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Business Startup and Grow Microcredential

What is a Microcredential?

Whether you are looking to upgrade skills in your current profession or enter a new field, a microcredential may be for you. Microcredentials are short, industry-focused credentials designed to provide in-demand skills that reflect the “shop floor” needs of industry. They are accelerated or “bite sized” training opportunities focused on a specific professional or career discipline and can lead to a certificate or to an initial or advanced degree. 

Business Startup and Grow

SUNY Schenectady’s Business Startup and Grow Microcredential is designed for a variety of community members who are interested in starting their own business, growing an existing business, or in support of an organization with an entrepreneurial mindset. The program serves as a complementary educational component for aspiring business owners enrolled in other SUNY Schenectady programs. Given that improved business acumen is relevant to all sectors, there is also relevance beyond the Business and Professional Programs Division. For this reason, this microcredential will have relevance with other majors such as Culinary Arts, and Music Audio Technology. This microcredential will support anyone who is in need of further education to support practical “business-side” operations.
 
The Business Startup and Grow Microcredential includes business courses that provide students the opportunity to improve the knowledge and skills necessary to build and grow their business. To complete the microcredential, students must select four of the following courses:
 

Accounting is not scary, it is your superpower! This course emphasizes the accounting theories and practices necessary to support business startups as well as established small and medium sized businesses.  

Topics include:

  • managing day-to-day accounting needs of an organization
  • best practices for controlling costs
  • effectively price goods and services
  • QuickBooks Online will be utilized at the end of the course to set up and manage business finances

This course focuses on contemporary theory and practices relating to human resource management.  Topics covered include: human resource planning, employment law, recruitment and selection, training and development, performance management, separating and retaining employees, compensation systems, and labor relations.

3 credits

This course emphasizes the role of marketing in organizations. Topics include developing marketing strategies, ethical behavior and social responsibility, the marketing environment, understanding consumer behavior, global marketing, creating and managing products, services, and brands, pricing products, promotion, using social media and mobile marketing to connect with consumers and personal selling.

3 credits

This course provides an overview of the major functions of management. Emphasis is placed on planning, organizing, controlling, directing and communicating. Topics include management theory, ethical and social responsibilities required of managers, decision making, organizational culture, motivating employees, increasing cooperation within groups and teams, and global management. 
PR: MGT 123

3 credits

This course is co-taught by a certified professional trainer from Sandler Training, one of the leading sales training and leadership development companies in the world, and a faculty member in the college’s business program. Topics covered include establishing rapport and trust with prospects, uncovering the prospect’s need, budget, and decision-making process, making effective presentations, improving your attitude, behavior, and technique, and creating an effective prospecting plan. Students are trained off-campus where they will be in direct contact with other selling professionals. Approval by the Division of Business and Professional Programs and Sandler Training is required to enroll in this course.

3 credits
available off campus and in-person

This award-winning course guides would-be entrepreneurs and existing businesses through the step-by-step process of starting, operating, and managing a business. Students receive training and guidance from successful business owners and advisors, learn about the core topics related to successfully starting and growing a business, work closely with other entrepreneurs, and expand their professional network. A complete business plan is developed and presented to a panel of judges in a competition sponsored by Sunmark Credit Union. Classes are held off-campus at the Capital Region Chamber’s location in Colonie, NY (just off of Wolf Road). Approval by the Division of Business and Professional Programs and the Capital Region Chamber of Commerce is required to enroll in this course.

3 credits
available off campus and in-person

All Business Startup and Grow Microcredential coursework may be applied to SUNY Schenectady’s Business Administration A.A.S. program.