Business Management Essentials Certificate

Program Outline

Learn new job skills or refine your existing business management knowledge with Penn Foster Career School’s Business Management Essentials Certificate Program. You’ll learn topics such as the principles of management, math for business and finance, and business and technical writing. With Penn Foster Career School, you train at home and at a pace that’s right for you. And, you can complete the program in as little as five months!

Computer Specifications
As you know this is an online academic program. This means you will need access to high-speed internet to begin your program. In addition, you will need access to a Microsoft® Windows® based computer running Windows 10® or later or an Apple® Mac® computer running macOS® or later, and an email account to complete this program.

Note: Graduates of this program earn 12 college credits toward an Undergraduate Certificate or Associate of Science Degree in Business Management at Penn Foster College.

This outline covers all the courses required for your study-at-home certificate program. You complete the following courses in the order indicated:

Program Goal and Outcomes

Program Goal
The Business Management Essentials certificate provides students with new job skills or refines existing business management knowledge to advance in a current position, improve performance in a current business or prepare for further training.

Program Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to...

  • Discuss the various functions of business including competition, economics, accounting, technology and information systems; marketing; management through the phases of starting and growing a business; management of financial and human resources; along with the ethical and social responsibilities of business
  • Discuss both the business environment and the manager's role in decision making, planning, organizing, leading, controlling, and developing an ethical perspective
  • Demonstrate understanding of basic mathematical operations including percentages, discounts, interest, present worth, sinking funds, installment buying, pricing, depreciation, investments, insurance, use of symbols and their applications, equations and formulas, and the importance of statistics
  • Demonstrate methods of organizing material for a professional setting by composing business memos, emails, outlines, reports, and proposals using the ABC method

 

Courses

Introduction to Business
This course is designed to introduce you to basic business concepts, theories, and perspectives. It will serve as a basis for further learning in your program.

Objectives:

  • Understand the principles of business ethics and basic economics.
  • Compare the different types of business ownership.
  • Describe the basics of organizational structure.
  • Identify the differences between management and leadership.
  • Understand the importance of information technology in today’s business environments.

Principles of Management (3 credits)
In the business world, people are sometimes put into management situations when they really don’t understand what management is all about. Although some are able to step into a management position and handle it naturally, others find the responsibilities to be overwhelming. Management courses are a must. For those proficient in managerial positions, management courses can help improve their skills and gain a better understanding of their new responsibilities. For those who are overwhelmed by a new management position, or who strive to secure a management position, management courses help by presenting concepts and ideas to build new skills.

This course is divided into lessons that discuss the foundations and principles of management, planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. As you read the textbook, try to relate the material to your own experiences. If you don’t have any management experience, try to put yourself in the place of your manager and relate the material to those experiences.

Objectives:

  • Summarize the functions of management and the basic steps in various planning processes
  • Explain how to make effective decisions as a manager and a leader
  • Describe the fundamental elements of an organization’s structure and the components of an organization’s competitive environment
  • Explain principles for setting goals that motivate employees, why companies develop control systems, and why teamwork is beneficial
  • Analyze why diversity is a critical organizational and managerial issue, and describe the criteria for technology decisions and managing change

Textbook: M: Management

Mathematics for Business and Finance
This course will provide a foundation in basic mathematical operations. You'll learn about percentages, discounts, interest, present worth, sinking funds, installment buying, pricing, depreciation, investments, insurance, the use of symbols and their applications, equations and formulas, and the importance of statistics.

Objectives:

  • Analyze functions of whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percents
  • Show calculations involved in simple interest, compound interest, and time value of money
  • Prepare various business math applications involving financial reports, installment buying, and depreciation
  • Analyze various financial concepts related to taxes, insurance, financial investments, and basic business statistics

Textbook: Practical Business Math Procedures

Business and Technical Writing
Learn how to write business and technical documents.

Objectives:

  • Organize your material logically and systematically.
  • Use action verbs effectively and construct paragraphs.
  • Conduct research and document sources.

 

Online Library and Librarian
Students in Penn Foster Career School have access to an online library for use during their studies. Students can use this library to do the required research in the courses they complete or can use it for general reference and links to valuable resources. The library contains helpful research assistance, articles, databases, books, and Web links. A librarian is available to answer questions on general research-related topics via email and assist students in research activities during their studies with Penn Foster Career School International.

We reserve the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.

A High School Diploma or GED is required to enroll in this program.

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