Business Management, Certificate - SUNY Niagara

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Business Management, Certificate

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Program Overview

The Business Management certificate program is designed to meet the needs of professional managers or those who aspire to become managers. In this short-term program, students will acquire fundamental knowledge and skills while establishing a sound academic base for an associate degree in Business Administration.

A certificate in Business Management may benefit individuals seeking career advancement opportunities in the areas of industry, financial services, distribution, health services, retailing, government, small business and non-profit organizations.

Program Goals and Objectives

  • To provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for beginning- and advanced-level careers in business-related occupations.
Catalog Information
Curriculum Overview

Program Learning Outcomes

The assessment of student learning outcomes is not only a key indicator of program effectiveness, it is also one of the standards of excellence identified by the Middle States Commission (Standard 5) and is required through the SUNY assessment initiative.

View Learning Outcomes.

Career information and opportunities

Business Management, Certificate

SUNY Niagara’s Business Management Certificate is a short-term program for people who manage others or want to. In two semesters, you build skills in accounting, management, law and communication.

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Last updated:

What jobs can a Business Management Certificate help me get?

  • Retail manager
  • Sales representative
  • Supervisor or team lead
  • Small business manager

Already working? The certificate can help you move up into a management role where you are now.

Who is this certificate for?

  • Working professionals who manage people
  • Employees who want to become managers
  • Small business owners and staff
  • Students who want a head start on a business degree
Sources

How much can I earn?

Median yearly pay in the U.S., May 2025
JobMedian per year
Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives$72,080
General and operations managers (usually needs experience)$105,770
Medical and health services managers (usually needs a bachelor’s degree)$123,860
Sales managers (usually needs several years of sales experience)$148,270

Median means half of workers earn more and half earn less. Many manager jobs combine education with years of experience.

Pay depends on the job, your experience, your education and the employer.

What is the job outlook?

  • Medical and health services managers: Jobs are expected to grow 24% from 2025 to 2035. That is much faster than average.
  • General and operations managers: Jobs are expected to grow 5%. That is faster than average.
  • Sales managers: Jobs are expected to grow 4%. That is about average.
  • Sales representatives: Little or no change is expected, but there are about 123,400 openings each year.

The average for all jobs is 3%. General and operations managers are expected to add about 181,300 jobs.

Sources

Which industries need managers?

  • Retail
  • Small business
  • Financial services
  • Health services
  • Manufacturing and industry
  • Distribution
  • Government
  • Nonprofits

Management skills carry over to almost any workplace.

Can I run a small business?

The certificate includes a full course in small business management. You learn the basics of planning, running and growing a small business.

Sources

How can I move up?

  1. Learn accounting, management, business law and communication.
  2. Finish your 30-credit certificate in two semesters.
  3. Use your new skills to move into a supervisor or manager role.
  4. Keep going with the Business Administration A.A.S. if you want a degree.

The certificate builds a foundation for the Business Administration A.A.S. Most of its courses are also part of that degree. Talk to an advisor about your plan.

Which courses prepare me?

  • ACC 116 Financial Accounting
  • BUS 101 or BUS 102 Organization & Management or Human Resource Management
  • BUS 117 Torts, Contracts & Criminal Law
  • BUS 122 Small Business Management
  • BUS 229 Business Communications
  • BUS 238 Management Seminar
  • ECO 102 or ECO 221 Microeconomics or Money and Banking
  • MAT 105 Mathematics for Consumers

You also choose a business elective and a computer technology elective.

Sources