Program Description
The acceleration of technology will continue to transform how organizations operate and how individuals in the economy interact to create value. The skill set needed by business professionals in the age of digital transformation is the focus of the two-year Diploma program on Global Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (GBET). Knowledge and skills from these three specialty areas will enable graduates to assume key roles in business management and new venture creations. The first year of the two-year diploma program begins with the Business Fundamentals certificate courses, which form the common core of all Northern College’s Business programs. In the second year of the program students will begin their specialty studies in the programs three specialty areas. Student having completed the business fundamentals program may complete the second year of the GBET program to earn their diploma.
Employment Opportunities
Successful graduates of the Global Business Entrepreneurship Technology (GBET) program
are employed in both the private and public sectors as agents of digital transformation. They also succeed as entrepreneurs, leaders and planners of startups and technology ventures.
Transfer Agreements
Download the complete Articulation Agreement list for Universities and Colleges (PDF, 113KB). You can also visit OnTransfer. This site provides information and resources to help students and potential students find their way through Ontario’s postsecondary system.
Bring Your Own Device
The BYOD initiative allows you to have access to tools and resources. Review BYOD information prior to the start of your program to ensure you have a system that meets requirements.
Domestic Students – Admission Requirements
• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
• Grade 11 Math (C, U)
• Grade 12 English (C, U)
• Or equivalent
• Or mature student status (an applicant who does not have a high school diploma or equivalent, and will have reached the age of 19 years on or before the start of the program). Mature students must undergo academic testing prior to admission into a program. Call the Admissions Office at 705-235-7222 for more details. Academic prerequisites for this program may be obtained free of charge through Academic Upgrading.
International Students – Admission Requirements and Information
Option 1 – Ontario College Diploma: 2 Years/4 Semesters (B303W-PC)
1. English Proficiency, we will require one of the following:
- IELT Academic International English Language Testing System
o a minimum overall score of 6.0 must be achieved with no individual band score under 6.0; however, we will accept one band at 5.5.
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) – Computer-based overall minimum score of 79
- PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic – Graduate Diploma: 58+
NOTE: If your country of citizenship has English as its official language, we may accept alternate proof of English Proficiency
2. Proof of senior high school Diploma/Certificate with an equivalent Grade 11 Mathematics (50% min.) or Business/ Commerce Stream.
****All educational documents must be submitted in English and will be dependant on the country of citizenship.
For more information, contact the international admission office directly at INTLapply@northern.on.ca
International Students – Admission Requirements and Information
Option 2 – Graduate Certificate: 1 Year/2 Semester (B313-PC)
1. English Proficiency, we will require one of the following:
- IELT Academic International English Language Testing System
- a minimum overall score of 6.0 must be achieved with no individual band score under 6.0.
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) – Computer-based overall minimum score of 80+
- PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic – Graduate Diploma: 60+
NOTE: If your country of citizenship has English as its official language, we may accept alternate proof of English Proficiency
2. Plus, one of the following credentials: Diploma or Degree in the Business or Commerce field of study or equivalent.
****All educational documents must be submitted in English and will be dependant on the country of citizenship.
For more information, contact the international admission office directly at INTLapply@northern.on.ca
Ontario College Diploma
Duration: 2 Years/4 Semesters (B303W PC 2019)
Semester 1
AC1034 Introduction to Financial Accounting
BU1103 Introduction to Human Resources
BU1363 Introduction to Business Concepts
CM1903 Communications I
IN1163 Computer Applications for Business I
MA1024 Business Math I
MR1073 Introduction to Marketing
Semester 2
EL1113 – General Education Course
AC2034 Financial Accounting II
BU4033 Microeconomics
CM2903 Communications II
MA2024 Business Math II
MR2003 Marketing II
BU3113 Organizational Behaviour – Business Elective
Semester 3
BU3103 Macroeconomics
BU3163 Emerging and Exponential Technologies
BU3183 Design and user Experience
BU3193 Cross Cultural Competency and International Business
BU3233 Technical Entrepreneurship
BU3173 Creativity, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
BU3223 Global Digital Collaboration and Decentral Organizations
Semester 4
BU3153 Business Planning
BU3213 Global Politics, International Law and Markets
BU3203 Organizational Strategy and Adaptive Execution
BU3243 Innovation and Disruption
BU3253 Management of Technology
BU3263 Introduction to Computer Science for Technology Managers
SW2023 Conflict Resolution/Mediation – General Education Course
Graduate Certificate
Duration: 1 Year/2 Semesters (B313 PC 2020)
Semester 1
BU3163 Emerging and Exponential Technologies
BU3173 Creativity, Critial Thinking and Problem Solving
BU3183 Design and user Experience
BU3193 Cross Cultural Competency and Internation Business
BU3223 Global Digital Collaboration and Decentral Organizations
BU3233 Technical Entrepreneurship
Semester 2
BU3153 Business Planning
BU3203 Organizational Strategy and Adaptive Execution
BU3213 Global Politics, Interantional Law and Markets
BU3243 Innovation and Disruption
BU3253 Management of Technology
BU3263 Introduction to Computer Science for Technology Manager
AC1034 Introduction to Financial Accounting
This course gives hands-on training in fundamental accounting concepts as applied in service and merchandising firms. Students will be taken through a complete accounting cycle and will record and report financial transactions. Topics include recording entries, preparing financial statements and accounting for merchandising activities. This course will be essential for further study in financial accounting.
BU1363 Introduction to Business Concepts
In this course, students will be introduced to business in Canada, focusing on introductory topics for those interested in employment in a business management role. Topics of study will include the relationships between the areas of finance, human resources, marketing, and operations within an organization, business ethics and social responsibility, management concepts and practices, and an exploration of the entrepreneurial spirit. The course brings in numerous examples of practical applications with the involvement of the learners from real-life situations and personal experiences to analyze the concepts discussed. There is also key emphasis on developing awareness towards corporate social responsibility and the relation between ethical practices and management.
BU1103 Introduction to Human Resources
In this course, students will learn how proper recruitment/selection strategies, and training and development methods, maintain an organization’s competitive advantage. The integral role of job design and analysis in affecting compensation management and performance appraisal decisions will be examined. Students will investigate a variety of employment and health and safety laws as they relate to managing a diverse workforce. In addition, the fundamental principles of the union-management framework will be explored.
CM1903 Communications I
Communications is a process that defines how we engage with the world. Writing is essential and represents the most important formal process of communication. Communications 1 is a practical course designed to help students strengthen both oral and written skills as required 1in industry today. Students learn theory and practical a1pplications of good business/technical planning as well as advanced sentence-writing techniques. Students acquire knowledge of effective communication practices in today’s world of work and apply basic sentence techniques, paragraph strategies, and specialized oral and writing skills including proper usage of MLA format in business and/or technical writing situations. The students will also learn about the informal channels of communication that support the creation of authentic relations with peers, colleagues, family and the community. Instruction in both formal and informal communication processes combine to assist students to become successful members of the workplace and the communities in which they live.
IN1163 Computer Applications for Business I
Solving business problems in the next decade will require a range of thinking skills including: the ability generate and apply creative solutions, think laterally about problems, and applying engineering thinking to complex business situations. This course teaches the fundamental creative and critical thinking skills while emphasizing the discovery of novel approaches to real world business problems.
BU3193 Cross Cultural Competency and International Business
Societies worldwide have never before been so interdependent or interconnected. Further, our societies are becoming increasingly multicultural. This course provides the learner with essential knowledge about a variety of world cultures and their business practices so that the learners can develop fluency in the conduct of business across national borders in both meet space and online.
BU3223 Global Digital Collaboration and Decentral Organizations
The way in which modern organizations conduct business is becoming increasingly mediated by advanced telecommunications technology and online tools. Further, the very nature of organizations is dematerializing and being replaced at least partially by networked individuals and teams operating as decentralize organizations. This course provides the learner with the skills to utilize advanced tools for collaborating in teams large or small.
BU3153 Business Planning
Entrepreneurs starting new enterprises or entrepreneurs working to establish new projects within larger organizations require the essential skill of business planning to create effective strategic and operational plans, for both internal and external stakeholders. In this course the learner will be instructed in the business planning process in detail, with the goal of creating business professionals who can rapidly produce high quality plans.
BU3203 Organizational Strategy and Adaptive Execution
The ability of companies to implement effective corporate strategies on ever shrinking time-scales differentiates wining companies of all sizes. This course provides the learner with both a theoretical overview of corporate strategy formulation and a practical skill set to execute strategy quickly while adapting to changing circumstances.
BU3213 Global Politics, International Law and Markets
With the context of business becoming increasingly global and multinational the modern business professional needs an understanding of the broader political forces, the operation of law on an international basis, and the impact of world markets. This course will survey global political systems and their impact on business. Legal considerations for doing business across boarders will also be considered. Finally, the function of markets with global importance will be discussed.
BU3243 Innovation and Disruption
Business history of the last half-century has revolved around fundamental changes to society caused by innovation in technology and the disruption of old business models and markets. This trend is sure to continue well into the next decades. The course provides the learner with an understanding of the process of innovation and knowledge to apply innovative thinking to new problems. Further, the context of industry disruption will be discussed in detail with a look through the historical data and trends for the future.
BU3253 Management of Technology
Modern business professionals are often required to manage projects with some form of technological implementation or technological development effort. This course provides the framework by which projects of a technological nature can be managed effectively. The course will discuss systems thinking, technology readiness level, technology forecasting, technology scouting, and engineering management.
BU3263 Introduction to Computer Science for Technology Managers
The importance of understanding the basics of computer science and programming is today as important as reading, writing and arithmetic. This course is split into two parts: The first is a focus on computers and information technology from a systems perspective; The second is a practicum whereby learners will be exposed to the basics of the python programing language and run their code on a Raspberry Pi.
SE6023 Conflict Management – General Education Course
This general education course is designed to have the learner understand that conflict is a natural phenomenon, present in all relationships in one’s life and work and community. Learners will learn how to focus on achieving common goals, on prevention by design, and how apply current models of conflict resolution, mediation, alternative dispute resolution, problem solving, and group facilitation techniques to appropriate situations.
