University Certificate, Management Foundations

At a glance

Credential: university certificate
Credits: 30
Next start: monthly

Athabasca University’s online University Certificate, Management Foundations will provide you with a foundational knowledge in business management.

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About University Certificate, Management Foundations

The University Certificate, 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, Management Foundations program.

Program details

Overview

Athabasca University’s online University Certificate, 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.

How to enrol in an undergraduate program

Transfer and advanced credit

If you have previous post-secondary education or significant life and work experience that relates to this program, you may be eligible for transfer credit or Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR). This could mean fewer courses to get your AU certificate.

If you transfer credit, you must complete a minimum of 15 credits at AU.

Learn about transfer and advanced credit at AU

Transfer credit will not be accepted for courses completed more than:

10 years ago in the Business and Administrative Studies area of study at the 300- and 400-level
5 years ago in CMIS (all levels)
10 years ago in Statistics (all levels)

If you are currently working in the field and provide evidence of work being completed, this restriction may be waived. Transfer credit used to satisfy options outside the Business and Administrative Studies area of study will not be restricted.

Learn more about MyCreds

Tuition and fees

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 are dedicated to supporting your academic goals and committed to helping you overcome financial barriers by providing many funding and award options.

Explore financial aid and awards

0 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a Province of Alberta student in a 0-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$669	$669	$621	$621
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
0 credit total	$938	$938	$875	$875

1 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a Province of Alberta student in a 1-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$223	$223	$207	$207
Students' Union Fee ($4.50)	$4.50	$4.50	$4.50	$4.50
1 credit total	$227.50	$227.50	$211.50	$211.50

3 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a Province of Alberta student in a 3-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$669	$669	$621	$621
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
Students' Union ($13.50) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$15.50	$15.50	$15.50	$15.50
3 credit total	$953.50	$953.50	$890.50	$890.50

4 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a Province of Alberta student in a 4-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$892	$892	$828	$828
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
Students' Union ($18) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$20	$20	$20	$20
4 credit total	$1,181	$1,181	$1,102	$1,102

6 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a Province of Alberta student in a 6-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$1,338	$1,338	$1,242	$1,242
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
Students' Union ($27) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$29	$29	$29	$29
6 credit total	$1,636	$1,636	$1,525	$1,525

9 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a Province of Alberta student in a 9-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$2,007	$2,007	$1,863	$1,863
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
Students' Union ($40.50) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$42.50	$42.50	$42.50	$42.50
9 credit total	$2,318.50	$2,318.50	$2,159.50	$2,159.50

0 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for an out-of-province Canadian student in a 0-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$669	$669	$621	$621
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
Out of Province Fee	$187	$187	$187	$187
0 credit total	$1,125	$1,125	$1,062	$1,062

1 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for an out-of-province Canadian student in a 1-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$223	$223	$207	$207
Students' Union Fee ($4.50)	$4.50	$4.50	$4.50	$4.50
1 credit total	$227.50	$227.50	$211.50	$211.50

3 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for an out-of-province Canadian student in a 3-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$669	$669	$621	$621
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
Students' Union ($13.50) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$15.50	$15.50	$15.50	$15.50
Out of Province Fee	$187	$187	$187	$187
3 credit total	$1,140.50	$1,140.50	$1,077.50	$1,077.50

4 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for an out-of-province Canadian student in a 4-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$892	$892	$828	$828
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
Students' Union ($18) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$20	$20	$20	$20
Out of Province Fee	$187	$187	$187	$187
4 credit total	$1,368	$1,368	$1,289	$1,289

6 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for an out-of-province Canadian student in a 6-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$1,338	$1,338	$1,242	$1,242
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
Students' Union ($27) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$29	$29	$29	$29
Out of Province Fee	$187	$187	$187	$187
6 credit total	$1,823	$1,823	$1,712	$1,712

9 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for an out-of-province Canadian student in a 9-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$2,007	$2,007	$1,863	$1,863
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
Students' Union ($40.50) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$42.50	$42.50	$42.50	$42.50
Out of Province Fee	$187	$187	$187	$187
9 credit total	$2,505.50	$2,505.50	$2,346.50	$2,346.50

0 credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a student living outside Canada in a 0-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$669	$669	$621	$621
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee ( *exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
Out of country fee	$784	$784	$784	$784
0 credit total	$1,722	$1,722	$1,659	$1,659

1 credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a student living outside Canada in a 1-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$223	$223	$207	$207
Students' Union Fee ($4.50)	$4.50	$4.50	$4.50	$4.50
Out of country fee	$261	$261	$261	$261
1 credit total	$488.50	$488.50	$472.50	$472.50

3 credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a student living outside Canada in a 3-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$669	$669	$621	$621
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee ( *exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
Students' Union ($13.50) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$15.50	$15.50	$15.50	$15.50
Out of country fee	$784	$784	$784	$784
3 credit total	$1,737.50	$1,737.50	$1,674.50	$1,674.50

4 credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a student living outside Canada in a 4-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$892	$892	$828	$828
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee ( *exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
Students' Union ($18) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$20	$20	$20	$20
Out of country fee	$784	$784	$784	$784
4 credit total	$1,965	$1,965	$1,886	$1,886

6 credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a student living outside Canada in a 6-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$1,338	$1,338	$1,242	$1,242
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee ( *exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
Students' Union ($27) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$29	$29	$29	$29
Out of country fee	$784	$784	$784	$784
6 credit total	$2,420	$2,420	$2,309	$2,309

9 credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a student living outside Canada in a 9-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$2,007	$2,007	$1,863	$1,863
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee ( *exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
Students' Union ($40.50) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$42.50	$42.50	$42.50	$42.50
Out of country fee	$784	$784	$784	$784
9 credit total	$3,102.50	$3,102.50	$2,943.50	$2,943.50

Courses

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, 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.

Program requirements

Program course plan

Calculate course fees

Courses to explore

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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Career options

After completing the University Certificate, 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.

Program resources

Additional resources

Program contact

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