The field of business provides many exciting careers and opportunities in such areas as finance, accounting, entrepreneurship, information technology, general management, marketing, and logistics. Northern Lights College’s Business Management Program prepares students for positions of responsibility in the business community and for further educational opportunities by promoting conceptual and technical skill development in business.
The Business Management program at Northern Lights College offers a wide variety of first-and second-year courses for students interested in working towards a Business Management Certificate, Business Management Diploma, or transferring to university or professional designation programs elsewhere.
Completion of the Business Management Certificate qualifies students for entry into the Northern Lights College Business Management Diploma. The Certificate comprises 30 credits of course work as specified below. The Certificate may be pursued on a full or part-time basis.
The information on this program page is a summary of the official Program Information and Completion Guide approved by NLC’s Education Council, effective September 2025.
Career Prospects
Careers and opportunities in such areas as finance, accounting, entrepreneurship, information technology, general management, marketing, and logistics.
Details
Intakes
| Location | Starting | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Dawson Creek | Fall | Full-Time, Part-Time |
| Winter | Full-Time, Part-Time | |
| Spring | Full-Time, Part-Time | |
| Fort St John | Fall | Full-Time, Part-Time |
| Winter | Full-Time, Part-Time | |
| Spring | Full-Time, Part-Time | |
| Online | Fall | Full-Time, Part-Time |
| Winter | Full-Time, Part-Time | |
| Spring | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Length
30 credits (450 hours), minimum.
This is a one year program taken over two semesters with minimum of 15 credits per semester. Part-time studies will take longer. Students in this program select course loads and course schedules that fit their needs and course availability. Registration is completed semester-by-semester.
Estimated Program Fees
Program fee type: Academic
Costs indicated are estimates for a full-time course load.
Book, instruments, supplies, uniforms/clothing and third-party fees are additional.
Domestic Fees
| Tuition | Student Fees | Instruction-related Fees | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $ 3,726.30 | $ 152.76 | $ 52.88 | $ 4,037.69 |
International Fees
| Tuition | Student Fees | Instruction-related Fees | International Medical Insurance | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $ 11,580.00 | $ 149.76 | $ 51.84 | $ 289.80* | $ 12,609.60 |
*Per four semesters
Special Pathways
Graduates of NLC’s Applied Business Technology (Administrative Assistant) Certificate program will granted exemption from the following courses:
- CPSC 101 for having completed ABTC 119, ABTC 121, ABTC 133, ABTC 153, ABTC 161, and ABTC 194.
- ENGL 110 for having completed ABTC 165 and ABTC 195.
- MGMT 103 for having completed ABTC 111 and ABTC 151.
(Please note that the above exemptions are internal to NLC. If you plan on transferring to another institution, it is strongly recommended that you take the respective business management required course)
Still have questions?
Contact:
- info@nlc.bc.ca if you are in Canada
- info@international.nlc.bc.ca if you are outside of Canada
- academic-chair@nlc.bc.ca if you are currently an NLC student
Admission Requirements
A. Domestic students and students from countries that practice Standard Written English (see Appendix A) must have official transcripts demonstrating that they have met the English Requirements: One of the following with a “C” grade or higher: English 12 or English Literature 12 or English First Peoples 12, ENGL 050, or ENGL 099. Alternatively, any university-level English course with a “C” grade or higher. Students who do not meet one of the above English requirements must complete the NLC Writing Assessment for appropriate course placement.
B. International students who do not meet the requirement A. above, and domestic students who received their secondary education in French or another language, must show that they have met the NLC English requirement: see Appendix A (General Academic English Language Proficiency Requirements) OR must have received a minimum overall band of 6.0 on the IELTS exam, with no band less than 5.5.
plus,
C. Students must have official transcripts demonstrating the following Math Requirement: One of the following with a ‘C’ grade (60%) or higher: Pre-calculus 11, Principles of Mathematics 11, Foundations of Math 11, MATH 040, or equivalent. Alternatively, readiness for MATH 050 as determined by the CCP Math appraisal.
Note that some course options have specific prerequisites. Meeting the program entrance requirements does not ensure course prerequisites have been met for all available courses.
Important Notes
- The program is eligible for Canada Student Loans. Visit Student Aid BC to apply for financial assistance online. Note that dual credit students are not eligible for Student Aid.
- Students are required to have a computer (laptop or other mobile device) with minimum computer requirements. Calculator required; recommend a financial calculator
- Course transfer agreements allow students to receive course-by-course transfer to other colleges, universities, and institutes in BC, as indicated in the BC Transfer Guide.
- NLC courses may transfer to professional associations such as the Certified General Accountants, Certified Management Accountants, Chartered Accountants, Aboriginal Financial Officers Association, Canadian Bankers Institute, and others. Students are responsible for confirming transferability of course credits to any external organization.
Program Requirements
| Residency Requirement | 25% of all coursework must be completed at Northern Lights College; note that a minimum 60% or ‘C’ grade (60%) is required for courses to be considered for transfer into this program. The age of the course will also be considered in course transfer. |
|---|---|
| Minimum Grade Requirements | 2.00 program Grade Point Average (GPA); D grade (50%) minimum in all courses |
*Please note the following semester break down is based on a student beginning their program in the Fall semester. Students starting in other semesters should consult with the course catalogue in Borealis and with a Program Advisor when selecting courses.
All of:
- CPSC 100 – Introduction to Computers and Computer Applications (3.0 credits)
OR CPSC 101 – Introduction to Computing (3.0 credits) - ENGL 110 – Introduction to Workplace Communications (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 104 – Principles of Management (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 107 – Fundamentals of Marketing (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 150 – Business Mathematics (3.0 credits)
An Economics component is a requirement of the certificate:
- ECON 101 – Principles of Economics (Micro) (3.0 credits)
AND ECON 102 – Principles of Economics (Macro) (3.0 credits);
OR ECON 105* (3.0 credits)
(*Note that ECON 101 and ECON 102 are recommended for students planning to transfer into degree programs)
An Accounting component is a requirement of the certificate:
- MGMT 103 – Foundations in Financial Accounting Level 1 (3.0 credits)
AND MGMT 109 – Foundations in Financial Accounting Level 2 (3.0 credits)
OR MGMT 120 (3.0 credits)
Elective Options
Select electives from any of the courses listed below (3-9 credits):
- COMM 301 – Organizational Communications (3.0 Credits)
- ENGL 100 – Academic Writing (3.0 credits)
- FNST 100 – Indigenous Peoples of Canada (3.0 credits)
OR FNST 102 – Treaties and Aboriginal Rights (3.0 credits) - MGMT 111 – Finite Mathematics (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 201 – Intermediate Financial Accounting I (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 202 – Intermediate Financial Accounting II (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 203 – Taxation (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 204 – Human Resource Management (Personnel) (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 210 – Advertising and Promotion (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 217 – Business Systems Analysis and Design (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 219 – Entrepreneurship: Start Up (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 221 – Managerial Accounting (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 225 – Strategic Management (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 228 – Business Law: Principles and Applications (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 260 – Principles of Corporate Finance I (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 261 – Principles of Corporate Finance II (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 280 – Safety Management (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 290 – Quantitative Methods for Business (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 295 – Management Science (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 301 – Management Skills for Supervisors (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 302 – Business Sustainability and The Environment (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 303 – Non-Profit Management (3.0 credits)
- PHIL 110 – Introduction to Logic and Critical Thinking (3.0 credits)
- POLI 100 – Politics and Government (3.0 credits)
OR POLI 101 – The Government of Canada (3.0 credits) - POLI 200 – Politics and Pipelines (3.0 credits)
- PSYC 224 – Organizational Behavior (3.0 credits)
Credential
Certificate in Business Management