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Certificate students are enrolled at Queen’s University and are therefore subject to the policies, regulations, and requirements of this institution and, if they are registered in another Queen's degree program, the regulations of that program.
Certificate students are also subject to the policies, regulations and requirements of the Certificate in Business. It is the responsibility of every student in the Certificate to read and understand these policies, regulations, and requirements.
Students registered in multiple programs are responsible for ensuring courses are registered in the appropriate program on SOLUS.
Students are responsible for ensuring they are registered in the appropriate required courses to meet Certificate requirements. If you have questions, please speak with the Program Manager. They can help to answer questions about Certificate requirements and course enrollment.
The Academic Advising Report, available on you SOLUS account, is also a helpful resource. Students registered in multiple programs are advised not to rely on the SOLUS audit alone, but to regularly meet with their Academic Advisors to ensure their courses are properly registered.
4.2.1 Current Queen's Students
Students’ first two (2) courses will be taken at the 200‐level, and may count as electives toward their undergraduate degree. These courses must be enrolled under the student's degree and will be charged at the student’s home faculty tuition rate. Once a course is completed, students are not able to switch a 200‐level course to a 600‐level.
The remaining four (4) courses will be taken at the 600‐level and will count towards the Certificate in Business; they will not count towards a student’s undergraduate degree requirements. These courses must be enrolled under the student's Certificate and will be charged at the Commerce tuition rate. Once a course is completed, students are not able to switch a 600‐level course to a 200‐level.
Students may not choose to designate a Certificate course for pass/fail grading (i.e. a Personal Interest Credit).
Students are permitted to make changes to their courses using SOLUS. Students are encouraged to consult the Office of the University Registrar for information on academic and financial deadlines.
Note that the dates to drop a course are different for 200- and 600-level courses. For more information, see 4.4.6 Adding and Dropping Courses.
For more information regarding the appeal procedures for 200- and 600-level courses, see 7 Academic Decisions and Appeals.
Students with questions or concerns about their course registration should contact the Program Manager.
4.2.2 Queen's Graduates, Students from Other Post -Secondary Institutions, and Interest Students:
The following categories of student must take all six (6) required courses at the 600-level:
- Students who have completed an undergraduate degree at Queen’s (3.1.2 Queen’s Graduates for exception)
- Current students from universities outside of Queen’s
- Current students of recognized community colleges
- Graduates of universities outside of Queen’s
- Certificate in Business Interest Students
These courses will be charged at the Commerce tuition rate.
Whether courses taken at Queen’s can be transferred for credit to another post-secondary institution is at the discretion of that institution. Students are encouraged to consult their home university before beginning the Certificate and to obtain a Letter of Permission.
There are three (3) terms during the academic year: Fall (September to December), Winter (January to April), and Summer (May to August).
4.3.1 Current Queen's Students
Once enrolled in the Certificate, Queen’s students may complete the courses required for the Certificate at any point throughout their undergraduate studies, including up to two (2) years (i.e. six (6) terms) after the completion of their undergraduate degree.
4.3.2 Queen's Graduates and Students from Other Post-Secondary Institutions
Once enrolled in the Certificate, Queen’s graduates, students from other post‐secondary institutions, and Interest Students have up to five (5) years (i.e. fifteen (15) terms), to complete the Certificate.
Some students may require an extension of these timelines. Typically, students would be granted an extension only if there are extenuating circumstances which interfered with their ability to complete the program within the timeframe. Such requests should be accompanied by official documentation (for more information see 7.1 Extenuating Circumstances and 7.1.2 Official Documentation).
Should students need to extend their term of study, they must appeal, in writing, to the Associate Dean, Undergraduate (or delegate) via the Program Manager. For more information see 7.4 Appeals to the Associate Dean, Undergraduate.
Students who have not completed the program within the maximum term of study, and have not been granted an extension, will be discontinued from the Certificate. Such students may apply for readmission, but note that prior admission to the program is not a guarantee of future admission.
Any questions regarding extending the maximum term of study should be directed to Program Manager.
Course offerings and program requirements change periodically. The Commerce Program works in conjunction with the Certificate in Business Committee to ensure that changes in the curriculum are made with the least amount of disruption to continuing students.
For more information regarding credit for courses completed before enrolling in the Certificate, see 3.1 Admissions Requirements and 4.4.5 Credit for Courses from Other Universities.
4.4.1 Required Courses
Students who have enrolled in the CIB program before January 2026
Students who start the program before January 2026 are expected to take courses from, and complete, the curriculum in place at the time of their admission, where possible. Below are the original courses, and the approved alternatives in the event that original courses are not available. The replacement courses below are the only alternative courses eligible for CIB completion for those registered prior to 2026.
All courses are offered exclusively online.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 600 | Business Fundamentals (COMM 200 equivalent) | 3.00 |
| COMM 601 | Introduction to Business for Entrepreneurs (COMM 201 equivalent) | 3.00 |
| COMM 611 | Financial Accounting (COMM 211 equivalent) | 3.00 |
| COMM 612 | Management Accounting (COMM 212 equivalent) | 3.00 |
| COMM 621 | Foundations of Finance (COMM 221 equivalent) | 3.00 |
| COMM 631 | Foundations of Marketing (COMM 231 equivalent) | 3.00 |
| COMM 651 | Managing People in Organizations (COMM 251 equivalent) | 3.00 |
Notes:
Students must take one of COMM 600 or COMM 601. *If neither COMM 600 or COMM 601 is available, the requirement may be replaced with one (1) of the new elective courses listed below for students starting CIB January 2026 or later.
*If COMM 611 is not taken, a student also cannot take COMM 612 Management Accounting. These courses may be replaced with COMM 610 Foundations of Accounting and one (1) of the new elective courses listed below for students starting CIB January 2026 or later
*If a student has taken COMM 611, but COMM 612 is not available, COMM 612 must be replaced with COMM 610 Foundations of Accounting as listed below for students starting CIB January 2026 or later
For more information about 200-level and 600-level courses, see Course Registration.
Students who have enrolled in the CIB program January 2026 or later:
The Certificate in Business is a multi‐year program in which students complete six (6) 3.0‐unit courses. The six courses are comprised of four (4) mandatory core courses (12.0 units) and two (2) elective courses (6.0 units) out of a set of available electives.
To be eligible to receive the Certificate, students must complete a total of 18.0 units, and meet the Academic Regulations (see Academic Standing).
All courses will be delivered in an online format.
Core Courses:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 610 | Foundations of Accounting: Integrating Financial and Managerial Accounting Principles (COMM 210 equivalent) | 3.00 |
| COMM 621 | Foundations of Finance (COMM 221 equivalent) | 3.00 |
| COMM 631 | Foundations of Marketing (COMM 231 equivalent) | 3.00 |
| COMM 651 | Managing People in Organizations (COMM 251 equivalent) | 3.00 |
Course List - Elective Courses Students need to choose two (2) from the following courses:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 603 | Fundamentals of Business Strategy (COMM 203 equivalent) | 3.00 |
| COMM 604 | Entrepreneurial Thinking (COMM 204 equivalent) | 3.00 |
| COMM 673 | Global Business in a Connected World (COMM 273 equivalent) | 3.00 |
| COMM 690 | Foundations of Digital Business: Strategy, Data, and Emerging Technologies (COMM 290 equivalent) | 3.00 |
Courses may be taken in any order. Core courses do not need to be completed before elective courses. For more information about 200-level and 600-level courses, see 4.2 Course Registration.
4.4.2 Course Load
Students are normally not advised to take more than 6.0 units toward the Certificate in any term if they are also enrolled in another degree or diploma program.
Current Queen’s undergraduate students are strongly encouraged to discuss their course load with an Academic Advisor in their home faculty if they plan to take more or fewer units than the normal load for their year of study. Students who wish to exceed their normal term limit must consult with their home faculty.
All students may also consult with the Program Manager regarding course load throughout the Certificate.
4.4.3 Retaking Courses
Students enrolled in the Certificate have limited opportunities to repeat courses in order to earn the required C- grade. For more information see Progression in the Certificate in Business.
When the exact course is retaken, only the attempt with the higher mark will count toward the Certificate. However, both entries will continue to appear on the student's transcript. If a student needs to take COMM 610 as a replacement for a grade of less than C‐ in either COMM 611 or COMM 610, both grades will appear on the transcript and both will be included in the student’s GPA. However, only the course with the higher mark will be counted for progression purposes.
Students who retake a course must register the course at the same level (i.e. 200‐ or 600‐level) as the first attempt.
Students are normally not advised to take more than 6.0 units in any term. Students may consult with the Program Manager regarding course load throughout the Certificate.
4.4.4 Credit for Courses from Other Universities
All courses required for the Certificate must be completed at Queen’s. Typically, students are not permitted to apply credits from other universities to Certificate requirements after being admitted.
A maximum of 6.0 units completed at the 200‐level prior to enrolling in the Certificate may be applied as required Certificate courses.
Once enrolled, students may not complete courses toward the Certificate at other post-secondary institutions.
For more information on courses completed at Queen’s prior to enrolling in the Certificate, see 3.1 Admission Requirements.
Questions regarding this matter should be referred to the Program Manager.
4.4.5 Adding and Dropping Courses
In any given semester, students may make changes to the course(s) they are enrolled in without financial or academic penalty within the "Add and Drop" dates, which are outlined in the Commerce Sessional Dates for each faculty on the Office of the University Registrar website. Students should also consult the Office of the University Registrar for information on the academic and financial deadlines that apply past the “Add and Drop” period.
4.4.6 Grading
The grading system for courses in the Queen’s Program is:
| Letter Grade | Grade Point | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | 4.3 | 90-100 |
| A | 4.0 | 85-89.9 |
| A- | 3.7 | 80-84.9 |
| B+ | 3.3 | 77-79.9 |
| B | 3.0 | 73-76.9 |
| B- | 2.7 | 70-72.9 |
| C+ | 2.3 | 67-69.9 |
| C | 2.0 | 63-66.9 |
| C- | 1.7 | 60-62.9 |
| D+ | 1.3 | 57-59.9 |
| D | 1.0 | 53-56.9 |
| D- | 0.7 | 50-52.9 |
| F | 0.0 | 0-49.9 |
4.4.7 Non-Evaluative Grades
For information regarding non-evaluative grades in 200-level courses, students should refer to their home faculty. For information regarding non-evaluative grades in 600-level courses, please see below.
Aegrotat Standing (AG)
Aegrotat Standing (AG) in a course is for situations in which a student has completed and passed at least 60% of the work for a course but, because extenuating circumstances beyond their control (See 7.1 Extenuating Circumstances), is unable to complete the remainder of the work in the course.
A student seeking Aegrotat Standing in a class must submit an appeal to the Associate Dean, Undergraduate (or delegate; see 7.4 Appeals to the Associate Dean, Undergraduate). Students should note the 7.4.1 Timeline of Appeals to the Associate Dean, Undergraduate. The appeal submission should typically have the written support of the instructor. As part of the appeal, the instructor will indicate whether the student has demonstrated an understanding of the class material and will provide an estimate of the student’s grade in the class based on the work completed. The Associate Dean, Undergraduate will consider whether a request for academic consideration was made during the term. In addition, the decision-maker will consider whether an alternative plan would allow the student to complete the course. For example, the student may be given permission to submit course work late or defer the writing of a final examination. In this case, the student would be granted the temporary designation Incomplete (IN).
If the request is granted, this estimated letter grade will appear on the student’s transcript together with a note reading “Aegrotat Estimated Grade.” Aegrotat grades will be included in the student’s grade point average (GPA), and can be used as credit earned towards a degree program.
An Aegrotat grade below C will have implications for progression in the Certificate. For more information, see 5.1 Progression in the Certificate in Business.
Students may be granted Aegrotat and/or Credit standing for a maximum of 6.0 units within the Certificate. This includes courses at both the 200- and 600-level.
AG Standing will not be applied to courses in which a remedy or sanction resulting from a finding of departure from academic integrity impacts the student's grade.
Credit Standing (CR)
Credit Standing (CR) in a course is reserved for situations in which a student has completed all of the work of the course including the final examination, and achieved a passing grade in the course, but because of illness or other extenuating circumstances beyond their control (see 7.1 Extenuating Circumstances), earned a substantially lower grade than might have been expected (normally a grade lower than C).
A student seeking Credit Standing in a course must submit a formal appeal to the Associate Dean, Undergraduate (or delegate; see 7.4 Appeals to the Associate Dean, Undergraduate). Students should note the Timeline of Appeals to the Associate Dean, Undergraduate. As part of the appeal, the instructor must normally provide written support. The Associate Dean, Undergraduate will consider whether a request for academic consideration was made during the term and, if academic consideration was provided during the term, what additional basis exists that might warrant substituting the grade assigned by the instructor.
If the request is granted, a course with Credit Standing will not be included in the student’s GPA, but can be used as credit earned towards the Certificate. Students who wish to use a course in which they have Credit Standing as a prerequisite for registering in a further class may need to appeal to the instructor of the class if the prerequisite requirement includes a minimum grade. Instructors have the authority to waive this prerequisite at their discretion.
For the purposes of Academic Progression in the Certificate, a CR shall be considered equivalent to a grade of C, and will therefore not have implications for progression the Certificate. For more information, see Progression in the Certificate in Business.
Students may be granted Aegrotat and/or Credit standing for a maximum of 6.0 units within the Certificate. This includes courses at both the 200- and 600-level.
CR Standing will not be applied to courses in which a remedy or sanction resulting from a finding of departure from academic integrity impacts the student's grade.
Grade Deferred (GD)
Grade Deferred Standing (GD) is a temporary designation reserved for circumstances in which:
A student has submitted all the work in a course, but the final grade is not available (e.g. late assignment not yet marked); or
A possible departure from academic integrity is under investigation or under appeal and a final grade for the course cannot be determined.
The instructor shall indicate to the Program Manager (or delegate) the special circumstances under which the GD is being assigned, and in the case of (1) above, shall provide a timeline for submission of the final grade.
A grade of GD will not be included in the determination of a student's grade point average, and any course with a GD designation may not be counted for credit towards the Certificate program.
Please note GD differs from the notation IN, which indicates that a student has not submitted all the work assigned and the instructor has agreed to accept the outstanding work.
Incomplete (IN)
Incomplete Standing (IN) is a temporary designation reserved for a course in which a student who, because of extenuating circumstances beyond their control (see 7.1 Extenuating Circumstances), has not completed all work for a course and/or requests permission to defer the writing of a final examination.
A student seeking Incomplete Standing may be requested to provide documentation that demonstrates extenuating circumstances (see Official Documentation). The date for the work to be completed should be reached by mutual agreement between the instructor and student. Incomplete work can normally be submitted no later than the end of the subsequent term.
In cases where a student will receive a failing grade if all outstanding work is not completed or the exam is not written, an IN grade will be submitted by the instructor. A grade of IN will not be included in the determination of a student’s grade point average, and any course with an IN designation may not be counted for credit towards a degree program. If the outstanding work is not submitted by the end of the subsequent term, the IN grade will lapse to an F (failure) and will be included in the student’s grade point average.
Any extensions beyond either the date of the first agreement or the end of the subsequent term must be approved by the Director of Student Services (or delegate).
Transfer Credit (TR)
A transfer credit (TR) designation is reserved for a course in which a student undertakes study at another accredited post-secondary institution. A transcript note will accompany this entry, indicating the university or other academic institution from which the credit was earned, and the degree program to which the transferred course is being credited. Under no circumstances shall the grade provided by another post-secondary institution be placed on the Queen’s transcript.
Transfer Credit designations will not be included in the student’s grade point average but may, in some limited cases, be counted for credit towards the Certificate. For more information, see 4.4.4 Credit for Courses from Other Universities.
Dropped (DR)
The Dropped (DR) designation indicates a course that is dropped by a student after the deadline to drop without academic penalty (see 4.4.5 Adding and Dropping Courses), or as the result of a successful appeal (see 7 Academic Decisions and Appeals).
Dropped designations will not be included in the student’s grade point average and will not count for credit towards a degree. A student may not appeal to remove a DR notation from the transcript.
A student may not drop a course in which an investigation into a possible departure from academic integrity is underway, or where a remedy or sanction resulting from a finding of departure from academic integrity impacts the grade.
Courses in Progress (no designation)
Transcripts shall note all courses in progress during the academic term in which they are offered. Courses in progress shall have no designation attached to them.
4.4.8 Grading Specifications
At the beginning of each course, the professor will provide a clear statement of the basis on which the final mark will be assessed. All work assigned and the weight, if any, that it will contribute to the final mark will be specified. An instructor may specify that students must pass the individual deliverable(s) to pass the course.
4.4.9 Class Participation
Class participation grades are allocated in some courses. Different instructors may define participation in different ways. For example, participation may include contributions to class discussions or discussion boards, class attendance, timely completion of assigned work, and any other relevant factors as judged by the instructor. Professors who choose to evaluate class participation as part of student evaluation should define the specific form and opportunities for this participation at the start of their course.
4.4.10 Audit Policy
Students may not audit courses required for the Certificate.