Below is shown a typical business core and elective courses and a general time line for a two-year diploma in General Business.
Note that this is a representative example/overview, and the specific nature and sequences of courses, while adhering to the basic structure shown below, will differ depending on the school and the area of specialization, if one is chosen. In this case, the diploma provides for a general business education with approximately 18 hours/week of classes. Students who choose a specialization will undertake a common first semester while substituting up to 40 weekly classroom hours of relevant classes over the remaining three semesters.
Semester 1
Business - Its Nature and Environment - This subject is designed to provide first semester students with an introduction to the US business environment, business issues and functions, and the major forces at work in the global economy. It provides students with a perspective of business firms as integrated organizations composed of a number of specialized functions. The subject provides the students an opportunity to develop transferable skills for college and business life.
4 Hrs/Wk
College English - College English is an introductory college writing and reading subject fundamental to successful college studies. Through a variety of assignments and classroom activities, students will strive to develop the rhetorical and analytical skills essential to their success as communicators in college and upon graduation. Fiction and nonfiction will be a central vehicle for teaching writing.
3 Hrs/Wk
Introduction to Computers and Applications - In this subject students are introduced to a microcomputer operating system (MS Windows Vista), and the following business applications: MS Word 2007 for word processing, MS PowerPoint 2007 for business presentations, and MS Excel 2007 for spreadsheets. Students will use Windows Vista to effectively operate a microcomputer, access various Seneca computer systems, and use Office 2007 to prepare word documents, create business presentations, and develop spreadsheets.
2 Hrs/Wk
Marketing - Marketing is an approach to business that puts the customer at the centre of its activities and focuses on satisfying customer needs and wants profitably. This subject introduces the fundamentals of marketing as practiced by both for profit and not-for-profit organizations in both the US and international markets.
4Hrs/Wk
Mathematics of Finance - This subject focuses on the practice of mathematical skills commonly used in business and finance. Topics include ratio and percent, time value of money and practical applications of these such as markup and markdown, trade discounts, simple and compound interest and annuities.
4 Hrs/Wk
Success Strategies for College - This subject will provide first semester students with an opportunity to develop survival skills for college and business. Students will have an opportunity to develop transferable skills such as effective time management; research techniques; listening and memory techniques; note-taking skills; reading and annotating tips; and study techniques.
2 Hrs/Wk
Semester 2
Introductory Accounting - A one semester subject that will introduce students to the essentials of accounting. Topics include the balance sheet, income statement, analysis of transactions, posting ledgers, worksheets, adjustments, sub-ledgers, accounting for a merchandising business, cash control, bank reconciliations and computer applications. Throughout the course, students will be introduced to generally accepted accounting principles.
4 Hrs/Wk
Business Management - The most significant resource in business is the people in the organization. Understanding organizational behavior, motivational theories and group dynamics is central for the effective manager. In this course, the management functions of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling are applied directly to relevant elements of a business plan. Basic skills from standard first semester courses are required for the completion of the marketing and financial plan components.
4 Hrs/Wk
Foundations of Strategic Marketing and Planning - This course is designed to develop the student's knowledge of general business and also the elements that are required to develop plans and make decisions. An in-depth examination of strategic marketing planning is the vehicle for learning about planning and decision making. Students will apply their knowledge in a marketing planning simulation game.
4 Hrs/Wk
Microcomputer Business Applications - The student will independently operate a microcomputer and prepare basic and intermediate level spreadsheets that will provide information to support decision making and problem solving in a business environment.
3 Hrs/Wk
General Education Option - 3 Hrs/WK
Semester 3
Financial Analysis - A one semester subject to learn the essentials of managerial accounting for decision making in merchandising and manufacturing companies. Topics covered include the Manufacturing Statements, Financial Statement Analysis, the Master Budget, Elements of Planning, and computer application using spreadsheets.
4 Hrs/Wk
Effective Business Writing - This subject introduces the students to the basic formats and principles of business communications. It emphasizes the analysis of audience, purpose and message. It gives students the opportunity to practice these formats and principles in a variety of situations commonly encountered at work.
3 Hrs/Wk
Marketing: Effective Selling - This subject concentrates on the techniques of salesmanship and the development of understanding and dealing with people. Areas of study will include buying motives, prospecting, planning the sales presentation, handling objections and closing the sale. Videotape equipment is used to provide feedback to the student.
4 Hrs/Wk
Decision Analysis I - Students are introduced to analytical tools for business decision making. The focus is on the utilization of microcomputer data base applications and their use in situation analysis and business decision making.
4 Hrs/Wk
General Education Option - 3 Hrs/Wk
Semester 4
Business Economics - This is a one semester introductory course in Business Economics. It attempts to apply economics to many of the major issues of our day. Its basic purpose is to introduce the student to those principles essential to an understanding of the fundamental economic problems and policy alternatives available for dealing with these problems. Accordingly, it begins with a description of the subject matter: its concepts, terminology, and methodology and proceeds to describe how markets function with the interaction of demand and supply. The overall operation of the economic system follows: economic stability, economic growth, and economic efficiency. Subjects dealing with national income, employment, fiscal policy, money, banking, and monetary policy, problems and controversies in macroeconomics, and international trade will be discussed and covered.
3 Hrs/Wk
Career Planning - This subject enables students in their final semester to compile a database of personal information, company research, and current job market trends, which will assist them in conducting a successful job search. In addition to exploring the skills and qualities essential to obtaining a position in their chosen career, students will prepare a career development campaign which will consist of sample applications of employment; resumes and cover letters; practice interviews; and follow-up techniques. The importance of ethics and etiquette in the workplace will also be discussed. Students will be shown how to keep their business network alive and how to retain and build on their initial database.
1 Hr/Wk
International Business Management - Around the world, company managers are creating a new business order by internationalizing corporate activity. This course focuses on concepts that should be known by students, and are critical to building a foundation of understanding for possible involvement in global commerce.
4 Hrs/Wk
Management Studies: Canadian Business Law - This course is an introductory survey into the legal issues that frequently arise in business. Areas to be highlighted are: the legal process and the US court system, the law of torts, sole proprietor-ships, partnerships, corporations, agency, contracts, property (personal, real, intellectual), debtor-creditor relations, and employment law. The purpose of the course is to enhance the student's decision making ability with respect to various business transactions, and to help avoid many of the pitfalls that may be encountered through the student's careers.
4 Hrs/Wk
Why Choose Business
AACSB Accredited Business Schools in the USA