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
Business Administration program features:
- Convenient and flexible. Our online courses suit you and your busy schedule
- Gain practical management knowledge and skills
- Learn from industry experts and connect with professionals across various disciplines as you tackle case studies and group work
Choose from 3 flexible program options:
- Certificate – 5 core courses
- General Diploma – 5 core courses plus any 3 electives from the various concentration areas, excluding Project Management, Business Analysis, Retirement Community Management and Data Analytics
- Diploma with a concentration – 5 core courses plus the applicable concentration courses. Concentrations include:
- Business Analysis
- Creative, Critical and Design Thinking
- Data Analytics
- Finance
- Human Resources
- Management
- Marketing
- Project Management
- Retirement Community Management
- Risk Management

What you'll learn Learn More
- Business foundations and communications
- The interconnection of accounting, marketing and communication
- Business finance, marketing and human resources
Through our Business Administration program, you’ll learn to:
- Master the foundations of business within a Canadian context including finance, HR, marketing, operations and general management
- Explore human behaviour that affects productivity, efficiency and organizational effectiveness
- Gain a solid foundation in financial literacy by learning key concepts in accounting, data, modelling and analysis
- Understand the role of marketing and the important role it plays in a business context
- Communicate effectively in a business setting
- Explore recruitment, screening, interviewing and decision making in the hiring process
- Apply principles to case studies, group work and experiential projects
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 management, concentration and 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
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

Adam
Business Administration graduate
I feel very strongly that McMaster Continuing Education can really help you reinvent your career.
I feel very strongly that McMaster Continuing Education can really help you reinvent your career. I found that the Business Administration program was really the best fit for me, because the learning that I was able to take in through this program was really cutting edge and current to the labour market. The learning that I took on is something I use every day.
Adam
Business Administration graduate
Judelyn '23
Business Administration with a concentration in Finance/Accounting
I appreciated the opportunity to discover my full potential and strengths, which inspired me to do better.
My family migrated to Canada in 2006 from the Philippines (Asia). I hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting from my home country.
Although challenging, I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given. I started my journey in Canada with temporary junior accounting jobs. It allowed me to integrate myself into the Canadian workforce and culture. After gaining more Canadian work experience, I landed a permanent job. Currently, I work as Treasury Analyst in a HydroElectric Generation company.
Despite the obstacles, I was determined to gain Canadian credentials. The pandemic made it more challenging, but I persisted. I balance work, study, and family.
In December 2019, I enrolled at McMaster University. Later earned a Diploma in Business Administration with a Concentration in Finance and completed a Diploma in Accounting.
While studying at McMaster University, I developed my self-discipline and changed how I perceive things, which is priceless. I have to experience it to learn and discover it. I am self-motivated. I noticed I enjoyed studying – understanding in depth and not memorizing, which I usually did when I was younger.
The McMaster University courses were challenging to be honest, and my teachers taught me to be a critical thinker. I began thinking outside the box. The good thing is that if I had an idea or answered a question, they let me explain why I came up with that answer – that, for me, was so engaging for a student to understand more and strive to improve rather than simply dismissing a student’s incorrect answer.
From personal experience, the teaching style of McMaster University is different, and I appreciated the opportunity to discover my full potential and strengths, which inspired me to do better. Until now, I have applied the ways and self-discipline I had gained even with this Treasury Designation exam I took recently. I want to thank and let McMaster know the influence/the lessons they had instilled in me that changed my outlook and mindset, making me better and excel in what I want to be.
Judelyn
Business Administration with a concentration in Finance/Accounting

Tracy
Project Management graduate
I am constantly reinventing myself. McMaster Continuing Education has been transformative.
I am constantly reinventing myself. McMaster Continuing Education has been transformative. I was introduced to new ideas and new skills. Because of that, I’ve had new opportunities in my career. McMaster Continuing Education is the best place to take professional development courses. The programs fit into your life.
Tracy
Project Management graduate
I feel very strongly that McMaster Continuing Education can really help you reinvent your career.
I feel very strongly that McMaster Continuing Education can really help you reinvent your career. I found that the Business Administration program was really the best fit for me, because the learning that I was able to take in through this program was really cutting edge and current to the labour market. The learning that I took on is something I use every day.
Adam
Business Administration graduate
I appreciated the opportunity to discover my full potential and strengths, which inspired me to do better.
My family migrated to Canada in 2006 from the Philippines (Asia). I hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting from my home country.
Although challenging, I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given. I started my journey in Canada with temporary junior accounting jobs. It allowed me to integrate myself into the Canadian workforce and culture. After gaining more Canadian work experience, I landed a permanent job. Currently, I work as Treasury Analyst in a HydroElectric Generation company.
Despite the obstacles, I was determined to gain Canadian credentials. The pandemic made it more challenging, but I persisted. I balance work, study, and family.
In December 2019, I enrolled at McMaster University. Later earned a Diploma in Business Administration with a Concentration in Finance and completed a Diploma in Accounting.
While studying at McMaster University, I developed my self-discipline and changed how I perceive things, which is priceless. I have to experience it to learn and discover it. I am self-motivated. I noticed I enjoyed studying – understanding in depth and not memorizing, which I usually did when I was younger.
The McMaster University courses were challenging to be honest, and my teachers taught me to be a critical thinker. I began thinking outside the box. The good thing is that if I had an idea or answered a question, they let me explain why I came up with that answer – that, for me, was so engaging for a student to understand more and strive to improve rather than simply dismissing a student’s incorrect answer.
From personal experience, the teaching style of McMaster University is different, and I appreciated the opportunity to discover my full potential and strengths, which inspired me to do better. Until now, I have applied the ways and self-discipline I had gained even with this Treasury Designation exam I took recently. I want to thank and let McMaster know the influence/the lessons they had instilled in me that changed my outlook and mindset, making me better and excel in what I want to be.
Judelyn
Business Administration with a concentration in Finance/Accounting
I am constantly reinventing myself. McMaster Continuing Education has been transformative.
I am constantly reinventing myself. McMaster Continuing Education has been transformative. I was introduced to new ideas and new skills. Because of that, I’ve had new opportunities in my career. McMaster Continuing Education is the best place to take professional development courses. The programs fit into your life.
Tracy
Project Management graduate
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
Earn the Certificate in Business Administration by completing all five core courses listed
Certificate in Business Administration Requirements
Academic Credit: 15 units
Students who complete the Business Administration Certificate may continue their studies to pursue a Diploma in Business Administration.
Note: Upon completion of the certificate, students may be able to apply up to 15 units toward degree studies depending on the Faculty. Please contact the Faculty for further information.
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!
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Diploma in Business Administration
Earn your Diploma in Business Administration by successfully completing all five core courses plus any three elective courses listed below.
Diploma in Business Administration
Academic Credit: 24 units
Note: Upon completion of the Diploma, students may be able to apply for up to 24 units toward degree studies depending on the Faculty. Please contact the Faculty for further information.
Core Courses (complete all 5)
Elective Courses (complete any 3)
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!
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Business Administration Courses
Business Administration Courses
Advance your career with online Business Administration courses
Explore course options below and register today!
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3.0 UNITS
DAT 105
Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Business: An Introduction
(Currently Not Available)
*DAT & RCM courses cannot be used as electives toward the Business Administration Diploma.
Business Administration Schedule
Business Administration Schedule
This schedule table displays courses planned to be offered this year and is a guide to planning your courses for the academic year. Please note: Spring term registration opens mid-March and Fall/Winter term registration opens mid-July. The schedule table is subject to change. Please visit the course pages to browse classes currently available for registration and the latest cost information. The cost for Business Administration Program courses is $710.08 – $772.06 per course.
Learning format definitions:
- VC = Virtual Classroom learning format
- O = Online learning format
- OSS = Online Self-Study learning format
For more information about our learning formats and to choose a format that works best for you, please visit our Learning Formats page.
Course Name (Course Code) | Winter 2023 | Spring 2023 |
---|---|---|
Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Business: An Introduction (DAT 105) | Date: Tue, Jan 31 – Mar 28
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Format: VC |
|
Branding & Image (MKT 106) |
Date: Jan 16 – Apr 16
Format: O |
|
Business Communications (BUS 850) | Date: Jan 16 – Apr 16
Format: O |
Date: May 8 – Aug 6
Format: O |
Date: Feb 13 – May 14
Format: O |
Date: Jun 19 – Sept 17
Format: O |
|
Business Foundations (BUS 825) | Date: Jan 16 – Apr 16
Format: O |
Date: May 8 – Aug 6
Format: O |
Date: Jun 19 – Sept 17
Format: O |
||
Business Intelligence & Data Analytics (DAT 103) | Date: Sun, Jan 29 – Mar 26
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Format: VC |
Date: Thu, Jun 8 – Jul 27
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Format: VC |
Business Law (BUS 436) | Date: Jan 16 – Apr 16
Format: O |
Date: May 8 – Aug 6
Format: O |
Business Statistics (ACC 855) | Date: Jan 15 – Jun 15
Format: OSS |
Date: May 15 – Oct 15
Format: OSS |
Business Strategy (BUS 852) | Date: Jan 16 – Apr 16
Format: O |
Date: May 8 – Aug 6
Format: O |
Business-to-Business Marketing (MKT 107) |
|
|
Compensation (HRM 898) | Date: Jan 16 – Apr 9
Format: O |
Date: May 8 – Jul 30
Format: O |
Date: Feb 13 – May 7
Format: O |
Date: Jun 19 – Sep 10
Format: O |
|
Consumer Behaviour (MKT 102) | Date: Jan 16 – Apr 16
Format: O |
Date: May 22 – Aug 20
Format: O |
Critical Thinking for Problem Solving (CCD 102) | Date: Jan 16 – Apr 16
Format: O |
Date: May 8 – Aug 6
Format: O |
Cultivating Creative Thinking (CCD 101) | Date: Jan 16 – Apr 16
Format: O |
|
Data Analysis and Visualization (DAT 104) | Date: Thu, Jan 26 – Mar 23
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Format: VC |
Date: Wed, May 3 – Jun 28
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Format: VC |
Design Thinking (CCD 103) | Date: May 8 – Aug 6
Format: O |
|
Economics (ACC 818) | Date: Sat, Jan 14 – Apr 22
Time: 9 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Format: VC |
Date: May 15 – Oct 15
Format: OSS |
Date: Jan 15 – Jun 15
Format: OSS |
||
Financial Management (ACC 933) | Date: Mon – Thu, Mar 6 – Apr 20
Time: 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Format: VC |
Date: May 15 – Oct 15
Format: OSS |
Date: Jan 15 – Jun 15
Format: OSS |
Date: Jul 15 – Dec 15
Format: OSS |
|
Date: Mar 15 – Aug 15
Format: OSS |
||
Financial Modeling & Analysis (BUS 490) |
|
|
Foundations of Business Finance (BUS 860) | Date: Jan 16 – Apr 16
Format: O |
Date: May 8 – Aug 6
Format: O |
Date: Feb 13 – May 14
Format: O |
Date: Jun 19 – Sept 17
Format: O |
|
Foundations of Intercultural Competencies (ICL 101) |
|
|
Healthy Aging (RCM 101) | Date: Jan 16 – Mar 26
Format: O |
|
Human Resources Management (HRM 901) | Date: Jan 16 – Apr 9
Format: O |
Date: May 8 – Jul 30
Format: O |
Date: Feb 13 – May 7
Format: O |
Date: Jun 19 – Sep 10
Format: O |
|
Human Resources Planning (HRM 923) | Date: Jan 16 – Apr 9
Format: O |
Date: May 8 – Jul 30
Format: O |
Date: Feb 13 – May 7
Format: O |
||
Integrated Marketing Communication (MKT 103) | Date: Jan 16 – Apr 16
Format: O |
Date: May 22 – Aug 20
Format: O |
Introduction to Marketing (MKT 819) | Date: Jan 16 – Apr 16
Format: O |
Date: May 8 – Aug 6
Format: O |
Labour Relations (HRM 899) |
Date: Jan 16 – Apr 9
Format: O |
Date: May 8 – Jul 30
Format: O |
Date: Feb 13 – May 7
Format: O |
Date: Jun 19 – Sep 10
Format: O |
|
Making Decisions, Managing Risk (BUS 201) |
|
|
Management Information Systems (ACC 932) | Date: Sat, Jan 14 – Apr 22
Time: 9 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Format: VC |
Date: May 15 – Oct 15
Format: OSS |
Date: Jan 15 – Jun 15
Format: OSS |
Date: Jul 15 – Dec 15
Format: OSS |
|
Date: Mar 15 – Aug 15
Format: OSS |
||
Managing the Workforce of the Future (BUS 200) | Date: May 8 – Aug 6
Format: O |
|
Market Research (MKT 104) |
|
|
Marketing Plans & Implementation (MKT 101) | Date: Jan 16 – Apr 16
Format: O |
Date: May 8 – Aug 6
Format: O |
Occupational Health & Safety (HRM 921) | Date: Jan 16 – Apr 9
Format: O |
Date: May 8 – Jul 30
Format: O |
Date: Feb 13 – May 7
Format: O |
||
Organizational Behaviour (HRM 821) | Date: Jan 16 – Apr 9
Format: O |
Date: May 8 – Jul 30
Format: O |
Date: Feb 13 – May 7
Format: O |
Date: Jun 19 – Sep 10
Format: O |
|
Principles and Practices of Supervision (BUS 847) | Date: Jan 16 – Apr 16
Format: O |
Date: May 8 – Aug 6
Format: O |
Residential Site Operations (RCM 102) | Date: May 8 – Jul 16
Format: O |
|
Retirement Community Management (RCM 103) | Date: Jan 16 – Mar 26
Format: O |
Date: May 8 – Jul 16
Format: O |
Risk Assessment & Treatment (RSK 714) | Date: Jan 16 – Mar 26
Format: O |
Date: May 8 – Jul 16
Format: O |
Risk Finance (RSK 715) | Date: Jan 16 – Mar 26
Format: O |
Date: May 8 – Jul 16
Format: O |
Risk Management Principles & Practices (RSK 713) | Date: Jan 16 – Mar 26
Format: O |
Date: May 8 – Jul 16
Format: O |
Statistics for Data Analysis (DAT 101) | Date: Mon, Jan 23 – Mar 27
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Format: VC |
Date: Sun, May 7 – Jul 16
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 12: 30 p.m. Format: VC |
Talent Acquisition (HRM 897) | Date: Jan 16 – Apr 9
Format: O |
Date: May 8 – Jul 30
Format: O |
Date: Feb 13 – May 7
Format: O |
||
Training & Development (HRM 902) | Date: Jan 16 – Apr 9
Format: O |
Date: May 8 – Jul 30
Format: O |
Date: Feb 13 – May 7
Format: O |
||
Wellness in the Workplace (HRM 941) | Date: Jan 30 – Apr 9
Format: O |
Date: May 5 – Jul 7
Format: O |
Find the complete list of electives for the Business Administration Diploma here.
These include the electives for the Finance, Human Resources, Management, Marketing, Risk Management, and CCD concentrations.
NB: *DAT & RCM courses cannot be used as electives toward the Business Administration Diploma (Generalist).
Admission Requirements
Admission Requirements
This program is open enrolment, which means there is no formal application or admission procedure. To enrol in a course, simply register online. Our courses can be taken as part of a program or individually.
To enrol in McMaster Continuing Education programs, you must:
- Have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent
- Be a mature student as defined in the Undergraduate Calendar of McMaster University or
- Be deemed an exceptional case
To ensure you are successful in your online courses, you are required to have knowledge and skills with general computer applications, such as keyboarding, file management, video conferencing and word processing.
Language Requirements
If your first language is not English, you must meet the University’s English language proficiency requirements. Completion of TOEFL exam with a minimum acceptable score of 20 on each of the four components (reading, writing, speaking and listening), valid for 2 years.
Expandable List
- Visit continuing.mcmaster.ca/programs to find your program of choice
- Click on each tab on the program page to learn about credential options and requirements, schedule and fees, and a list of all courses in the program
- Select a course and then select an available offering, noting important information such as cost, delivery format, and start/end dates; then click ‘add to cart’
- Once you have added your courses, click the shopping cart icon at the top right-hand corner of the page (bottom of the browser screen on mobile)
- Review your cart and, once you’re ready to proceed with enrolment, click ‘proceed to checkout’
- As the next step, you will be redirected to Mosaic – McMaster’s Administrative Information and Enrolment system
- Once you are in Mosaic, select ‘new to McMaster’ or log in with your existing MacID and password (if applicable)
- Complete all required fields and select a program of study when prompted (i.e., a specific program or open studies for standalone courses)
- Finally, payment is required in full to secure a spot in your course(s)
A payment receipt email will be issued to you immediately after registering, and a course confirmation email will be sent to you overnight. Within approximately 24 hours of registering, you will also receive an important email containing credentials used to activate your MacID, which you must do before you can access courses in Avenue to Learn. Please review our Getting Started page to learn more about the next steps for beginning your studies after registration, and our Help Centre for our Refund Policy and other frequently asked questions. Please note that on average, each course requires 6-8 hours of study per week, per course (sometimes more) and some courses may have listed prerequisites. Please plan your schedule accordingly. Most students take 1-2 courses per term across a few different terms and a full-time equivalent course load is typically 3-4 courses per term.
For more information and a walkthrough on how to register, please check out this video.
- Payment must be made in full at the time of enrolment
- Online credit card or debit payments are preferred
- Accepted credit cards: Visa, MasterCard and American Express
- Accepted debit cards: Visa Debit and Debit Mastercard
- Google Pay is available for faster checkout
- Payments can be made from a Canadian Financial Institution and can take 2 to 4 business days to arrive in your McMaster student account. Once payment has arrived, you can register for your course. Please note that if the amount of the course fees owing is more than what was transferred to your student account, you will be dropped from the course.
Ready to get started?
Visit the Courses tab to select your course and proceed with the registration steps.