College of Applied and Technical Studies
www.kent.edu/cats

About This Program

The Essentials for Business Decision Making undergraduate certificate provides a background for both experienced and aspiring business managers. For the business manager who may already have a degree in a field other than business, the program offers professional certification. For the person who aspires to be a management position, the certificate articulates well into the Associate of Applied Business degree or the Bachelor of Business Administration degree.

Contact Information

• Sean Ratican | sratican@kent.edu |
  330-847-0571
• Speak with an Advisor
  • Ashtabula Campus
  • East Liverpool Campus
  • Geauga Campus
  • Salem Campus
  • Trumbull Campus
  • Tuscarawas Campus
  • Twinsburg Academic Center
  • Online (any campus above)
• Chat with an Admissions Counselor

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • Fully online
  • In person
• Location:
  • Ashtabula Campus
  • East Liverpool Campus
  • Geauga Campus
  • Kent Campus
  • Salem Campus
  • Stark Campus
  • Trumbull Campus
  • Tuscarawas Campus
  • Twinsburg Academic Center

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

^{* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.}

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students.

First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students.

First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of proficiency of the English language (unless they meet specific exceptions) through the submission of an English language proficiency test score or by completing English language classes at Kent State’s English as a Second Language Center before entering their program. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Former Students: Former Kent State students who have not attended another institution since Kent State and were not academically dismissed will complete the re-enrollment process through the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center. Former students who attended another college or university since leaving Kent State must apply for admissions as a transfer or post-undergraduate student.

Transfer Students: Students who attended an educational institution after graduating from high school or earning their GED must apply as transfer students. For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students.

Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog's Academic Policies.

Students may be required to meet certain criteria to progress in their program. Any progression requirements will be listed on the program's Coursework tab

Program Requirements

Graduation Requirements

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Identify and define contemporary approaches to applied business and management practice.
2. Develop and apply critical thinking, research and analysis skills necessary for professional success.
3. Discuss various aspects of teams in business: team dynamics, different types of teams, meeting rules and management.
4. Analyze and assess basic financial reports for evaluation and performance of a business.
5. Apply principles of organizational leadership and management to ethical business practices.