This certificate equips students with the essential skills and knowledge to start and manage successful small businesses. This comprehensive program covers key areas such as business fundamentals, marketing, finance, and management. Students will learn to create effective business plans, set up payroll systems, and interpret financial data. Through a combination of core courses and electives, graduates will be prepared to launch their own ventures or contribute to existing small businesses with a solid foundation in entrepreneurial principles and practices.

The Certificate is granted to students who have completed at least 12 semester units of the required courses at Glendale Community College. All courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better, or a “P” grade.

Program Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this program, students will understand and apply the business skills necessary to start or manage a successful small business; be able to create a written business plan; and be able to set-up a payroll system and interpret the data from various forms.

Certificate Program Map

REQUIRED COURSES FOR CERTIFICATE UNITS
ENTRE 101

Create your Own Business

2
ENTRE 102 Grow Your Own Business 3
CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING  
BUSAD 158 Run Your Own Business 3
ENTRE 103 Run Your Own Business 3
CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING  
BUSAD 106

Written Business Communications

3
CABOT 105 Introduction to Office Correspondence  3
CHOOSE TWO OF THE FOLLOWING
BUSAD 50 Business Internship 2-3
BUSAD 163 Social Media Marketing I 3
BUSAD 165  Social Media Marketing II 3
 BUSAD 169  Professional Selling Fundamentals 
ACCTG 120
or
ACCTG 130 

Computerized Accounting Systems
or
Payroll Accounting


or
3
TOTAL UNITS REQUIRED 16-18

NOTE: ADDITIONAL COURSEWORK MIGHT BE REQUIRED DUE TO PREREQUISITES. SEE A COUNSELOR FOR A PERSONALIZED STUDENT EDUCATIONAL PLAN.

Fall 2025 GCC Catalog 2025-2026
Important Notice: In the event of a discrepancy between the information presented above and the online and/or print versions of the GCC Catalog, please contact a counselor or the office of Admissions and Records. For previous years requirements please see the catalog from that year.