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.
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

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

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

Tyson
Business Administration - Marketing graduate
“The instructors worked in the marketing field and taught us real-life experiences.”
Obtaining an education with McMaster Continuing Education helped me reinvent my career. I was a former banker and I wanted a career in marketing. Through this program, I was able to bridge that gap and get into the career that I wanted. The instructors were working in the marketing field, teaching us real-life experiences and that was very valuable to me.
Tyson
Business Administration - Marketing 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
“The instructors worked in the marketing field and taught us real-life experiences.”
Obtaining an education with McMaster Continuing Education helped me reinvent my career. I was a former banker and I wanted a career in marketing. Through this program, I was able to bridge that gap and get into the career that I wanted. The instructors were working in the marketing field, teaching us real-life experiences and that was very valuable to me.
Tyson
Business Administration - Marketing 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)
3.0 UNITS
BUS 860
Foundations of Business Finance
3.0 UNITS
BUS 850
Business Communications
3.0 UNITS
BUS 825
Business Foundations
3.0 UNITS
HRM 821
Organizational Behaviour
3.0 UNITS
MKT 819
Introduction To Marketing
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)
3.0 UNITS
BUS 825
Business Foundations
3.0 UNITS
BUS 850
Business Communications
3.0 UNITS
BUS 860
Foundations of Business Finance
3.0 UNITS
HRM 821
Organizational Behaviour
3.0 UNITS
MKT 819
Introduction To Marketing
Elective courses (Complete any 3)
3.0 UNITS
BUS 201
Making Decisions, Managing Risk
3.0 UNITS
ACC 855
Business Statistics
3.0 UNITS
ACC 818
Economics
3.0 UNITS
ACC 933
Financial Management
3.0 UNITS
BUS 490
Financial Modeling & Analysis
3.0 UNITS
HRM 941
Wellness In The Workplace
3.0 UNITS
HRM 898
Compensation
3.0 UNITS
HRM 923
Human Resources Planning
3.0 UNITS
HRM 899
Labour Relations
3.0 UNITS
HRM 921
Occupational Health & Safety
3.0 UNITS
HRM 897
Talent Acquisition
3.0 UNITS
HRM 902
Training & Development
3.0 UNITS
HRM 901
Human Resources Management
3.0 UNITS
BUS 436
Business Law
3.0 UNITS
BUS 852
Business Strategy
3.0 UNITS
ACC 932
Management Information Systems
3.0 UNITS
MKT 106
Branding & Image
3.0 UNITS
MKT 107
Business To Business Marketing
3.0 UNITS
MKT 102
Consumer Behaviour
3.0 UNITS
MKT 101
Marketing Plans & Implementation
3.0 UNITS
MKT 104
Market Research
3.0 UNITS
RSK 714
Risk Assessment & Treatment
3.0 UNITS
RSK 715
Risk Financing
3.0 UNITS
CCD 101
Cultivating Creative Thinking
3.0 UNITS
CCD 103
Design Thinking
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
BUS 201
Making Decisions, Managing Risk
3.0 UNITS
BUS 825
Business Foundations
3.0 UNITS
BUS 850
Business Communications
3.0 UNITS
BUS 860
Foundations of Business Finance
3.0 UNITS
HRM 821
Organizational Behaviour
3.0 UNITS
MKT 819
Introduction To Marketing
3.0 UNITS
ACC 855
Business Statistics
3.0 UNITS
ACC 818
Economics
3.0 UNITS
ACC 933
Financial Management
3.0 UNITS
BUS 490
Financial Modeling & Analysis
3.0 UNITS
HRM 941
Wellness In The Workplace
3.0 UNITS
HRM 898
Compensation
3.0 UNITS
HRM 923
Human Resources Planning
3.0 UNITS
HRM 899
Labour Relations
3.0 UNITS
HRM 921
Occupational Health & Safety
3.0 UNITS
HRM 897
Talent Acquisition
3.0 UNITS
HRM 902
Training & Development
3.0 UNITS
HRM 901
Human Resources Management
3.0 UNITS
BUS 436
Business Law
3.0 UNITS
BUS 852
Business Strategy
3.0 UNITS
ACC 932
Management Information Systems
3.0 UNITS
MKT 106
Branding & Image
3.0 UNITS
MKT 107
Business To Business Marketing
3.0 UNITS
MKT 102
Consumer Behaviour
3.0 UNITS
MKT 101
Marketing Plans & Implementation
3.0 UNITS
MKT 104
Market Research
3.0 UNITS
RSK 714
Risk Assessment & Treatment
3.0 UNITS
RSK 715
Risk Financing
3.0 UNITS
CCD 101
Cultivating Creative Thinking
3.0 UNITS
CCD 103
Design Thinking
3.0 UNITS
RCM 102
Residential Site Operations
3.0 UNITS
RCM 103
Retirement Community Management
3.0 UNITS
DAT 101
Statistics for Data Analysis
3.0 UNITS
DAT 104
Data Analysis and Visualization
*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) | Date: May 8 – Aug 6
Format: O |
|
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 8 – Aug 6
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 |
Date: Jun 19 – Sep 10
Format: O |
|
Integrated Marketing Communication (MKT 103) | Date: Jan 16 – Apr 16
Format: O |
Date: May 8 – Aug 6
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 |
|
Leadership and Communications in Project Management (PMP 402) | Date: Jan 16 – Mar 26
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) |
|
Date: May 8 – Aug 6
Format: O |
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 |
Date: Jun 19 – Sep 10
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 |
Project Management Fundamentals (PMP 401) | Date: Jan 16 – Mar 26
Format: O |
|
Date: Mar 13 – May 21
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 |
Date: Jun 19 – Sep 10
Format: O |
|
Technical Implementation in Project Management (PMP 403) | Date: Jan 16 – Mar 26
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 |
Date: Jun 19 – Sep 10
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, & PMP courses cannot be used as electives toward the Business Administration Diploma (Generalist).