Financial background in accounting, budgeting, and service operations for school districts are essential skills for school administrators and other school business staff. The graduate certificate in School Business Management (SBM) focuses on those skillsets.
There are 13 core credits in the certificate program including three School Business Management financial courses, an Auxiliary Services course, and a one-credit capstone project course. However, individuals who already possess a master's degree and are seeking licensure can customize the certificate to include all credits required under Wisconsin DPI code 5008.
Contact us for information on customizing the certificate, which is administered completely online. For core course list descriptions, Visit the Graduate Catalog.
NOTE: These credits can be applied toward the Master of Science in Education in School Business Management degree.
No GMAT required.
To qualify for admission to the certificate program, students must have a bachelor's degree from a recognized institution and meet graduate admission criteria.
If you do not meet the graduate admission criteria, please email us to determine if you could be admitted on a conditional basis.
A foundational course in financial accounting is required before enrolling in school finance courses. Students with no prior academic accounting background or experience will be required to take this pre-requisite or Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) accounting course either at the graduate or undergraduate level. However, an accounting course taken for graduate credit does not count towards the 36-credit degree requirement.
To ensure the program is compliant with Wisconsin Administrative Code PI 34 for Teacher Education Program Approval and Licensing as updated August 2018, all applicants must undergo a criminal background check (PI 34.018).
Courses with the School Business Management (SCHBUSMG) prefix are billed at the Graduate Business-Resident or Graduate Business-Non Resident rate; tuition is based on residency. All other graduate business course prefixes are billed at the graduate business online rate of $678 USD per credit for the 2023-2024 academic year – whether you are a Wisconsin resident, an out-of-state student, or international student.
If you compare our graduate tuition to other AACSB-accredited business schools who offer online classes, you will find that this per-credit price is quite reasonable.
What creates this value?
Course materials
Graduate students can purchase textbooks and other instructional materials through the University Bookstore or elsewhere online. Students should verify what materials are needed with their instructor.
Financial aid
Students enrolled in the Graduate certificate programs are not federal aid eligible.
Students completing a certificate with a degree program may be eligible for financial aid in the form of grants, loans, scholarships, or employment. All of these make up a “Financial Aid Package” and may be offered singly or in various combinations. Since funds are limited, priority for aid is based on financial need and how promptly applications are filed. For more information, please reach out directly to the Financial Aid department.