Overview

The Edwards School of Business is just the right size. We offer exemplary students an AACSB-accredited education in a welcoming classroom environment. Our classes facilitate learning and interaction with faculty and other students. Situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis, the Edwards School of Business provides social and professional activities business students crave.

The Indigenous Business Administration Certificate (IBAC) is designed for self-declared First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students. The certificate is a gradual step towards a successful career in business with an option to transfer into the B.Comm. degree program upon completion. It provides students with an introduction to business including courses in accounting, marketing, finance, and human resource management and also incorporates significant student success activities.

Mickayla Carlson and Lauren Aussant share their experiences as Indigenous students at Edwards School of Business. Mickayla is completing her Aboriginal Business Administration Certificate and Lauren is completing her Bachelor of Commerce in Management.

What will I study?

• Year 1 - Fall Term and Winter Term
  • COMM 115.0 Business School Life I
• Year 2 - Fall and Winter Term
  • COMM 120.0 Business School Life II
  • In year 2 of the program, students in good standing will be allowed to take five classes per term with advisor approval.
• Required Courses (36 credit units)
  • COMM 100.3 Business Communication
  • COMM 101.3 Introduction to Business
  • COMM 104.3 Foundations of Business Statistics
  • COMM 105.3 Introduction to Organizational Behaviour
  • COMM 201.3 Introduction to Financial Accounting
  • COMM 203.3 Introduction to Finance
  • COMM 204.3 Introduction to Marketing
  • COMM 211.3 Human Resource Management
  • COMM 229.3 Personal Financial Management
  • ECON 114.3 Introductory Macroeconomics
  • ECON 111.3 Introductory Microeconomics
  • MATH 102.3 Precalculus Mathematics or COMM 121.3 Business Mathematics
• English Language Requirement (3 credit units)
  • ANTH 302.3 The Practice of Ethnography
  • ANTH 310.3 Anthropology of Gender
  • CMRS 110.3 The Graeco Roman Tradition Evolution and Reception
  • CMRS 111.3 Medieval and Renaissance Civilization
  • CPSJ 203.3 Cultivating Humanity
  • ENG 110.6 Literature and Composition
  • ENG 111.3 Literature and Composition Reading Poetry
  • ENG 112.3 Literature and Composition Reading Drama
  • ENG 113.3 Literature and Composition Reading Narrative
  • ENG 114.3 Literature and Composition Reading Culture
  • ENG 120.3 Introduction to Creative Writing
  • ENG 210.3 Literary Canons and Cultural Power
  • ENG 211.3 History and Future of the Book
  • ENG 212.3 A History of English Words
  • ENG 213.3 A History of English Sounds and Spelling
  • ENG 394.3 Literary and Cultural Theory
  • HIST 115.3 History Matters Ideas and Culture
  • HIST 125.3 History Matters Indigenous Colonial and Post Colonial Histories
  • HIST 135.3 History Matters Gender Sex and Society
  • HIST 145.3 History Matters War Violence and Politics
  • HIST 155.3 History Matters Science and Environment
  • HIST 165.3 History Matters Health and Society
  • HIST 175.3 History Matters Identities and Communities in Transition
  • HIST 185.3 History Matters Conflict Law Politics and the State
  • HIST 193.3 History Matters Topics in Canadian History
  • HIST 194.3 History Matters Topics in European History
  • MUS 155.3 Music in History and the Present
  • PHIL 115.3
  • PHIL 120.3 Knowledge Mind and Existence
  • PHIL 121.3 Introduction to World Philosophies
  • PHIL 133.3 Introduction to Ethics and Values
  • PHIL 208.3 Ancient Philosophy Presocratics to Plato
  • PHIL 233.3 Ethical Theory
  • POLS 236.3 History of Political Theory
  • POLS 237.3 Modern Political Theory
  • PSY 323.3 Qualitative Study of Lives and Social Practices
  • PSY 355.3 Research in Advanced Cognitive Science
  • RLST 280.3 Methodologies and Approaches to Study of Religions
  • RLST 362.3 Monsters and Mischief Makers
• Non-Commerce Electives (6 credit units)
  • Choose 6 credit units of 100-level non-COMM electives
• Senior Commerce Elective (3 credit units)
  • 3 credit units of senior level Commerce elective (This must be chosen in conjunction with an academic advisor.)

Featured classes

COMM 115 – Business School Life I

Taught by Edwards advisors, this first-year course is designed to build skills to enhance success in the business world. Topics will include academic honesty and appropriate citation, presentations and case writing, study skills and exam writing skills, time and stress management and more.

COMM 120 – Business School Life II

A course designed to build a set of skills required for success in the business environment. Taken in your second year, topics will focus on: career counseling and job search techniques, resume writing and interview skills, and business etiquette. There will also be a networking event and local business visit.

Rawlinson Centre for Indigenous Business Students

At the Rawlinson Centre, Indigenous students can find a place to study, attend cultural events, and access dedicated student scholarships, tutoring services, and emergency financial assistance. The Centre is one of the only dedicated spaces for Indigenous business students in the country. Services include:

• Scholarships
  In addition to general USask scholarships, bursaries, and awards, Edwards has a number of dedicated awards for self-declared Métis, First Nation, and Inuit students. The Rawlco Awards (valued at $1,000) are provided to all self-identified Indigenous students annually upon successful progression from one year to another in the B.Comm. program. IBAC Awards (valued at $2,000) are provided to all graduates of the Edwards Indigenous Business Administration Certificate (IBAC) program.
• Professional development fund
  Edwards students can apply for co-curricular funding to subsidize costs related to activities that support academic success and the development of a professional network.
• Math Bridging Program
  If you are interested in a program at the University of Saskatchewan that requires Foundations of Mathematics 30 and/or Pre-Calculus 30 (Grade 12 MATH B 30 and/or MATH C 30), the Rawlinson Centre can help you upgrade while taking courses in the IBAC program.
• Tutoring
  Assistance is available for individuals or small groups to receive extra help in classes or to prepare for an exam or assignment.

Apply for admission

Apply

Start Term	Application Deadline
Fall	May 1

 

Admission requirements

• Direct entry admission - high school
  • First Nations, Metis or Inuit ancestry
  • Less than 18 credit units of transferable post-secondary courses
  • Grade 12 standing or equivalent
  • Successful completion of Foundations of Math 20 or Pre-Calculus 20. Successfuly completion of Math 30 or Pre-Calculus 30 is preferred
  • Minimum average of 70% on five subject high school average. Learn how we calculate your admission average.
  • Proficiency in English

• Transfer admission
  • First Nations, Metis or Inuit ancestry
  • Attempted 18 or more credit units of transferable post-secondary level studies
  • Grade 12 standing, or equivalent
  • Successful completion of Foundations of Math 20 or Pre-Calculus 20. Successfuly completion of Math 30 or Pre-Calculus 30 is preferred
  • Meet the minimum university transfer entrance average of 60%
  • Transfer credit will not be rewarded for any cohort classes in the program
  • Proficiency in English

• Mature admission
  • First Nations, Metis or Inuit ancestry
  • Entering first year of study (applicants who have completed 18 credits or more of university-level credits are not eligible to apply for mature admission)
  • Applicants must be 21 years of age by the first day of classes
  • A written submission demonstrating capacity to undertake university-level studies
  • Transcripts of any secondary or post-secondary coursework
  • Copies of supporting documents covering any non-credit programs completed
  • Resume
  • Proficiency in English
  • Learn more about mature admission

Money matters

Tuition and student fees

One of the most frequent questions asked by students is "How much does IBAC cost?"

In 2024-25, students in the IBAC program will pay $1,000.80 per 3-credit unit COMM class. Tuition for electives is dependent on the courses you choose. For current tuition information, visit the USask tuition website.

All certificate students must pay on-campus student fees. These fees are subject to review and revision at any time and are non-refundable after the add/drop deadline for a given term.

Textbooks

Textbook expenses vary depending on the requirements of each course. Generally students should expect to budget between $100 and $200 per class for texts and materials.

Get Involved

We encourage you to get involved beyond the classroom, as this is a great way to enhance your experience at university!

• Indigenous Business Students' Society

  Edwards, Room 91 | indigenousbss@gmail.com

  The Indigenous Business Students’ Society (IBSS) is a group within the Edwards School of Business that works towards enriching the student experience.

• Edwards Business Students' Society

  Edwards, Room 247 | admin.ebss@usask.ca

  The Edwards Business Students’ Society Inc. (EBSS) exists to represent and work on behalf of all the students of the N. Murray Edwards School of Business to supplement the university experience with a diverse number of social, academic, athletic, and charitable events throughout the school year.

  The EBSS also manages Edwards Clubs, which you may join regardless of whether or not you have selected your major.  

Ready to Study With Us?

If you would like more information on the Indigenous Business Administration Certificate, please contact us:

Jocelyn Ormerod
Edwards School of Business
University of Saskatchewan
25 Campus Drive
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
S7N 5A7

Call Us (306) 966-7967 Email Us Download Brochure Apply Now