Get Started
The Autumn 2009 program is no longer accepting applications
Next program starts: Autumn 2010
Details will be posted in Spring
Single courses may be available
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Admission Requirements
Either a baccalaureate degree and two years of work experience or an associate degree and four years of work experience.
Work experience in one or more of the following areas is preferred but not required.
- Sales and marketing
- Product, program or service line management
- Product development or research
- Content management
- Law or Licensing Management
- Merchandizing management
- Business consulting or analysis
- Venture capital, commercial banking, finance or other field
This program teaches the methods and strategies to succeed in developing new business growth ideas and moving them from concept to implementation as opposed to focusing on generating business leads. As a result, the skills gained are both useful for those in appropriate business development roles as well as for those working in these roles listed above.
Language Proficiency Requirement
All students entering this program are expected to have adequate English language proficiency. Non-native English speakers are required to meet one or more of the following English language test scores or have completed one of the following programs before taking the Business Development Certificate Program:
- A TOEFL score of at least 500 (or 173 computer-based)
- A TOEIC score of at least 650
- An IELTS score of at least 6.0
- An ACE (American Cultural Exchange) score of at least level 5
- Completion of the upper division of the University of Washington Intensive English Program (campus or downtown)
International Students: This program does not qualify as full-time study, and therefore does not meet requirements for an F-1 visa. However, if you are an F-1 student currently enrolled full-time in another program, OR you are in the U.S. on some other type of visa (not F-1), you may be eligible to take a certificate program or course. For complete details, or to contact an adviser, see Visa Information.
Earning the Certificate
Participants are evaluated in each course according to standards established by the instructors and Advisory Board members. These standards include attendance of at least 80 percent of class meetings and satisfactory completion of project work. At the end of each course or module, participants are notified of successful or unsuccessful completion. Because courses are arranged sequentially and are offered only once each year, participants need to successfully complete all courses in the previous terms before they advance to the next term.
Upon successful completion of the required courses in this noncredit course of study, students earn a certificate, which is presented at the annual UW Extension awards ceremony.
Application Process
The Autumn 2009 program is no longer accepting applications. The next program begins in Autumn 2010. Click here to be notified via e-mail when complete details for the next program are available online. The following information regarding the application process may be helpful as you plan for applying to the next program:
To Apply: You can apply online or submit one copy of the application form with a $50 certificate program fee* and two stapled application sets, which include the following clearly labeled documents:
- A letter of application (500-word maximum). Applicants should be clear, concise and provide specific examples while answering the following questions: (a) What are the unique strengths, talents and skills that you bring to the program? (b) In what ways have you already gained business development knowledge and skills? (c) What are your expectations of the program personally and professionally?
- Your résumé listing education and applicable experience
Application Review: Applications are evaluated by a review committee designated by the advisory board. Selection of program participants is based on admission requirements. Applicants receive written notification of their acceptance or non-acceptance within two weeks after their application is received.
Enrollment: Applicants accepted to the program receive enrollment information for the first-term course and are encouraged to make their fall tuition payment early. Enrollment in the program is on a first-come, first-served basis, upon receipt of the first-term tuition payment.
Waitlist: Some programs maintain a waitlist for applicants accepted after the program has reached enrollment capacity. If space becomes available, waitlisted applicants will be notified and given an opportunity to enroll. If space does not become available, waitlisted applicants will be offered a space in the next program offering.
* The certificate program fee is not refundable and does not guarantee admission to, or enrollment in, the program.
Fees and Tuition
Tuition is payable on a term-by-term basis. Tuition for the entire program is $3,197, excluding certificate program and registration fees and textbooks. There is a $50 nonrefundable certificate program fee to apply to this program and a $35 nonrefundable registration fee each term. First-term tuition of $1,099, plus the nonrefundable registration fee, is due by Sept. 21, 2009. The fees include refreshments served during three of the class meetings. Fees and tuition are subject to change.
Information on registration and refund policies and procedures is included with registration materials.
Single-Course Enrollment
Interested in taking just one class? Some courses in this program (those courses designated by a 
) are open for single-course enrollment to those interested in taking these individual courses need to submit the following materials either online or by mail:
- A completed application for single-course enrollment
- A résumé listing your work-related experience
- A typed (250-word maximum) letter of application describing your experience/knowledge and how it was acquired
To apply for single-course enrollment: You can apply online by clicking a course title below, or you can print and submit a completed application for single-course enrollment and the other materials listed above by mail.
Applicants receive written notification of their acceptance or non-acceptance within two weeks after their application is received
Please note that courses taken as a non-certificate student are not automatically applied toward a certificate of completion in the program. Single-course enrollments are on a space-available basis. No certificate program fee is necessary; tuition is not accepted until you are notified of eligibility.
