Graduate Business Certificates
Online or Hybrid | Complete in as Little as 24 Weeks | Upskill and Expand
Build Powerful Skills to Apply Immediately With a Graduate Certificate
Expand your skill set and your resume with a 12-credit graduate certificate from Merrimack College.
Whether you’ve already completed a master’s degree or want exposure to graduate coursework that is transferable to a master’s program, Merrimack offers graduate certificates in business analytics, forensic accounting, human resource management, marketing, leadership, product management, finance, and taxation.
Quick facts:
- 100 percent online or hybrid.
- Tuition under $9,000.
- Complete in as little as 24 weeks.
- No experience needed.
- No GRE or GMAT required.
Learn more about Merrimack’s graduate business certificates.
Business Analytics
The Business Analytics Certificate offers students the opportunity to develop foundational skills and competencies needed to extract decision-guiding insights from data. Students learn the core elements of data management, data preparation, statistical analysis, data visualization, and result interpretation and communication, in a hands-on, theory and application context. Course options include the following:
- Frameworks for Business Analytics (BAI 5100)
- Strategic Decision-Making Using Business Analytics (BAI 5150)
- Leveraging Competitive Advantage with Business Intelligence (BAI 5250)
- Data Visualization & Storytelling (BAI 5200)
- Data Governance, Compliance & Ethics (BAI 5220)
- Introduction to Data Science and Statistics (DSE 5001)
- R and Python Programming (DSE 5002)
- Predictive Modeling (DSE 6111)
Forensic Accounting
Understanding and comprehending how to identify fraud when conducting an audit is part of the investigative action accountants take to help pinpoint deception or criminal activity. By completing the forensic accounting graduate certificate, students are introduced to topics around fraud examination, cybersecurity and tax fraud. The skills acquired will equip students with the tools needed to identify inaccurate reporting and fiscal malfeasance that can occur in organizations. The following courses are required to complete the certificate:
- Accounting Ethics & Detecting Financial Crimes
- AI & Cybersecurity for Business
- Fraud Examination (ACC 5450)
Marketing
The marketing certificate provides students with a comprehensive and analytical understanding of how marketing impacts business decisions. Students will gain insight into the marketing function and will be exposed to core elements such as digital and social media marketing, marketing analytics and strategy, and how aspects of marketing contribute to practices of management. The following courses are required to complete the certificate:
- Innovation & Trends in Marketing (MKT 5310)
- Digital Marketing Implementation & Optimization (MKT 5320)
- Driving Business Success with Marketing Analytics (MKT 5410)
- Marketing Management & Strategy (MKT 5420)
Leadership
The leadership certificate offers a dual-focused management approach that combines theories and strategies around managing individuals while encompassing what is best for an organization as a whole. Students are exposed to core elements of leadership such as ethics, motivation, creativity, vision, teamwork, managing teams, leading organizations through change, and understanding and managing stakeholders. Course options include the following:
- Exploring Leadership Frameworks & Communication Strategies
- Navigating Ethical Dilemmas (MGT 5220)
- Driving High-Performing Organizations
- Leading Teams in a Dynamic Environment
- Cross-Cultural & Global Leadership
- Negotiations & Conflict Resolution (MGT 5340)
- Diversity & Inclusion (MGT 5350)
Finance
Understanding and comprehending the language of finance and business performance is essential for professionals at any level within an organization. Students are introduced to topics including quant and factor investing, corporate finance and other innovative trends in the finance industry. The skills acquired will equip students to make sound financial decisions that affect individual organizations and society as a whole.
Choose 12 credits from the coursework below. Depending on the student’s background, Essentials of Finance and Foundations of Accounting (ACC 5050) may be required.
- Corporate Finance & Valuation (FIN 5410)
- Trends & Innovation in Finance (FIN 5420)
- Quant & Factor Investing (FIN 5430)
- Quantitative Methods & Financial Modeling (FIN 5440)
- Financial Statement Analysis & Interpretation (FIN 5450)
- Wealth Management (FIN 5460)
- Essentials of Finance
- Foundations of Accounting (ACC 5050)
Human Resource Management
The human resource management certificate is focused on people management and the development of soft skills required in business, specifically human resources. Students seeking certification from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) must complete 16 credits of coursework to align with the SHRM Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge competency framework. If a student is not seeking SHRM credentials, only 12 credits of coursework are required for this concentration.
- Negotiations & Conflict Resolution (MGT 5340)
- Diversity & Inclusion (MGT 5350)
- Employment Law
- Talent Acquisition & Performance Management
- People Analytics (MGT 5410)
Taxation
Taxation is a key sector in the accounting industry. Organizations are always looking for strategic ways to maximize revenue and minimize tax. By completing the taxation certificate students are introduced to advanced topics in taxation, and have the option to gain more specialized insight into either personal tax or corporate tax. Students will learn valuable tax planning and tax return preparation skills that will equip them with the knowledge to excel within a variety of industries.
Choose 12 credits from the coursework below. Depending on the student’s background, Introduction to Federal Income Taxation (ACC 5080) and Taxation of Business Enterprises (ACC 5500) may be required.
- Introduction to Federal Income Taxation (ACC 5080)
- Tax Research, Procedures and Ethics (ACC 5330)
- Taxation of Business Enterprises (ACC 5500)
- Advanced Issues in Taxation
- Wealth Management (FIN 5460)
Student Support Resources
Students in the Girard School of Business benefit from a dedicated success team. Support includes:
Support includes:
- 1:1 advising and mentoring from faculty and program staff.
- Access to LinkedIn Learning and Handshake.
- Professional development workshops.
- Math, writing and accessibility services through the Academic Success Center.
- Career services support through the O’Brien Center for Career Development.
It’s Easy to Apply Online
A complete application includes:
- Online application (no fee).
- Official college transcripts from all institutions attended.
- Resume.
GRE and GMAT scores are not required.
Tuition and Financial Aid
$679
per credit*
12
credits
$8,148
tuition
*Tuition is based on the 2023–2024 academic year.
Tuition and fees are subject to change annually.
Additional program fees may apply.
Financial Aid
As a graduate student, you may qualify for federal loans. We strongly encourage all eligible graduate students to apply for federal financial aid, even if they don’t demonstrate an exceptional financial need.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Merrimack College’s FAFSA school code is 002120.
Employer Tuition Assistance
Merrimack accepts employer financial/tuition assistance. We also offer partnership discounts. Contact us or ask your employer whether your organization is an official partner with Merrimack’s online programs.
Key Dates and Deadlines
This program enrolls six times a year. Each term is eight weeks.
Merrimack College
Accolades and Accreditation
At Merrimack College, we’re proud of our long history of providing quality degrees to students entering the job market. Our faculty are more than just teachers. We are committed to helping you grow — academically, personally and spiritually — so that you may graduate as a confident, well-prepared citizen of the world.
U.S. News & World Report | Best Regional Universities North (2024)
- Most Innovative Schools (No. 14)
- Regional Universities North (No. 33)
- Best Undergraduate Teaching (No. 31)
- Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs (No. 86)
(at schools where doctorate not offered) - Best Colleges for Veterans (No. 14)
- Best Value Schools (No. 47)
NECHE-Accredited
- Merrimack College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
Tell me more about Merrimack’s online programs.