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Business Essentials Online Certificate Program
The Business Essentials certificate enables students to learn about the basic principles of business in a real-world context. Foundational courses in accounting, economics, finance, and marketing provide students with an understanding of essential business principles and practices. Individuals with a liberal arts background may be especially interested in this program to prepare for a career change or for further study of business.
Learn from a faculty of industry leaders in this fully online certificate. Enhance your professional skillset and advance your career.
Or, apply credit earned to one of five SPS online bachelor's degrees.
Format
Online, asynchronous classes
Time to Completion
Four quarters (one year), one course per quarter
Quarter of Entry
Begin in any quarter
Number of Credits
Four courses to complete the certificate
Tuition
Estimated cost $2,300 per course
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About the Business Essentials Certificate Program
Business Essentials Goals and Courses
Program Goals
Business Essentials Certificate students will:
- Understand performance, structure, behavior, and decision-making of an economy
- Construct and interpret basic accounting statements to assess the value and effectiveness of businesses
- Apply quantitative tools of finance to interpret financial data, grow wealth, and minimize risks
- Use marketing principles to solve business problems, communicate value, and meet customer and corporate need
Curriculum
Four courses are required:
- ACCOUNT 201-DL Introduction to Financial Accounting
- ECON 201-DL Introduction to Macroeconomics
- FINANCE 202-DL Introduction to Finance
- MKTG 201- DL Principles of Marketing
VIEW COURSE SCHEDULE & DESCRIPTIONS
Admission for the Business Essentials Certificate
In addition to completing an online application, you'll also need to submit a few supplemental materials. A list of requirements for admission including application deadlines and tips on how to apply can be found at the Admission page.
Business Essentials Tuition
Certificate students in the School of Professional Studies pay per course. For more information about tuition and financial obligations, see the Tuition page.
Business Essentials Registration Information
Registration for courses opens 8 to 10 weeks before each quarter and is accessed CAESAR, Northwestern's online student records system. View course registration timelines and instructions on the Registration Information page.
Applying Credit to an Online Bachelor of Science Program
Students interested in the option of applying credit earned in an online undergraduate certificate to an SPS online bachelor's degree program should submit an online application and all required application materials. Students who elect to apply to a bachelor’s degree program before completing the certificate will be able to count completed courses toward the applicable bachelor’s degree, but a certificate will not be conferred.
If you are interested in exploring this option, contact an admission advisor for details.