Graduate certificate in business

Why choose a business certificate at the Ilitch School?

The graduate certificate in business at Wayne State University's Mike Ilitch School of Business creates a flexible pathway for individuals looking to build a foundational understanding of key business disciplines without pursuing an M.B.A. degree. We tailor our program to equip non-business degree holders with essential skills for managing daily business operations across corporate, not-for-profit and entrepreneurial settings.

The certificate’s coursework covers four major areas of business — accounting, finance, management and marketing — in just five classes, offering a comprehensive and well-rounded foundation. Additionally, students can apply all coursework completed in this program toward the Ilitch School’s M.B.A. requirements.

Whether students choose to pursue the program in person or online or on a full-time or part-time basis, the Ilitch School's graduate business certificate ensures a fast-paced and versatile learning path for aspiring business professionals.

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Explore the program

The Ilitch School's graduate business certificate program showcases an all-encompassing curriculum for students. Combining both required and elective courses, the program allows individuals to tailor their learning experience based on their specific interests and career goals.

With a mix of in-person and online courses, including evening classes, students can customize their academic journey to suit their needs. We conveniently schedule classes at least once every semester to accommodate different paces of study, enabling full-time students to complete the program in as little as one semester or part-time students to extend their program up to three years.

To complete the program, students must take four business administration courses and one functional elective.

Review the business certificate in the graduate bulletin

Students with a bachelor's degree in a subject other than business and currently enrolled in a non-business graduate or professional program are eligible for the graduate certificate in business. Contact an advisor with any questions about program eligibility.

This program is not financial aid eligible.

Review certificate admissions requirements

Student services and opportunities

Benefit from the Ilitch School's rich student involvement, support services and invaluable opportunities.

Nick Mutebi, a senior management major and a captain of the Wayne State men's basketball team, recently earned GLIAC All-Academic Excellence Team accolades for maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.

Nick Mutebi

‘18

Meet the faculty

Our Ilitch School of Business professors are ready to take you to the next level. As accomplished researchers and seasoned business leaders, they know how to enrich your learning and sharpen your skills. See how their expertise can help shape your future.

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Scott Julian

Professor of Management

Teaching Interests

Strategic management, Social Issues in Business, Corporate Social Responsibility, Strategic Issue Diagnosis, Sub-Saharan Africa, Diversity in Organizations

Research Interests

Nature and quality of interpersonal relations in the workplace with a specific focus on aggression and bullying; international intergroup and interpersonal conflict resolution, diversity in organizations, program development and evaluation, statistics and research methodology

View Scott Julian's profile

dv4761@wayne.edu

Matt Piszczek

Associate Professor of Management

Teaching

Human resource management
Employee/labor relations

Research

Work-life balance
Workforce aging
Remote work
Diversity/equity/inclusion
Commuting

View Matt Piszczek's profile

gl3558@wayne.edu

Amanuel Tekleab

Professor of Management

Psychological Contracts
Team Processes
Leadership
Organizational Change and Behavior
Training and Transfer

View Amanuel Tekleab's profile

atekleab@wayne.edu

Jaegul Lee

Associate Professor of Management

Research

Strategic Management
Technology and Innovation Management & Policy
Entrepreneurship

Courses taught

PhD seminar in Organization Theory (Wayne State U)
PhD seminar in Entrepreneurship (Wayne State U)
Strategic Management (MBA Capstone - Wayne State U)
Business Policy & Strategy Management (Undergrad Capstone-Wayne State U)
Intellectual Property Management (M.S. program in MOT-National U of Singapore)

View Jaegul Lee's profile

jaegul.lee@wayne.edu

Careers and outcomes

Explore career outcomes, further education opportunities and career planning services with a graduate certificate in business.

Graduating with a business certificate prepares you for entry-level roles in various sectors, such as finance, marketing, human resources and management. The credential is particularly valuable if you want to transition into business-related positions or advance your career within your current professional field.

Additionally, the certificate can serve as a stepping stone for further education, enabling you to pursue advanced degrees, such as an M.B.A., and unlock higher-level career prospects. Whether you seek to enter the business world or augment existing skills, a graduate certificate in business prepares you to apply business knowledge in a variety of industries.

Should you choose to pursue an M.B.A. in the future, consider the Ilitch School’s online and in-person master of business administration degree programs. You can apply all coursework completed in the certificate program to the Ilitch School's M.B.A. requirements.

Browse our career services resources, including interview preparation, advising and more, as you start planning for career advancement.
Explore career resources

Career insights

This tool provides a broad overview of how major selection can lead to careers and is provided without any implied promise of employment. Some careers will require further education, skills, or competencies. Actual salaries may vary significantly between similar employers and could change by graduation, as could employment opportunities and job titles.