Small Business Management College Credit Certificate

Countries thrive on small businesses. Align yourself as an expert in this market by learning the theories of small business management, decision-making and understanding ways to manage people and functions. This certificate is upward compatible with the A.S. degree, Business Administration and the A.S. degree, Entrepreneurship and Business Management.

Related Programs

Getting Started: 12-Week Session

Jan. 2:  Financial Aid


Jan. 22:  Application


Jan. 29:  Classes Begin

Other Important Dates »

Why Seminole State?

  • Dedicated faculty: Faculty are "scholar-practitioners" with industry experience as well as academic credentials.  
  • Affordable tuition: Seminole State has significantly lower costs than Florida's universities.
  • Industry involvement: Our industry-focused certificate programs offer excellent connections to Central Florida employers.
  • Hands-on experience: Practical, hands-on learning experiences prepare students to apply their knowledge to real-world situations.
  • Continuing education: Many credits earned in certificate programs can be applied toward an Associate in Science (A.S.) or bachelor's degree at Seminole State. 
  • Career advancement: Graduates are prepared for immediate entry into the workforce upon certificate completion.
Small Business Management
Type: College Credit Certificate
Major Code: BSBM-CC
CIP: 0552070101

Program Description

Available Course Course Not Offered Summer 2024
This course covers the analysis and evaluation of entrepreneurial opportunities and franchising. Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to assess the current economic, social and political climate for small businesses. In addition, the student will be able to explain how demographic, technological and social changes create opportunities for small business ventures. The student will be able to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of franchises and be able to evaluate franchise opportunities.
This course is designed to provide an overview of the business environment. The business disciplines discussed include management, international business, marketing, finance, economics, accounting and business law. This course provides useful information for business majors and any others involved in owning or operating businesses. This course is also recommended for students expecting to take ACG 2021 Principles of Financial Accounting.
This course provides business and non-business majors with the skills necessary to succeed as an entrepreneur. The fundamentals of starting and operating a business, developing a business plan, obtaining financing, marketing a product or service and developing an effective accounting system will be covered.
This course will provide essential insight for successfully marketing an entrepreneurial venture using innovative marketing strategies. This course is designed to provide entrepreneurs with practical applications in interactive technologies and web-based services. Students will gain experience in the use of marketing via the Internet and social media. The student will be introduced to the role that direct selling and direct marketing play in the entrepreneurial environment. Students will develop a marketing project to assist in launching and implementing the new marketing venture.
The course is designed to enable students to manage and operate a small business. The areas covered include developing a business plan, securing financing, accounting for business transactions, advertising and promotion, site location and managing the small business. This course is beneficial for those planning to start a small business as well as those already operating a business.

Choose one course:

This course introduces the student to the theory and practice of financial accounting. Topics include the accounting cycle, analysis of financial statement transactions, financial statement preparation, accounting for assets, liabilities, equities, revenues and expenses. Accounting for entities, including partnerships and corporations is introduced.
This course provides instruction and practice in the fundamentals of accounting. Selected topics include accounting careers, basic accounting terminology and principles, steps in the accounting cycle, general journals, general ledgers, financial statements, worksheets, adjusting and closing entries, cash controls and payroll. This course may be used to provide a foundation for financial accounting. Activities are recorded manually and using appropriate software. Lab fee required.

Choose one course:

This course focuses on the application of business law for the small business owner. Upon successful completion of the course, the student should be able to identify the various forms of business ownership and the legal and tax implications of each. Students will have an understanding of the laws covering issues such as personnel, contracts and the protection of intellectual property. The student will be able to understand and explain how to comply with the reporting requirements for local, state and federal entities.
This course is a study of law as it relates to the sources of law, courts and court procedures, torts, crimes and contracts.
In this course, students will learn to use Quickbooks, a computerized accounting software program. Selected topics include setting up a company, setting up and modifying a chart of accounts, tracking invoices and customer payments, entering and paying bills, tracking inventory, using banking features and preparing financial reports. Lab fee required.
This is an introductory course in computer applications that focuses on the effective use of word processing, spreadsheet, database and presentation software programs. Students will gain a fundamental knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 and learn skills that have practical applications in real world business situations. This course utilizes lectures and hands-on computer exercises. Lab fee required.
In this course, topics of current interest are presented in group instruction.
This course focuses on the application of financial practices for the entrepreneurial venture. The student will be able to analyze and evaluate the various sources of funding available for small businesses, become conversant in financial terminology, understand, prepare and analyze financial statements and prepare a loan proposal. The student will be able to describe and explain the importance of working capital and cash management. The student will be able to identify financing needs, establish credit policies and prepare forecasts of estimated cash flows, start-up costs, revenues and expenditures for the first two years of the entrepreneurial venture.
This course identifies individual strategies for personal, long-term financial health. Students learn how to plan to achieve financial goals, budget effectively, manage credit and save, invest and build wealth and protect assets. Home ownership, retirement planning (401K's, mutual funds, stock and bond investments), tax and estate planning and insurance alternatives are fundamental features of this course.
This course explores the dynamic environment of international business, a multi-disciplinary subject that draws from international economics (balance of trade, balance of payments), politics, institutions, culture and technology as well as insight into the mechanics of international trade and investment, the international financial system and business management in the global marketplace.
This is a travel/study course combining preparation on campus, travel and study in the discipline of business. Content is variable depending on the program in which the student enrolls and the specific topics to be covered. Students must be 18 years of age on or before departure. Permission of the instructor is required.
In this course topics of current interest are presented in group instruction.
In this course topics of current interest are presented in group instruction.
The purpose of this course is to explore the theories and practices relating to the management of human resources (HR). The role of the human resources department will be discussed regarding its role in the corporate organization as well as meeting personnel corporate goals and objectives. The course will also explore HR's relationship with functional departments, departmental supervisors, as well as middle and executive management. The principles of job analysis, job description, job skills, recruitment and selection techniques, motivation and performance evaluation will be explored in depth.
This course is designed to provide students the opportunity to apply classroom theory to practical, work-related applications. Seminars may be a component of this course and regular contact with the assigned faculty advisor is required. Students may earn internship credits based on the completion of the required work experience and satisfactory completion of assignments including, but not limited to, seminars and a project. This course may be repeated based upon the student’s academic program.
This course is designed to provide students the opportunity to apply classroom theory to practical, work-related applications. Seminars may be a component of this course and regular contact with the assigned faculty advisor is required. Students may earn internship credits based on the completion of the required work experience and satisfactory completion of assignments including, but not limited to, seminars and a project. This course may be repeated based upon the student’s academic program.
This course is designed to provide students the opportunity to apply classroom theory to practical, work-related applications. Seminars may be a component of this course and regular contact with the assigned faculty advisor is required. Students may earn internship credits based on the completion of the required work experience and satisfactory completion of assignments including, but not limited to, seminars and a project. This course may be repeated based upon the student’s academic program.
This course is a study and analysis of the role of sales in today's economy. Emphasis is on sales techniques and applications of sales principles. Sales management and operation are also studied in the course.
This is an introductory course in marketing, emphasizing the four elements of the Marketing Mix: Product, Price, Place and Promotion. The course focuses on the marketing concept, role of strategic planning and development of marketing strategies. In addition, the concepts of market segmentation, demographics and selection of a target market will be studied. Importance of market research, consumer and industrial buying habits and the differences between consumer and industrial goods are also explored. Concepts behind product development and product acceptance are reviewed in the context of pricing and promotional techniques throughout the product life cycle. Importance of branding is evaluated. The concept of an integrated marketing campaign is explored within the context of the promotional mix - advertising, direct selling, sales promotion and public relations. Online marketing is explored utilizing the Internet.
This is an advanced course emphasizing the application of fundamental marketing principles to a global marketplace. The global marketplace consists of over two hundred countries and an even greater number of languages and cultures worldwide. The course focuses on the role of strategic planning and the development of marketing strategies for this international marketplace. Strategies for opening up new markets will be explored - pure exporting, use of local distributors, global manufacturing and wholly owned subsidiaries. Basic concepts of demographics, market segmentation and selection of target markets will be applied to this complex worldwide stage. The course will explore the differences in international consumer and industrial buying habits as well as the impact of language, culture and religion on local promotional campaigns. The complexity of product development, product naming and pricing will be explored on a country-by-country basis. This course will also explore the complexities of developing worldwide distribution systems as they are affected by differing local laws, taxation and regulations.
Total Credits: 24

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Tuition and Fees

 Technical Certificate12 Credits18 Credits24 Credits28 Credits
Tuition and Fees$1,253$1,879$2,505$2,923
Books and Supplies$1,000$1,ooo$1,000$1,000
Total$2,253$2,879$3,505$3,923

For more information on Seminole State's tuition and fees, please see the current fee schedule.

* Tuition costs are based on the current term, with an equal number of credit hours per term for in-state students. Lab fees and other fees that may be assessed at the time of registration may be viewed in the College fee schedule. As Seminole State is a commuter college with no residence halls on its campuses, costs for room and board are not calculated.