into a going concern and franchise opportunities.
Schedule & course sequence:
Entrepreneurship course sequence
Business course schedule by term

SEL 161 Business Practices: The Law (3 credits*)

Prerequisite required: SEL 151 This course focuses on the general and emerging legal principles that apply to business in Quebec and Canada. Competencies are developed in identifying and analyzing those legal issues that are pertinent to day-to-day business transactions and relationships.
Schedule & course sequence:
Entrepreneurship course sequence
Business course schedule by term

SEL 167 Marketing Practices: Research (3 credits*)

Prerequisite required: SEL 157 This course develops the ability to create a research design, develop an effective questionnaire or sampling instrument, and determine the appropriate sampling technique for different research scenarios. The course demonstrates that research must be performed to ascertain the value, accessibility, and general merits of the market(s) contemplated.
Schedule & course sequence:
Entrepreneurship course sequence
Business course schedule by term

SEL 170 Entrepreneurship: Strategies and Practice (3 credits*)

Prerequisite required: SEL 160 This course focuses on the development of strategies for entrepreneurial ventures, building on concepts covered in previous courses. Strong emphasis is placed on tactical application. Case studies and live company analyses are employed liberally, examining successful business practices for both new companies and recent start-ups.
Schedule:
Business course schedule by term

SEL 180 Entrepreneurship: Creating A Business Plan (3 credits*)

Prerequisite required: SEL 170 In this course, students develop a written business plan for an existing or proposed new business, ultimately proposing the completed plan to an expert panel. It is expected that the student has a new business concept in mind at the start of the course, as this concept forms the basis of the business plan and the work to be completed throughout the term.
Schedule & course sequence:
Entrepreneurship course sequence
Business course schedule by term

PLUS two Elective courses (6 credits*)

These two elective 3 credit courses may be taken from the courses offered by School of Extended learning or by a faculty.

Certificate in Business Practices (30 credits*)

The Certificate in Business Practices is an introductory program designed for (i) current and aspiring entrepreneurs who need a foundational basis of best business practices and concepts; (ii) individuals employed in industry who wish to broaden their current knowledge of business, and (iii) students planning for a career in business.

SEL 151 Business Practices: The Fundamentals (3 credits*)

Prerequisite required: None This course provides an introductory overview of the business organization, focusing on both internal issues such as the structure of business, its principal functions and activities, and social and ethical concerns, as well as external issues, such as the economic, technological, and competitive landscapes and how these influence decision-making.
Schedule & course sequence:
Business Practices course sequence
Business course schedule by term

SEL 152 Business Practices: Financial Accounting (3 credits*)

Prerequisite required: None This course develops a foundational understanding of basic accounting principles and statements, considering the role of accounting information as it relates to decision-making. Students develop competencies in journal entry processing and in the preparation and interpretation of income statements, balance sheets, and statements of changes in owners’ equity.
Schedule & course sequence:
Business Practices course sequence
Business course schedule by term

SEL 153 Business Practices: Statistics (3 credits*)

Prerequisite required: None This course focuses on applications for quantitative analysis of data that can be employed in support of managerial decision-making. Focal points of the course include displaying and describing categorical and quantitative data, randomness and probability, sampling distributions, and hypothesis testing.
Schedule & course sequence:
Business Practices course sequence
Business course schedule by term

SEL 154 Human Resources Practices: The Fundamentals (3 credits*)

Prerequisite required: None This course examines the theory and practical application of personnel management. Topics to be discussed include recruitment, staff selection, orientation and training, wage and salary administration, and benefits management.
Schedule & course sequence:
Business Practices course sequence
Business course schedule by term

SEL 155 Human Resources Practices: Group Dynamics (3 credits*)

Prerequisite required: None This course explores and analyzes behavioural characteristics within organizations. Competencies are developed in identifying work group and intergroup behaviour, and in developing strategies designed to maximize organizational effectiveness.
Schedule & course sequence:
Business Practices course sequence
Business course schedule by term

SEL 157 Marketing Practices: The Fundamentals (3 credits*)

Prerequisite required: None This course introduces the basic concepts of marketing by focusing on the components of the marketing mix, market segmentation, and positioning. Competencies are built by examining the changing business environments, both external and internal, and developing an understanding of relevant target markets employing rapidly evolving distribution and promotional techniques.
Schedule & course sequence:
Business Practices course sequence
Business course schedule by term

SEL 161 Business Practices: The Law (3 credits*)

Prerequisite required: SEL 151 This course focuses on the general and emerging legal principles that apply to business in Quebec and Canada. Competencies are developed in identifying and analyzing those legal issues that are pertinent to day-to-day business transactions and relationships.
Schedule & course sequence:
Business Practices course sequence
Business course schedule by term

SEL 162 Business Practices: Finance (3 credits*)

Prerequisite required: SEL 152 This course focuses on the environment of financial management, the valuation of financial assets, long-term investment decisions, capital structure, dividend policy, and working capital management. The fundamental issue examined is how to best allocate financial resources while respecting budget constraints.
Schedule & course sequence:
Business Practices course sequence
Business course schedule by term

PLUS two Elective courses (6 credits*)

These two elective 3 credit courses may be taken from the courses offered by School of Extended learning or by a faculty.

Certificate in Human Resources Practices (30 credits*)

The Certificate in Human Resources Practices offers both current and aspiring human resource professionals an opportunity to enhance their career development by focusing on best and latest industry practices, as well as the requisite conceptual, analytical and theoretical tools. Human Resource managers and specialists face continuous challenges as organizations rapidly adapt to technological and economic evolution.

SEL 151 Business Practices: The Fundamentals (3 credits*)

Prerequisite required: None This course provides an introductory overview of the business organization, focusing on both internal issues such as the structure of business, its principal functions and activities, and social and ethical concerns, as well as external issues, such as the economic, technological, and competitive landscapes and how these influence decision-making.
Schedule & course sequence:
Human Resources course sequence
Business course schedule by term

SEL 154 Human Resources Practices: The Fundamentals (3 credits*)

Prerequisite required: None This course examines the theory and practical application of personnel management. Topics to be discussed include recruitment, staff selection, orientation and training, wage and salary administration, and benefits management.
Schedule & course sequence:
Human Resources course sequence
Business course schedule by term

SEL 155 Human Resources Practices: Group Dynamics (3 credits*)

Prerequisite required: None This course explores and analyzes behavioural characteristics within organizations. Competencies are developed in identifying work group and intergroup behaviour, and in developing strategies designed to maximize organizational effectiveness.
Schedule & course sequence:
Human Resources course sequence
Business course schedule by term

SEL 156 Human Resources Practices: Cross Cultural Management (3 credits*)

Prerequisite required: None This course seeks to provide tools which are necessary to (a) understand the many cultural dimensions that face global managers, (b) manage a diverse work environment, (c) integrate within a foreign work setting, (d) communicate with foreign business partners and associates effectively and with sensitivity, and (e) successfully navigate culture shock and the related stress upon returning home.
Schedule & course sequence:
Human Resources course sequence
Business course schedule by term

SEL 164 Human Resources Practices: Recruitment and Selection (3 credits*)

Prerequisite required: SEL 154 This course focuses on methods of locating qualified candidates, employing appropriate recruitment channels, and improving the overall efficacy of the recruitment process. Competencies are built by examining such aspects as an aging workforce, increased competition for available labour, dynamic environmental conditions and the demand for qualified candidates exceeding supply. Further understanding is developed because the selection of an inappropriate candidate to fill a position is both a costly and time-consuming proposition.
Schedule & course sequence:
Human Resources course sequence
Business course schedule by term

SEL 165 Human Resources Practices: The Law (3 credits*)

Prerequisite required: SEL 154 This course provides an opportunity for the student to acquire knowledge of and skills in the applicability of relevant and emerging legislation to the Canadian and Quebec work setting. Aspects such as a non-discriminatory work environment, providing a safe and secure workplace, protecting privacy, and ensuring general compliance with legislation that pertains to the workplace are examined.
Schedule & course sequence:
Human Resources course sequence
Business course schedule by term

SEL 166 Human Resources Practices: Organizational Health and Safety (3 credits*)

Prerequisite required: SEL 154 This course examines challenges in the management of occupational health and safety. It focuses on relevant organizational issues, such as enforcement of current and emerging legislation, protecting workers from ergonomic hazards, complying with the latest Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) standards, and managing health and safety issues from the perspective of Total Quality Management (TQM) and global competitiveness.
Schedule & course sequence:
Human Resources course sequence
Business course schedule by term

SEL 174 Human Resources Practices: Remuneration and Benefits (3 credits*)

Prerequisite required: SEL 164 This course focuses on developing competence in both the designing and building of strategic compensation plans that are tailored to meet the specific challenges faced by individual organizations. Issues such as an aging workforce, the rising costs of labour, competition for talented workers, and legislation related to wage and salary levels are examined within the context of effective compensation plans.
Schedule & course sequence:
Human Resources course sequence
Business course schedule by term

PLUS two Elective courses (6 credits*)

These two elective 3 credit courses may be taken from the courses offered by School of Extended learning or by a faculty.

Certificate in Marketing Practices (30 credits*)

The Certificate in Marketing Practices provides both aspiring and current marketing professionals and entrepreneurs an opportunity to explore up-to-date changes in marketing theory and practice, while at the same time examining the foundational, analytical and conceptual tools that are common to all businesses.

SEL 151 Business Practices: The Fundamentals (3 credits*)

Prerequisite required: None This course provides an introductory overview of the business organization, focusing on both internal issues such as the structure of business, its principal functions and activities, and social and ethical concerns, as well as external issues, such as the economic, technological, and competitive landscapes and how these influence decision-making.
Schedule & course sequence:
Marketing Practices course sequence
Business course schedule by term

SEL 153 Business Practices: Statistics (3 credits*)

Prerequisite required: None This course focuses on applications for quantitative analysis of data that can be employed in support of managerial decision-making. Focal points of the course include displaying and describing categorical and quantitative data, randomness and probability, sampling distributions, and hypothesis testing.
Schedule & course sequence:
Marketing Practices course sequence
Business course schedule by term

SEL 157 Marketing Practices: The Fundamentals (3 credits*)

Prerequisite required: None This course introduces the basic concepts of marketing by focusing on the components of the marketing mix, market segmentation, and positioning. Competencies are built by examining the changing business environments, both external and internal, and developing an understanding of relevant target markets employing rapidly evolving distribution and promotional techniques.
Schedule & course sequence:
Marketing Practices course sequence
Business course schedule by term

SEL 167 Marketing Practices: Research (3 credits*)

Prerequisite required: SEL 157 This course develops the ability to create a research design, develop an effective questionnaire or sampling instrument, and determine the appropriate sampling technique for different research scenarios. The course demonstrates that research must be performed to ascertain the value, accessibility, and general merits of the market(s) contemplated.
Schedule & course sequence:
Marketing Practices course sequence
Business course schedule by term

SEL 168 Marketing Practices: Advertising (3 credits*)

Prerequisite required: SEL 157 This course focuses on the nature of services provided by advertising agencies, as well as those services that can be performed “in-house”. The course investigates the needs of the user of these services, the needs of the provider, and the needs of society in economic, ethical, and legal terms. A strategic focus permeates this course, emphasizing the communication process and the role of advertising, how advertising integrates with other marketing strategy elements, and how to employ both the classic and emerging tools associated with communicating an organization’s message.
Schedule & course sequence:
Marketing Practices course sequence
Business course schedule by term

SEL 169 Marketing Practices: Global Strategies (3 credits*)

Prerequisite required: SEL 157 This course examines globalization and its impact on decision-making from a strategic marketing perspective. To this end, the course addresses the global marketing environment, the manner in which organizations approach global markets, and the global marketing mix.
Schedule & course sequence:
Marketing Practices course sequence
Business course schedule by term

SEL 177 Marketing Practices: The Consumer (3 credits*)

Prerequisite required: SEL 167 The focal point of this course is consumer decision-making. Borrowing from psychology, sociology, and anthropology, the course examines how and why consumers buy. Through the study of, among other things, the cultural, social, and attitudinal factors and their influence on consumer decision-making, current and aspiring marketing professionals gain insight on how to more effectively reach their intended market.
Schedule & course sequence:
Marketing Practices course sequence
Business course schedule by term

SEL 178 Marketing Practices: Strategies and Practice (3 credits*)

Prerequisite required: SEL 168 This is the capstone course of the Marketing Practices certificate, dedicated to the student with the foundational knowledge of marketing. The course focuses on cutting-edge strategy development and marketing planning, building on concepts already addressed in previous courses. Strong emphasis is placed on hands-on, tactical application. Case studies and live company analyses are employed liberally.
Schedule & course sequence:
Marketing Practices course sequence
Business course schedule by term

PLUS two Elective courses (6 credits*)

These two elective 3 credit courses may be taken from the courses offered by School of Extended learning or by a faculty.

*The credits earned in these certificates are complementary university credits and therefore, cannot be transferred to a degree or faculty certificate program including those within the John Molson School of Business.

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Business certificates

Certificate in Entrepreneurship (30 credits*)

Certificate in Business Practices (30 credits*)

Certificate in Human Resources Practices (30 credits*)

Certificate in Marketing Practices (30 credits*)

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