Indigenous Overview
Built on a strong foundation of marketing, human resources, and accounting, the two-year Business diploma appeal to those interested in a broad, well-integrated education.
Business students at St. Lawrence College become effective leaders and communicators, able to represent themselves and their work through interviews and resumes, networking opportunities, and presentations. Students apply problem solving, teamwork, and intercultural skills to projects at the college, in the community, and internationally, establishing themselves as global business citizens.
The two-year Business diploma provides opportunities for rewarding careers in business and for further education.
Please note: This program is also available in part-time delivery as well. Click here for more details.
St. Lawrence College is a member of the AACSB Business Education Alliance. Membership in AACSB, and participation in the Business Education Alliance, does not imply Accreditation.
Program Details
Program Highlights
Courses for this program are delivered online asynchronously. This allows students to engage with course content, assignments, and resources at their own pace each week. Students can interact with instructors and peers through discussion forums and emails to receive feedback. Although students have the flexibility to progress through the weekly course content, each assessment has a required deadline and students must adhere to course timelines.
Students in the Business Diploma program are empowered with the human skills employers are demanding. They will become effective communicators across cultures, problem solvers, leaders, collaborators, and critical thinkers. Graduates will also develop in-demand technical skills such as data analysis and business intelligence, global business techniques, sustainable business practices, MS Office Suite, project management, and an entrepreneurial mindset. The combination of human and technical skills developed by Business Diploma graduates will enhance their employability, as they become the adaptable and flexible practitioners who are in demand in a range of sectors.
St. Lawrence College and McDonald's Restaurants of Canada have partnered to offer educational opportunities to McDonald's employees.
Program Outline
Important:
- Semester 4: Electives
- Restricted Elective: Students require one HUMA and one MARK course to graduate
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Semester 3 | Semester 4 | |
| January start | Winter (January - April) | Spring/Summer (April - August) | Fall (September - December) | Winter (January - April) |
| May start | Spring/Summer (April - August) | Fall (September - December) | Winter (January - April) | Spring/Summer (April - August) |
| September start | Fall (September - December) | Winter (January - April) | Fall (September - December) | Winter (January - April) |
Requirements
Admission Requirements
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with the majority of Grade 11 and 12 courses at the C, U or M level including the following prerequisites:
- Grade 12 English at the C or U level
- Grade 11 Math at the C, U or M level
For OSSD equivalency options, see Admission Requirements.
If you are missing prerequisite courses, enroll in the Career/College Prep program - free for Ontario residents who are 18 years or older.
- Are your transcripts from outside of Canada? Please visit Applying to SLC - With Your Transcripts for more information.
Other Requirements
Students will be required to have the following technical equipment at home or workspace:
- Windows Personal Computer (laptop or PC) (Mac computers are not compatible with all software applications)
- MS Office (included with St. Lawrence College fees)
- Webcam and microphone
- High-speed internet connection
Furthermore, the following technical requirements are required for the Business Intelligence and Emerging Technologies course:
- Ram: 8 GB
- Processor: Intel Core i5 or i7 or better
- Hard drive: 500 MB
- Windows version: 10 or later
Placement
WORK 40 Business Placement
Students must complete the course WORK 40 Business Placement. WORK 40 is an 84-hour placement opportunity (paid or unpaid) that allows students to apply their business knowledge and skills in a workplace setting
Placement Requirements
To participate in WORK 40, students must:
- Secure their own placement opportunity with a suitable organization.
- Obtain faculty approval for the placement and proposed learning activities.
- Complete all required placement clearance requirements by the deadline.
Student Responsibilities
For the WORK 40 placement, students are responsible for:
1. Finding a Placement
- Identify and secure a placement (84 hours) opportunity that aligns with program learning outcomes.
2. Submitting a Confirmation of Student Placement Form
Submit the completed form at least two months before the placement start date, including:
- Placement organization and contact information
- Proposed duties and learning activities
- Any site-specific pre-placement requirements
Mandatory Pre-Placement Requirements
- Confirmation of Placement Site Acceptance and Faculty Approval
- Five online training modules
- Student Declaration of Understanding
- Safety Training Quiz
Please note: Additional requirements may be required by the placement site, such as immunization records or a Criminal Record Check/Vulnerable Sector Check.
After You Secure a Placement
Once your placement and project are approved by your faculty, the Pre-Placement Planning Coordinator (PPPC) will work with the placement organization to complete required agreements, insurance documentation, and any additional onboarding requirements. All agreements must be finalized before placement can begin.
Here are some frequently asked questions about placement.
1. I am an international student. Am I allowed to take WORK 40?
Yes. WORK 40 is a mandatory requirement in the program. Therefore, international students qualify for the Co-Op Work Permit.
2. I am a domestic student. Is WORK 40 mandatory?
Yes. WORK 40 (84-hour placement) is a mandatory requirement of the program.
3. When can I begin searching for a placement?
Students interested and eligible to participate in WORK 40 can begin looking for a placement at any time. Placements will need faculty approval. The placement approval and paperwork process will not begin until September.
4. Can I complete a paid placement?
Yes, students can complete a paid placement with faculty approval. The placement approval and paperwork process will not begin until September.
5. Where can I do a placement?
You can do a placement with any business that will provide you with experience related to the knowledge you have gained throughout the program. In the past, students have secured placements with car dealerships, hotels, realtors, marinas, construction companies, small businesses, etc.
6. Can I complete a placement at a friend/family members business?
Yes, students can complete a placement at a friend/family members business with faculty approval. The placement approval and paperwork process will not begin until September. Your placement will still need to provide you with experience related to the knowledge you have gained throughout the program.
7. Can I complete my placement at my current/previous place of work?
Yes, students can complete a placement at their current/previous place of work with faculty approval. The placement approval and paperwork process will not begin until September. Your placement will still need to provide you with experience related to the knowledge you have gained throughout the program.
8. What do I do once I have secured my placement?
Placements will not be approved until September. You can reach out to businesses and secure a placement before September; however, faculty will be unable to approve your placement until the fall semester. In the meantime, you can work on the training modules in Blackboard, so you are ready for the paperwork to be finalized in the fall.
9. When do I have to make my decision?
Looking for a placement may take some time. You are encouraged to start looking early. You need to complete the training modules and make your final decision by October 30th before you start Semester 4 courses.
If you still have questions about placement, please email: placements@sl.on.ca
Career Opportunities
Graduates from the Business Diploma program are qualified for a variety of entry level positions in both public and private sector organizations. Graduates of the program are also well positioned to start their own business as they will possess a breadth of knowledge of the functional areas of a business.
Graduates from this program are currently employed with organizations such as TD Bank, Queen's University, and Kingston Economic Development.
Testimonials
Other Information
All courses are delivered online. Upon registration, each full-time student is provided a St. Lawrence College email account which is used to communicate important information about program or course events.
Program Contacts
Program Contact
Melanie Christian
MChristian@sl.on.ca
Admissions Information
Click here to message Recruitment.