Do you have a business idea that you want to get off the ground? Do you already own a small business and need help taking it to the next level? This certificate gives you the entrepreneurial skills to succeed in an increasingly competitive marketplace. The more you know about identifying opportunities, developing a business plan, and scaling your idea, the more successful your business can become – and the Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Small Business can help you get there.
Industry and Careers
Entrepreneurial opportunities are available in every sector of the economy to people with any type of educational and professional background. From athletes to architects, graphic designers to engineers, healthcare to IT professionals – our certificate helps you transform a business concept into a thoughtful plan of action.
Who Should Take This Certificate?
- Individuals aiming to launch, or have recently launched, a small business and need skills such as developing business and marketing plans and identifying market opportunities
- Business owners that you want to scale or improve in terms of profitability or processes
- Managers, in a public, private, or nonprofit organization, wanting to effectively promote innovative product development and marketing as a workplace intrapreneur
What Will You Learn?
After completing this certificate, you will able to:
- assess your own entrepreneurial potential and managerial skills
- identify opportunities and analyze best-fit markets for entry
- develop your business idea into an actionable business plan
- organize, promote, and finance a business, including bootstrap financing and government funding programs
- assess risk and opportunity in buying an existing business or franchise
- learn management strategies to deal with common business issues such as cash flow, high growth rates, outsourcing, and corporate governance
Certificate Requirements
- 4 required courses
- 2 electives*
- Cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 1.67+
*You must consult with the academic coordinator. With the submission of an approved Continuing Education Certificate Exemption (Substitution/Directive) Form signed by the academic coordinator, you will complete 2 courses relevant to your entrepreneurial and small business interests (as indicated in your business plan developed in CENT 500).
Admission Criteria
Recommended:
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent
- With 6 Grade 12 U or M credits
OR
- Mature student status
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose my elective courses?
The certificate was designed to let you choose two electives that best support your professional interests, as identified in the business plan you develop in CENT 500. Your two elective courses must be chosen in consultation with the academic coordinator before they can be applied towards certificate graduation requirements.
The electives may be chosen from courses offered through The Chang School or courses you have previously taken through Toronto Metropolitan University. With the academic coordinator’s approval, and upon receipt of transcripts and course outlines, you may also use elective credits from other post-secondary institutions.
In all cases, you must have a compelling case, demonstrating how the learning outcomes of each course will contribute to the success of your business.
Which types of electives should I choose?
You choose the electives that best support your business goals, leveraging the opportunity to fill any skills gaps identified in your business plan.
Here are some examples of how the electives might develop specific skills or be related to a specific industry:
- You want to start a graphic design business.
Completion of your business plan indicates that your skills in mobile application development need updating and you need a better understanding of accounting practices. The two electives approved by the academic coordinator are CFPN 542 - Design for Mobile Devices and CACC 100 - Introductory Financial Accounting.
- You are an esthetician and have started a growing business with a new concept.
The business is growing, you need more skills to ensure its success, and you are thinking about franchising the concept. The two electives approved by the academic coordinator include transfer credit for a course in esthetics and CRMG 902 - Franchising.
- You have started selling a line of clothing that you design and produce at home.
You need business skills to keep growing. The two electives approved by the Academic Coordinator are transfer credits from your degree in Fashion Design completed at Toronto Metropolitan last year.
Awards and Financial Aid