Business Administration Diploma

Female student studying outside and golding a thermos with a male student in the distance having a conversation.

Program at a glance

Credential

Diploma Diplomas offer practical, career-focused training and are usually completed in one to two years. They help you gain technical and workplace skills that are in demand across many industries.

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

2 years

Program codes

  • Code: BUAD

Cost

$6,176 per year Domestic students: $12,352 total program cost $50,950 total program cost International students: $50,950 total program cost

Location

  • Kelowna Full program offered in Kelowna
  • Vernon, Penticton or Salmon arm Partial program offered in Vernon, Penticton and Salmon arm

Available for

  • Domestic students
  • International students

Program features

TBD

Program overview

About the program

Gain a broad understanding of business practices and take skills learned in the classroom into accounting, financial, hospitality and tourism, management, human resources and marketing positions.

basic text logo including the words, Hall School of Business and Entrepreneurship, next to an OC icon

Have a vision for your career? Pursue an area of interest that matches that vision and open the door to an exciting career, changing your life in just two years.

ACBSP accredited program badge

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 diploma program provides students with a broad understanding of business practices. With the experience and skills learned in the classroom, students will be able to progress to more responsible roles in accounting, marketing, operations, personnel or general administration. Year one of the program provides a solid foundation in general business. Options are available in Accounting, Financial Services, Human Resources Management, Management, Marketing, and Tourism and Hospitality Management. A General Studies option is also available to those who want to take elective courses from a variety of options.

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 Business Math Proficiency 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 Business Department office for computer specifications.

Notes:

Prior Learning Assessment:

  • Where a student has prior learning in select courses, credit may be awarded if the student successfully passes the assessment. Contact the Business Administration department for a list of eligible courses and 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 including completion of a minimum of 15 credits of 200-level courses or higher.

Start date
Location
Delivery mode
Application status
Sep. 2026
Vernon
On-campus
Open
Open
Sep. 2026
Salmon Arm
On-campus
Open
Open
Sep. 2026
Penticton
On-campus
Open
Open
Sep. 2026
Kelowna
On-campus
Open
Open
Jan. 2027
Vernon
On-campus
Open
Details pending
Jan. 2027
Penticton
On-campus
Open
Details pending
Jan. 2027
Kelowna
On-campus
Open
Details pending

Tuition and fees

Program details

Offered at all campuses.

While satisfying all the requirements outlined above for the Business Administration diploma, students must include the following courses in their elective choices to specialize in Accounting:
BUAD 121 - Financial Accounting II
BUAD 263 - Intermediate Accounting I
Students will also complete two of the following courses:
BUAD 208 - Canadian Income Tax I
BUAD 236 - Accounting Computer Applications
BUAD 273 - Intermediate Accounting II
BUAD 222 - Selected Topics: Advanced Accounting
BUAD 283 - Management Information Systems
BUAD 296 - Long-term Capital Management
BUAD 365 - Cost Accounting
BUAD 369 - Canadian Income Tax II

While satisfying all the requirements outlined above for the Business Administration diploma, students must include the following courses in their Business elective choices to specialize in Accounting:

Students will complete one of the following courses:
BUAD 121 - Financial Accounting II
BUAD 130 - Accelerated Financial Accounting
Students will complete:
BUAD 263 - Intermediate Accounting I
Students will also complete at least two of the following courses:
BUAD 208 - Canadian Income Tax I
BUAD 222 - Selected Topics: Advanced Accounting
BUAD 236 - Accounting Computer Applications
BUAD 273 - Intermediate Accounting II
BUAD 283 - Management Information Systems
BUAD 296 - Long-term Capital Management
BUAD 365 - Cost Accounting
BUAD 369 - Canadian Income Tax II
Students who have taken BUAD 130 - Accelerated Financial Accounting instead of BUAD 121 - Financial Accounting II will complete 3 courses from the list above.

Offered in Kelowna

While satisfying all the requirements outlined above for the Business Administration diploma, students must include the following courses in their elective choices to specialize in Financial Services:
BUAD 235 - Insurance and Estate Planning
BUAD 251 - Personal Financial Planning
Plus two of the following courses:
BUAD 176 - Professional Sales
BUAD 208 - Canadian Income Tax I
BUAD 234 - Retirement Income Planning
BUAD 223 - Selected Topics: Finance
BUAD 296 - Long-term Capital Management
BUAD 356 - Taxation and Investment Planning
BUAD 369 - Canadian Income Tax II
BUAD 233 - Financial Planning Fundamentals

Offered at all campuses.



While satisfying all the requirements outlined above for the Business Administration diploma, students must include the following courses in their elective choices to specialize in General Studies:
12 credits of BUAD and HOSP courses with at least nine credits at the 200 level or higher.

Offered in Kelowna.

While satisfying all the requirements outlined above for the Business Administration diploma, students must include the following courses in their elective choices to specialize in Human Resources Management:
BUAD 269 - Human Resources Management
Plus three of the following courses:
BUAD 201 - Conflict Resolution and Negotiation
BUAD 246 - Recruitment and Selection
BUAD 247 - Training and Development
BUAD 248 - Occupational Health and Safety
BUAD 224 - Selected Topics: Human Resources
BUAD 279 - Industrial Relations

Offered in Kelowna and Vernon.

While satisfying all the requirements outlined above for the Business Administration diploma, students must include the following courses in their elective choices to specialize in Management:
BUAD 176 - Professional Sales
BUAD 269 - Human Resources Management
Students must also complete two of the following courses:
BUAD 215 - Restaurant Management
BUAD 220 - Hotel Management
BUAD 225 - Selected Topics: Management
BUAD 279 - Industrial Relations
BUAD 283 - Management Information Systems
BUAD 289 - Purchasing and Materials Management
BUAD 293 - Entrepreneurship
BUAD 298 - Small Business Management
BUAD 382 - Operations Management

Offered at all campuses.

While satisfying all the requirements outlined above for the Business Administration diploma, students must include the following courses in their elective choices to specialize in Marketing:
Students will complete both of the following courses:
BUAD 176 - Professional Sales
BUAD 210 - Introduction to Marketing Research
Plus two of the following:
BUAD 200 - Digital Marketing
BUAD 226 - Selected Topics: Marketing
BUAD 266 - Advertising and Marketing Communications
BUAD 278 - Marketing Management
BUAD 293 - Entrepreneurship
BUAD 297 - Retailing
BUAD 298 - Small Business Management
BUAD 290 - Introduction to Merchandising
BUAD 291 - Designing Retail Environment
BUAD 292 - Merchandise Display

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