About University Certificate in Management Foundations
The University Certificate in Management Foundations equips you with essential skills in business management, such as administration, communications, economics, e-commerce, and critical thinking. Complete this program in as little as a year of full-time study, or take your time and tailor it to fit your life—there's no rush! Plus, the credits you earn can be transferred to AU's Bachelor of Management program, giving you a seamless pathway to further your education and career.
Admission requirements
There are no formal admission requirements for this program. All you need is to be 16 or older. You can enrol anytime and start right away, regardless of your previous education.
Please note: If you have a Bachelor of Administration, Bachelor of Commerce, or a similar degree, you cannot apply to the University Certificate in Management Foundations program.
Program details
Overview
Athabasca University’s online University Certificate in Management Foundations will provide you with a foundational knowledge in business management, including:
administration
communications
economics
e-commerce
critical thinking and analysis
Accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Our Faculty of Business also holds AACSB accreditation, placing us among the elite 6% of business schools worldwide. This distinguished accreditation, known as the gold standard in the industry, is a testament to the rigor and depth of our program, and the high-quality education it provides.
Routes and options
Ladder to a degree
Credit earned in this certificate program may be transferred to AU's Bachelor of Management program.
To be sure you get the most benefit from your certificate courses, if you think you may want to transfer your certificate to a degree program, you should discuss your course selection with a program advisor.
Completion times
Finish this program in as little as 1 year of full-time study, or work at your own pace and take as long as you need. There is no time limit for completion. The program may be completed faster if transfer credit is applied toward your certificate.
How to apply
You can apply to AU online, anytime. Once you’ve completed the online application form and paid the one-time general application fee (and transfer credit evaluation fee, if applicable), you’re officially an AU student and can start registering in courses.
Once you have paid the initial application fee, tuition is pay-as-you-go for each course registration. Course fees vary depending on your location and other factors.
Estimated program costs are available in the Calendar.
Financial aid and awards
We're dedicated to supporting your academic goals and committed to helping you overcome financial barriers by providing many funding and award options.
In this certificate program, you'll immerse yourself in a broad range of foundational management subjects, from economics and business statistics to critical thinking and professional ethics. You'll also have the flexibility to tailor the program to your interests with optional courses in both business-focused and non-business disciplines.
To complete the program you will need to fulfill all the general requirements of the University Certificate in Management Foundations.
Our program course plans can give you an idea of what courses you need to finish this program, and how to plan the order you’ll take them in. If you’re feeling stuck, our academic advisors can help.
Below are some of the courses that our students take in this program. Please consult an advisor to confirm any course planning, as some of these courses may not apply to you.
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Focus areas
Career options
After completing the University Certificate in Management Foundations, you'll be well-equipped for roles that require a foundational understanding of business and management. This opens doors to a variety of career paths, from office management and project coordination to roles in human resources, sales, and customer service.
You could explore careers such as:
office manager
project coordinator
human resources assistant
sales representative
customer service manager
marketing assistant
small business owner
administrative assistant
data analyst
operations analyst
Resources and links
Additional information that you need to know about AU and this program.