Purpose

Although a significant percentage of our students ultimately pursue an advanced business degree, they will still spend several years in an organization before going back to school. This Certificate program is aimed at those who are intent upon having a career in business but who want to improve their ability to make a contribution soon as possible after finishing their McCormick degree. This educational experience gives them the orientation to make that possible.

Requirements

The Business Enterprise Certificate involves a combination of business courses and work experience that will augment any McCormick degree program.

Courses used towards the Business Enterprise Certificate may not be taken P/N.

*From the Approved Courses list, and including at least one accounting course.

ECON 260 will fullfill the accounting course requirement. Altermatively, via an approved curriculum petition, Accounting 204-CN (through the School of Continuing Studies) or an accounting course from another university may satisfy this requirement.

A Faculty Steering Committee determines which courses qualify as Approved Courses.

**Each internship must consist of 12 weeks of industry experience of a technical nature in a small, mid-size or large corporation. The internships may take place in different companies, and during each internship the students will participate in an evaluation process with their supervisors. The students must register for the McCormick Internship course, which carries no academic credit and for which students pay no tuition. Students will be evaluated on the basis of their ability to:

• Apply knowledge of technical or business principles to one’s work;
• Collect, analyze and interpret data;
• Design a system or process to meet desired goals;
• Function in a multidisciplinary team;
• Identify and solve organizational problems;
• Take professional and ethical responsibility;
• Communicate effectively in writing and speaking;
• Be aware of the relationship between this organization and the broader community;
• Become aware of the need for life-long learning;
• Apply one’s knowledge of contemporary issues; and
• Use modern technical tools for solving business problems.

Students will also be given the opportunity to evaluate the quality of the learning experience provided by the employer during each internship.

*** Normally, 48 units are required to earn a BS degree from McCormick. This certificate requires additional units, even if all requirements can be met in fewer units. Students completing a dual degree within McCormick must have 6 additional credits (i.e., 56 for co-op or 58 for non-co-op students).

The Faculty Steering Committee determines which courses qualify as approved courses, and set other administrative rules for the Business Enterprise Certificate Program.

Approved Courses

Courses on the approved list fall into the areas of communications, economics and finance, organizational behavior, and law and government. Other than having one accounting course, there is no further stipulation of topics for the remainder of the courses required for the certificate.

Download the official approved list Approved Course Listing (PDF). This listing also details out course pre-requisites.

Process to Earn Certificate

As soon as you have a plan in place to complete the requirements for the certificate, complete the Declaration of Intent to Pursue Business Enterprise Certificate Form (PDF). The form can be ammended as necessary. Filing the form will help the Office of Undergraduate Engineering monitor your progress and you will also have more time to make sure you complete all requirements. This form must be returned to the Office of Academic Services, Tech L269, prior to the beginning of your last quarter at Northwestern.

The Petition to Receive the Business Enterprise Certificate Form (PDF) is required to officially earn the certificate. This form should be completed and returned to the Office of Academic Services, Tech L269, with the Industry Work Experience report no later than the end of the second week of your last quarter at Nothwestern.

Questions

Questions about the Business Enterprise Certificate should be directed to the Office of Academic Services, Tech L269 or via e-mail to ueoffice@northwestern.edu.

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