Skip to main content

Your Queen’s Degree + 
Powerful Business Credentials

Apply between February 1 - April 1, 2026 to start in May

Request Brochure
Certificate in Business

This Certificate adds Smith School of Business expertise to your Queen's degree through six introductory-level courses taught by the same faculty who lead our top-ranked Commerce and MBA programs. Your first two courses count as electives toward graduation at the 200-level, while the remaining four are taken at the 600-level under the Certificate.

All courses appear on your official transcript, contribute to your cumulative GPA, and help you stand out in the eyes of employers.

Program capacity

A limited number of students are accepted annually from faculties across Queen’s University. No business background is required.

Get Started  

No Business Background? No Problem.

All courses are taught at the introductory level, designed to build your career foundation from the ground up. While we recommend taking at least one Commerce course before applying, it's not required - making this the perfect entry point into business education for any Queen's student.

Study Abroad? Take CIB With You.

Planning a semester on exchange? Our online course format means you can continue your Certificate progress from anywhere in the world. The flexible online delivery ensures your business education doesn't have to pause for your global adventures.

Summer Learning Made Simple.

Don't let summer break slow your progress. CIB courses are available during the Summer term, letting you accelerate your timeline or catch up while other students take time off. 

Key Features

 

Flexible Scheduling

Three start dates annually with asynchronous online delivery

 

Extended Timeline

Complete up to two years after graduation

 

Summer Availability

Courses conveniently offered during the summer

Curriculum

Take six introductory Commerce courses, in conjunction with your undergraduate degree and earn your Smith Certificate in Business – a powerful credential recognized on your university transcript.

Certificate courses can be taken in any order.

Core Courses
Foundations of Accounting:
Integrating Financial and Managerial Accounting Principles
COMM 210/610
Foundations of Finance COMM 221/621
Foundations of Marketing COMM 231/631
Managing People in Organizations COMM 251/651
Elective Courses (Choose two of four)
Fundamentals of Business Strategy COMM 203/603
Entrepreneurial Thinking COMM 204/604
Global Business in a Connected World COMM 273/673
Foundations of Digital Business:
Strategy, Data, and Emerging Technologies
COMM 290/690

When should I apply?

There are three start dates per year: September, January and May.

Applications are assessed on a rolling basis within each application period:

  • September Start:
    Apply between June 1 - August 1
  • January Start:
    Apply between October 1 - December 1
  • May Start:
    Apply between February 1 - April 1
Start Application

Admission Requirements

Choose one of two pathways to begin earning credits toward your Certificate in Business.

Pathway 1: Direct Admission

For individuals with a minimum cumulative 2.60GPA across a minimum of 18.0 graded units:

  • Apply for direct admission into the CIB program.

Please note: if you’ve previously completed any of the CIB course requirements, a minimum grade of C- (1.7) is required in each course to be accepted into the program.

Apply online  

Pathway 2: Enroll in Core

For individuals without a minimum cumulative 2.60GPA across a minimum of 18.0 graded units:

  • Enroll in two core Certificate courses at the 200 level.
  • Achieve a minimum grade of C- (1.7) in these courses to qualify for admission into the CIB.
Enroll via SOLUS  

Queen’s students should work with their home faculty/Academic Advisor to ensure alignment with faculty requirements.

Progression Requirements

  • Achieve a minimum grade of C- (1.7) in each Certificate course.
  • Complete all requirements within two years (six terms) of convocation.

Fees for 2025-2026

CIB courses can be completed at one of two levels. Queen’s students can take up to two courses as electives (200-level). The remaining credits must be taken at the 600-level to meet certificate requirements.

600-Level Courses

Student Units per course Fee per unit Fee per course
Domestic Students 3.0 $493.56 $1,480.68
International Students 3.0 $1,843.63 $5,530.89

Any applicable student activity fees (SAF), student assistance levy (SAL), and University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) assessed by Queen’s University are not included in the above totals.

Note: fees do not include access to the Smith School of Business Career Advancement Centre.

200-Level Courses

Fees for CIB 200-level courses are assessed according to the student’s home faculty rate and therefore vary by program of registration.

Any applicable student activity fees (SAF), student assistance levy (SAL), and University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) assessed by Queen’s University are not included in the above totals.

Note: fees do not include access to the Smith School of Business Career Advancement Centre.

Pay as You Go

Applicants pay a non-refundable application fee of $100. Tuition is assessed per course at the time of enrollment. There are no additional program fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does my mark in a 600-level course affect my admission into graduate school?

Your marks for the 600-level courses will appear on your transcript and are included in your cumulative GPA. They are not included in degree specific calculations (i.e. Dean’s List).

How does this certificate work in conjunction with my major? Does it act like a minor or does it replace my major?

The Certificate does not replace a major or a minor; rather, it complements your degree.

I have applied to transfer into the Commerce program, would it still be possible to apply for the certificate?

Yes, you can still apply for the certificate even though you have applied to transfer. As long as you are currently a full-time student in a degree program, you are eligible.

How many students will be admitted into the program?

A limited number of students are accepted annually from faculties across Queen’s University.

Can I complete the certificate after I have graduated?

Yes, CIB students have up to six terms (two years), post-convocation, to complete Certificate requirements.

Am I able to take courses for the CIB while studying abroad?

Yes, the convenient online format allows you to complete Certificate courses from wherever your exchange takes you, on your schedule. Please note the courses must be taken through Smith (ie. equivalent courses completed at other institutions will not be accepted).

Will you be offering any of the online courses during the summer?

Yes, Certificate courses are available online during the summer term. Please note that the timetable is updated annually, which may impact which courses are offered in any term.

Are the courses on the list of the Certificate in Business counted as elective credits toward undergraduate graduation?

You may apply two of the six courses towards your undergraduate degree. These two courses are taken at the 200-level. The remaining four courses are taken under the Certificate and will not be counted toward your degree. These courses will be at the 600-level.

We recommend that you complete your first two Certificate courses at the 200-level.

For any information regarding financial assistance please contact the Registrar’s Office or visit Queen's Financial Aid.

If I do not wish to continue in the CIB program after accepting, is there any penalty?

Should you be admitted into the program and choose not to continue, you can opt to withdraw from the Certificate. There is no penalty; however, 600-level courses cannot be applied to your degree and cannot be changed to the 200-level. Your enrolment in the Certificate will still be noted on your transcript, even if you have not taken a course.

Are there any prerequisites or required courses needed to apply for the CIB program?

There are no prerequisite courses for this program, but you must meet the admission requirements.

Admission requirements for Pathway 1 are as follows:

  • Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.60 across 18 graded units
  • If students have previously completed any 200-level COMM courses, they must have achieved a minimum grade of C-

Admission requirements for Pathway 2 are as follows:

  • Students must have achieved a minimum grade of C- in two core 200-level Certificate courses

Please note there are no prerequisites to enroll in 200-level COMM courses. You can get started at any time.

Will I be able to complete the required courses for the program without any previous business knowledge?

You do not need any previous business knowledge. All courses are introductory level.

Are you required to have taken any previous 200-level Commerce courses before entering the CIB program?

You are not required to have taken any Commerce courses prior to the program, however we recommend taking at least one course before applying. If you have taken any Commerce courses at the 200-level, you are required to earn a minimum grade of C-.

When can I apply for the CIB program?

Students can apply in any year of their degree, provided they meet the requirements of either admission pathway and have not yet convocated.

Where will we find out if we have been accepted?

Students will receive a notification email of any decisions, or they can go to the application in Target X to check.

Will the grades from the 600-level CIB courses show up on my transcript?

All courses taken at Smith will appear on your transcript and the grades you receive in these courses will be included in your cumulative GPA.

Can you choose to use your two highest marks as your 200-level courses?

You will choose which courses are 200-level and which courses are 600-level when you enroll in the courses. You will not be able to change the level once the courses are completed.

I do not meet the minimum GPA requirement. Is there any way around this?

The minimum GPA qualification must be met in order to be eligible for admission through Pathway 1. If you do not meet the minimum GPA requirement, you can qualify for admission through Pathway 2 by completing two of the core Certificate courses and earning a minimum grade of C- in each course.

What is the difference between the 200-level and 600-level Commerce courses? Why are the 600-level courses more expensive?

The 200-level courses can be applied to your undergraduate degree as electives. Faculties outside of Smith do not recognize courses above 599, so the 600-level courses cannot be applied to your degree. For this reason, you will be charged Commerce tuition for each 600-level course.

Are the fees for the CIB program due upfront in one large payment when you begin or do you pay on a per course basis?

You pay on a per course basis, at the time you enroll in each course.

Are there any scholarships or bursaries for this program and if so, how would I go about applying/accessing more information?

For any information regarding financial assistance please contact the Registrar’s Office.

Can I still take Commerce courses if I am not enrolled in the CIB?

All 200-level courses are still open to students outside of Commerce. However, students enrolled in the CIB are given priority. 600-level courses are restricted to CIB students.

I have already taken some of the required courses. Would these courses count towards my certificate?

Students are encouraged to take up to two courses at the 200 level before applying to the Certificate, which will count toward the Certificate requirements. If a student has taken more than two courses at the 200-level, they may be required to repeat the course at the 600-level.