Business Management: Leading with Confidence and Vision

How can studying Business Management align with my career goals?

  • Do you take pride in your organizational and time-management skills?

  • Are you comfortable taking charge of a team, delegating tasks, and working collaboratively to accelerate progress toward a common goal?

  • Do you consider yourself a confident communicator who can quickly adapt and multitask?

If so, a career in Business Management might be the perfect fit for you. Business Management revolves around confidently leading and supervising a company’s operations and employees. Specialties include project management, human resources (HR) and executive leadership positions such as CEO or COO.

Your Pathway to Success

Read on for our comprehensive guide to Business Management education and training in Montana. Whether you're seeking rapid training programs, certificates, or advanced degrees, you'll find diverse educational pathways to help you align your studies with your career goals.

Check out our Management & Entrepreneurship Career Pathways page to explore in-demand business jobs in Montana and take the first step toward a successful career in Business Management.

Table of Contents

Rapid Training, Certificates, and One- and Two-Year Programs

  • Business Management Certificate of Technical Studies (C.T.S.)

    • Program Length: 1 year

    • Description: Students within the Business Management program at Gallatin College MSU gain an understanding of the many important aspects of growing and leading a successful small business in the twenty-first century. Throughout the program, students develop a working knowledge of business fundamentals that include management principles, marketing, product and service development, sales and basic accountancy in order to succeed in the contemporary marketplace.

  • Business Certificate

    • Program Length: 1 year

    • Description: The Business Certificate program at Montana State is designed for non-business majors who want an overview of business concepts in order to enhance their future career success, but do not want to pursue a full 30-credit business minor. By enabling non-business students to learn how to apply fundamental concepts in economics, accounting, finance, management and marketing, graduates of the Business Certificate program are empowered to solve basic business problems.

  • Business Certificate (ONLINE)

    • Program Length: 1 year

    • Description: A UM business certificate is a great way to gain business knowledge, enhance your understanding of practices and become more marketable to employers. Sharpening your skills with a Business Certificate can provide an advantage, whether you’re pursuing advancement in your current profession or seeking new opportunities. The UM Business Certificate is open to current students, alumni, community members and students at other colleges. All courses can be taken online and the certificate can be completed in one year.

    Sustainable Business Strategy Certificate

    • Program Length: 1 year

    • Description: The Sustainable Business Strategy certificate from the University of Montana prepares you to incorporate sustainability considerations into strategic business decision. Not only do sustainability concerns affect risk management and the costs of doing business; sustainability considerations can also offer opportunities for innovation, enhanced product differentiation and value for customers, and employee recruitment and retention. Your studies will include both classroom and hands-on experience.

  • Business Assistant Certificate

    Business Administration Associate of Arts (A.A.)

    • Program Length: 2 years

    • Description: Fort Peck Community College’s Associate of Arts Degree (AA) Business Administration curriculum transfers to a four-year college, and prepares students to successfully enter occupations and careers in the business sector. Students learn basic accounting principles, contract law, business ethics and economic principles to aid them in starting or running a business. Career opportunities include entry-level management in banks, insurance companies, health organizations, educational institutions, manufacturing businesses, merchandisers, government, technology, and many more. In addition, the student will become acquainted with the history of the federal government’s relationship with Indian tribes and its legal effect on doing business in reservation communities.

    Business Technology Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)

  • Business Associate of Arts (A.A.)

    • Program Length: 2 years

  • Business Management and Records Management Associate of Science (A.S.)

    • Program Length: 2 years

    • Description: Blackfeet Community College’s Business Management A.S. degree provides students with the fundamental knowledge and skills to begin building a business career or to prepare to complete a bachelor's degree. There is an integration throughout the program that emphasizes developing the ability to make effective business managerial, administrative, and operational decisions.  This degree includes the development of “soft skills” such as business etiquette, intelligence, social capital, and civic duties.

  • Business Associate of Arts (A.A.) (pdf pg. 71)

    • Program Length: 2 years

    • Description: Chief Dull Knife College’s Business option, Associate of Arts Degree, curriculum is designed to transfer to a four-year college or university. In addition to the completion of general education requirements this program offers students an opportunity to complete 100 and 200 level courses leading to acceptance into upper division course work towards a completion of a bachelor’s degree.

    Administrative Assistant or Business Management A.A.S.(pdf pg. 85)

    • Program Length: 2 years

    • Description: The A.A.S. is a degree program of specific training in an occupational career field and is currently offered in Administrative Assistant and Business Management at Chief Dull Knife College. These programs prepare the graduates to assume entry level positions in business management and administration. Additionally, these courses enhance the skills of students already in the workforce through the acquisition and application of business administration, leadership, and managerial skills.

  • Business Administration Associate of Science (A.S.)

    • Program Length: 2 years

    • Description: Have you always considered entereing the world of business, but were unsure where to begin? The Business Administration AS degree at City College can offer you a starting point to being your journey toward a four-year business degree or build your skills to enter etc workforce. The program present students with foundational knowledge of various business concepts ranging from business law to marketing, as well as general education that produces well-rounded employees. This provides individuals the chance to explore the vast opporutniesi that an associate degree in business can offer. This degree can bridge to a bachelor’s degree, offered through MSU Billings’ College of Business where students can focus on accounting, finance, general business, management, or marketing.

  • Business Administration Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)

    • Program Length: 2 years

    • Description: The FVCC Business Administration program provides students with a solid foundation in current business practices as preparation for work in a wide variety of industries. Students gain an overall understanding of of the areas of business inclusive of management, marketing, human resource management, accounting, and finance. There is strong emphasis on professional and interpersonal communications as a means to successful business relationships.

  • Office Management & Supervision Associate of Applied Science A.A.S. (ONLINE optional)

    • Program Length: 2 years

    • Description: Great Falls College’s Office Management & Supervision A.A.S. program is designed to prepare students with the skills needed to manage various aspects of the front- and back-office operations of a business. Graduates of this program can work in public industries or governmental agencies as office managers, executive administrative assistants, and other positions that support the overall business operations.

  • Business Administration Associate of Arts (A.A.) (pdf pg. 40)

    • Program Length: 2 years

    • Description: Little Big Horn College’s Business Administration A.A. is designed to prepare students with the practical business skills, knowledge, information, and research to continue into various disciplines in a four-year business program. Another facet of this degree is to prepare students with the knowledge and practice for applying their skills in agricultural operations, corporations, entry level governmental and non-profit management or administration, service industry, small businesses, tourism, and other business areas in the community. Majors will have discipline options to focus on specific careers.

  • Business Emphasis Associate of Science (A.S.) (ONLINE option)

    • Program Length: 2 years

    • Description:Miles Community College’s Business Emphasis A.S is a two-year (60 credit) emphasis is designed to provide business foundation courses along with general academic requirements needed to transfer to a four-year institution. This program can be completed online.

    Business Technology Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) (ONLINE option)

    • Program Length: 2 years

  • Customer Relations Certificate (ONLINE)

    • Program Length: 1 year

    • Description: Increase your competitive advantage by learning how to create a service culture that builds and maintains business-building relationships with customers through Missoula College’s Online Customer Relations Certificate. We’ll cover such important topics as verbal/nonverbal communication, effective conflict resolution and listening skills. Customer Relations can be earned independently, or combined with second-year curriculum toward an Associate of Applied Science degree in Administrative Management.

    Business Management Associate of Applied Science A.A.S.

    • Program Length: 2 years

    • Description: Earn your associate degree in business management at Missoula College and graduate as a versatile business strategist who can add value to organizations of all types. This two-year program includes coursework and hands-on training in business administration, financial management, communications, sales and negotiations, and marketing. You can specialize your associate degree in entrepreneurship or sales and marketing.

  • Program of Study in Business Associate of Science (A.S.) or Business Technology Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.)

    • Program Length: 2 years each

    • Description: A Business degree from Montana State University-Northern will prepare you with a foundation of business practices and theories that will train you for successful leadership roles. The courses will provide you with a broad and diverse skill set with the flexibility to pursue your individual interests. Our business degree is designed to fit your lifestyle and meet your educational goals, so you can earn your degree in a way that works for you.

  • Business Management Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.)

    • Program Length: 2 years

    • Description: The Management Track under Montana Tech’s Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) program is designed to provide students with an opportunity to continue their education beyond their completed Associates of Applied Science (AAS) degree. The Management Track is designed to be a broad program that allows students to complete a general business curriculum as well as specific business coursework in an area of interest. Students studying under the Management track can elect to finish with coursework in Human Resources, information technology, entrepreneurship, marketing, or project management.

  • Grant Projects Management Workforce Certification

    • Program Length: 1 Semester (16 credits)

    • Description: SKC’s Workforce Certification in Grant Projects Management provides students with foundational skills needed to manage grant funds. The courses leading to this certification could be taken in combination with any major at SKC and would be beneficial for any professional organization that depends on grant funding, especially educational institutions and tribal entities. Students completing the required courses would become familiar with the basic features of grant projects management including the general process, how to distribute the funds appropriately, adherence to regulations and laws compulsory for grant funds, and completion of the reports required by the funding agency. Ethics in grant management are also addressed.

    Grant Projects Management Certificate of Completion

    • Program Length: 1 year

    • Description: SKC’s Grant Projects Management Program is designed to prepare graduates to gain employment in tribal, non-profit, or public organizations that operate with grant funding. The Certificate of Completion focuses on skills and knowledge needed to assist in a grant management office. Students learn basic skills in grant management including federal funding cycles, appropriations, roles and responsibilities, cost principles, uniform administration, and grant monitoring. Grant submission fundamentals and computer applications, such as word processing, spreadsheets, electronic presentations, and database, are introduced to students. The Grant Projects Certificate of Completion and Associate of Arts are stackable credentials.

    Business Management Associate of Arts (A.A.)

    • Program Length: 2 years

    • Description: The Business Management Associate Degree from SKC offers students foundational coursework providing the skills necessary for the successful completion of upper division coursework. The Associate Degree curriculum focuses on general education, economics, accounting, marketing, and management basics. Students receive experience in creating a business model and a marketing plan for a new or existing business.

    Grant Projects Management A.A.

    • Program Length: 2 years

    • Description: The Grant Projects Management Program at SKC is designed to prepare graduates to gain employment in tribal, non-profit, or public organizations that operate with grant funding. The first year of the program focuses on skills and knowledge needed to assist in a grant management office. Students learn basic skills in grant management including federal funding cycles, appropriations, roles and responsibilities, cost principles, uniform administration, and grant monitoring. Grant writing fundamentals and computer applications, such as word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and database are introduced to students. In the second year of the program, students gain an extensive knowledge of managing grants. Topics include sub awards, subrecipient monitoring, contract management, risk management and appropriation laws. Students also complete practical experience in a local grant office.

  • General Business A.S.

    • Program Length: 2 years

    Office Management Associate of Science (A.S.)

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Minors and Four-Year Programs

  • Business Administration Minor

    • Program Length: 3 years

    • Description: Pairing a business administration minor degree with a wide variety of major options at Carroll can help students appear attractive to potential employers after graduation. As a business administration minor, you’ll be exposed to the theory and practice of business, gain a solid foundation in business principles, explore the ever-expanding role of technology and innovation in business, and strengthen your understanding of the importance of ethics.

    Business: Management and Marketing Bachelor of Science (BS)

    • Program Length: 4 years

    • Description: The Business: Management & Marketing degree from Carroll College integrates functional areas of business with a focus on management and marketing, but also offers an additional optional "add-on" concentration for international business which allows you to combine your interest in travel and other cultures with a career in business. The global economy has created opportunities and challenges for entrepreneurs, businesses, governments, and non-profits. An understanding of global business practices and cultural similarities or differences can lead to career opportunities in international management, human resource management, sales and marketing, financial management, non-profit management, cultural advisors to businesses, and government positions.

  • Business Administration Minor

    • Program Length: 3 years

    • Description: The Business Administration minor at Montana State provides fundamental knowledge and exposure to key business concepts. The minor opens doors to a range of professional opportunities at companies or organizations. Additionally, the Business Administration program is open to business and non-business students.

    International Business Minor

    • Program Length: 3 years

    • Description: The International Business minor at Montana State supports students in developing skills and knowledge necessary for professional opportunities in international business by focusing on coursework for their own particular interest in modern languages, culture and diversity, political science, geography, history and economics.

    Business Bachelor of Science (BS), Management Emphasis

    • Program Length: 4 years

    • Description: In the Management program at Montana State, students actively practice the critical problem-solving and decision-making skills that will serve in the workforce. Whether networking through the Management & HR Club or practicing a start-up pitch at MSU’s Blackstone LaunchPad, Management students have a breath of resources at their fingertips to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom into the real world. With the skills gained in the Management track, students are prepared to step into a variety of roles such as analysts, managers, human resources specialists, entrepreneurship, and more.

  • Business Administration Minor

    • Program Length: 3 years

    • Description: The University of Montana’s minor in Business Administration will prepare you to operate more strategically and effectively in today’s rapidly changing professional environment. Through online courses, classroom training or a combination of the two, we’ll help broaden and deepen your knowledge and skills so you will not only meet today’s challenges but succeed in the workplace of the future.

    International Business Bachelor of Science B.S.

    • Program Length: 4 years

    • Description: Prepare to excel in a global business community. The AACB accredited international business degree at UM gives you the opportunity to focus on the managerial, economic, cultural, political, and social dimensions you need to lead in a global business environment. Our major in international business is unique in that it requires you to double-major and study a foreign language. you’ll also take specific internationally focused business classes and enroll in courses(geography, history, or political science) that relate toe the specific are of the world that interests you. Graduates of this program are sought after by companies big and small for their global mindset, cultural intelligence, and language proficiency.

  • Business Administration Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - General Business Option (ONLINE option)

    Business Administration B.S. - Management Option (ONLINE option)

    • Program Length: B.S. = 4 years

    • Description: The MSUB Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) Management option is designed to provide students with the problem-solving and leadership skills needed to manage employee productivity, company operations, and 21st century challenges. A degree in management provides the advantage needed to succeed in a competitive business environment. Management students take courses built on a broad foundation of learning in the areas of accounting, economics, business law, finance, business analytics, management information systems, and marketing.

  • Business Administration Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

    • Program Length: 4 years

    • Description: A Business degree from Montana State University-Northern will prepare you with a foundation of business practices and theories that will train you for successful leadership roles. The courses will provide you with a broad and diverse skill set with the flexibility to pursue your individual interests. Our business degree is designed to fit your lfestyle and meet your educaitonal goals, so you can earn your degree ina way that works for you. The bachelor’s degree utilizes a borad array of minors to tailer teh degree to your goals. The options inlcude business-related minors, technical minors, and humanities-based minors. MSU-Northern graduates with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration have gone on to work for Top Fortune 500 companies such as Target, U.S. Bank and General Motors along with careers in accounting and consultant firms as well as universities and colleges.

  • Business and Accounting Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

    • Program Length: 4 years

    • Description: If you envision yourself in the corporate world, as an entrepreneur, or as a leader in a non-profit organization, RMC prepares you to realize your dream. RMC’s business program is different from others because it has a liberal arts foundation. This assures that every student not only masters the area of their business concentration, but also becomes skilled in leadership, communication, and reasoning. Graduates leave RMC equipped with the tools that enable them to be effective problem solvers, ready to face the challenges of an ever-changing business environment.

  • Business Administration Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

    • Program Length: 4 years

    • Description: SKC’s Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration provides students with the essential business skills and knowledge necessary to enter the professional workplace. Specific emphasis is placed on reservation-based enterprises and organizations, experiential learning, business writing and business tools to develop employability skills for the workforce. Areas of instruction include leadership, management, accounting, business law, finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship. Students are encouraged to develop their business ideas and interests for establishing their first business idea or existing business venture.

  • Business Administration and Technology Bachelor of Science (BS)

    • Program Length: 4 years

    • Description: UM Western’s Business and Technology Department incorporates current technology, problem-based learning and hands-on team projects that combine to let students experience their education while preparing to excel in the business world.  With an emphasis on small business, business majors have the opportunity to learn entrepreneurship from the ground up while incorporating the latest technologies and trends of the day. The Business and Technology Department’s programs are designed to challenge students to acquire the practical, intellectual, technological, problem-solving, and communications skills necessary for successful participation in a diverse, dynamic, and global society. While the program is delivered using a small business, rural context, graduates are well prepared for joining a large corporation as well as pursuing a master’s degree in business administration.

  • Business Administration Bachelor of Science (BS) (ONLINE optional)

    • Program Length: 4 years

    • Description: In addition to general business knowledge, the Business Administration program at the University of Providence emphasizes three primary competencies: interpersonal skills, technological skills, and problem-solving. Ethical decision-making and personal character development are also woven through the coursework. Theoretical and practical concepts are integrated through case studies and projects that take advantage of students’ professional and organizational experience. In addition, an internship takes you out of the classroom and into applying the skills and knowledge you have learned for your resume.

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Post-Graduate Programs

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Skill Development and Certifications

  • Build in-demand cloud skills—your way—with the AWS training and certification online learning center. Whether you're new to the cloud, an experienced builder, or an organization looking to innovate at scale, the AWS Skill Builder can help you stay current and reach your goals.

  • Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing platform with an ever-expanding set of services to help you build solutions to meet your business goals. Azure has simple web services for hosting your business presence in the cloud. Azure also supports running fully virtualized computers managing your custom software solutions. Azure provides a wealth of cloud-based services like remote storage, database hosting, and centralized account management. Azure also offers new capabilities like artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) focused services.

  • From quick, practical courses to comprehensive certifications, learn everything you need to know about the most sought-after business skills. HubSpot Academy offers free, self-paced online courses on hundreds of topics like content marketing, digital marketing, data management, sales enablement, solutions architecture, and more.

  • The Project Management Professional (PMP) Certificate proves project leadership experience and expertise in any way of working. To obtain PMP certification, a project manager must meet certain requirements and then pass a 180-question exam. The PMP certification validates that you are highly skilled in people, processes, and business environment, which can ultimately lead to a higher salary and new employment opportunities.

  • Salesforce Trailhead provides a fun, hands-on learning experience that helps you learn the Salesforce, digital, and soft skills you need to succeed from anywhere for free. Prove your skills by earning resume-worthy credentials that demonstrate your expertise to current and future employers. Learning modules include courses ranked from beginner to advanced in categories such as leadership, commerce, data management, and more.

  • Structured query language (SQL) is a programming language for storing and processing information in a relational database. Explore comprehensive SQL learning paths from basic syntax to advanced querying.

  • The University of Providence’s Argo Connect and dual credit programs are crucial in helping to increase the educational options and opportunities for currently enrolled high school juniors and seniors. Not only do these programs provide students with a unique opportunity to earn credit at the secondary and postsecondary levels simultaneously – they provide students with an early glimpse of college life; including course load, deadlines, structure, and more. Students in Dual Enrollment can take up to three 3-credit courses at no cost.

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Additional Career Resources

  • Check out our business management career pathways page to explore in-demand business jobs in Montana.

  • As Montana continues to emerge as a thriving tech hub, it’s creating abundant opportunities across the state’s diverse tech sector. Our list of 31 Hot Montana Jobs 2025 includes opportunities for Montanans of all backgrounds, with pathways into fields such as robotics, digital forensics, and game design.

  • Our list of 10 Hot Montana Photonics Jobs for 2024 highlights high-growth photonics roles based on workforce data, to guide students, job-seekers, and community leaders in exploring Montana’s future in this field.

  • To identify in-demand roles in Montana, our team at the Montana High Tech Business Alliance pored over workforce data from the U.S. Department of Labor, research studies, and online job listings to create a list of tech jobs projected to grow fast in the next few years. See our list of 31 hot Montana jobs projected for 2023.

  • The PMI Montana Chapter is a non-profit group of professionals who are interested in learning more about project management, finding mentors, peers, and new contacts. PMI Montana is part of the world’s leading project management organization with over 600,000 Global Members and over 300 Local Chapters Internationally. The PMI Montana chapter members span the entire State of Montana and into Northern Wyoming. To serve such a vast area, the Chapter has established Branches that allow members to connect on a local level. While the Chapter provides monthly programs like Lunch-and-Learn's, WebEx Discussions, and Professional Development Day opportunities, the Branches provide face-to-face networking and program opportunities.

  • We invite you to take advantage of Microsoft's Skills for Jobs initiative, which offers free access to LinkedIn Learning courses covering a wide range of topics, including AI and soft skills. Enhance your digital skills and empower your team and community with valuable knowledge that aligns with the evolving needs of today's economy.

  • CompTIA’s Career Explorer is a comprehensive resource designed to inform, inspire, and guide individuals toward their next career step in the tech industry and beyond. Explore the entire portfolio of Career Explorer resources at no cost, watch video profiles featuring diverse professionals sharing their non-traditional paths into tech careers, and gain insights into earnings potential, job outlook, employer hiring trends, remote work opportunities, and much more across the U.S. and 250 metro areas.

  • Reach Higher Montana’s Work-Based Learning Collaborative website features resources for employers to grow their talent pipeline through work-based learning, materials to help educators connect their classroom learning to careers, and links to resources that will help Montana students explore their career interests through on-the-job training.

  • The WBLC Data Dashboard aims to make data on work-based learning in Montana accessible to help improve workforce support, work-based learning, and educational opportunities so that young people are better prepared for employment success and employers gain skilled workers. Updates are made annually.

  • Produced by the Montana Work-Based Learning Collaborative, the Work-Based Learning Toolkit for Employers provides employers with resources, tools, and guidance to successfully develop high-quality work-based learning experiences for student workers.

  • The informational interviews handout from the University of Montana College of Business lists five steps for setting up successful informational interviews to learn more about a specific company or industry.

  • Internships serve as crucial stepping stones into the workforce. Check out “Internships 101: Aceing Your Application” for expert tips from Montana High Tech Business Alliance members to confidently apply for your next internship.

  • Read “5 Tips to Set Yourself Up for Success in a Tech Career” to learn tips for launching a career in tech from hiring managers at Blackfoot Communications, Submittable, GL Solutions, onX, Skyfish, Cognizant, NorthWestern Energy, Pathlabs, Snapchat, and Instacart.

  • In “5 Tips from Hiring Managers - How to Land a Montana Tech Job or Internship” local hiring managers from Boeing Helena, Hyundai Motor Group, and Zoot Enterprises share advice to help students stand out when applying for a Montana tech job or internship.

  • See what tips you can use to give you an advantage in pursuing tech jobs or internships in Montana.

  • Examine 6 In-demand Business Certifications to Advance Your Career like the Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP), Project Management Professional (PMP), the Professional Certificate in Team Leadership, Salesforce credentials, Hubspot credentials, and the APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional certification (CSCP) in this free Indeed article.

  • Check out MHTBA’s Great Places for Tech article series to learn more about high-tech opportunities in Montana.

  • Take a look at our Jobs board that we use to post many tech jobs that are in Montana from entry level to Senior level positions.

  • Explore the job-leveling matrix for SQL, and understand the roles and skills needed to advance from beginner to leader in this article from Coursera.

  • If you can’t find what you’re looking for on our Jobs Board, see this O*NET Career Database for additional information.

  • Interested in more careers outside of Montana or outside the High-Tech Industry? Find additional occupational information with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.

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Do you have a helpful resource you’d like to suggest we add to this guide? Do you have information you are searching for, or other feedback? The Montana High Tech Business Alliance would love to hear from you. Please reach out to us at communications[at]mthightech.org.

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