Harper College

Business Management Certificate

Learn business, strategy development and leadership 

Program facts Business area icon


  • Credit hours: 21
  • Stackable to degree: Yes
  • Potential job outcomes: Customer service representative, retail supervisor, office manager

Explore a career in general business with this 21-credit-hour certificate program. You’ll develop the skills and knowledge needed to seek entry-level to mid-management positions in office administration, sales, customer service, operations.

Classes focus on developing your skills and experience in leadership, management, finance, and strategy. Enrolling in this program is the next step for growth in your current career or putting yourself on a new career path. Our faculty are experts in the business field with many years of management experience. You will work in groups on projects that will allow you to really learn how to be a great group member and expand your leadership and management skills to achieve company goals efficiently and effectively.

This program is available in an accelerated Fast Track format, giving you added flexibility, and a great start this fall.  Or join our fully online program that will allow you to honor your commitments and get your education.

Credit earned for this certificate can be applied to the Business Administration A.A.S. degree.

Certificate program requirements

This 21 credit-hour certificate program is designed for those students who wish to further explore the specific qualifications and requirements necessary for entry-level to mid-management positions.

The Associate in Applied Science in Business Administration includes a specialized study area for Management. Please refer to Business Administration in this section of the catalog if you are interested in pursuing a degree in this discipline.

Required:

Number Course Title Credits
ACC 216 3

Description:  Examines past and present employment laws in the United States and their impact on employers and employees. Creates an understanding of the rights, duties, and obligation of both employment groups under the law.

Class Schedule:  Summer 2024 | Fall 2024

MGT 111 3

Description:  Introduces the nature of business and the environment in which it operates. Forms of business ownership, introduction to operative and facilitating facets of business operation, management, marketing, accounting, statistics, business law, finance, investments, insurance and labor-management relations.

Class Schedule:  Summer 2024 | Fall 2024

MGT 150 or

Description:  Introduces arithmetic as a tool of business. Topics include fractions, decimals and percentages, computations of interest, bank discounts, depreciation, commissions, compound interest, payrolls and taxes and graph and chart design. Students must score satisfactorily on a mathematics placement test prior to registering for this course.

Prerequisite: Math placement options. mathplacement.php

Class Schedule:  Summer 2024 | Fall 2024

Math Competency1 3
MGT 205 3

Description:  Investigates leadership styles and the influences of leadership styles within organizations from start-ups to global corporations. Explores the empirical science and evidence of leadership styles, motivation, communication, conflict resolution, negotiations, creativity and innovation. Examines leadership styles as they relate to culture, diversity and globalization. Evaluates the performance of successful leaders.

Class Schedule:  Summer 2024 | Fall 2024

MGT 270 3

Description:  Presents the theory and major functions of management and describes the role of the manager. Major concepts in organization are developed along with an understanding of the decision-making process and consideration of the human factor in management.

Prerequisite: ENT 154 or MGT 111

Class Schedule:  Summer 2024 | Fall 2024

MGT 280 3

Description:  Emphasizes a managerial and interpersonal relations process approach to problem solving, communication and group dynamics. Specific treatment is given to managing change, appraisal and reward, solving communication problems, status needs of the work force, understanding individuals, group dynamics and reducing conflict.

Prerequisite: ENT 154 or MGT 111

Class Schedule:  Summer 2024 | Fall 2024

MGT 291 3

Description:  Provides a logical and strategic integration of management principles with representative supervisory problems found in business firms. Analyzes decision-making through the use of case studies, simulation, and directed reading. Creates strategic plans for solving management problems.

Prerequisite: MGT 111, MGT 270 and 3 credit hours in MGT or MKT course work, or consent of program coordinator.

Class Schedule:  Summer 2024 | Fall 2024

1 - The mathematics requirement for this certificate can be met with Math Competency (placement into MTH 080). See Math Competency options for information. Students who utilize Math Competency to meet mathematics requirement must complete an additional three credit-hour elective. See full list of AAS General Education Electives.

Last Updated: 3/15/24