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Ministry-approved title: Business Fundamentals
Explore the world of business in our one-year Business Fundamentals Ontario certificate program. Build a strong foundation in accounting, finance, marketing, human resources and more, while discovering your ideal career path. Experience entrepreneurship through a real-world, AI-driven business simulation that builds critical thinking, decision-making, and practical business skills. Whether starting out or advancing your career, this program offers pathways to Durham College business diplomas, degrees and graduate certificates. Students can also obtain Microsoft Office Specialist certifications.
Durham College (DC) offers pre-admission assessment testing to mature domestic applicants to meet admission requirements in English and/or Math. Domestic applicants who are 19 years of age or older as of the start date of their program, and who do not have the required program credit(s), i.e. Grade 12 English and/or Grade 12 Math are eligible to take an admissions assessment test.
Learn more about how to book Pre-Admission Assessment Testing here.
DC also offers Academic Upgrading. Courses are FREE and designed to help you meet the admissions requirements for this program. Available to individuals 18+, these courses are offered on campus at DC. Boost your qualifications with:
Learn more about Academic Upgrading and connect with our team to get started.
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Fill out the form to get more information on your program of interest, upcoming events, and how to become a Durham College student. By submitting your information below, you consent to Durham College contacting you via email and/or SMS with a minimum of 4 messages per month. You may withdraw consent at any time.
Please contact the international office.
This program is designed for individuals who want to develop skills and knowledge appropriate for an entry level position in a business setting.
You will study:
All courses offered are available in the daytime, but also in the evenings and online through the Centre for Professional and Part-Time Learning (additional fees apply).
Students can earn the following globally recognized certificates by taking Microsoft Office Specialist exams as part of their computer courses:
Students who successfully pass all three exams can earn an extra certificate that recognizes their accomplishment with the Microsoft Office Specialist: Associate (Microsoft 365) certificate. DC students are provided access to Microsoft Office 365 through the college’s Microsoft Office account. See more details about this opportunity.
CCI Learning is the exclusive Canadian partner of Certiport and through our partnership with them it enables us to bring Certiport’s Microsoft Office Specialist certifications to our students.
Students entering their first year of studies in a Faculty of Business and Information Technology program will receive a membership to all of Durham Region’s Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade for the duration of their studies, plus an additional year following graduation. As one of the only colleges in Ontario with this offering, DC is proud to provide students with access to local businesses at a regional level.
The Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade include:
Membership benefits:
The courses listed below are for incoming students. If you are a current student, please refer to your program of study for the year you began your program. Your program of study can be found on MyDC.
Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
In person
Students will come to campus to complete in-person learning requirements. Detailed schedules, with course-specific delivery information, will be available after registration. Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
School is an investment in your future, and financial support is available to help you succeed.
DC's Financial Aid and Awards is here to help you access funding and opportunities that make pursuing your education easier and more achievable:
Visit Financial Aid and Awards to explore all the options to help finance your education.
Upon successful completion of this program, you can opt to take one or two additional years in another Business program offered at Durham College to obtain a diploma or advanced diploma in Marketing, Accounting, Human Resources Management, Supply Chain Management or Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management. Qualified graduates can then go on to take the Durham College Human Resources Management graduate certificate program, the Supply Chain Management – Global graduate certificate or may be eligible to apply their academic credits toward further study through Durham College’s partnerships with many Canadian and international colleges and universities.
Please visit our pathways page to learn more about how you can transfer your credits towards a degree.
Looking for more pathway opportunities or to transfer to Durham College? Click here for more information.
NOTE: Students enrolling in this program are required to purchase their own laptop.
*Mac Computers
Hussam is an experienced Professor with a history of working in the higher education environment, along with skills and experiences in industrial engineering and operations management. Hussam holds a PhD degree with a focus on Sustainable Supply Chain, Inventory and Logistics Management (Mechanical & Industrial Engineering) from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University).
Howard is an experienced professional with extensive experience working at the post-secondary level. He has taught Business and Engineering at multiple colleges and universities, in various countries. He has a wealth of industry experience having worked in operations management and process improvement, and a passion for working with students.
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