Contemporary Business Certificate
Welcome to the Program Page dedicated to the Contemporary Business Certificate programs! This page is designed to give an overview of what the quarter will look like based on the starting point in the year. Click on one of the desired tabs below to view the course schedule. This information may be subject to change. Please contact your adviser for more information regarding the courses.
You also can look at the program map for the Contemporary Business Applied Associate (AAS) Degree.
Bookstore Information
Information regarding the materials can be found at the RTC bookstore
Links to an external site.. Just fill in the course information and you will be set!
The bookstore has what you need in regards to materials so be sure to check it out! It is always better to be prepared than to wait last second to buy your materials!
General Overview
When can I start? Fall (September), Winter (January), or Spring (April)
How long is the program?
- 4 quarters (11 months) with 62 total credits for the Contemporary Business certificate
When do classes meet? Times vary but online and FLEX options are available
Are summer classes required? Yes. You cannot complete the certificate or degree without attending classes during summer quarter (July and early August).
You will learn how to start and maintain a successful small business: business plans, finances, management, and marketing. Your classes also prepare you to be a supervisor or manager of a small team.
What does a manager do?
What is the average salary?
$72,700 annually in the Seattle-Bellevue-Tacoma area. Most first-line supervisors earn at least $50,950; there is a wide salary range.
Who can I contact for questions?
- New students, please visit our Zoom lobby (Links to an external site.) to talk with someone by video chat, or e-mail our advising department.
- For current students, please visit RTC's advising page (Links to an external site and look for the faculty counselor assigned to Contemporary Business Administration.
Overall Materials Needed:
- Access to a functioning laptop or computer (you may use computers on the RTC campus)
- USB drive (thumb drive)
- Webcam
- Headset with microphone
- Working internet connection
*Open Educational Resources (OER) are given for BUS and BUS& classes. This means that your textbooks are free!
Minimum grades or GPA to graduate
You need a 1.0 or higher in each class, and your cumulative or overall GPA must be 2.0 or higher to complete your certificate.
Materials Warning
If you rent a textbook, make sure you return it by the deadline. If you purchase a textbook, you can sell it back to the RTC bookstore -- but make sure that you won't need the book again for classes in the future!
Mobile Browser Information
For optimal experience, please rotate your phone sideways to view the page in landscape mode.
Fall
Quarter 1
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| COL 101 | College Success | NO | 2 |
| BUS 125 | Concept to Commercialization | NO | 5 |
| BUS& 101 | Introduction to Business | NO | 5 |
| BUS 180 | Principles of Management | NO | 5 |
Quarter 2
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| BUS 130 | Small Business Marketing | NO | 5 |
| BUS 230 | Principles of Operations Management | NO | 5 |
| BUS& 201 | Business Law | NO | 5 |
Quarter 3
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| BUS 135 | Finance for Small Business | NO | 5 |
| BUS 240 | Principles of Selling and Negotiation | NO | 5 |
| BUS 280 | Office Procedures | NO | 5 |
Quarter 4
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| BUS 110 | Social Media Marketing | NO | 5 |
| BUS 270 | Human Resources Management | NO | 5 |
| COMP 100 or CMST 280 |
Applied Composition (recommended) or Intercultural Communication (recommended) or another communication or humanities class |
varies by class | 5 |
Grand Total Estimate for Your Contemporary Business Certificate: $7,535
Winter
This program may change next year, which means that your fall 2025 quarter could look different.
Quarter 1
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| COL 101 | College Success | NO | 2 |
| BUS 130 | Small Business Marketing | NO | 5 |
| BUS 230 | Principles of Operations Management | NO | 5 |
| BUS& 201 | Business Law | NO | 5 |
Quarter 2
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| BUS 135 | Finance for Small Business | NO | 5 |
| BUS 240 | Principles of Selling and Negotiation | NO | 5 |
| BUS 280 | Office Procedures | NO | 5 |
Quarter 3
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| BUS 110 | Social Media Marketing | NO | 5 |
| BUS 270 | Human Resources Management | NO | 5 |
| COMP 100 or CMST 280 |
Applied Composition (recommended) or Intercultural Communication (recommended) or another communication or humanities class |
varies by class | 5 |
Quarter 4
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| BUS 125 | Concept to Commercialization | NO | 5 |
| BUS& 101 | Introduction to Business | NO | 5 |
| BUS 180 | Principles of Management | NO | 5 |
Grand Total Estimate for Your Contemporary Business Certificate: $7,535
Spring
This program may change next year, which means that your fall 2025 quarter could look different.
Quarter 1
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| COL 101 | College Success | NO | 2 |
| BUS 240 | Principles of Selling and Negotiation | NO | 5 |
| BUS 135 | Finance for Small Business | NO | 5 |
| BUS 280 | Office Procedures | NO | 5 |
Quarter 2
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| BUS 110 | Social Media Marketing | NO | 5 |
| BUS 270 | Human Resources Management | NO | 5 |
| COMP 100 or CMST 280 |
Applied Composition (recommended) or Intercultural Communication (recommended) or another communication or humanities class |
varies by class | 5 |
Quarter 3
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| BUS 125 | Concept to Commercialization | NO | 5 |
| BUS& 101 | Introduction to Business | NO | 5 |
| BUS 180 | Principles of Management | NO | 5 |
Quarter 4
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| BUS 130 | Small Business Marketing | NO | 5 |
| BUS 230 | Principles of Operations Management | NO | 5 |
| BUS& 201 | Business Law | NO | 5 |
Grand Total Estimate for Your Contemporary Business Certificate: $7,535
Entrepreneurship Certificate Requirements
You can find suggested class sequences here.
You cannot start this certificate after fall 2024.
Core Requirements
You must complete these 3 classes for this certificate.
- COL 101 - College Success 2 Credits, offered every quarter
- BUS 125 - Concept to Commercialization 5 Credits, offered fall
- BUS& 101 - Introduction to Business 5 Credits, offered every quarter
Choose 1 Marketing Course:
- BUS 110 - Social Media Marketing 5 Credits, offered every summer
- BUS 130 - Small Business Marketing 5 Credits, offered every winter
Choose 1 Management Course
- BUS 180 - Principles of Management 5 Credits, offered every fall
- BUS 230 - Principles of Operations Management 5 Credits, offered every winter
- BUS 270 - Human Resources Management 5 Credits, offered every summer
Approved Electives (10 credits required)
Not all electives are available every quarter. You also can use marketing and/or management classes from the lists above. You may have to enroll in the classes that are offered in order to complete quickly.
- BUS 110 - Social Media Marketing 5 Credits, offered every summer
- BUS 130 - Small Business Marketing 5 Credits, offered every winter
- BUS 135 - Financing a Small Business 5 Credits, offered every spring
- BUS 180 - Principles of Management 5 Credits, offered every fall
- BUS 230 - Principles of Operations Management 5 Credits, offered every winter
- BUS 240 - Principles of Selling and Negotiation 5 Credits, offered every spring
- BUS 270 - Human Resources Management 5 Credits, offered every summer
- BUS 280 - Office Procedures 5 Credits, offered every spring
- BUS& 201 - Business Law 5 Credits, offered every quarter
Not quite the career path you want to take? Let's go back to the Program Map!