You’re ambitious, determined and motivated to succeed. Lay the foundation for your future achievements in the fast-paced, competitive business world with a diploma in Business Administration. In this stepping-stone program, you’ll acquire basic business skills in your first year, and then you’ll tailor your education to your career aspirations in one of three majors – accounting, management and business operations – in your second year.
With transfer agreements in place at institutions across Canada and around the globe, you can easily continue your education to earn your bachelor’s degree, or you can step right into a career after graduation. Whether you want to be a professional accountant, own your own business, be a manager or are still unsure of your future, you’ll be ready to succeed with a Business Administration diploma.
Apply Now Grab and Go InformationCareer Opportunities
A variety of opportunities will await you once you graduate. You'll have the option to continue your studies, obtain a professional designation or immediately pursue your career in fields such as:
- Accounting
- Advertising
- Agri-Business
- Banking
- E-commerce
- Energy Industry
- Entrepreneurship
- Financial Services
- Human Resources
- Management
- Marketing
- Project Management
- Retail Management
- Running your own business
- Sales
- Start-up Business
- Taxation
- Technology
The Business Administration program is also excellent preparation for further post-secondary education.
Visit ALIS website for more career information.
Student Feature: Ashley Pierson
3
majors to choose from: accounting, management or business operations
Numerous opportunities
to network with and learn from real-life businesses
Professional designation
– many courses transfer into Canada’s only professional accounting designation (CPA)
At-a-Glance
Starts-in
September or January
Credential / Accreditation
Diploma
Duration
2 years
Application Deadlines
Visit the Program Application Status page for more details.
Program Availability
View the program availability for the upcoming intakes.
Academic Centre
Admissions
New students are accepted into the Business Administration program in the Fall (September) and Winter (January) terms.
Note: Prospective students wishing to spread their courses over an additional term and/or commence their studies in the Winter term are encouraged to consult with an advisor for information regarding pre-requisites and course sequencing. Students who begin their studies in the Winter (January) term and plan to complete an accounting major must have credit for ACC-1175 Financial Accounting II (3 credits) prior to September in order to complete the program within two years. This means completing ACC-1175 Financial Accounting II (3 credits) in the Spring (May) term.
General Admissions Requirements
All applicants must meet the general admission requirements for Lethbridge College programs, as indicated in the Admission section of this calendar.
Academic Requirements
In addition to meeting the general admission requirements indicated in the Admission section of this calendar, applicants to this program must also satisfy the following specific course requirements (or equivalencies):
- Grade 12 math (equivalent to Alberta’s Math 30-2 or a higher level math)
Athabasca University
Graduates of Lethbridge College's Business Administration diploma program are eligible to receive 30 credits towards a number of post-diploma bachelor's degrees in Commerce, Management, Human Resources/Labour Relations, and Professional Arts at Athabasca University. To explore options, please visit www.athabascau.ca
It is highly recommended, but not mandatory, that BUS-2292 Business Finance (3 credits) and STS-2250 Statistics (3 credits) be included in your Lethbridge College diploma.
Chartered Professional Accountant designation
Graduates of Lethbridge College's Business Administration – Accounting major are eligible to receive credit for nine of the fourteen required courses to pursue Canada's only professional accounting designation - Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA). Details can be found at https://www.cpaalberta.ca/Become-a-CPA
College of the Rockies (pending renewal)
Graduates of Lethbridge College's Business Administration – Accounting, Management, or Business Operations majors are eligible to receive full block transfer into the Bachelor of Business Administration in Sustainable Business Practices degree at College of the Rockies, provided all other entrance criteria are met and space remains available in the program. Entrance by new students to all programs at College of the Rockies is on a first-qualified, first-in basis.
Griffith University, Australia
Graduates of Lethbridge College’s Business Administration diploma program are eligible to transfer credit towards the completion of a Bachelor of Business degree (all majors available) at Griffith University, in Australia. All students will be provided with an approved course completion pathway at time of application into a Griffith program. For more information, please visit www.griffith.edu.au/credit
Okanagan College
Graduates of Lethbridge College’s Business Administration – Accounting, Management, or Business Operations diploma program with a minimum GPA of 2.3, or 67%, are eligible for admission into the third year of the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree program at Okanagan College.
Royal Roads University
Graduates of Lethbridge College’s Business Administration – Accounting, Management, or Business Operations diplomas with a minimum GPA of 3.0 are eligible to receive block transfer into the third year of Royal Roads University's Bachelor of Commerce in Entrepreneurial Management or Bachelor of Business Administration in Sustainability and International Business degree programs — provided all entrance criteria for admissions to Royal Roads University are met and space remains available.
Robert Gordon University, Scotland
Graduates of Lethbridge College’s Business Administration – Accounting, Management, or Business Operations diplomas with a minimum GPA of 2.5 will be accepted into the third year of a BA(Hons) in Events Management, Fashion Management, International Hospitality Management, International Tourism Management, Management, Management with Marketing, Management with HRM, or International Business Management at Robert Gordon University, in Scotland, provided all academic and English language entry requirements are met and space remains available.
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT)
Graduates of Lethbridge College’s Business Administration – Accounting diploma are eligible for admission into the third year of SAIT’s Bachelor of Business Administration Accounting (BBA ACCT) degree program. Graduates of Lethbridge College’s Business Administration – Management diploma are eligible for admission into the third year of SAIT's Bachelor of Business Administration Management (BBAM) or Human Resource Management (BBAH) degree programs. Please note, some bridging courses are required. Students are encouraged to contact Academic Advising at SAIT for more information.
University of Lethbridge
Graduates of Lethbridge College’s Business Administration diploma are eligible to receive two years’ credit towards the University of Lethbridge’s Bachelor of Management degree, provided that a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 is achieved in the Lethbridge College diploma program. The exact number of additional required courses varies based on courses taken and the major selected at the University of Lethbridge. Visit www.uleth.ca for further information.
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Delivery Formats
The Business Administration program is delivered on campus. We offer some online, asynchronous courses. Not all required program courses are available online.
Online (Partial)
This program offers some courses, but not all required program courses, online with either synchronous (learning occurs in real-time on a set schedule) or asynchronous (learning does not occur at the same time or same place) components.
On Campus
This program is delivered in a face-to-face format on the main Lethbridge College campus. Lectures, labs and hands-on training opportunities will all take place on campus in Lethbridge.
Courses
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| ACC-1170 | Financial Accounting I | 3 |
| ACC-1175 | Financial Accounting II | 3 |
| BUS-1166 | Business Law | 3 |
| BUS-1170 | Introduction to Management | 3 |
| BUS-1177 | Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| BUS-1185 | Business Computer Applications | 1.5 |
| COM-1162 | Interpersonal Relationships and Communications | 3 |
| CPU-1165 | Business Applications II | 3 |
| ECN-1180 | Microeconomics | 3 |
| ENG-1159 | Writing for the Workplace | 3 |
| MKT-1188 | Introduction to Marketing | 3 |
| Credits | 31.5 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Students must select one major from the following: | 30 | |
|
Accounting
|
||
|
Business Operations
|
||
|
Management
|
||
| Credits | 30 | |
| Total Credits | 61.5 | |
Accounting Major
Accounting is often called “the language of business”. Accountants engage in a wide variety of activities related to the financial health of any type of organization including service and manufacturing industries, public accounting, government, and the not-for-profit sector. This program provides the theory and real-life skills to be ready to succeed in the complex and evolving business environment. Graduates of this program can pursue a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation in addition to being successful in any kind of business-related position.
As a very skills-based diploma, and our most transferable major, Accounting graduates are well prepared to take on many kinds of business roles and have successfully entered many business jobs and careers on the basis of their accounting diploma - traditional accounting roles but also many types of business related roles.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 2 | ||
| ACC-2250 | Management Accounting I | 3 |
| ACC-2251 | Management Accounting II | 3 |
| ACC-2271 | Intermediate Financial Accounting I | 3 |
| ACC-2273 | Intermediate Financial Accounting II | 3 |
| ACC-2278 | Computerized Accounting for Management | 3 |
| BUS-2292 | Business Finance | 3 |
| ECN-2253 | Macroeconomics | 3 |
| STS-2250 | Statistics | 3 |
| TAX-2251 | Taxation | 3 |
| Approved Elective (See elective lists A and B) | 3 | |
| Credits | 30 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Business Operations Major
Operating a business takes adaptability and innovation. You will develop the strategies that make a business successful. While theory and practical application are foundational to this program, creativity is an integral element. You will learn skills that provide an understanding of customers, create awareness of external perspectives, and establish business objectives such as driving revenue, steering growth, adding value, and building loyalty.
Have an entrepreneurial spirit? The Business Operations major might be right for you. Ideal for individuals planning entrepreneurial careers, graduates will have a great start to opening their own business or entering jobs and careers in many business fields including sales and marketing.
Special note: If you intend to pursue a university degree upon completion of the Business Administration diploma, we strongly recommend that you include STS-2250 Statistics (3 credits) in your program.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 2 | ||
| BUS-2288 | Project Management | 3 |
| Cluster 1 (Choose 3 of 6) | 9 | |
| Retailing Strategies | ||
| Logistics | ||
| Integrated Marketing Communication | ||
| Business Analytics and Decision Making | ||
| Business Research Methods | ||
| Advanced Marketing Strategies | ||
| Cluster 2 (Choose 2 of 5) | 6 | |
| Organizational Behavior | ||
| International Business | ||
| Advanced Small Business Management | ||
| Introduction to Supply Chain Management | ||
| Human Resource Management | ||
| Cluster 3 (Choose 1 of 3) | 3 | |
| Management Accounting I | ||
| Macroeconomics | ||
| Statistics | ||
| Cluster 4 (Choose 1 of 2) | 3 | |
| Financial Planning | ||
| Business Finance | ||
| Approved Electives (Choose 2 from List A and/or List B) | 6 | |
| Credits | 30 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Management Major
The success of any business or organization is highly dependent on its management expertise. The management major provides opportunity to gain that expertise, in areas including entrepreneurship and small business management, human resources, leadership, organizational dynamics, business finance, international business, the global economy, and statistics.
In this major, you will develop skills in leadership, communication, cooperation, analysis, and strategic action plan implementation. Through case studies, simulations and other learning experiences, you will rely on sound management knowledge and principles acquired earlier to solve real business and organizational problems. The program provides a solid foundation for numerous career options including human resource management, banking, managing a business, not-for-profit, charitable and, government organizations.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 2 | ||
| BUS-2268 | Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| BUS-2275 | International Business | 3 |
| BUS-2278 | Industrial and Labour Relations | 3 |
| BUS-2285 | Advanced Small Business Management | 3 |
| BUS-2288 | Project Management | 3 |
| BUS-2292 | Business Finance | 3 |
| BUS-2298 | Human Resource Management | 3 |
| STS-2250 | Statistics | 3 |
| Approved Electives (See elective lists A and B) | 6 | |
| Credits | 30 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
List A - Approved Business Electives
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ACC-2250 | Management Accounting I | 3 |
| ACC-2251 | Management Accounting II | 3 |
| ACC-2271 | Intermediate Financial Accounting I | 3 |
| ACC-2273 | Intermediate Financial Accounting II | 3 |
| ACC-2278 | Computerized Accounting for Management | 3 |
| BUS-2268 | Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| BUS-2275 | International Business | 3 |
| BUS-2276 | Financial Planning | 3 |
| BUS-2277 | Retailing Strategies | 3 |
| BUS-2278 | Industrial and Labour Relations | 3 |
| BUS-2281 | Logistics | 3 |
| BUS-2283 | Integrated Marketing Communication | 3 |
| BUS-2285 | Advanced Small Business Management | 3 |
| BUS-2286 | Introduction to Supply Chain Management | 3 |
| BUS-2287 | Business Analytics and Decision Making | 3 |
| BUS-2288 | Project Management | 3 |
| BUS-2290 | Business Research Methods | 3 |
| BUS-2292 | Business Finance | 3 |
| BUS-2293 | Advanced Marketing Strategies | 3 |
| BUS-2298 | Human Resource Management | 3 |
| CPU-2254 | Basic Desktop Publishing | 3 |
| ECN-2253 | Macroeconomics | 3 |
| FWK-2283 | Industry Placement | 3 |
| FWK-2284 | Industry Placement II | 3 |
| MKT-2260 | International Marketing | 3 |
| MKT-2279 | Applied Sales | 3 |
| STS-2250 | Statistics | 3 |
| TAX-2251 | Taxation | 3 |
| BUS-11XX | Unspecified 1 | 3 |
| BUS-22XX | Unspecified 1 | 3 |
| MKT-11XX | Unspecified 1 | 3 |
| MKT-22XX | Unspecified 1 | 3 |
- 1
-
Unspecified credits for post-secondary Business and Marketing courses will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
List B - Approved Non-Business Electives
(a maximum of 3 credits may be included from List B Approved Non-Business Electives.)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AGR-2286 | Agricultural Business Management | 3 |
| BIO-1151 | Environmental Issues | 3 |
| BLK-1151 | Blackfoot Language I | 3 |
| CPL-1150 | Community Service Learning | 3 |
| FWK-2283 | Industry Placement | 3 |
| FWK-2284 | Industry Placement II | 3 |
| HUM-1150 | Logic | 3 |
| HUM-1155 | Ethics | 3 |
| HUM-1180 | Introduction to World Religions | 3 |
| HUM-1190 | Popular Culture | 3 |
| INS-1155 | Introduction to Indigenous Studies | 3 |
| PED-1123 | Academic Success in Athletics I | 1.5 |
| PSC-1161 | Introduction to Politics | 3 |
| PSC-1165 | Canadian Government | 3 |
| PSY-1160 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| SGV-1111 | Student Government | 3 |
| SGV-1112 | Student Government | 3 |
| SGV-1122 | Student Government | 6 |
| SGV-2113 | Student Government | 3 |
| SGV-2114 | Student Government | 3 |
| SGV-2124 | Student Government | 6 |
| SOC-1160 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| SPN-1150 | Introductory Spanish | 3 |
Practicum Experience
There is an elective practicum component to this program. The College dictates the legal terms and conditions governing the practicum experience.
Tuition and Fees
| Title | Tuition | Fees | Books/Supplies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1
|
$4,500.00
|
$1,206.00
|
$1,505.00
|
| Year 2
|
$4,620.00
|
$1,288.00
|
$1,641.00
|
| Title | Tuition | Fees | Books/Supplies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1
|
$13,950.00
|
$1,206.00
|
$1,505.00
|
| Year 2
|
$14,082.00
|
$1,288.00
|
$1,641.00
|
Costs for supplies may vary considerably depending on what students already have or where they purchased their supplies; cost provided is on the moderately high end.
Students will be charged a medical/dental benefit fee unless they opt out by demonstrating alternative coverage prior to the end of the first week of class.
Our Budget Wizard is a free self-service tool that can help you make sense of your finances and the cost of your education. Give it a try!
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This program belongs to the
Centre for Business, Arts and Sciences
Featured Graduates
Ashley Pierson
“Lethbridge College has provided me with opportunities and training to hone my leadership, interpersonal communication, and critical thinking skills. I was constantly challenged and pushed out of my comfort zone with the hands-on learning experience the college provides. Not only did I get to learn about new concepts, but I got to apply these concepts to real life business situations where I was able to receive specific feedback catered to me individually. Most of all, Lethbridge College has given me the confidence that I will Be Ready for both my future academic endeavours and professional career. I could not have chosen a better institution to be the starting point of my academic journey.”
Thari De Silva
“Never be afraid to talk to people because every member in the college is there to help you and support you… Lethbridge College is a family, a community, and it supports you.”
Sarah Phillips
“The quality of instructors in this program is probably unparalleled by anywhere else I’ve ever been. The classrooms are small, the work is hands on… Honestly, I would probably do this over again from the beginning if I had a chance. I just can’t believe how quickly this two years has flown by.”
Scholarships
With just one online application, you can apply for all the Lethbridge College awards and scholarships for which you qualify, including these featured scholarships: