Overview
Strengthen your management skills to set yourself up for continued success
Developed in collaboration with the renown DeGroote School of Business, the Business Administration program offers the skills, knowledge and credentials employers are looking for.
Our courses will help you build the essential skills that range from business process, strategic and leadership thinking to key business areas accounting, human resources and marketing.
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Program highlights Learn More
- Flexible online learning
- Taught by industry experts
- Choose from a selection of Certificate and Diploma options
- Open enrolment program
What you'll learn Learn More
- Business foundations and communications
- The interconnection of accounting, marketing and communication
- Business finance, marketing and human resources
Program Overview
Online; Virtual Classroom; Online Self-study
Approx. 6-8 hours per week, per course
Diploma with concentration: 1+ years
Certificate or diploma: 8+ months
Learn more about the Business Administration program
- Anyone working in business
- New and current managers
- Recent college/university graduates
- Professionals pursuing designations
- Management
- Human Resources
- Finance
- Marketing
- Risk Management
- General business
Our Business Administration program and its designation preparation courses can enhance each of these areas of practice.
Upon completion of the program, students will: Business Administration (Core courses):
- Demonstrate awareness of organizational structure and the interconnections between the functions of accounting, marketing and communication
- Understand the skills, attitudes and behaviours required to work with people and develop personal management skills
- Use effective business communication
- Recognize the impact of current political and economic environments on business
- Contribute to the research, analysis and evaluation of information within an organization
- Propose creative and critical solutions that align with business
Many McMaster Continuing Education Business Administration courses satisfy program requirements of the below professional associations. Students should contact the professional association for detailed information concerning their program. In all cases, students must register with McMaster Continuing Education for individual courses and in most cases students must also register at the program level with the association.
Students who wish to pursue a Diploma in Business Administration or Certificate in Business Administration, in conjunction with an external designation should contact businessadministration@mcmaster.ca.
Professional Associations:
Association of Administrative Professionals (AAP) Hamilton Branch Registrar
| AAP Courses | McMaster Continuing Education Courses |
|---|---|
| Compulsory Courses | |
| Business English | Business Communications (BUS 850) |
| Human Resources Management | Human Resources Management (HRM 901) |
| Organizational Behaviour | Organizational Behaviour (HRM 821) |
| Supervision/Management Studies | Principles and Practices of Supervision (BUS 847) |
| Elective Courses | |
| Technology/Computer Skills | Student must take one from this group |
| Computer Technology – advanced courses in Excel, Access, etc. | Not available at this time |
| Social Media | Social Media Strategy and Management (MKT 108) OR Fundamentals of Digital Marketing (DMK 101) |
| Website Design/Management | Website Development (FDV 101) |
| Business Operations | Student must take one from this group |
| Board Governance | Not available at this time |
| Business or Commercial Law | Business Law (BUS 436) |
| Change Management | Change Management (MGT 203) |
| Critical Thinking | Critical Thinking For Problem Solving (CCD 102) |
| Economics | Economics (ACC 818) |
| Financial Accounting | Foundations of Business Finance (BUS 860) OR Business Finance and Accounting (HRM 817) OR Introduction to Financial Accounting (ACC 925) |
| Marketing | Introduction to Marketing (MKT 819) |
| Psychology | Not available at this time |
| Public Relations | Not available at this time |
| Statistics | Business Statistics (ACC 855) |
| Project/Event Management | Student must take one from this group |
| Event Management | Not available at this time |
| Project Management | Project Management (PMP 401) |
Canadian Institute of Management | Chartered Management Program (CMP)
| CMP Courses | McMaster Continuing Education Courses |
|---|---|
| Mandatory Courses (Must complete ALL 4) | |
| Business Administration and Management | Business Foundations (BUS 825) |
| Managerial Communications | Business Communications (BUS 850) |
| Financial Management | Financial Management (ACC 933) |
| Business Strategy | Business Strategy (BUS 852) |
| Optional Courses (Complete ANY 4) | |
| Canadian Business Law | Business Law (BUS 436) |
| Managerial Accounting | Foundations of Business Finance (BUS 860) |
| Financial Accounting | Introductory Financial Accounting (ACC 925) |
| Organizational Behaviour | Organizational Behaviour (HRM 821) |
| Human Resources Management | Human Resources Management (HRM 901) |
| Managerial Marketing | Introduction to Marketing (MKT 819) |
| Economics | Economics (ACC 818) |
| Project Management | Project Management (PMP 401) |
| Operations Management | Not available at this time |
Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS)
McMaster’s three Risk Management courses will prepare you to earn the Canadian Risk Management (CRM) Designation issued by the Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS). Information on eligibility and requirements can be found here.
| Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS) Requirement | McMaster Continuing Education Courses |
|---|---|
| Risk Management Principles and Practices | Risk Management Principles & Practice (RSK 713) |
| Risk Assessment and Treatment | Risk Assessment & Treatment (RSK 714) |
| Risk Financing | Risk Financing (RSK 715) |
Credit Union Institute of Canada (CUIC)
Credit union staff please contact CUIC for further information: email CUIC
In all cases, students register with MCE for individual courses. In most cases, students must also register at the program level with the association.
It is the responsibility of the students to comply with the program admission and course requirements of the professional association or institute. Each organization has its own requirements regarding application, admission, program and membership. Students should contact the organization for detailed information concerning their program.
Students who wish to pursue a McMaster University Certificate or Diploma, in conjunction with their external designation, should contact McMaster Continuing Education.
Are you a current McMaster University undergraduate student?
Explore the ElevateYourSkills option to learn how you can earn a Business Administration certificate or diploma as part of your degree.
- Use your electives to earn a professional certificate or diploma
- Fully online courses that you can fit into your schedule
- Providing you with real-life career skills and experience before you graduate
Check out our latest Business Program Preview webinar to explore our online Business Administration program
What our recent graduates say
What is sustainability?Other programs you may be interested in
Certificate in Business Administration
Certificate in Business Administration
Pursue your Certificate in Business Administration with McMaster Continuing Education
Explore the requirements below and register today!
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Certificate in Business Administration Learn More
Earn the Certificate in Business Administration by completing all five core courses listed
Courses (complete all 5)
Diploma in Business Administration
Diploma in Business Administration
Advance your skills and earn a Diploma in Business Administration in a year
Explore the requirements below and register today!
Please note: McMaster Continuing Education is phasing out the BUS 490 Financial Modelling & Analysis course. Winter 2025 will be the last opportunity to enrol in this course.
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Diploma in Business Administration Learn More
Earn your Diploma in Business Administration by successfully completing all five core courses plus any three elective courses listed below.
Did you know that you could use your diploma towards a degree?
My OWN McMaster is a pathway that combines McMaster Continuing Education and McMaster undergraduate courses to earn a McMaster diploma and a Bachelor of Arts degree in History or Sociology.
Core Courses (complete all 5)
Elective Courses (complete any 3)
Please note: DAT and RCM courses cannot be used as electives toward the Business Administration Diploma (Generalist).
Business Administration Concentrations
Business Administration Concentrations
Pursue your Diploma in Business Administration with a concentration at McMaster Continuing Education
Explore concentrations below and register today!
