Domestic students
$4,045
total program cost
Business Studies Certificate
Business skills built around your goals.
Customize your learning with a Business Studies Certificate that focuses on your career goals. Build practical, job-ready skills in a specialized business discipline and gain credentials that help you advance, change careers or grow your business.
Program at a glance
Credential
Certificate Certificates are short programs focused on specific skills or subjects. They are a fast and flexible way to start a new career, upgrade your qualifications or gain professional recognition.
Delivery mode
On-campus All classes take place in-person at one of our campuses.
Time commitment
Full-time You take a regular course load and move through the program at the standard pace. Expect to study most weekdays. Part-time You take fewer courses at once and progress more slowly. This option offers more flexibility for work or personal commitments.
Duration
1 year
Program codes
- Code: BUADST
Cost
$4,045 total program cost Domestic students: $4,045 total program cost
Location
- Kelowna Full program offered in Kelowna
- Vernon, Penticton or Salmon Arm Partial program offered in Vernon, Penticton or Salmon Arm
Available for
- Domestic students
Program features
TBD
Program overview
About the program
The Business Studies Certificate program allows students to focus in on one of the following areas of study:
- Small Business Computer Accounting
- Small Business Development
Our Bachelor of Business Administration Degrees, Business Administration Diplomas, and Business Administration Certificates are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
Our Bachelor of Business Administration Degrees, Business Administration Diplomas, and Business Administration Certificates are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
The Business Studies Certificate allows students to focus on a specific discipline. This program may be of interest to those who are already employed. Some courses are also available by distance education. All Business Studies Certificates require the use of Microsoft Office software. Computer experience is recommended.
Tuition and fees
- Domestic students: $4,045 total program cost
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Fees listed are 18 credits (the entire program) for a typical, full-time student. Depending on the campus of study and the courses selected fees may vary.
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Fees include all mandatory fees: Activity fee, Health & Dental, Student Association fee, Education Technology fee, Development fee.
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Check if this program is student loan eligible. View Financial Aid and Awards
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All amounts are approximate and are subject to change.
Admission and program requirements
Regular Applicants:
- B.C. secondary school graduation (or equivalent).
- English 12 or alternatives.
- Math requirement:
- A minimum of 50% in any of:
- Pre-calculus Grade 11
- Foundations of Mathematics Grade 11
- Principles of Mathematics 11
- Applications of Mathematics 11
- Apprenticeship and Workplace Mathematics Grade 11
- Apprenticeship Mathematics 11
- Adult Basic Education MATH 011
- Adult Basic Education MATH 080
- Adult Basic Education MATH 084 and MATH 085
- Adult Basic Education IALG 011
- Or a minimum score of 16/25 on the Okanagan College Mathematics Diagnostic Test.
Mature Students:
- Mature applicants are at least 19 years of age and have been out of full-time secondary study for at least one year.
- Secondary graduation will be waived for mature applicants.
- Mature applicants must meet the English and Mathematics requirements.
Qualifying status:
- Applicants who ultimately fail to satisfy the specific English and/or math entrance requirements may be granted admission to and be allowed to remain enrolled in the business program as qualifying students subject to the availability of space after the admission and registration of qualified applicants.
- Qualifying students may concurrently register in a maximum of three first-year business courses, any three for which they satisfy the prerequisites.
- Qualifying first-year business students will not be considered to be continuing students and will, therefore, be allowed to continue in the program after the qualifying year only if all outstanding course entrance requirements have been successfully completed.
Program requirements:
- A personal laptop is required. See the program for computer specifications.
Notes:
Prior Learning Assessment:
- Where a student has prior learning in the following courses BUAD 111, 116, 121, 128, 176 and 293, credit may be awarded if the student successfully passes a challenge exam. Contact the Business Administration department for more information.
- Secondary students who enter the Business Administration degree or diploma program with a minimum grade of 73% in Accounting 12 may request credit for BUAD 111 (Financial Accounting I).
A minimum of 50% of the program must be completed through OC.
Schedule and campus options
Regional delivery of studies can differ according to the campus location, but first year of study is available at every campus. Some courses are also available by online delivery and distance education and students can combine on campus courses with online and distance courses.
For details on what is offered visit:
Please contact an Education Advisor or a Business Advisor to find out which options are available at the Salmon Arm and Vernon campuses.
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Start date
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Location
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Delivery mode
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Application status
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|---|---|---|---|
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Sep. 2026
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Vernon
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On-campus
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Open
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Sep. 2026
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Salmon Arm
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On-campus
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Open
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Sep. 2026
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Penticton
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On-campus
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Open
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Sep. 2026
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Kelowna
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On-campus
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Open
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Jan. 2027
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Vernon
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On-campus
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Open
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Jan. 2027
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Kelowna
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On-campus
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Open
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Program details
This specialization is part of the ‘Business Studies Certificate' focusing on small business computer accounting. The target student is a mature adult with business experience looking to grow their understanding of accounting. A more open approach to admission is offered, assuming the mature student has some business, computer, and math skills. All students require the use of Microsoft Office software, with a focus on Excel.
Completed either both of
Or
BUAD 130 - Accelerated Financial Accounting
Completed both of
Students who have taken BUAD 130 - Accelerated Financial Accounting instead of BUAD 111 - Financial Accounting I, and BUAD 121 - Financial Accounting II will need to complete 3 courses from the list above.
Students may not receive credit for both BUAD 195 - Financial Management and BUAD 255 - Financial Decision Making and Analysis.
MATH 114, BUAD 128, and BUAD 208 will be waived as prerequisites/co-requisites to BUAD 236 and BUAD 264.
This specialization is part of the ‘Business Studies Certificate’ focusing on small business development. The target student is a mature adult with local trades and services expertise, wishing to start their own business and scale up. A more open approach to admission is offered, assuming the mature student has some business, computer, and math skills. This means BUAD 128 - Computer Applications and BUAD 264 - Management Accounting will be waived as prerequisites/co-requisites. All students require the use of Microsoft Office software (including Excel).
Explore similar programs
Business Administration Certificate
Earliest intake: Aug. 2026
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- Partial program offered in Vernon, Penticton and Salmon arm Vernon, Penticton, Salmon arm
