Program Details Page Entrepreneurship and Contemporary Business Certificates

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

a picture of an open book Information regarding the materials can be found at the RTC bookstore. 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?

2 or 3 quarters (6 to 9 months) with 32 credits for the Entrepreneurship certificate
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.

(Links to an external site.)

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

[Fall] Quarter 1 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $2,012**
**Description:** You learn the foundations of the contemporary world of business, particularly how to supervise employees. You also start working on your business start-up plan.
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

[Winter] Quarter 2 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,841**
**Description:** Learn how to find and keep customers. You will study quality practices for both product- and service-oriented businesses while following all local and national American business laws.
**It's time to apply for your first certificate!** You complete the Entrepreneurship certificate this quarter.
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

[Spring] Quarter 3 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,841**
**Description**: *You will research start-up funding and money management for a small business and also effective ways to find (and keep) customers.*
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

[Summer] Quarter 4 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,841**
**Description:** You will explore the benefits of social media platforms to reach your target customers. You also learn how to recruit, interview, hire, train, and keep employees. Finally, you take a General Education class from either the Communication or Humanities distribution areas (see recommendations below).
**It's time to apply for your second certificate!**
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

Winter Start
[Winter] Quarter 1 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $2,012**
**Description:** Learn how to find and keep customers. You will study quality practices for both product- and service-oriented businesses while following all local and national American business laws.
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

[Spring] Quarter 2 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,841
Description: You will research start-up funding and money management for a small business and also effective ways to find (and keep) customers.
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

[Summer] Quarter 3 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,841**
**Description:** You will explore the benefits of social media platforms to reach your target customers. You also learn how to recruit, interview, hire, train, and keep employees. Finally, you take a General Education class from either the Communication or Humanities distribution areas (see recommendations below).
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

[Fall] Quarter 4 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,841**
**Description:** You learn the foundations of the contemporary world of business, particularly how to supervise employees. You also work on your business start-up plan.
**It's time to apply for both of your certificates!** You complete Entrepreneurship as well as Contemporary Business this quarter.
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

Spring Start
[Spring] Quarter 1 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $2,012**
**Description:** You will research start-up funding and money management for a small business and also effective ways to find (and keep) customers.
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

[Summer] Quarter 2 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,841**
**Description:** You will explore the benefits of social media platforms to reach your target customers. You also learn how to recruit, interview, hire, train, and keep employees. Finally, you take a General Education class from either the Communication or Humanities distribution areas (see recommendations below).
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

[Fall] Quarter 3 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,841**
**Description:** You learn the foundations of the contemporary world of business, particularly how to supervise employees. You also work on your business start-up plan.
**It's time to apply for your first certificate!** You complete the Entrepreneurship certificate this quarter.
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

[Winter] Quarter 4 Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,841**
**Description:** Learn how to find and keep customers. You will study quality practices for both product- and service-oriented businesses while following all local and national American business laws.
It's time to apply for your certificate!
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!

Back to Program Map