About
The Indigenous Business Administration Certificate (IBAC) is a two-year direct-entry program for Métis, First Nation, and Inuit students. The certificate is a gradual step towards a successful career in business with an option to transfer into the B.Comm. degree program upon completion.
- Two-year certificate
- Full-time program
- You can enter this program directly from high school
What you will learn
IBAC is designed to provide programming for Indigenous students who wish to obtain a certificate in business but who do not want to study in a four-year degree program or who do not meet the admission criteria for direct or transfer admission to the Bachelor of Commerce (B.Comm.) degree program.
It provides students with an introduction to business including courses in accounting, marketing, finance, and human resource management and also incorporates significant student success activities.
Upon successful completion, students may choose to apply to the B.Comm. degree program during the regular application period.
A first-year schedule sample
In your first year, you'll take fewer courses than normal as you get familiar with campus life. In your second year, with permission from an advisor, you'll be able to take a full courseload of five classes per term.
| Course | Description |
|---|---|
Fall Term |
|
| COMM 101 | Introduction to Business |
| COMM 119 | Skills for Academic Success |
| ECON 111 | Introductory Microeconomics |
| ENG 111* | Literature and Composition Reading Poetry |
| COMM 115 | Business School Life I |
Winter Term |
|
| COMM 100 | Business Communication I |
| COMM 105 | Introduction to Organizational Behaviour |
| ECON 114 | Introductory Macroeconomics |
| INDG 107* | Introduction to Canadian Indigenous Studies |
| COMM 115 | Business School Life I |
* You'll have a number of courses to choose between English, Social Sciences, or Humanities for this course.
The Course and Program Catalogue has the complete and official listing of required classes and their descriptions for this program.
COMM 201 Introduction to Financial Accounting
Helps the student understand, use and appreciate the limitations of information provided in an organization's financial statements. As such, the course examines what financial statements are, what they include and the means of deriving information for and from them. Specifically, the course will enable the student to: (1) link the results of management's financing, investing and operating decisions to financial statement reporting; (2) understand the boundaries and limitations of information in the financial statements; (3) demonstrate a basic but real awareness of financial accounting systems; and (4) use information in financial statements to help make various decisions about an organization.
COMM 204 Introduction to Marketing
Introduction to the marketing concept in business. Business activities are analyzed from the point of view of recognition, stimulation and satisfaction of consumer demand.
COMM 211 Human Resource Management
Develops a framework for human resource management comprising the context, issues, strategies, and processes of managing people in organizations. The challenges arising from the context include legal and ethical issues as well as global perspectives. Processes include selection and recruitment, performance appraisal, training and development, compensation and benefits, labour relations, and managing employee and employer interests within the employment relationship.
The Edwards School of Business is just the right size. We offer exemplary students an AACSB-accredited education in a welcoming classroom environment. Our classes facilitate learning and interaction with faculty and other students. Situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis, the Edwards School of Business provides social and professional activities business students crave.
At Edwards, we have a dedicated academic and career services student advisory team which means you can book an appointment to see an advisor within a day (using our online booking system).
The two-year certificate of proficiency incorporates significant student success activities designed to assist you with your transition to studying business in an urban university setting. You also have the opportunity to upgrade your high school math after admission to the program.
Program Highlights
- Two years to complete (based on 24 credits per year)
- Flexible admission standards – direct entry, transfer or mature admission
- Credits transfer to B.Comm. program upon successful completion
- Pathway programming available for students who need to upgrade high school math
- Enhanced student support through non-credit business skills courses, math tutoring, business visits and workshops led by Edwards staff
Careers
The IBAC program provides you with an introduction to business including courses in accounting, marketing, finance, and human resource management. Your career can take you in many different directions across industries related to marketing, finance, insurance, real estate, business services, engineering, entrepreneurship and much more. Edwards also partners with employers to provide networking opportunities for IBAC students.
Tuition estimates
| Canadian students | |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $1001 per 3 credit unit class |
| Student fees | $574 per year (for part-time) |
Tuition will vary depending on the type and number of classes you take in a year (2024-2025 rates).
Student fees are used to fund specific student benefits, including a bus pass, recreational programs and fitness centre access.
The cost of books and supplies varies widely depending on the courses you choose. It is recommended that you budget between $150-$250 per class.
Admission requirements and deadlines
Deadlines
| Start term | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall September 2025 |
May 1, 2025 |
Requirements
Direct Entry Admission - High School (less than 18 credit units of transferable post-secondary)
- First Nations, Métis or Inuit membership/citizenship
- Grade 12 standing or equivalent
- Required classes - Foundations of Mathematics 20 or Pre-Calculus 20. Successful completion of Foundations of Mathematics 30 or Pre-Calculus 30 is preferred.
- Required grade average- High school students or graduates require a minimum admission average of 70%. Learn how we calculate your admission average.
- English proficiency. If your first language is not English, you may have to prove proficiency in English before admission.
Transfer Admission - Post-secondary (if you have 18 credit units or more transferable post-secondary)
- First Nations, Metis or Inuit membership/citizenship
- Grade 12 standing, or equivalent
- Required classes - Foundations of Mathematics 20 or Pre-Calculus 20. Successful completion of Foundations of Mathematics 30 or Pre-Calculus 30 is preferred.
- Meet the minimum university transfer entrance average of 60%
- Attempted 18 or more credit units of transferable post-secondary level studies
- Transfer credit will not be rewarded for any cohort classes in the program
- English proficiency. If your first language is not English, you may have to prove proficiency in English before admission.
Mature Admission
- First Nations, Metis or Inuit membership/citizenship
- Applicants must be 21 years of age by the first day of classes
- Less than 18 credit units of transferable university-level course work
- English proficiency. If your first language is not English, you may have to prove proficiency in English before admission.
- Learn more about mature admission
Verification of Indigenous membership/citizenship
The University of Saskatchewan (USask) is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, and proud to support academic opportunities for Indigenous students. We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous students provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous membership/citizenship at USask is led and determined by the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapewin: Indigenous Truth policy and Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy.
This program is open only to Indigenous candidates and verification of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation is required.
Please visit the Indigenous Membership/Citizenship Verification channel in PAWS and proceed through the verification system.
You can learn more about learn more about deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin at indigenous.usask.ca. If you have any questions or require additional information about deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin please contact: indigenoustruthpolicy@usask.ca.
Ready to apply?
Create an admissions account and start your application today. When you are ready to submit your application, you will be assessed a non-refundable application fee of $120 CAD.
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