Business Fundamentals Undergraduate Certificate
Employers want people who understand the essentials of how a business operates. A certificate in business fundamentals from Grand Valley State University develops these skills, enhancing your major degree of study and preparing you for your future career.
Program Overview
The business fundamentals certificate helps you develop financial and accounting acumen, as well as better understand the fundamentals of the human side of business and organizational operations. You will build the knowledge and skills necessary to better understand business operations and manage others. Skills developed include analyzing financial statements and performance, creating operating budgets, managing and motivating others, and analyzing and using marketing information.
The certificate is for nonbusiness majors.
Skills Employers Want
The business fundamentals certificate provides you with essential skills necessary for 21st century careers:
- Describe the fundamental role, purpose, and function of managers.
- Recognize, use, and communicate marketing information.
- Understand the fundamentals of accounting principles and transactions, and how they affect decision-makers in an organization.
- Identify, calculate, and analyze the costs of financial decisions in an organization, including product costs, labor costs, and budget variances.
Why study Business Essentials at Grand Valley?
- You will develop professional skills that are in-demand with employers.
- You will add a recognized credential to enhance your degree and bolster your resume.
- Our faculty and support staff provide direct, practical guidance to ensure you thrive.
- The certificate program can be completed in one year or less.
Career Insights
This tool shows an overview of potential career opportunities for this major. Actual salaries, employment opportunities, and job titles may change over time.
While these courses cannot be used to complete a business degree from Seidman College of Business, several of these courses may be applied towards a general business minor. See an advisor for details.
Click here to access Seidman Academic Advising.
Admissions
For new students, visit the Admissions website for undergraduate requirements. Upon acceptance and for current students:
- Declare your certificate via myBanner (Login to Banner Self-Service, click on Student, Student Records, Add a Certificate or Badge to your Program, Select the appropriate certificate from the drop down list, and click Submit)
- Speak with the appropriate certificate coordinator to ensure criteria are being met (you will be able to track your progress toward the certificate in myPath as well!)
- Once you are done with the requirements, apply to receive the certificate via myBanner.
- Once the completion of your certificate has been verified, the certificate will be posted to your student record and will be viewable on your transcript.
Location & Format
All undergraduate students begin their academic career on the Allendale Campus; upper division studies are downtown on the Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids Campus.
Classes are available in face to face format and may also be available in hybrid and online formats.
Formats:Coursework
The business fundamentals certificate is comprised of 12 credits:
- ACC 201 - Accounting for Non-Business Majors 1* (1.5 credits)
- ACC 202 - Accounting for Non-Business Majors 2* (1.5 credits)
- FIN 300 - Fundamentals of Finance for Non-Business Majors* (3 credits)
- MGT 300 - Fundamentals of Management for Non-Business Majors (3 credits)
- MKT 300 - Fundamentals of Marketing for Non-Business Majors (3 credits)
*MTH 110 course prerequisite
Helpful Links
For More Information
Seidman College of Business[email protected]
50 Front Avenue SW
(616) 331-7500