• Apply By
    Fall: July 15; Spring: Nov 15; Summer: April 15
  • Admission GPA
    2.5+
  • Total Credits
    15 (60 required for admission)
  • Format
    Fully online
    Partially online

The Certificate in Applied Business focus areas are designed for maximum relevance at minimum cost. Take courses that interest you without a multiyear commitment.

You can specialize in one of four focus areas:

  • Applied Business Essentials
  • Managing for Sustainability, Innovation, and Quality
  • Managing in Health Systems Organizations
  • A Self-Designed Focus

Listen to Applied Business Certificate Advisor Tony Scott talk, on an interview on KMOJ, about the certificate and other options in CCAPS.

Read the transcript here.

Focus Areas and Courses

The Certificate in Applied Business gives you the flexibility to choose from four focus areas to fit into your career plans:

This online certificate is designed to provide the most general array of essential business skills, with options including both soft skills such as communication and leadership, and technical skills such as finance and project management.

Courses (15 credits)

Soft Skills (select two or three)

Technical Skills (select two or three)

In this certificate you will learn:

  • how managers stimulate innovation
  • why companies invest in sustainable technology
  • how profits relate to improved quality
  • how “lean can be green” in both the environmental and fiscal sense

You can take this certificate as either a stand-alone credential or as a complement to a primary course of study. 

Courses* (15 credits)

All courses are online except the HSM 4561W option. Three credits, and must be taken for a letter grade.

* You may request to substitute ABUS 3xxx/4xxx and/or HSM 3xxx/4xxx management-related and/or business-related courses with advisor approval.

Course Catalog | Course descriptions and prerequisites
Class Schedule | Course details by semester

This certificate is about management in, rather than management of, health care organizations. Become a more effective professional by understanding the dynamics and processes of the field, how they’re related to each other, and how to adapt to them.

Courses* (15 credits)

Three courses are online and two are in the classroom. Three credits, and must be taken for a letter grade.

*You may request to substitute ABUS 3xxx/4xxx or HSM 3xxx/4xxx management-related or business-related courses with advisor approval.

Course Catalog | Course descriptions and prerequisites
Class Schedule | Course details by semester

Expand your knowledge of finance, management, or marketing with a credential that can complement your education and jump-start your business goals. Your curriculum can be as broad or as focused as you need. This focus area can be completed online if only online courses are selected.

Courses (15 credits)

Core Courses (select one)

Elective Courses (select four)


Course Catalog | Course descriptions and prerequisites
Class Schedule | Course details by semester

Admission

Ready to apply?

Here's what we're looking for:

  • 60 transferable semester credits completed
  • a preferred performance level of a 2.5 GPA or better in your undergraduate- or graduate-level work; if you do not have a cumulative 2.5 GPA but have relevant professional experience, contact an advisor

What you'll get as an admitted student:

As an admitted certificate student, you will:

  • be assured that all of your course work will count toward the certificate (unless requirements change)
  • receive updates about the program
  • have an opportunity to register earlier than a student who is not admitted
  • not be assessed the University of Minnesota Student Services fee

You may take one or two courses in the program before applying for official admission, however, you should apply for admission as soon as possible.

Transferring Credits

With approval, up to 6 credits of transfer coursework may be used to satisfy requirements for this  certificate. Talk to an advisor if you're interested in transferring certificate courses toward an undergraduate degree.

Apply

Application deadlines:

  • Fall semester: July 15
  • Spring semester: November 15
  • Summer term: April 15

Apply (Current U Student) Apply (Transfer Student)

    Registration

    To find out when you should register, consult the Registration Calendar.

    • If you are a U of M admitted student, register through MyU. Review instructions on One Stop.
    • If you would like to take one of our courses but are a nondegree/guest student (not formally admitted to a degree or certificate program), follow the registration steps outlined on One Stop.

    Completion Requirements

    To be awarded the certificate, you should complete all required coursework within four years of admission, with a minimum grade of C- and a cumulative GPA of 2.00.

    If you are completing an undergraduate degree as well as a certificate, there's no need to apply for graduation for your certificate. The credentials will be awarded simultaneously.

    If you are completing a certificate only, you can apply for graduation online. After you've registered for your final course in the certificate, log in to myu.umn.edu and click on Student Center under key links, then My Academics and Apply for Graduation.

    Academic Advisor

    Head shot of Willie Wong

    Willie is the academic advisor for the Construction Management program and the Applied Business Certificate. He has been working in higher education for 17 years, primarily with transfer students. He started in the College of Continuing and Professional Studies in 2015 as the college’s enrollment advisor for Construction Management, Health Services Management, Information Technology Infrastructure, and Manufacturing Operations Management majors.  

    Willie earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Hamline University and his Master of Science in Sports Science (Sport Psychology) from Miami University. He serves on the University’s Transfer Student Experience Advisory Committee, the Strategic Enrollment Management Committee, and CCAPS’ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Student Experience Subcommittee. He loves spending time with his family traveling, outdoors, participating in sports year-round, and building Legos with his son.

    You may schedule an appointment directly on Willie's calendar: williewong.appointments.umn.edu

    Admissions Advising

    Jeff Olsen Krengel enrollment advisor

    Meet Jeff Olsen Krengel

    I work with prospective students interested in our undergraduate applied science majors and those who want to design their own degree program. I’m available to answer your questions and help you find a program that meets your needs.

    In my free time, I can be found reading, running with my son, or visiting a brewery. I am an avid sports fan cheering for the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota United FC, and Liverpool FC. 

    Give me a call at 612-625-4340, email me, or schedule an appointment on my calendar below.