Graduate Certificate in Small Business Management

What is this course about?

CSU's Graduate Certificate in Small Business Management is an industry-focused, flexible and dynamic alternative in postgraduate studies. The course is specifically designed for new and established small business owners and managers who wish to enhance their management knowledge with the latest thinking in small business management.

Scholarship offer for NAB small business customers

CSU & NAB form new partnership. NAB is now offering customers 5 scholarships to complete the Grad Cert in Small Biz at CSU. Go to http://www.nab.com.au/csuscholarship

The small business sector accounts for 96% of total businesses in Australia, but more than half of small businesses fail within three years of start-up. Why?

Research indicates that one of the primary reasons for small business failure is the lack of management expertise.

CSU's Graduate Certificate in Small Business Management has a strong emphasis on personal development and industry best practice. The course offers students access to industry peers, market leaders and other leading resources. Students are able to build a personalised learning structure via the flexible, online learning platform.

The course provides industry-focused, flexible studies for small business operators. The course requires completion of three core subjects in marketing, human resources and strategy, and one elective subject which enables students to tailor the course to their needs. A key component of study is the linkage of theory with current issues in small business and the student's own small business setting.

The course offers students a unique opportunity to network with industry peers and to develop alliances. The industry-aligned structure of the course enables students to learn and share processes with others. Students will be assigned to business-cycle clusters (e.g. start-up or growth) within their industry sector which provides networking opportunities and direct application of knowledge. The use of action learning processes means students can benchmark their current business processes and develop practical insights to create the desired future state of their business.

Workplace learning

A key feature of the Graduate Certificate in Small Business is its applied nature. Students wil be required to link theory with their own professional experience as they study in each subject. Assessments are directed towards students undertaking projects and assessment tasks they can utilise in their small business.

Flexible learning

"Informal learning by itself runs the risk of restricting people to old ways of thinking and working." (Figgers et al, 2001)

At CSU, we understand that many small business owners / managers value ongoing education. We also understand that many small business managers learn informally and often on an "as needs" basis. This course is designed to complement previous informal training by challenging existing knowledge, thereby providing opportunities for business innovation.

"In terms of learning, the 'e' term has less to do with electronics and much more to do with the other 'e's: the engagement of the learner, the enhancement of the learning, the experience of exploration, the ease of use, the empowerment of the learner to control the learning schedule, and the execution of the learning program." (Roffe, 2002)

Subjects are available for Single Subject Study. Single Subject Study gives you a flexible study option with the option of building your own qualification.

The course offers students a flexible mode of learning. Online study enables students to work with colleagues from different industry sectors and within different business cycles. All of the subjects are offered online, allowing you to complete the course without having to come on campus. This means minimal disruption to your business.

Another advantage of online study is that it offers a rich learning environment. Use of case studies, online lectures and discussion forums means that your learning is accelerated in a structured way. You will have access to an extensive online library of text and video-based resources at your fingertips. The course effectively gives students a portal of material directly relevant to small business. This gives you independence to study in a way that suits you.

As with all CSU's courses, the Graduate Certificate in Small Business Management is designed and delivered with study flexibility in mind. You can choose from full-time and part-time study options to fit in with work and lifestyle commitments. You can do one or two subjects per session part-time, or you can fast-track degree completion by completing the course in one year full-time.The course is offered across a three-session academic year, with sessions commencing each February, July and November.