Contemporary Business Certificate

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 bookInformation 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)

length of the program icon 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?

 (Links to an external site.)

Overall Materials Needed:

  1. Access to a functioning laptop or computer (you may use computers on the RTC campus)
  2. USB drive (thumb drive)
  3. Webcam
  4. Headset with microphone
  5. 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!

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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

Not quite the career path you want to take? Let's go back to the Program Map!

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