Services and resources

Retail Management Certificate

The retail industry is fast-paced and rapidly changing. Technological advances such as scanners and electronic data interchange, as well as various innovations in marketing and distribution, have created a need for personnel with strong fundamental management and computer skills. Candidates possessing these skills have excellent prospects for employment and advancement.

The Retail Management Certificate is designed to give a clear sense of what is involved in managing a retail sales operation or line of merchandise. Developed with and endorsed by the Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC), this certificate provides broad-based training in ten content areas for future and current employees in a variety of retail operations, including: grocery stores, department stores, and specialty retailers.

Individuals completing this program will develop a clear sense of the scope of a career in the field of retail management, and receive a Certificate of Retail Management which may also show the WAFC endorsement. The curriculum includes foundational courses in: written and oral communication, business mathematics, human relations, and microcomputer applications. Students also complete specific business and management courses in accounting, management, marketing, retailing, and human resource management.

First Quarter
Course Number Course Title Credit Hours
Total 10
BUS116 Business Math/Spreadsheets 5
BUS236 Interpersonal Communications for the Workplace 5
Second Quarter
Course Number Course Title Credit Hours
Total 15
BUS114 Introduction to Marketing 5
BUS205 Human Resource Management 5
BUS230 Business Communications [1] 5
Third Quarter
Course Number Course Title Credit Hours
Total 10
ACCT110 Introduction to Accounting/Bookkeeping I 5
either BUS169
or IT101 		Using Computers in Business I
Software Applications 		5
Fourth Quarter
Course Number Course Title Credit Hours
Total 13
BUS119 Leadership and Management Skills 3
BMT140 Management Skills [1] 5
BMT213 Retailing [1] 5

Total credits for certificate: 48

[1] Online Courses

NSCC includes The following online courses, which are offered exclusively from Skagit Valley College, as part of the Retail Management Certificate.

  • BMT140 Management Skills
  • BMT213 Retailing

This program of study is outlined by quarter, and courses should be taken in the indicated sequence. However, it should not be concluded that students will always proceed through their program of study exactly as prescribed here. The number of quarters listed here is minimum. Individual student experience, educational and training background, and personal schedules and demands all may affect the time it takes to finish this program. Also, in general, summer quarter is not considered one of the full-time quarters in the program.

Note: advanced placement testing, work experience, and transfer of credits may result in course waivers, credit transfer, and advanced placement.

Throughout this program of study the importance of a responsible and professional work ethic is stressed. Factors leading to such a work ethic are identified and discussed. Instruction is also provided in effective leadership and how it enhances the work environment. Input from this program's industrial advisory committee is essential to curriculum content pertaining to the work ethic and leadership as well as the technically oriented curriculum.

Effective Summer 2007
Certificate of Retail Management
52.1497 / 298