General Business (Diploma)
Applications available
Summer 2025: Apply Now!
Fall 2025: Apply Now!
International applications
Please visit the International Application Deadline page to find out when applications may be available.
Overview
The General Business Diploma program prepares you for almost any aspect of business, including starting and managing a business, accounting, computer systems, marketing, sales, supply chain management and international business.
Depending on your area of focus, you’ll be prepared to write industry certification exams in project management, supply chain management or international management.
Get industry certifications
This program has been granted equivalency to the Canadian Institute of Management’s Chartered Management Program (CMP) which can be used toward the Certified in Management (C.I.M.) or Chartered Manager (C.Mgr.) professional designations.
Continue your education
If you want to further your business education, this program transfers into the Bachelor of Business Administration in Management program at Douglas. Your credential may also transfer to business programs at other post-secondary institutions. Visit the B.C. Transfer Guide and your transfer university’s website regularly to confirm which courses transfer.
Two ways to get a practical education
Earn money and get relevant work experience before you graduate with the optional Co-operative Education Program.
Complete projects in the modern workplace with the Business Internship Program.
Admissions Requirements
Applicants must meet the admission requirements listed below:
Note: Some courses in this program require students to have completed Foundations of Math 11 with a grade of C (some courses may have a higher requirement). Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you check each individual course prerequisite and ensure that you have completed requirements prior to registration.
Cost
Calculate your tuition and see the approximate cost of taking your program at Douglas College with the tuition & fee estimator. See costs broken down into categories including tuition fees, textbooks, student activity fees, U-Pass and more.
For more information, refer to the tuition fee charts.
Program Requirements
Graduation Requirements For Students Completing By Summer 2023:
- Successful completion of 60 credits
- 25% (15 credits) of all coursework must be completed at Douglas College
- A minimum program GPA of 2.00 is required
- Time limit to complete program graduation requirements: seven (7) years
Graduation Requirements For Students Completing After Summer 2023:
- Successful completion of 60 credits
- 50% (30 credits) of all coursework must be completed at Douglas College
- Graduate in Good Academic Standing (Cumulative GPA of 1.50 – See Academic Performance Policy)
- A minimum program GPA of 2.00 is required
- Time limit to complete program graduation requirements: seven (7) years
Course Requirements:
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|
Select one course from the following two options: |
||
|
Business Communication |
3.00 |
|
|
Academic Writing |
3.00 |
|
|
Select one course from the following four options: |
|
|
| CMNS 1216 | Interpersonal Skills for the Workplace | 3.00 |
| CMNS 1217 | Intercultural Communication in the Workplace | 3.00 |
| CMNS 2316 | Understanding and Managing Interpersonal Conflict | 3.00 |
| MARK 2150 | Personal Selling | 3.00 |
|
Select one course from the following three options: |
||
|
The Canadian Economy |
3.00 |
|
|
Principles of Microeconomics |
3.00 |
|
|
Principles of Macroeconomics |
3.00 |
|
|
Select one course from the following two options: |
||
|
Introductory Business Law |
3.00 |
|
|
Business Ethics |
3.00 |
|
|
Required Courses: |
|
|
|
ACCT 1110 (see Note 1) |
Principles of Accounting I |
3.00 |
|
ACCT 1210 (see Note 1) |
Principles of Accounting II |
3.00 |
|
Management Essentials |
3.00 |
|
|
FINC 1231 (see Note 2) |
Business Mathematics |
3.00 |
|
Excel for Business |
3.00 |
|
|
Introductory Marketing |
3.00 |
|
|
CAPSTONE: Select one course from the following two options: (see Note 3) |
||
| BUSN 3253 | Entrepreneurship and New Venture Development | 3.00 |
|
Business Strategy and Simulation |
3.00 |
|
|
CBA Elective (see Notes 4 and 5) |
Select six (6) courses from Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration |
18.00 |
|
Elective (see Note 4) |
Select three (3) 1000-4000 level College courses |
9.00 |
|
Total Credits |
|
60.00 |
Note 1: ACCT 1235 (Principles of Introductory Financial Accounting I & II) can be taken instead of both ACCT 1110 and 1210. A 3-credit open elective course must then be taken to meet the 60-credit requirement of the program.
Note 2: MATH 1125 may be substituted for FINC 1231
Note 3: For these courses, it is highly recommended that students take them in their final semester in order to maximize their benefit from the course content.
Note 4: Students wishing to transfer to a degree program should ensure that 1000-2000 level courses must be university transferable, and that no more than five 3000-4000 level courses are non-transferable (see transfer guide at http://www.bctransferguide.ca/).
Note 5: SOSC 2140 can also be used to meet this requirement.
Program Guidelines
Program Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this program and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the program, consider the previous version as the applicable version.
Testimonials
A taste of the real world
Career Pathways
Career opportunities include:
- Accounting Clerk
- Accounts Payable Clerk
- Banking - Customer Service Representative
- Bookkeeper
- Business Management Advisor
- Business/Programmer Analyst
- Collection Clerk
- Credit Assessment Advisor
- Management Trainee
- Manager
- Records Management Specialist