Business Administration

Program Description

Get essential business skills in the Business Administration diploma. Discover the key areas of how businesses operate with practical coursework and gain a solid foundation to start your career. With your Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) laptop, you engage in small classes with active, collaborative coursework - learning from faculty with real business experience. You work in teams to deliver projects, present strategies and meet business goals.

You start with a common first year to build core business skills. In year two, you become proficient in your choice of major: Accounting, Financial Services, Human Resource Management, Management, Marketing or Supply Chain Management.

You begin the program with a small business simulation. Then you progress to your final capstone course: a global simulation of an international enterprise where you make all decisions from manufacturing and production to hiring your workforce, determining pricing and promotional strategy and more. You graduate ready to start a great business career with the option to ladder into a business degree.

Majors

Business Administration diploma students can choose between the following majors:

Accounting: gain intermediate-level accounting skills and a practical understanding of how to analyze a company’s performance using financial information. You graduate ready to enter CPA’s Advanced Certificate in Finance and Accounting program. You can apply into SAIT’s Bachelor of Business Administration degree in order to pursue the CPA designation.
Financial Services: build skills to succeed in the financial services industry. You can write the Investment Funds in Canada (IFIC) exam to sell mutual funds. You graduate ready for an entry-level position in financial planning, retail or corporate banking, investing, insurance, trusts or compliance.
Human Resource Management: develop skills in human resource (HR) management through an understanding of the recruitment process, the role of employee training and development, employment law, and HR information management systems. Graduates can launch their HR career in areas such as recruiting, training, payroll and more.
Management: develop general management skills in project management, international management, human resources and leadership. You graduate ready to launch a career in human resources, administration, operations, projects, and more in any industry. You can pursue a Certified in Management (CIM) designation.
Marketing: explore marketing fundamentals and apply the latest trends in brand management, strategic marketing, research and planning. You graduate ready for a career in public relations, media, advertising, sales, promotions, events and more. You can pursue a Canadian Professional Sales Association (CPSA) designation.
Supply Chain Management: learn how to build, maintain and support an efficient supply chain process. You graduate with an understanding of operations, procurement, logistics, performance analytics, and quality management. You can pursue a career in a variety of industries including transportation, manufacturing, oil and gas, and more.

Program Overview

Fast Facts

Two-year diploma
Fall and winter starts
Laptop-based program
Small class sizes: 40 students max.
Choice of majors: Accounting, Financial Services, Human Resource Management, Management, Marketing, or Supply Chain Management
Also available through Continuing and Distance Education (certain majors only)

Your Career

When you graduate, you can pursue entry-level careers such as:

Accounting: Accountant, Accounting Clerk, Bookkeeper, Business Analyst, Payroll Clerk, Royalty Analyst, Tax Accountant

Financial Services: Fraud Investigator, Financial Planner, Financial Services Representative, Insurance Claims, Representative, Mortgage Assistant, Personal Banking Specialist

Human Resource Management: Benefits Advisor, HR Coordinator, Payroll Coordinator, Recruiter

Management: Account Manager, Conference Director, Management Trainee, Operations Manager, Project Coordinator, Purchasing Specialist, Store Manager

Marketing: Advertising Coordinator, Business Analyst, Business Development Advisor, Marketing and Communications Specialist, Marketing Coordinator, Online Advertising Sales Representative

Supply Chain Management: Buyer, Category Manager, Inventory Analyst, Logistics Coordinator, Supply Chain Analyst, Procurement Specialist

Student Success

To succeed in this program, you should:

Attend and actively participate in all classes
Spend five to eight hours per week on each course outside of regular class time
Be proficient in Windows and Microsoft Office
Be prepared to work in teams
Become familiar and adhere to SAIT’s policies and procedures
Have strong written and oral communication skills

If you are engaged in campus life and take advantage of SAIT services and resources, you may be more likely to experience success in SAIT’s programs.

Credentials

After successfully completing this program, graduates will receive a SAIT Business Administration diploma.

Accreditation

Professional Designations and Certifications

Graduates will have the opportunity to pursue a variety of professional designations, depending on their major. Additional exams, education, or work requirements may apply for earning a designation or certification. Completion of a degree is required in some cases.

Accounting major students can pursue the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) Professional Education Program, upon completion of a degree. See SAIT’s Bachelor of Business Administrator or Bachelor of Applied Business Administration (Accounting).

Financial Services major students will have the opportunity to complete the Investment Funds in Canada (IFIC) exam. The Financial Planning Standards Council recognizes the program as meeting the Core Curriculum requirements for the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) certification.

Human Resource Management (no formal agreement in place): Graduates can pursue a number of designations including: Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP), Registered Professional Recruiter (RPR), and Certified Training and Development Professional (CTDP). A degree is required in some cases.

Management (no formal agreement in place): Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, Canadian Institute of Management (CIM)

Marketing: Certified Sales Professional (CSP)

Supply Chain Management (no formal agreement in place): Supply Chain Management Professional (SCMP), Professional Logistician (P.Log), Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)

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.

Admission Requirements

Completion of the following courses or equivalents:

At least 50% in Math 30-1 or Math 30-2 or Pure Math 30, or at least 60% in Applied Math 30, AND,
At least 50% in English Language Arts 30-1, or at least 60% in English Language Arts 30-2
All applicants must demonstrate English Language Proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada.