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Your Queen’s Degree + 
Powerful Business Credentials

Apply by December 1, 2025 to Start in January 2026

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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.

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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  

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.