Business Certificate

Program Overview

What are your career passions and dreams? Do you think adding a foundation of business knowledge and experience to your studies would help you reach your goals? If so, a business certificate could provide immense value.

Having a foundational knowledge of business is useful and applicable whether your dreams lie in ministry, sciences, music, art, psychology, computer technology, or anywhere else. A certificate in business is for students who are interested in an understanding of basic business concepts and applications, but don’t want to pursue a major or minor in the Fermanian School of Business. A business certificate will help prepare you to handle the organizational, operational, and managerial responsibilities of any company or industry. This small 12-unit program will cover the fundamental principles of accounting, management, marketing, and economics and create a useful combination of skills that will enable you to stand out in your field of choice.

Frank Marshall Headshot

Spotlight

Frank Marshall, DBA

Dr. Frank Marshall brings his knowledge and experience to the classroom as a professor of management in both the graduate and undergraduate business programs at PLNU and has a lot to offer his students when it comes to insight and application in the business world.

Read More


Additionally, student run business clubs like Launch Point will give you opportunities to test what you learn in class against real world circumstances. You might choose to participate with Toast at the Point and hone your public speaking abilities for the professional environment.

Course List

Loading...

Start Application

Are you ready to take the next step to begin your PLNU journey? Whether you’re a high school senior, college transfer student, or international student, find out what we’re looking for in our applicants and how you can apply.

Apply Now

Student Support

For most students, the transition into college life is one full of adjustments. There is the excitement of newfound freedoms, but also some uncertainty as you begin to make choices and take responsibility for your own future. 

At PLNU, we’re committed to supporting you — academically, professionally, spiritually, personally — so that you may be successful both in your time as a student and beyond. That’s why we offer a holistic support system that focuses on your unique experiences, particular needs, and personal and professional goals — resulting from our deep concern for you, our student.

With a focus on authentic relationships and personalized attention, our goal is to help transform you so you can follow your calling in your own career and life.

Student Support

The faculty and staff at PLNU weren’t afraid to dive into hard conversations, even controversial ones, and that’s really serving me well now in law school, where I’m surrounded by people from all different backgrounds. I learned it’s okay for me to have really strong opinions about things, even when those opinions are different from those around me. In addition to helping broaden my perspective, my support system at PLNU challenged me to do something with my life that uses my knowledge, talents and interests to give back to my community and the world. In my case, that means combining my passions for law and social justice to help others.

Sarah Parker, Class of 2015
International Development Studies, B.A.

Career Opportunities

A business certificate is a useful complement if you have passions and career aspirations that lie outside of business. PLNU and the Fermanian School of Business work to train leaders of purpose with a passion for people, management, and systems.

A certificate in business can provide valuable knowledge and skills within a variety of industries:

  • Healthcare
  • Music
  • Art
  • Sports & Fitness
  • Ministry
  • Nutrition
  • Sciences
  • Psychology
  • Computer Technology
Business People Engaged in Conversation

Business as Mission: A Christian Response to Why Business Matters

Those in business must work toward a redemptive and service-oriented view of business that seeks, ultimately, enables communities to flourish.

Read More in the Viewpoint Online Magazine 

Department Faculty

Get Involved

Female student smiling as she listens to a presentation during at Toast at the Point

Toast at the Point

Toast at the Point focuses on improving public speaking abilities to communicate and lead more effectively.
A group celebrates planting a new tree at the Human Factor Leadership Academy in Ghana.

Fermanian School of Business International Opportunities

Do you want to learn how business operates around the world? PLNU's Fermanian School of Business offers a variety of opportunities to study internationally.