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Foundational business class online to advance your career
Learn core business concepts and practices invaluable for business owners and professionals across all industries. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, employed by a company, entering a management position, or considering a career change, understanding the basics of financing a business, strategic marketing, effective leadership, communication, and management, as well as where and how technology fits into the workplace is key.
Upon successful completion of this online business course, dive deeper by pursuing any one of MSU Denver’s business degrees in economics, finance, management, marketing, or International business, or use the knowledge and skills gained in your business classes to advance in your career or help you on your journey to entrepreneurship.
Why take this online course?
Flexible schedule
The course can be completed in 4-8 weeks and is self-paced online.
Career advisement
Receive a personal advising session with an industry leader.
High job demand
Gain a competitive edge in the workforce with newly learned skills and a certificate of completion.
Career pathways in business — navigating your future after your Introduction to Business course
After taking the Introduction to Business course, the learner can immediately enter the workforce, or continue on their academic career to increase earning potential.
Pathway 1: Enter the workforce quickly. Complete the Introduction to Business course and immediately enter the workforce with your new management and communication skills. Or feel confident in starting your own company with essential business skills.
- The median salary is $35,000 a year.
Pathway 2: Complete the Introduction to Business course and then earn an undergraduate certificate in a business pathway. After your business class concludes, enter the workforce or start your own company with essential business skills in a specialized area. Develop a strong foundation in management and overall strategy to effectively lead teams and drive business success.
- The median salary is $47,000 a year.
Pathway 3: Continue your academic career to earn one of 15 Business degrees from MSU Denver, including accounting, business administration, computer information systems, international business, and marketing.
- The median salary is $65,000 a year.
Pathway 4: Earn a graduate certificate in Business Analytics. Build expertise in data analysis, entrepreneurship, and analytics to solve real-world problems and make informed, strategic decisions in today’s data-driven business environment.
- The median salary is $90,000 a year.
Pathway 5: Increase your earning potential by earning an MBA, with concentrations in business analytics, strategic business, accounting, or general business.
- The median salary is $100,000 a year.
Take the course to upskill your resume to advance in your career or discover a new passion.
About the Introduction to Business online course
In the Introduction to Business course, you will learn about the contemporary and future issues facing individuals and businesses in the Introduction to Business course. Learners will study fundamental business principles, including effective business management. This online business course is designed for students with or without a business background. Business class students will receive different insights into the world of business from an Intro to Business micro and macro view which impacts all business professionals both domestically and internationally.
Like all of MSU Denver’s online courses, the knowledge you’ll gain is practical and immediately applicable. After taking the Introduction to Business online course, you will feel more equipped in all areas of business to better understand and make decisions in your job, to lead from a position of management in your current business, or to start a business of your own.
The course is $450, with a $35 transaction fee per payment. There are no books to purchase.
- Registration opens in December
- Course begins – February 3, 2025
- Last day to register – February 10, 2025
- Course ends – April 4, 2025
- Registration opens in April
- Course begins – September 2, 2025
- Last day to register – September 9, 2025
- Course ends – November 2, 2025
Once you successfully complete the Intro to Business course, you can immediately enter the workforce with newly learned skills. You will receive a digital badge embedded with the competencies learned. You can include this badge on your resume, LinkedIn page, portfolio, or share it with an employer. Students will also receive a certificate of completion.
Students can also convert the course to three credits and continue to an MSU Denver certificate or degree. See FAQs for more information.
Learning objectives:
- Gain an understanding of the fundamental principles of business in the domestic and international marketplaces.
- Ability to analyze and explore how the economic forces of supply and demand affect the various types of business structures and skills needed to stay ahead of the competition.
- Define the differences between and various purposes of sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies, and corporations.
Competencies to be gained:
- Can determine the different components of the internal and external business environment, including economics, ethics and social responsibility, and effective business communication.
- Understand the different business structures and feel confident in choosing the right one to match the business.
- Understand how the different departments (finance, operations, HR, marketing, etc.) work together and affect the business.
- Can identify different accounting practices, and resources, and utilize funds to maximize the value.
- Can develop marketing language that recognizes the unique selling proposition, customer needs, distribution, and pricing.
- Knows effective management, leadership, and motivation strategies to build and sustain an effective workplace.
Meet the instructor for your online business course
Business course instructor
Bob Farmer is an affiliate faculty member for the College of Business at MSU Denver. His focus is on a variety of domestic and international business disciplines.
He earned a Master’s in Professional Studies in Organizational Leadership from the University of Denver, focusing on e-learning and traditional learning systems. He is also Quality Matters Certified as an Online Curriculum Developer. He is currently leading an initiative to develop a relevant and academically effective online curriculum within MSU Denver, and lectures on The Dynamics of Leadership at other higher education and lifelong learning centers.
Bob, also known as Coach Bob, is a strong proponent of a student’s ongoing study of current events, future projections, and historical research and data to provide meaningful and measurable analysis and recommendations. All perspectives and opinions are welcome and respected.
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Frequently asked questionsContact us
Email usPhone: 303-615-1234
Office Location:
Jordan Student Success Building
3rd Floor – #330
Auraria Campus
Mailing Address:
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Innovative and Lifelong Learning
P.O. Box 173362
Campus Box 6
Denver, CO 80217-3362