Business Administration, Diploma

Contact Information

Program Information

Contact Phone: 
403.342.3400 OR 1.888.732.4630
Contact Email: 
inquire@rdc.ab.ca

Department Information

For more information visit the Business Administration & Commerce Department, under Academic Departments.

The Program

This two-year program provides a broad background in accounting, finance, human resource management, information technology, marketing, economics, statistics, management, law, and policy. Four majors are offered: Accounting, Financial Services, General and Marketing.

The Business Administration Diploma may be completed in two years if a student proceeds through their program of study by completing five (5) courses per semester, as set out under "Program Content" below. Alternatively, students may choose to take fewer (from one to four-courses per semester) in order to accommodate other obligations, such as work, family or a slower academic pace.

Transfer Features

RDC has agreements with the following groups regarding course credits toward these programs:

  • Purchasing Management Association of Canada
  • Mount Royal University - Graduates of RDC's Business Administration diploma with a major in Accounting, Financial Services, General, or Marketing can transfer into the Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in General Management. Years three and four of the BBA degree are completed at RDC.
  • Athabasca University - Bachelor of Management (Post Diploma): Graduates of RDC Business Administration Diploma Program receive up to 50 credits towards the degree program. Students may complete the program in one year of full-time study or may progress at their own pace on a part-time basis.
  • Athabasca University - Bachelor of Commerce (Post Diploma): Students with approved two-year college diplomas in business or a closely related field will receive a block transfer award of 60 credits towards the first two years of the Bachelor of Commerce (Post Diploma) General Degree.
  • University of Lethbridge - Business Administration Diploma graduates may complete the Post-Diploma Bachelor of Management Degree which is offered in Calgary, Edmonton and Lethbridge. A 3.0 GPA is required for admission.
  • Okanagan College - Business Administration Diploma graduates will receive 2 years of credit toward the 4- year Bachelor of Business Administration degree.
  • NAIT, SAIT, Grant MacEwan University, Mount Royal University - Business Administration graduates may receive up to two years credit towards the Bachelor of Applied Business Administration degree.
Requirements
Admission Requirements: 

1 - High School Diploma

Minimum average of 60% with no mark below 50% in:

  1. ELA 30-1
  2. Math 30-1

OR

Minimum average of 65% with no mark below 50% in:

  1. ELA 30-2
  2. Math 30-2

OR

Minimum average of 62.5% with no mark below 50% in one of the following combinations:

  1. ELA 30-1 and Math 30-2 OR
  2. ELA 30-2 and Math 30-1

2 - Mature Student

You must be 19 years of age or older, out of high school at least one full year before the program starts and have a:

Minimum average of 60% with no mark below 50% in:

  1. ELA 30-1
  2. Math 30-1

OR

Minimum average of 65% with no mark below 50% in:

  1. ELA 30-2
  2. Math 30-2

OR

Minimum average of 62.5% with no mark below 50% in one of the following combinations:

  1. ELA 30-1 and Math 30-2OR
  2. ELA 30-2 and Math 30-1

3. Successful completion of RDC's Management Certificate

Note: In addition to the program admission requirements applicants, whose first language is not English, must demonstrate English language proficiency.

Graduation Requirements: 

You must pass all courses and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00.

Accreditation

FINS 250 (Mutual Funds) and FINS 286 (Insurance in Canada) are offered in conjunction with the Investment Fund Institute of Canada (IFIC). FINS 250 is the required course for those seeking to sell mutual funds in Canada, At the completion of this course all students will write the qualifying exam and if they attain a grade of 60% or greater will be qualified to seek registration as a Mutual Funds Salesperson in Canada. FINS 250 (Mutual Funds) and FINS 286 (Insurance in Canada) will require students to pay examination registration fees (includes an electronic copy of the textbook). These fees are subject to change without notice from IFIC.

FINS 250, FINS 287, FINS 286, BADM 260, BADM 262, and BADM 285 are granted equivalences by Canadian Institute of Financial Planning (CIFP) towards a certified financial planner diploma and designation.

The Canadian Institute of Financial Planning (CIFP) recognizes FINS 287 as credit towards the Institute’s Registered Retirement Planning Certificate (RRC). This course requires additional course materials and an examination fee which is paid directly to the CIFP. The final exam in FINS 287 shall be the final qualifying exam towards the Registered Retirement Consultant (RRC) certification and upon successful completion of this exam; students will earn the RRC certification.

Communications Course Placement Testing

Students will be required to take a College placement test before registering in a 200-level written communications course. (Students with 60% or greater in English 30 or ELA 30-1 will be exempted from this test). Students who do not achieve a satisfactory mark in this test will be required to complete COMM 150 before they can register in the required 200-level course. Students should take the placement test early in the event preparatory work (COMM 150) is required.

Computing Skills

Students entering the program should have a working knowledge of file management and word processing. It is recommended that students without this prerequisite knowledge complete CMPT 071 and CMPT 083, or a course that includes these modules prior to taking BADM 210.

Program Content

All BADM Students

  • ACCT 102 Introductory Accounting I*
  • ACCT 103 Introductory Accounting II*
  • BADM 110 Introduction to Management
  • BADM 132 Introduction to Marketing
  • BADM 210 Business Technology I
  • BUS 303 Introduction to Organizational Behaviour
  • COMM 250 Business and Workplace Writing
  • ECON 100 Introduction to Business Microeconomics
  • ECON 101 Introduction to Business Macroeconomics
  • FINS 150  Personal Finance

*Students have the option of replacing ACCT 102 and ACCT 103 with ACCT 202, a 5-hour course that covers similar material at an accelerated pace. Taking ACCT 202 allows students to have extra Open Option which will increase flexibility and be beneficial in acquiring all required prerequisites for an accounting, financial services, or other professional program.

Accounting Major - Year 2

  • ACCT 104 Managerial Accounting (or ACCT 204 - strongly recommended)
  • ACCT 209 Intermediate Financial Accounting I
  • ACCT 210 Intermediate Financial Accounting II
  • BADM 111 Introduction to Statistics
  • BADM 260 Introduction to Finance (or BUS 310 - strongly recommended)
  • BADM 270 Business Policy and Strategy
  • BADM 281 Human Resource Management
  • BUS 311 Legal Foundations of the Canadian Economy
  • Business option - Choose from Business Options (as listed below)**
  • Open Option ***

**Students pursuing an accounting designation are encouraged to take ACCT 205 and ACCT 206 as their options and BUS 307 as their open option in order to maximize the number of credits toward an accounting designation.

Marketing Major - Year 2

  • ACCT 104 Managerial Accounting
  • BADM 111 Introduction to Statistics
  • BADM 241 Marketing Communications
  • BADM 242 Marketing Research
  • BADM 260 Introduction to Finance
  • BADM 270 Business Integration
  • BADM 281 Human Resource Management
  • BUS 311 Legal Foundations of the Canadian Economy
  • Business option - Choose from Business Options (as listed below)
  • Open Option ***

Financial Services Major - Year 2

  • ACCT 104 Managerial Accounting
  • BADM 111 Introduction to Statistics
  • BADM 260 Introduction to Finance
  • BADM 270 Business Integration
  • BADM 281 Human Resource Management
  • BADM 285 Introduction to Tax Planning
  • FINS 250 Mutual Funds
  • FINS 251 Managing Personal Credit
  • FINS 287 Advanced Financial Planning
  • BUS 311 Legal Foundations of the Canadian Economy
  • BADM 262 Investments****
  • FINS 286 Insurance in Canada****
  • FINS 320/321 Selected Topics in Financial Services****
  • FINS 280 Financial Services Work Experience****

****These courses are optional and are NOT required for completing the Financial Services major. However, FINS 286 and BADM 262 are recommended, in addition to the required courses, for students pursuing a financial service designation.

General Diploma - Year 2

  • ACCT 104 Managerial Accounting
  • BADM 111 Introduction to Statistics
  • BADM 260 Introduction to Finance
  • BADM 270 Business Integration
  • BADM 281 Human Resource Management
  • BUS 311 Legal Foundations of the Canadian Economy
  • 3 Business options - Choose from Business Options (as listed below)
  • Open Option ***

Business Options:

  • ACCT 205 Cost Accounting
  • ACCT 209 Intermediate Financial Accounting I
  • ACCT 210 Intermediate Financial Accounting II
  • BADM 211 Management Information Systems
  • BADM 285 Introduction to Tax Planning
  • BADM 204 Interpersonal Skills
  • BADM 232 Business Technology II
  • BADM 233 Programming for the Web
  • BADM 234 Web Design
  • BADM 235 Applied Database Development
  • BADM 238 Electronic Commerce
  • BADM 240 Personal Selling
  • BADM 241 Marketing Communications
  • BADM 242 Marketing Research
  • BADM 243 Marketing Surveys
  • BADM 247 Retail Management
  • BADM 249 Sales Event/Sponsorship Marketing
  • BADM 251 Entrepreneurship
  • BADM 253 Project Management
  • BADM 261 Financial Management
  • BADM 262 Investments
  • BADM 280 Industrial Relations
  • BADM 290 Work Practicum
  • BADM 320 Selected Topics in Management
  • BADM 321 Selected Topics in Management
  • BUS 305 Organization Theory and Design
  • BUS 307 Intro to Business Statistics II
  • FINS 180 Financial Products and Services
  • FINS 250 Mutual Funds
  • FINS 251 Managing Personal Credit
  • FINS 286 Insurance in Canada
  • FINS 320 Selected Topics in Financial Services
  • FINS 321 Selected Topics in Financial Services

*** The open option may be a 3-credit College Level Business or a Non-Business course approved by the department.

Notes: Notes 1-7 refer to equivalent courses that may be taken in lieu of various specified courses. Students may receive credit for only one of each equivalency. Students considering university transfer or an accounting designation should consult with an Academic Advisor or their Chairperson regarding these courses.

  1. ACCT 202 is equivalent to ACCT 102 plus ACCT 103
  2. ACCT 204 is equivalent to ACCT 104
  3. ECON 201 is equivalent to ECON 100
  4. ECON 202 is equivalent to ECON 101
  5. BUS 306 is equivalent to BADM 111
  6. BUS 310 is equivalent to BADM 260 and is acceptable as a prerequisite for BADM 270.
  7. BADM 170, BADM 107, BUS 358, CMPT 261 and CMPT 170 are not accepted for credit towards the Business Administration Diploma.
Year 1 Course Descriptions

ACCT 102

Theory and practice of accounting as applied to the accumulation; external reporting; and external uses of financial accounting information. Credit will not be granted for both ACCT 102 and ACCT 202.

ACCT 103

Preparing and analysing accounting information for shareholder and management use. Prerequisite: ACCT 102 Credit will not be granted for both ACCT 103 and ACCT 202.

BADM 132

The activities involved in the flow of goods and services from the manufacturer to the consumer. A consumer approach to marketing is stressed. Decisions on product; place; promotion and pricing. Other related marketing topics and how they are used to develop policies and strategies.

BADM 132

The activities involved in the flow of goods and services from the manufacturer to the consumer. A consumer approach to marketing is stressed. Decisions on product; place; promotion and pricing. Other related marketing topics and how they are used to develop policies and strategies.

BADM 210

Provides an introduction to the efficient use of information technology applications that are commonly used in a business environment for numerical analysis; presentations; written communications; and file sharing.

BUS 303

An introduction to the factors that influence human behavior in organizations. Topics include perception; personality; values; group behaviour; leadership; politics; and power. Students will be encouraged to use this information to better understand themselves and how they make choices in organizations.

COMM 250

Theory and practice in composition to prepare students for academic and professional work in business and office environments. Emphasis will be on mechanics; style; tone; and organization of communications including research reports; memos; letters; business proposals and resumes. Prerequisite: Placement Criteria must be met.

ECON 100

Terminology; concepts; theory; methods; and limitations of current mircoeconomic analysis. Analyzing and understanding economics as it relates to individuals and businesses. How political; social; and market forces determine and affect the Canadian economy. Credit will not be granted for both ECON 100 and ECON 201.

ECON 101

Terminology; concepts; and theory used to understand; analyse; and evaluate the overall performance of an economy. Defining and using economic indicators. Canadian banking system. Inflation and unemployment. Monetary and fiscal policy. Foreign control. Economic growth. International trade. Credit will not be granted for both ECON 101 and ECON 202.

FINS 150

Explore personal financial literacy concepts and their application to managing personal finances. Combining theory and business math concepts learn fundamental principles of short and long-term financial planning; investing & retirement; credit; taxation; risk management and budgeting.

Year 2 Course Descriptions

ACCT 104

Using accounting information for managerial decision making; operating and capital budgets; and product costing. Credit will not be granted for both ACCT 104 and ACCT 204. Diploma students may take either ACCT 104 or ACCT 204. Bachelor of Commerce must take ACCT 204 (and may not take ACCT 104). Prerequisite: ACCT 102

ACCT 205

Basic cost accounting and multiple purpose systems for management control. Profit-cost relationships. Inventory valuation. Material costing. Budgeting and performance evaluation. Standard costs. Variance analysis. Direct costing and relevant costing. Cost allocation. Process costing. Prerequisite: ACCT 104 or 204

ACCT 209

Generally accepted accounting principles. Objectives of financial statements. Revenue recognition. Time value of money. Valuation of current assets. Accounting for inventories. Fixed assets and long-term investments. Prerequisites: ACCT 103 or 202

ACCT 210

Monetary and non-monetary liabilities. Accounting for bonds leases; pensions; and shareholders' equity. Tax allocation. Analysing financial statement information. Statement of changes in financial position. Accounting for changes and correcting errors. Prerequisite: ACCT 209

BADM 111

The use of statistics and probability in business decision making. Methods of collecting; organizing; interpreting; and presenting data. Measures of central tendency and dispersion. Discrete and continuous probability distributions. Standard normal distribution. Sampling and statistical estimation. Testing hypotheses. Credit will not be granted for both BADM 111 and BUS 306.

BADM 204

Theory and skills of interpersonal relations. Topics include: understanding and improving interpersonal relationships; perception; customer service; negotiation skills; conflict resolution; giving and receiving feedback; presentation skills; coaching and counselling; interviewing skills.

BADM 234

Students will learn advanced web design using web authoring tools. Students will be furthering their knowledge of design and web layout by utilizing a variety of multimedia development tools. Prerequisite: BADM 210

BADM 238

The focus will be on the business strategies and procedures necessary to use the Internet to deliver goods and services. Prerequisite: Csys 100 or Badm 207 or Badm 210

BADM 240

The role of selling in the business world. The nature and rewards of selling. Details of the salesman's job and qualifications. Knowledge and skills needed for successful selling. The sales process. The salesman's personal; customer; and social responsibilities. Prerequisite: BADM 132

BADM 241

Emphasis on the concepts and components of integrated marketing communications (IMC) and the management of strategic and creative components involved in developing effective marketing communication campaigns. Understanding of target audience behavior; communication theories and communication effectiveness concepts will be examined. Prerequisite: BADM 132

BADM 242

Methods of defining problems; collecting data; analysing data; and presenting results for marketing problems. Research methods used in all functions of business. Specific areas of market research; including the use of focus groups. Emphasis is on the marketing function of research. Prerequisite: BADM 132

BADM 247

An introduction to retail management. Topics such as location analysis; pricing; advertising and promotions; store layout and design; competition evaluation; and staff management will be discussed. Pre-requisite: BADM 132

BADM 249

Theory and practice of planning; implementing; coordinating; marketing; and evaluating various types of events including award ceremonies; convention planning; trade shows; fundraising; festivals; seminars and concerts. Prerequisite: BADM 132 or consent of Department.

BADM 251

This course develops the tools necessary for both future entrepreneurs and those already active in the business community to compete effectively in the world of commerce. Prospective entrepreneurs will learn how to investigate and evaluate business opportunities; and to acquire the skills and knowledge needed to establish new business ventures; as well as; how to meet the organization's social responsibility to its community. Note: Designed for BADM students Note: Not open to students in the first year without consent of the department.

BADM 253

Designed to explore the basic elements of project management. This includes planning; scheduling; maintaining progress of the activities that comprise a project. By applying knowledge gained to actual projects; students are able to understand project life cycles; scheduling; planning; control and implementation.

BADM 260

The role of finance in today's business firms. Cash budgets; financial forecasting and analysis; and sources and uses of funds. Effective management of current assets; working capital; and fixed assets. Capital budgeting and methods of evaluating capital projects; with emphasis on discounted cash flow techniques. Class discussion of relevant case problems. Prerequisite: ACCT 102/103 or 202 Note: Designed for second year Business Administration students.

BADM 262

Practical and theoretical aspects of investing in marketable securities are explored. Stocks; bonds; and other marketable securities; such as ETF's and mutual funds will be discussed. In particular the risks and returns from investing will be reviewed within the context of various types of securities markets. Various theories in behavioral finance are also discussed. Prerequisite: Acct 103 or 202

BADM 270

Integration of learning from other courses in the Business Administration program and development of strategic thinking. In addition to studying the theory and application of business strategy; students will also run their own companies in a competitive business simulation; analyse the performance of companies and the environment; and make presentations to management. Prerequisite: Completion of all first year Business Administration diploma courses. Prerequisite or Corequisite: BADM 260 or BUS 310

BADM 281

An introduction to human resource issues for the employee; supervisor; manager and human resources staff. Planning; recruitment; selection; compensation; performance appraisal; and labour relations issues will be discussed.

BADM 285

Topics covered include corporations; proprietorships; partnerships; taxation of various types of income and property. The use of tax deferral and tax free structures are reviewed. Self-employment expenses are also covered. Prerequisite: Completion of first year courses in Business Administration Diploma or Financial Services Diploma or consent of the department.

BADM 290

This course provides the student with an opportunity to work in a business setting and apply the skills he/she has learned in the Business Administration program. Students are required to work at least 90 hours (normally unpaid) during the term. The instructor will assist in finding a suitable work placement. Prerequisite: Completion of the first year of the Business Administration program with a minimum GPA of 2.0.

BADM 320

Specialized areas of managerial or entrepreneurial concerns; or both. Functional areas of business including management; marketing; finance; accounting and human resources. Course offering and specific topics depend on if an instructor is available.

BADM 321

Specialized areas of managerial or entrepreneurial concerns; or both. Functional areas of business; including management marketing; finance; accounting; and human resources. Course offering and specific topics depend on if an instructor is available.

BUS 307

Statistical techniques used in business decision making; analysis of variances; chi-square distribution; non- parametric tests of hypothesis and multiple regression and correlation analysis. Prerequisite: BUS 306 or BADM 111.

BUS 311

Both the private and public sectors of our economy rest on a structure of legal and social institutions. This course looks at the Canadian legal system with emphasis on the social policy behind the rules; rather than on the rules of law themselves. Includes the nature; sources; philosophy; and policy objectives of the law. Selected topics from the field of tort and contract law.

FINS 180

This course provides a conceptual knowledge base; which allows students to analyse and explain a wide variety of financial products and services available to banking customers. This background is set against an analysis of the role of money and products/services in the economy. The primary focus is the ability to analyse; compare; and explain different products and services as they relate to the customers' varied needs.

FINS 250

Provides an in depth look at the fundamentals of mutual funds and related investment products in Canada. Students who successfully complete the course requirements are eligible to take the licensing exam administered by an outside body. A minimum mark must be achieved on the examination in order to register for the mutual funds license. Prerequisite or Corequisite: FINS 150 or consent of department.

FINS 251

Overview of the six fundamentals of credit. Review various retail credit products including secured and unsecured loans; lines of credit and mortgages. Time value of money concepts to calculate loan payments and compare interest costs. Case studies will be used. Prerequsite: FINS 150 or Corequisite: Badm 260 or Bus 310 or permission of the instructor.

FINS 280

This course provides an opportunity for students to work in the financial services industry and apply knowledge learned in their first year. Students will be exposed to a variety of entry level positions. This course offers students paid work experience selling personal financial products. Consult the program coordinator for details. Prerequisite: FINS 180 or consent of dept

FINS 286

Term and whole life; disability; accident; critical illness; and creditor insurance contracts will be studied. The course will also review how these products are underwritten by bank and non-bank insurers and coordinated with government benefits. Pre-requisite: FINS 150

FINS 287

Integrates the knowledge and skills gained in the core curriculum of the major in Financial Services. Students will apply their skills and knowledge in the development of a comprehensive financial plan; as well as; other integrative activities throughout the course. Pre-requsities: FINS 250 and 251 or permission of the department

FINS 320

Specialized areas of knowledge in financial services that allow students to gain a broader understanding of the diverse needs of the financial services industry; its management and its customers. Course offering and specific topics depend on availability of a qualified instructor with the required skills and experience.