Online Graduate Certificate in Business Management

Certificate Overview

Earn your business management certificate online

Your ability to achieve success in the competitive world of business depends on many factors. Effective leadership, creative problem solving, and communication are just a few examples. However, the drive to continue learning is fundamental.

Successful business professionals continually seek out new knowledge, which is why this online graduate certificate was developed — to help you learn leadership techniques, proven business processes, marketing strategies, finance principles, and business analysis methods. In addition to these foundational skills, this program will also expand your understanding of strategic decision-making and planning.

Whether you’re seeking to advance within your current career or exploring new opportunities, this curriculum will give you access to an array of proven business tools and strategies. Wherever your career trajectory takes you, the knowledge you gain in this program will be applicable to virtually any business leadership role in any industry.

Study in an online learning format ideal for working professionals

Courses in this program are designed to provide career-applicable knowledge and are instructed by College of Business faculty who bring a wealth of experience into the online classroom. Start implementing your new skills immediately in your current role. Complete coursework online and on your schedule. Stay in contact with instructors and fellow students via class discussion boards, email, chat, and video conferencing.

Apply credits toward your MBA

The credits you earn by successfully completing this graduate certificate may be applied toward the online Master of Business Administration (MBA) program from CSU’s College of Business after formal admission per University transfer policies. Note: Successful completion of the courses or certificate does not guarantee admission to the degree program.

Tuition Benefits

The Colorado State University College of Business offers special tuition benefits for the following:

Colorado residents are eligible for a 5% tuition benefit.
Active military, honorably discharged veterans, military spouses, and military dependents are eligible for a 15% tuition benefit.
Corporate partners may qualify for 10% off the cost of tuition. Reach out to CSU’s admissions team to learn if your company offers a corporate partner tuition benefit.
Alumni of CSU Fort Collins are eligible for a 15% tuition benefit.

Curriculum

Required Courses:

BUS 500– Business Systems & Processes (2 cr.)
BUS 655– Marketing Management (2 cr.)
BUS 614– Accounting Concepts (2 cr.)
BUS 601– Quantitative Business Analysis (2 cr.)
BUS 620– Leadership & Teams (2 cr.)
BUS 640– Financial Principles and Practice (2 cr.)

Program total credits: 12

Admission to a business graduate program and/or additional coursework may be required to meet prerequisites. Contact the department for more details.

This graduate certificate program requires the completion of six courses. Please note, you must be admitted to this program for the certificate to appear on your official University transcript.

How to Apply

Application Deadlines

Fall semester	July 31
Spring semester	January 1

Start your application online and upload materials directly into the online system. You can save your progress and return any time.

Apply Now

1 Review Admission Requirements

Graduate certificate applicants generally must meet or exceed the following criteria:¹

An undergraduate degree from an accredited four-year institution in any field
A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher from your most recent degree completed²
International applicants: minimum TOEFL or IELTS scores³

While we encourage our students to meet the minimum criteria, failure to meet one may be offset by strengths in other areas, as determined by the Graduate Program Committee.
Please submit an academic performance explanation if your GPA was lower than 3.0.
A minimum Internet-based TOEFL score of 86 or a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or a minimum of PTE score of 58 is required for all certificates except Accounting Ethics and Auditing, which requires a minimum Internet-based TOEFL score of 95 or minimum IELTS score of 7.0.

2 Complete Online Application

Complete the online graduate application and pay the nonrefundable application processing fee (payable online). As soon as you have completed the required information, please submit your application. Your application will not be reviewed until it is complete and all required materials have been received.

Choose "Business Management (Certificate) – Distance" when choosing the Program of Study. (Note: You must first select "Certificate" at the top.)

3Request Transcripts

Request one official transcript from the institution where you earned your bachelor’s degree. Transcripts must be received directly from the originating institution to be considered official. Transcripts from Colorado State University are not required.

Electronic (preferred):
Digital Transcripts must be submitted by the originating institution using a secure service such as parchment, eScrip-Safe, the National Student Clearinghouse, or e-Quals. Transcripts received via emails are considered unofficial.

Use institution code 4075 for Colorado State University or gradadmissions@colostate.edu if the secure service requires an email address.

Mail (if necessary):
Graduate Admissions
Colorado State University – Office of Admissions
1062 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1062

Check Your Application Status

View your application status at any time to ensure your application checklist is complete or to check on updates.

Once your complete application, including supporting materials, is received, the department admission committee will review your application and notify you of their decision.

For International Applicants

Proof of English language proficiency is required for applicants from countries or United States territories where there are official languages other than (or in addition to) English. This includes the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Puerto Rico.

Learn more about English language proficiency requirements.