Athabasca University

What you'll study

The program requires core business courses across marketing, statistics, financial and management accounting, finance, economics, information systems, strategic management, organizational behaviour, and commercial law. Post-diploma students complete required third- and fourth-year courses plus major-specific modules.

• Required (sample third/fourth year courses): ACCT 355 Cost Analysis; ADMN 417 International Business Management or ECON 401 The Changing Global Economy; CMIS 351 Management Information Systems; FNCE/ECON 300 Financial Economics or FNCE 370 Overview of Corporate Finance (FNCE 370 required if pursuing further ACCT or FNCE); HRMT 386 Introduction to Human Resources Management; MGSC 312 Statistics for Business and Economics II; MGSC 368 Introduction to Production and Operations Management or MGSC 369 Service Operations Management; ORGB 364 Organizational Behavior; ADMN 404 Capstone I: Strategic Management; ADMN 405 Capstone II: Application and Integration of Contemporary Business Topics (must be taken through Athabasca University as the last course; transfer credit will not be awarded).
• Business Technology Management major core (21 credits): ADMN 415 Strategy and Technology Innovation; BTMA 444 Business Intelligence and Analytics; BTMA 445 Business Process Management; CMIS 431 Information Technology Leadership; BTMA 320 Overview of e-Commerce; MGSC 419 Information Technology Project Management; COMP 361 Systems Analysis and Design.
• Major electives (choose 6 credits from): ADMN 368 Introduction to Data Analytics; CMIS 214 Custom Applications with Visual Basic; COMP 266 Introduction to Web Programming or COMP 268 Introduction to Computer Programming (Java); MGSC 405 Quantitative Approaches in Decision Making; MGSC 418 Supply Chain Management; MKTG 410 e-Marketing; any senior (300/400) BTMA, CMIS, COMP or ECOM course.
• Options (3 credits): one senior (300/400) level non-Business and Administrative Studies course; PHIL 333 Professional Ethics or PHIL 337 Business Ethics is strongly recommended if not already completed within the diploma.

Program structure and credit rules: Total program = 120 credits. Block transfer awards: two-year business diplomas (non-Ontario) receive 60 credits; Ontario two-year business diplomas receive 45 credits (these students must add junior or senior credits to reach 60); approved three-year business diplomas may receive up to 75 credits; non-business two- or three-year diplomas receive a 30-credit block transfer. A minimum of 12 Business and Administrative Studies credits must be at the 400 level (including ADMN 405). Residency: at least 30 senior (300/400) level credits, including ADMN 405, must be completed at Athabasca University. Maximum PLAR credits allowed: 9. Transfer-credit age limits apply for senior Business and Administrative Studies (10 years), CMIS (5 years), and Statistics (10 years), unless current work experience is documented.

Entry requirements

There are two post-diploma admission routes. Business-field diploma holders present an approved two- or three-year college diploma in business (or closely related field) for block transfer credit (two-year: 60 credits except Ontario two-year: 45; three-year: up to 75). Non-business diploma holders present an approved two- or three-year professional diploma to receive a 30-credit block transfer and must also complete the specified required courses and options from the business-route. All diplomas must be approved for credit by Athabasca University.

Enrolment restriction: applicants who already hold a degree in administration, business, commerce or management (or equivalent) are not accepted into the Bachelor of Commerce; a second undergraduate degree in the same or related field is not permitted except in specific cases reviewed by the Program Director and Registrar for international degree holders or when the major differs from the first degree.

Academic standard for graduation: a minimum weighted average of 1.7 (C-) across all Athabasca University courses taken toward the Bachelor of Commerce is required to graduate.

Career prospects

The program is intended for students targeting careers in business technology management and management information systems. Graduates will have coursework in IT leadership, analytics, e-commerce, systems analysis and related business disciplines, preparing them for roles that bridge business strategy and technology implementation. Athabasca University provides program learning outcomes that describe potential career paths.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

As a post-diploma bachelor’s pathway, funding options may include scholarships, bursaries and loans available to degree students; students should consult Athabasca University’s financial aid office and external funding sources for opportunities applicable to transfer and post-diploma students.