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A Seidman student in the L. William Seidman Center.

Business Fundamentals

Undergraduate Certificate

Online • Face to face • Online (?) • 12 Credits

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.

Overview

Grand Valley's Business Fundamentals Undergraduate Certificate is designed for non-business majors to develop essential business skills that enhance their major degree of study and prepare them for future careers.

The coursework for the Business Fundamentals certificate requires 12 credits. Students will study topics such as accounting, finance, management, and marketing. These courses help students understand business operations, analyze financial statements, create operating budgets, manage and motivate others, and use marketing information effectively.

Studying Business Fundamentals at Grand Valley provides students with in-demand professional skills. This certificate can be completed online and includes practical guidance from faculty and support staff, ensuring students get the support they need to succeed. Certificates are a fantastic way to expand your workforce profile.

Admission Information

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. 

Seidman College of Business

[email protected]
50 Front Avenue SW
(616) 331-7500

Admissions and Recruitment Office

gvsu.edu/admissions

 

Career Opportunities

Plan, direct, or coordinate marketing policies and programs, such as determining the demand for products and services offered by a firm and its competitors, and identify potential customers. Develop pricing strategies with the goal of maximizing the firm's profits or share of the market while ensuring the firm's customers are satisfied. Oversee product development or monitor trends that indicate the need for new products and services.

Top skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Learning
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 69,906.76 10%
$ 96,381.34 25%
$128,078.06 50%
$168,891.08 75%
$217,573.29 90%

Sell or solicit advertising space, time, or media in publications, signage, TV, radio, or Internet establishments or public spaces.

Top skills
  • Speaking
  • Persuasion
  • Service Orientation
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Active Listening
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 36,776.39 10%
$ 46,095.11 25%
$ 61,827.78 50%
$100,598.01 75%
$131,566.52 90%

Sell services to individuals or businesses. May describe options or resolve client problems.

Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 36,125.34 10%
$ 46,641.17 25%
$ 66,373.08 50%
$100,071.68 75%
$144,650.20 90%

Plan, direct, or coordinate advertising policies and programs or produce collateral materials, such as posters, contests, coupons, or giveaways, to create extra interest in the purchase of a product or service for a department, an entire organization, or on an account basis.

Top skills
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Reading Comprehension
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 55,098.93 10%
$ 72,761.90 25%
$ 93,882.53 50%
$133,548.24 75%
$190,030.16 90%

Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify, or authenticate records.

Top skills
  • Critical Thinking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Writing
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 47,007.99 10%
$ 53,060.80 25%
$ 66,164.80 50%
$ 92,539.20 75%
$132,475.20 90%

Plan, direct, or coordinate marketing policies and programs, such as determining the demand for products and services offered by a firm and its competitors, and identify potential customers. Develop pricing strategies with the goal of maximizing the firm's profits or share of the market while ensuring the firm's customers are satisfied. Oversee product development or monitor trends that indicate the need for new products and services.

Top skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Learning
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 77,737.98 10%
$106,258.46 25%
$154,503.61 50%
$204,649.55 75%
$311,375.25 90%

Sell or solicit advertising space, time, or media in publications, signage, TV, radio, or Internet establishments or public spaces.

Top skills
  • Speaking
  • Persuasion
  • Service Orientation
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Active Listening
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 32,076.26 10%
$ 43,489.96 25%
$ 60,900.24 50%
$ 92,320.46 75%
$146,153.20 90%

Sell services to individuals or businesses. May describe options or resolve client problems.

Top skills
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 36,252.72 10%
$ 46,630.35 25%
$ 65,972.46 50%
$ 99,268.87 75%
$145,764.47 90%

Plan, direct, or coordinate advertising policies and programs or produce collateral materials, such as posters, contests, coupons, or giveaways, to create extra interest in the purchase of a product or service for a department, an entire organization, or on an account basis.

Top skills
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Reading Comprehension
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 57,867.41 10%
$ 79,386.67 25%
$119,702.71 50%
$177,332.56 75%
$291,063.17 90%

Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify, or authenticate records.

Top skills
  • Critical Thinking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Writing
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 53,435.20 10%
$ 66,788.80 25%
$ 90,396.80 50%
$127,212.79 75%
$171,537.60 90%
#1
University in Michigan by Employers
85%
GVSU Students Receive Offers Before Graduation
"One of the Top Public Universities in America"
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Page last modified May 28, 2025