This three-year advanced diploma program prepares you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to work in the business world and financial services industry. To complement the business administration skills you will develop, you will also obtain a specialization in financial planning, one of the fastest growing sectors in Canada. You will be prepared for personal and career success through a broad range of business administration skills, the ability to manage your own personal finances and the capability to provide financial advice to the public.
Part-time option is available >
Ontario College Advanced Diploma
6 Semesters (3 Years)
January, September
This program is offered in Seneca's hybrid delivery format with some courses available in Seneca's flexible delivery format. Some coursework is online and some must be completed in person. Students will need to come on campus to complete in-person learning requirements. For courses offered in the flexible delivery format, professors use innovative learning spaces and technology to teach students in a classroom or lab and broadcast in real time to students attending remotely. In flexible courses, students have the choice of coming on campus or learning online.
Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:
Students meeting all academic requirements may have the opportunity to complete an optional work term(s) in a formal work environment. The work term(s) is similar in length to an academic semester and typically involves full-time work hours that may be paid or unpaid. In programs with limited work term opportunities, additional academic requirements and a passing grade on a communication assessment may be required for eligibility. Eligibility for participation does not guarantee a work position will be secured. Additional fees are required for those participating in the optional work term stream regardless of success in securing a work position.
Review eligibility requirements for work-integrated learning
Graduates of the program can explore the following career options:
Successful completion of this program is the first step in obtaining the following industry certifications and designations that are in high demand:
Students enrolled in this program have the opportunity to complete the Canadian Securities Course (CSC®) — a prerequisite for employment in many areas of the financial services industry. Successful completion of the Canadian Securities Course and this program will allow students to obtain their Certificate in Financial Services Advice.
Graduates of this program will be eligible to proceed to the following steps on the pathways to certification:
Pursuing these certifications requires the completion of additional courses, examinations and/or work experience, all of which involve additional costs.
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
| Course Code | Course Name | Weekly Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | ||
| BAM101 | Introduction to Business Administration | 3 |
| COM101 | Communicating Across Contexts | 3 |
| or COM111 | Communicating Across Contexts (Enriched) | |
| MBF100 | Mathematics of Business and Finance 1 | 3-4 |
| or MBF101 | Mathematics of Business and Finance | |
| PPS100 | Professional Presentation Skills | 3 |
| SDG101 | Introduction to Sustainable Business | 3 |
| SMS202 | Business Computer Applications | 3 |
| Semester 2 | ||
| ACC106 | Accounting I | 3 |
| BAF101 | Foundational Financial Planning and Financial Management | 3 |
| MRK108 | Introduction to Marketing | 3 |
| OBR250 | Organizational Behaviour | 3 |
| SMS310 | Data Analysis Tools for Business | 3 |
| Semester 3 | ||
| ACC212 | Managerial Accounting | 3 |
| CSC101 | Canadian Securities Course I | 3 |
| EAC594 | Business Communication for the Digital Workplace | 3 |
| ECN501 | Introduction to Principles of Economics - Micro | 3 |
| HRA701 | Introduction to Human Resources Management | 3 |
| plus: General Education Course (1) | 3 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| CSC102 | Canadian Securities Course 2 | 3 |
| ECN502 | Introduction to Principles of Economics - Macro | 3 |
| FIS403 | Financial Management | 3 |
| MAN400 | Introduction to Project Management | 3 |
| MGS350 | Management Studies: Canadian Business Law | 3 |
| QNM223 | Business Statistics | 3 |
| Semester 5 | ||
| BAF102 | Planning for Retirement, Education and Individuals with a Disability | 3 |
| BAF103 | Income Tax Planning | 3 |
| BAF104 | Risk Management and Insurance Planning | 3 |
| BAF105 | Estate Planning and Legal Aspects | 3 |
| BAF106 | Investment Planning | 3 |
| plus: General Education Course (1) | 3 | |
| Semester 6 | ||
| BAF201 | Financial Planning Software | 3 |
| BAF202 | Financial Planning Behaviour | 3 |
| CAP500 | Career Planning ** | 1 |
| EQQ501 | Emotional Intelligence and the Workplace | 3 |
| FCS240 | Foundations of Customer Service | 3 |
| MGS521 | Business Ethics and Values | 3 |
| MGS522 | Negotiation Strategies for Business | 3 |
| WTP100 | Work Term Preparation * | 1 |
| Work-Integrated Learning Term | ||
| BAF331 | Business Administration - Financial Planning, Co-op * | 30 |
Students will be placed in the appropriate level of mathematics depending on their math skills assessment results. Students who are placed in MTH158 Introduction to Mathematics (Algebra) will be required to complete this course before taking MBF100 Mathematics of Business and Finance.
Work-Integrated Learning option only
non Work Integrated Learning option only
Note: The following course will not fulfill a General Education requirement: ECN550 Economics: An Overview.
This Seneca program has been validated by the Credential Validation Service as an Ontario College Credential as required by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.
As a graduate, you will be prepared to reliably demonstrate the ability to:
Canadian citizens and permanent residents may satisfy the English and/or mathematics requirements for this program through successful Seneca pre-admission testing.
International admissions requirements vary by program and in addition to English requirements, programs may require credits in mathematics, biology, and chemistry at a level equivalent to Ontario’s curriculum, or a postsecondary degree or diploma, equivalent to an Ontario university or college. Program-specific pre-requisite courses and credentials are listed with the admission requirements on each program page. To review the academic requirements please visit: Academic Requirements - Seneca, Toronto, Canada (senecapolytechnic.ca).
As a leader in academic pathways, we offer a range of options that will allow you to take your credential further in another Seneca program or a program at a partner institution.
To learn more about your eligibility, visit the Academic Pathways web page.
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