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Ministry-approved title: Business Fundamentals
Entrance Award Available
The Business Fundamentals program offers a practical introduction to the business world and a strong starting point for developing core professional skills. This one-year certificate builds foundational knowledge in key areas of business while supporting confidence, communication, and applied problem-solving.
Students are introduced to accounting, marketing, human resources, supply chain management, and business communications, with a focus on how these functions operate together within organizations. Learning is supported through applied activities that reflect real workplace situations and emphasize collaboration, organization, and professional behaviour.
The program is designed to strengthen workplace readiness while also supporting continued academic pathways in business. By combining essential theory with hands-on learning, students build the skills needed for pathways into further business education or employment.
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The Business Fundamentals program introduces students to the core building blocks of business and how organizations operate in practice. Emphasis is placed on understanding the role of key business functions and how they contribute to effective decision-making, coordination, and overall organizational success.
The program offers a balance of foundational knowledge in accounting, marketing, human resources, supply chain management, and business communications, helping students develop a well-rounded understanding of how business areas interact across different environments and industries.
Learning is applied and interactive, with activities such as case studies, group projects, presentations, and problem-solving exercises based on real workplace scenarios. These experiences support the development of communication, teamwork, organization, and introductory financial literacy skills, while reinforcing professional behaviour and workplace expectations.
By combining theory with applied learning, the program supports the development of confidence and capability in business settings. Graduates will be prepared to contribute in entry-level business environments or continue building their skills through further education or professional experience.
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.
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.
Students in this program are eligible to apply for The Joyce Family Foundation Bursary. Available to students in any program, with preference to those entering preparatory programs, The Joyce Family Foundation Bursary will be awarded to up to 10 students annually and will help students cover tuition in their chosen program as well as in any continued studies at DC for up to four years. Recipients of The Joyce Family Foundation Bursary will also have the opportunity to participate in mentorship programs at the college.
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The Business Fundamentals program prepares graduates for a variety of entry-level opportunities across many industries. With foundational business knowledge and practical professional skills, graduates are equipped to support business operations, work effectively in team environments, and continue building their education in business or related fields.
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.
The Business Fundamentals program uses applied learning to connect foundational business concepts with real-world practice, helping students build confidence, capability, and workplace readiness throughout the program.
Preparation for Workplace and Continued Studies: Applied learning experiences are intentionally designed to build workplace readiness and support continued academic pathways. Engagement with realistic business scenarios and commonly used tools helps develop confidence in navigating entry-level business environments and provides a strong foundation for further study within Durham College business diploma programs.
Applied Classroom Learning: Experiential learning is embedded throughout the Business Fundamentals program through applied classroom activities that reflect real business situations. Students engage in case studies, group projects, presentations, and problem-solving exercises that support the application of foundational business concepts in practical contexts. These experiences strengthen communication, teamwork, organization, and decision-making skills aligned with entry-level business expectations.
Project-Based and Collaborative Activities: Students participate in collaborative projects that integrate key business functions such as accounting, marketing, management, and business communications. These activities build understanding of how organizations operate and how decisions are made across teams and departments. Emphasis is placed on professional behaviour, meeting deadlines, and communicating ideas clearly and effectively in a workplace context.
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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