Explore NSCC's business programs
The Business Administration Diploma offers comprehensive training with options to specialize in your second year. If you want to jump into the workforce sooner, consider the 1-year Business Fundamentals program, where you'll take the same courses offered in the first year of the Business Administration program. After completing Business Fundamentals, you can then move directly into the Business Administration program if you wish to continue your studies.
Overview
Prepare for an exciting career in the world of business. This program will provide you with workplace ready business skills in a hands-on learning environment that is connected to industry. You will learn the latest business practices and technologies that employers and business owners in Nova Scotia, across Canada, and around the world are looking for as you develop your professionalism and an awareness of the global economy and corporate social responsibility. This program prepares you with the fundamentals of business in accounting, finance, marketing, human resources, operations, management and leadership.
Explore a day in the life of a student
Tag along with Ribi as she goes to class, studies with friends and participates in student life on campus Read a #DayInTheLife blog from Ribi
First year
In the first year of this program you learn to:
- Describe and apply marketing and sales concepts used to support business operations.
- Use accounting and financial principles to support the operations of an organization.
- Use appropriate software, web-based tools, and office technology to manage information.
- Foster relationships with stakeholders by communicating effectively, building trust and valuing diversity.
- Apply principles of corporate sustainability, corporate social responsibility, and ethics to support an organization's business initiatives.
- Present effectively to a range of audiences using a variety of styles and tools.
- Contribute to the planning and implementation of a project to meet deliverables.
- Think critically to help support effective decision making and resolve problems.
Second year
For your second year, you have the option to:
- Specialize in accounting or financial services. (Note that second-year concentrations are not available at all campus locations and are subject to change. Seating is limited for year 2 choices and will vary depending on the campus you choose.)
- Continue into the second year of the Business Administration program, where you'll have the opportunity to take courses that focus on areas such as digital marketing, consumer behaviour, integrated marketing communications, financial management, public relations and marketing research.
- Apply for entry into the International Business Advanced Diploma program.
NSCC and St. Francis Xavier University Business Intelligence and Analytics opportunity for Business Administration students
Business Administration students can earn both a graduate certificate in Business Intelligence and Analytics from NSCC and a degree in Business Administration from STFX in 4 years (note that you must attend NSCC Pictou Campus during year 3).
You complete the first year of Business Administration at an NSCC campus then learn at both STFX and NSCC Pictou Campus for your final 3 years. Learn more about this unique opportunity for Business Administration students.
Work experience
- Field experience is a mandatory credit course, providing you with the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills outside of the classroom.
- Opportunities are typically unpaid and last approximately 5 weeks.
- This program is eligible for an optional cooperative education (co-op) credit course between year one and two.
- Co-op provides an opportunity for paid, full-time employment in a field related to your program.
- Co-op takes place in third term and must be a minimum of 12 weeks and 420 hours.
- Our co-op program follows Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL) guidelines.
- Transportation, accommodations and other costs related to work experience are your responsibility.
- For more information, visit work experience opportunities.
Study options
- This program is available for part-time study at eCampus and takes 3 years to complete.
Choose NSCC
- You experience hands-on learning and real-world business environments through our on-campus business centres, simulations, project-based learning, applied learning, service learning, collaborative learning, and mentorship activities.
- You develop an awareness of the global economy, corporate and social responsibility. You also develop the skills and professionalism you need to work in a business world that focuses on people, organizations, strategy, and leadership.
- You learn the latest practices and technologies that employers and business owners are looking for in their future employees and partners.
- You learn in small classes, from experienced instructors.
- You graduate well-prepared with workplace-ready skills to provide a broad range of services to businesses of many sizes.
- Our programs and faculty and faculty maintain strong community and industry connections and use a proactive approach to prepare students for industry trends and demand.
- You have access to other exciting learning opportunities beyond your program such as international learning programs and Entrepreneurship workshops.
- Depending on your second-year program focus and courses taken, you may qualify for industry certifications.
Other info
- Strong organizational abilities will be helpful to your success.
- This program requires you to be comfortable with:
- Punctuality and time management
- Reading, writing and document management
- Group work and class participation
- Oral presentations
- Above-average communication skills
- Math
- Computers and technology
Courses may include
These are some of the courses offered in this program. It is not a complete list and courses are subject to change in advance of the academic year.
Recognizing prior learning / transfer credits
If you have previous learning (course, employment, etc...) that's relevant to your program, you may be able to apply to earn credit. Not all programs are eligible. Learn about our recognizing prior learning (RPL) process.
ACTG 1000 - Financial Accounting I
This course introduces students to the basic principles of the accounting cycle used manually in the service industry. This course is accepted toward certification with the Canadian Institute of Bookkeeping (CIB).
This course is accepted as a pre-requisite for the Canadian Professional Accountant Advanced Certificate in Accounting and Finance (CPA – ACAF) program.
BUSI 1020 - Principles of Business
This course introduces you to business concepts and factors that contribute to organizational decision making. By the end of this course, you will be able to develop your business acumen, distinguish among the different forms of business organizations, explain the four functions of management, and critically assess business activities.
COMM 1205 - Communications - Workplace Foundations
Effective communication is fundamental to career success. This course will apply the communication cycle to improve the impact of written messages, presentations, and interpersonal interactions.
COMM 2215 - Communications - Workplace Applications
This course explores the detailed and specialized messages that are part of the current workplace. The course will give students the opportunity to research, format, and write targeted messages such as reports and letters. The course also prepares students for the job search.
COMP 1050 - Business Computer Applications I
This course introduces the basics in current business computer applications – including email, collaboration tools, word processing, presentation software, and spreadsheets. By the end of this course, you will be able to manage files and business activities, schedule and facilitate meetings, create business documents and presentations, and create spreadsheets to industry standard.
COMP 2050 - Business Computer Applications II
This course expands on Business Computer Applications I by introducing new skills. By the end of the course, you will be able to design a basic database, enhance spreadsheets, create templates to increase efficiency, and collaborate to create and review shared documents.
FINA 1311 - Managing Your Personal Finances
An introduction to starting your personal financial plan exploring conventional techniques for making your money work for you, instead of the other way around! This one semester course deals with financial planning and investment on a personal scale, and is intended to be useful and understandable to people who lack a finance background.
MATH 2500 - Applied Business Mathematics
Applied Business Mathematics introduces students to a variety of math concepts applicable to the business profession. The course will emphasize the time value of money in relevant contexts, annuity applications such as investments, loans and mortgages, as well as decision-making tools such as merchandising costs analysis, break-even analysis, identifying the break-even point and areas of profit and loss.
MGMT 1010 - Organizational Behaviour
This course gives students a fundamental understanding of the factors that influence effective interactions within an organization.
Individual traits, team dynamics, and organizational culture will all be examined as factors contributing to workplace success and sustainability. Topics such as perception, diversity, motivation, ethics, conflict resolution, and change will be examined to help students become better equipped to interact with others in an organization and to find career satisfaction.
MKTG 1010 - Marketing I
The primary focus of this course is marketing products and services to targeted customers. Emphasis is placed on the basic marketing premise that customer needs must be satisfied in order to achieve an organization's objectives. The strategic marketing planning process is introduced, along with the specific concepts and principles involved in the four key components of the marketing mix.
MKTG 2005 - Marketing II
This course is a continuation of MKTG 1010. Topics will include: the marketing environment including emerging technologies and global influences, elements of the marketing mix and marketing plans.
SAFE 1000 - Introduction to WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems)
This course offers learners basic overview of WHMIS principles and establishes a solid foundation to support workplace-specific training on the safe storage and handling of controlled/hazardous products. Upon successful completion of the course, students receive basic WHMIS certification.
SAFE 1001 - Introduction to NS OH&S Act
This course offers students an introduction to the Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) Act of Nova Scotia, which is required by any person employed in a Nova Scotia workplace. This is a generic, introductory course that provides basic knowledge of the Act for students and is considered to be the basis from which more specific training can be given.
Business Administration Year 1 Prescribed elective course requirement. 4 credits.
