The Certificate in Business (CIB) program provides non-business students the opportunity to earn a concentration in a clearly defined academic program in business. The coursework allows students to develop a foundational understanding of business and apply this to their specific field, such as international studies or engineering. In addition to careers related to their own fields, students who earn the certificate have also found job opportunities in management, marketing, and other business fields in the past.
Admission
There are no specific courses that must be taken before applying. If a student chooses to take CIB courses before being admitted, the courses will fulfill requirements after admission.
In order to be eligible to apply, students must meet the following requirements:
- 54 degree credits (junior standing)
- 12 GPA credits (transfer students must complete a minimum of 12 credits at UW-Madison)
- 2.75 minimum cumulative GPA (This GPA does not guarantee admission to the CIB)
- Grades and GPAs from transfer coursework do not count toward CIB admission.
- Currently enrolled UW-Madison student
- Undergraduate, degree-seeking student (non-business)
The application is available the first week of the semester and due the 4th Friday of the semester by 4:30 p.m.
Admission for eligible students is based primarily on cumulative UW-Madison GPA and all admission decisions are final. There is no appeal process for denied students.
Faculty
Click here to view the Wisconsin School of Business Faculty Directory
Certificate in Business Admission Statistics
Information below is data related to the Certificate in Business admission process. The information presented is for students who were admitted for the semester indicated.
| Semester |
Applicants |
Admitted* |
GPA |
| Spring 2013 |
202 |
92 |
3.404 |
| Fall 2012 |
207 |
87 |
3.48 |
| Spring 2012 |
163 |
98 |
3.3 |
| Fall 2011 |
205 |
60 |
3.5 |
| Spring 2011 |
173 |
95 |
3.25 |
| Fall 2010 |
182 |
60 |
3.403 |
| Spring 2010 |
176 |
102 |
3.200 |
| Fall 2009 |
212 |
111 |
3.271 |
| Spring 2009 |
202 |
49 |
3.450 |
| Fall 2008 |
222 |
71 |
3.400 |
| Spring 2008 |
161 |
63 |
3.450 |
| Fall 2007 |
188 |
122 |
3.241 |
| Spring 2007 |
166 |
34 |
3.650 |
| Fall 2006 |
201 |
53 |
3.500 |
| Spring 2006 |
137 |
40 |
3.500 |
| Fall 2005 |
168 |
74 |
3.300 |
| Spring 2005 |
105 |
47 |
3.350 |
Students admitted to the CIB program must complete the CIB requirements prior to or concurrently with their degree requirements. Students who have graduated and have not completed all CIB requirements will be withdrawn from the program. For example, a student graduating in May 2005 may not complete any remaining CIB requirements during the summer 2005 semester or thereafter.
Students admitted to the CIB program who will not be continuing their education at UW-Madison need to withdraw from the CIB program by completing a CIB Cancellation form.
Students admitted to the CIB program who are re-entering UW-Madison after any kind of leave of absence (study abroad, personal reasons, etc.) to complete their undergraduate degree do not need to re-apply to the CIB program. Students are automatically enrolled into the CIB program upon re-entry to UW-Madison. However, it is the student’s responsibility to verify that the CIB has been re-declared and appears on the student’s record. If re-entry students do not wish to complete the CIB program, they must complete a CIB Cancellation form.
Students admitted to the CIB may withdraw themselves from the program by completing and submitting a CIB Cancellation form. If students know they will not complete all CIB requirements, withdrawal from the program as soon as possible is requested. This will make your space available to future students applying to the CIB.
Upon successful completion of all CIB requirements prior to or concurrently with degree requirements, students will have “Awarded Certificate in Business” notated on official transcripts for the semester in which the last CIB requirements are completed. Students do not receive a separate paper certificate, nor is the certificate notated on a diploma.
The CIB program consists of six courses (four core courses and two additional breadth courses), for a total of 18 credits. Students are also responsible for any pre-requisite courses needed for core or breadth courses. Click here for pre-requisite information for core courses.
Students must take at least 12 of the 18 required credits in residence at UW-Madison. Study abroad courses taken through a UW-Madison sponsored program will count toward the 12 credits in residence.
Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in all required courses for the CIB.
*CIB students are strongly encouraged to take ACCT IS 300, unless ACCT IS 100 is required by their major
**CIB Breadth Requirement information:
- Breadth Courses must be at least 3 credits
- Breadth Courses must be School of Business courses (or courses cross-listed with School of Business). Breadth Courses may be from the same department as the core courses
- Breadth Courses must be from two different School of Business departments (or cross-listed with two different School of Business departments)
- Courses taken at another institution must be directly equivalent to a UW-Madison business course and title (i.e. not elective credit)
Exclusions
The following courses may not be used to satisfy the CIB Breadth Courses requirement:
- Gen Bus 100
- Gen Bus 300
- Gen Bus 303
- Gen Bus 365
- I SYE/ACCT IS 313 (formerly IND ENGR/ACCT IS 313)
- ACCT IS 211
- Any Business course numbered 399
- Any Business course cross-listed with a foreign language
Certificate in Business students are qualified for many entry-level business positions. While the career opportunities available to CIB are vast, common business careers CIB students pursue following graduation include:
- Advertising
- Business Analyst – Information Systems
- Business Development
- Commercial & Retail Banking
- Consulting
- Event Management
- Human Resources
- Investment Management
- Management
- Project Lead/Manager – Information Systems
- Retail (Stores & Corporate)
- Underwriting/Claims Adjusting
Other CIB students choose to pursue careers in education, engineering, the non-profit sector or the healthcare industry, to name a few. Some CIB students attend graduate school following graduation in programs including law school, public policy, medical school, engineering, social work and more.
Contact the BCC to meet with the CIB career advisor, Chris McIntyre, if you would like to explore your career options further.
Meet the academic and career advisors for admitted Certificate in Business students
Katie Denzin
Undergraduate Academic Advisor
kdenzin@bus.wisc.edu
Meet the academic advisors for prospective Certificate in Business students
Please visit the advising page for information on advising and appointments.
Click here to apply for the Certificate in Business