Program Info
Minimum credits: 20
Length: 1-2 semesters
Division: Arts, Sciences, & Business
Contact: 434.797.8402 or 434.797.8462
Award: Career Studies Certificate
Plan Code: 221-212-24 CIP Code: 52.0703
This CSC is primarily designed for students (1) who are taking a career studies certificate program that may be turned into a business venture, or (2) who have already obtained a skill that can be turned into a business venture. Students will be exposed to the following: essentials of small business accounting; people-management skills necessary for hiring, motivating, and supervising employees; business planning and financial forecasting skills; fundamentals of obtaining small business start-up funding; laws and regulations associated with small business ownership; customer service techniques; and small business marketing techniques with a possible emphasis on internet marketing, including social networking and basic web design. When seeking to launch a business venture, the more expertise and skill one can obtain in a marketable profession (air conditioning, photography, web design, etc.), the odds of success increase.
Program Description
The Career Studies Certificate in Small Business Management is designed primarily for students who have already obtained a skill that can be turned into a business venture or who are currently taking another program that will allow them to do so. Students will learn various essentials necessary to running a successful small business.
Program Outcomes: Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Create a business plan that can be used to start and fund a small business start-up or expansion;
- Perform small business accounting tasks and understand the forms and documents associated with managing a small business accounting system;
- Demonstrate human relationship skills used to successfully interrelate with customers, associates, employees, and superiors in a business setting;
- Explain essential legal and regulatory requirements for small business;
- Recognize the features, advantages, and disadvantages of business ownership categories (e.g., proprietorship, partnership, corporation, etc.);
- Develop marketing strategies for successful products and services.
