Format
8 required courses (120 hours)
Delivery
Classroom, Online | Learn more
Duration
Complete in 4 months, or up to 3 years
Business analysis is the practice of defining needs and recommending solutions, allowing organizations to change, add value and meet the needs of stakeholders.
Qualified business analysts are in demand. With our lean and focused Business Analysis Certificate program, you can apply your new knowledge right away.
Business analysts enable change by defining business needs and recommending solutions that deliver value. They also manage requirements and support continuous improvement efforts for organizational success.
Learn how to create solutions to problems with our Business Analysis Certificate. Our courses are taught by instructors who work in the industry and follow the BABOK® Guide v3. Whether you want to revitalize your existing BA skills or gain entry into this fast-growing field, our courses provide real-world learning you can use. Flexible and affordable, the eight courses in this certificate can be taken in a format that best suits your needs.
With support from our experienced instructors, discover best practices, proven tools and industry-recognized techniques to analyze needs and solutions. Build knowledge to recommend strategies and support stakeholder collaboration. Model, analyze, communicate and manage requirements and other business analysis information.
Multi-level, competency-based certification is awarded through the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA®). Certification is increasingly recognized as the benchmark of excellence for the business analysis professional. For an overview of certification requirements and upcoming Calgary Chapter events, please visit the IIBA®website.
Mount Royal University is proud to be an IIBA® Endorsed Education Provider (EEP™). All courses in the Business Analysis Extension Certificate program automatically qualify towards the professional development hours required for IIBA® certification or recertification. Each course is worth 15 countinuing development units (CDUs) towards IIBA credentials.
Highlights and benefits
Earn a recognized credential | Enhance your career prospects
Become career-ready | Prepare for a career as a business analyst
Real-world knowledge | Learn from experienced industry professionals
Earn PD hours | Earn professional development hours towards IIBA certification or recertification
Putting education to work
Recent Business Analysis graduate Kim Sauter says continuing education helped her find confidence after a career transition. Sauter is working as a business analyst with a team of project managers, subject matter experts and other analysts from agencies across Canada on the nationwide launch of next-generation 9-1-1.
Read Kim’s story
Interested in project management?
Project managers make business analysts’ solutions happen. Consider our Project Management Extension Certificate to gain the knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to manage complex projects.
View program
Course schedule
Course schedule by semester
Fall (Sept. - Dec.) |
Winter (Jan. - April) |
Spring/Summer (May - Aug.) |
|
---|---|---|---|
An Overview of Business Analysis | CL/ON | CL/ON | ON |
Specify & Model Requirements | CL/ON | CL/ON | ON |
Business Process Modeling | CL/ON | CL/ON | ON |
Strategic Business Analysis | CL | ON | CL/ON |
Facilitation Skills for Business Analysts | CL | ON | CL/ON |
Plan & Manage Business Analysis Work | CL/ON | CL/ON | ON |
Develop a Business Case | CL | ON | CL/ON |
Business Analysis Perspectives | CL/ON | ON | CL/ON |
Legend
BL: Blended (Online & Classroom)
CL: Classroom
FT: Fast Track
ON: Online
IDS: Independent Study
P: Practicum
This schedule is subject to change. Courses start on various dates within each semester. Fall schedule and registration is available in June; Winter schedule and registration is available in November; and Spring/Summer schedule and registration is available in March.
Career opportunities
To learn more about the role of a business analyst, check out the IIBA's "In the Life of a BA" series, where real-world practitioners share their stories.
To view business analysis-related job postings currently available in Canada, please visit Indeed.ca.*
*The job opportunities posted on the above website are provided solely for the student's information. Mount Royal does not endorse, screen or evaluate these opportunities and has no control over the accuracy of the postings or the quality or safety of the opportunities advertised. It is the student's responsibility to investigate these opportunities to ensure that they are appropriate and meet the student's expectations.
Frequently asked questions
Who is this program intended for?
This certificate program is intended for beginner to intermediate business professionals looking to gain foundational business analysis knowledge and skills. Students may currently be in a BA role and looking for formalized training, wanting to transition into a BA role, or working closely with BA professionals. The skills acquired throughout this program can be applied to your professional business environment.
Can I take the courses individually?
Yes, the courses are available individually. You are responsible for choosing your schedule and registering for the courses of your choice. If you are intending to take the entire certificate, you are responsible for tracking your completion. We strongly suggest that you take An Overview Of Business Analysis and Specify and Model Requirements as your first two courses.
Do I have to take the courses in order?
No, each course is designed to stand alone. However, we encourage you to take An Overview Of Business Analysis and Specify and Model Requirements as your first two courses.
How many courses can I take at a time?
You can take as many courses as your schedule will allow. There are no restrictions on the number of courses you can take at one time.
Do you offer these courses in a Fast Track format?
The program is offered in Fast Track format in the month of July.
How will I be graded in each course?
Each classroom / online course has several graded assignments. These assignments vary per course; however, they are all designed to assess the outcomes of each course. These assessments include, but are not limited to, group projects, discussion board posts, short answers and quizzes. Please note that for in-class courses you may be required to complete an assignment in the evening between classes or online after the last day.
Can I take both classroom and online courses?
Yes, you can take both classroom and online courses interchangeably. But if you register for a classroom course, you must complete it in the classroom. If you register for an online course, you must complete it online.
What materials are required?
The A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge ® (BABOK ® Guide) Version 3 is required for all courses in the program. All other course materials are included.
Will I be a Certified Business Analyst when I'm done?
No. A Certified Business Analyst is an individual that has achieved a relevant IIBA® designation (e.g. ECBA®, CCBA®, CBAP® and CBATL®). These are internationally recognized professional designations awarded to individuals that have shown proficiency in Business Analysis through a combination of work experience and academic training. MRU is an IIBA Endorsed Education Provider and all of our Business Analysis courses meet the specific criteria for the formal training required for these designation programs.
Once you have completed our program you will have a credit-free Extension Certificate in Business Analysis which provides practical foundational training in Business Analysis and can be used to meet the academic requirements for all four designation programs.
For complete details on the designation and qualification process please refer to the IIBA® website.
Will I get a job once I'm done?
While having professional development training in Business Analysis will certainly put you in a favourable position when looking for employment, there are so many other factors to consider for each individual that it would be impossible to pre-determine your employment success. Our graduate statistics have shown that a significant percentage of past students have experienced a measurable increase in salary, responsibility and/or activity after completing our program.
Will Mount Royal help me locate career opportunities?
No, Mount Royal does not have a system in place to assist students with career opportunities upon completion of our certificate. However, there are periodic job postings advertised on our website. As well, during the courses your fellow students can be an excellent networking resource. Students can also access the IIBA®'s Career Centre.
Program questions?