Bachelor of Business Administration Entrepreneurship and Innovation Concentration

Degree

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NAIT’s Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) is designed to prepare students for success in today’s competitive business world. With a hands-on approach and a curriculum tailored to industry needs, our program ensures you develop essential business knowledge and skills right from day one.

The Entrepreneurship and Innovation concentration develops the skills and mindset needed to start, grow or transform a business. Students learn to identify opportunities, develop business plans and implement innovative solutions in dynamic markets. Through hands-on learning, you’ll gain expertise in areas like market research, financial planning, business operations and strategic decision-making. This concentration also emphasizes leadership, creativity and resilience—key traits for thriving in entrepreneurial environments.

Graduates are well-positioned for careers as business owners, startup founders or consultants. You’ll also find opportunities in corporate innovation roles, where you can drive organizational change and growth.

With its industry-aligned curriculum and focus on practical expertise, NAIT’s BBA empowers you to build a rewarding career and make a lasting impact in the business world.

Upcoming Intakes

Select your preferred intake to see relevant program information. Program details, including tuition and course information, may vary by intake.

Selection Start Date Delivery Mode Time Campus Length Domestic Status International Status
May. 05, 2025 (Spring) Your choice Your choice Main 4 Years (Full-time) Open Open
  Sep. 02, 2025 (Fall) Your choice Your choice Main 4 Years (Full-time) Open Open
Jan. 08, 2026 (Winter) Your choice Your choice Main 4 Years (Full-time) Open Open
  May. 04, 2026 (Spring) Your choice Your choice Main 4 Years (Full-time) Upcoming Upcoming
 
             
 

Swipe table to view more information for each intake.

Delivery Mode

  • In-person - All your class activity will be delivered in person, on campus.
  • Online - All your class activity will be delivered online.
  • Hybrid - Your classes will be a mixture of in person and online learning. You must be able to come to campus and participate remotely online.
  • Your choice - Your program offers a variety of class delivery options (in person, online, or a mixture of both) and you can select which type of classes to take. If you wish, you can complete your entire program either in-person or online.
  • HyFlex - All your classes are delivered for simultaneous participation in person and online. You can choose daily to attend your classes in person or join remotely online.

Time

  • Your choice - You can select class times and days that fit your schedule. There are a variety of class options for you to choose from including daytime, evening, weekdays or weekends.
  • No set time - No set class days or times, content is access on-demand. You can complete your studies on your own schedule within the scheduled class dates; may have set due dates and deadlines.
  • Evenings & Weekends - Classes are scheduled after 5 p.m. on weekdays or anytime on weekends.
  • Weekdays - Daytime - Classes are scheduled on weekdays, typically start before 6 p.m.
  • Weekdays - Evening - Classes are scheduled on weekdays, typically start after 6 p.m.
  • Weekends - Classes are scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays.

Campus

Any in-person components of your courses will be delivered at this campus location.

View Campus Map

Length

  • Full-Time - This is the standard length to complete the program, with a full course load per term.
  • Part-Time - Students follow a structured schedule of classes so they can progress in their studies part-time while balancing everyday life.

Domestic Status

The program availability status for domestic applications is updated as applications are reviewed and assessed. Program availability is subject to change without notice.

  • Open - Program intake is accepting applications. If you apply and are qualified, you may be offered admission or be waitlisted. Open does not guarantee a seat.
  • Waitlisting - Program intake is accepting applications, but qualified applicants will be placed on a waitlist.
  • Closed - Program intake is not accepting applications.
  • Upcoming - Applications will open soon for this intake. View the upcoming terms for open dates.
  • N/A - Not available for this intake.

International Status

The program availability status for international applications is updated as applications are reviewed and assessed. Program availability is subject to change without notice.

  • Open - Program intake is accepting applications. If you apply and are qualified, you may be offered admission or be waitlisted. Open does not guarantee a seat.
  • Limited - For international applicants, the program intake is now only available if you already have a valid study permit.
  • Waitlisting - Program intake is accepting applications, but qualified applicants will be placed on a waitlist.
  • Closed - Program intake is not accepting applications.
  • Upcoming - Applications will open soon for this intake. View the upcoming terms for open dates.
  • N/A - Not available for this intake.

Credit programs that accept international applicants also meet the eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit program, including programs with a Hybrid delivery mode. Each student is responsible for maintaining their eligibility throughout their studies.

Ignite Your Entrepreneurial Spirit 

NAIT's BBA with a concentration in Entrepreneurship and Innovation prepares future leaders to enter the business world, make an immediate impact and develop the skills needed to thrive in modern business dynamics and organizational culture.

Students will gain the knowledge to become innovators, whether by starting their own businesses or making valuable contributions within established organizations.

Students taking the BBA with Entrepreneurship and Innovation concentration complete:

  • 10 common Level 1 required courses (required by all BUS-diploma/BBA students)
  • 10 required BBA Level 2 Entrepreneurship and Innovation courses
  • 16 required BBA Level 3 and Level 4 Entrepreneurship and Innovation courses
  • 4 elective BBA courses from Level 3 and Level 4 (which can include BBA Capstone courses, an in-depth case study with an industry partner)

Program schedule

Our course delivery is flexible, allowing you to take your classes in the daytime, evening or online to suit your schedule. We also have transfer credit and prior learning assessments for those who have done prior post-secondary or other formal training experience.

You can expect to spend on average:

  • 20 hours per week attending classes over the course of a semester.
  • 20 hours per week studying and completing class assignments.

Common first year

JRSSB Infographic Pathways

In the first year of the program, all business students take common foundational courses in order to gain core business knowledge. This allows students to experience a variety of business fields in order to decide which is the best fit. In the second, third and fourth years of studies, you will take the required courses to pursue a concentration in Entrepreneurship & Innovation.

BBA degree with concentration

In the BBA career path with Entrepreneurship & Innovation concentration, you will earn a concentration on your transcript showing that you graduated in a specialized field of studies. This concentration does not appear on your graduation parchment, but will be noted on your official student transcripts.

Applying

Students applying to any business administration diploma program will choose Bachelor of Business Administration when selecting the program on the Alberta Post-Secondary Application System (APAS). More information can be found under How to Apply.

BBA Co-op

Students in this BBA concentration are also eligible to participate in NAIT's BBA Co-op program. Jumpstart your career by spending 3 semesters gaining valuable hands-on experience in real workplaces.

More information on the Co-op option can be found on the BBA Co-op page.

Career Outcomes

The BBA in Entrepreneurship and Innovation prepares students to become dynamic leaders and innovators in the business world. Through hands-on learning, real-world case studies and industry partnerships, graduates gain the skills and knowledge needed to either launch their own ventures or make significant contributions within established organizations. 

Take your career planning to the next level

This program can be used as a step toward earning higher credentials and/or certifications.

Post-secondary articulation agreements within Alberta are approved by the Alberta Council on Admissions and Transfer (ACAT). To view the details of specific agreements, please visit transferalberta.ca or contact articulations@nait.ca For questions regarding transfer agreements or to obtain a course description/outline that is no longer available on our website, please contact articulations@nait.ca.

Work Experience Placements

Students in this program gain valuable work experience with Work Integrated Learning (WIL). WIL is a form of experiential learning that integrates academic studies with relevant work-based learning. The WIL placement in this program is a Co-op.

Co-op

A Co-op provides experience in a workplace setting related to the student's field of study. The number of required work terms varies by program; however, the time spent in work terms must be at least 30% of the time spent in academic study for programs over 2 years in length, and 25% of time for programs 2 years and shorter in length.

Duration 45 weeks
Compensation Yes
International Students Co-op Work Permit required
Placement Identified By Student - Submits resume to employers to apply for WIL positions.
Student Interview Required Yes
Benefits of a Co-op
  • Understand more about career opportunities, expectations and requirements of the professional field
  • Gain the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world environment
  • Create networking opportunities in your chosen industry
  • Develop and improve communication, interpersonal and employment skills
  • Gain confidence in your professional skills
  • Practice job placement skills including job search, resume preparation, interviewing
  • Explore career options and program specialization within the industry
  • Improve application for future positions by gaining industry experience and increasing your employability
  • Possibility of employment after graduation
  • Potential financial benefits if the placement is paid
Finding a placement
  • Create a profile on NAIT's job board, Career Connect
  • Create and maintain a current resume, cover letter and list of references
  • Apply for positions on Career Connect
  • Prepare for, and attend, employer interviews
  • Coordinate and communicate with your WIL Coordinator
  • Be flexible, professional, and participate fully in the recruitment process
  • Be aware of the anticipated outcomes of the placement
  • Notify the coordinator for your program once you have an employment offer and sign a WIL Agreement

Courses and Advanced Credit

Current and recently admitted students can find information and updates about their program on their My Program page in the MyNAIT Portal. To monitor your course progress and the courses still needed to graduate, visit your Academic Progress Report.

Advanced Credit

You may apply for advanced credit once you have been accepted into the program. Advanced credit can be Transfer Credit (for completed post-secondary courses) or PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition).

Transfer Credit

In addition to the common guidelines outlined on the Transfer and Credit Options section, your program has other advanced credit requirements that are applied to each request including:

  • You must have completed the course or program no more than 10 year(s) ago unless a formalized articulation agreement is in place
  • You must have a minimum mark of D in the course(s) or program

Prior Learning and Assessment Recognition (PLAR)

Please see below for the list of courses that available for PLAR credits in this program. Please click on the specific course for more information on the evidence that is required for each course.

Please refer to the Credit for Work and Life Experience page for more information on how to apply for PLAR credits.

Read more about advanced credit or contact us about applying for credit for this program.

Tuition & Fees

This content is specific to the selected May 05, 2025 intake.

The tuition and fee amounts are estimates based on current academic year's rates. For financial planning purposes, please use these totals as an approximate estimate of your costs. Actual fees may vary by term and enrolment activities. Please refer to the tuition and fees page for more detailed information.

Tuition

Cost Per Credit: $204.00

View international tuition for upcoming intakes

How much does first year cost?
Domestic cost estimate
International cost estimate

Mandatory Fees

View fee listing and breakdown

Pay Your Tuition & Fees

Books, Supplies & Program Fees (est.)

Level 1 Term 1: $950
Level 1 Term 2: $875
Level 2 Term 1: $875
Level 2 Term 2: $875
Level 3 Term 1: $875
Level 3 Term 2: $875
Level 4 Term 1: $875
Level 4 Term 2: $875

View the technical equipment requirements (PDF)

Scholarships & Awards

NAIT awards over $6 million in scholarships and bursaries to more than 4,000 students each year, with the support of donors and the government. A variety of awards are available, including ones for academics, community involvement, equity/diversity grants, bursaries for financial need, program-specific awards and more!

Learn how to apply for awards

Admission Requirements

This content is specific to the selected May 05, 2025 intake.

Minimum entrance requirements

 

The specific academic requirements you must meet to be considered for admission. Where applicable, the minimum accepted Alberta high school courses are listed in round brackets ( ). Equivalent or higher-level courses are also accepted.

High School Applicants:

  • Grade 12 Language Arts (English 30-2)
  • Grade 12 Mathematics (Math 30-2 or Applied Math 30)
  • Three additional Grade 12 courses (30-1 or 30-2 levels only), which may include any of the following Alberta Ed courses, or equivalent or higher courses: Math 31, Biology 30, Physics 30, Chemistry 30, Science 30, Social Studies 30-1 or 30-2, Aboriginal Studies 30, Physical Education 30, Francais 30-1 or 30-2, Psychology 30, Sociology 30, Law 30, any 35 level additional language course, any 30-level fine arts course, any 30-level business course, or any 30-level AP course.
  • An overall minimum average of 65% in the five required high school courses.
  • Proof of English Language Proficiency

Post-Secondary Applicants:

Business Diploma Graduates: (for applicants who want to start at Year 3)

If you completed a business credential at another institution and are accepted to this program, you may be eligible to receive advanced standing credits for your previous courses. Learn how to apply for advanced standing credits.

Additional requirements & considerations

Alternative entrance pathways

 

If you are missing one or more of the minimum entrance requirements, you may be eligible for an alternative entrance pathway. For any pathway listed below, English language proficiency is also a requirement.

*Applicants who, prior to September 2022 have completed business courses through NAIT Open Studies and who do not meet the minimum AGPA requirement, but who have a minimum AGPA of 1.7 may enroll in any three of the following four Open Studies courses. Completion of these three Open Studies courses with a minimum grade of 70% (B-) in each course will satisfy the AGPA requirement for the program:

  • CMIS 3350/CMIS 3351 - Business Analytics and Data Visualization
  • ETHC 3311 - Applied Business Ethics*
  • ECON 3340 - Business and Its Environment
  • COMM 3321 - Critical Reading and Writing*

*Applicants who, after September 2022, have completed business courses through NAIT Open Studies and who do not meet the minimum AGPA requirement, but that have a minimum AGPA of 1.7 may enroll in the three Open Studies courses listed below. Completion of these three Open Studies courses with a minimum mark of 70% (B-) in each course will satisfy the AGPA requirement for the program:

  • ETHC3311 - Applied Business Ethics, and
  • Any two Level 3 Courses from the map concentration that you are interested in pursuing

*Please note that acceptance into the program does not guarantee transfer credits. Transfer credits evaluation will take place after the student is accepted into the program.

Not sure if you meet the requirements?

Learn more about how NAIT evaluates applications, and find resources on how to satisfy admissions criteria.

How applications are evaluated Submitting required documents

Additional options

This program has courses that are available for Open Studies. Open Studies allows you to explore credit courses without applying to a program. It is an opportunity to get a feel for school and what program you want to be in.

Learn more about Open Studies

Dates & Deadlines

 
International
Applications Open:

Apr 01, 2024

 
International
Applications Deadline:

May 05, 2025

 
Domestic
Applications Open:
Jun 01, 2024
 
Application Deadline:
May 05, 2025
 
Term Start Date:
May 05, 2025

Seats are limited - Apply early! Applications will remain open for at least one month from the open date. If the program/waitlist fill after that date, applications will close.

International Applicants

This program accepts international students.

PGWP Eligibility

Graduates of this program are eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), following Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requirements. Students must still meet all other PGWP eligibility requirements, including full-time and in-person study requirements.

Co-Op Work Permit

Optional Co-op: Students in this program can choose to move into a co-op pathway, which includes a mandatory co-op work practicum. International students who plan to participate in this option must apply for a co-op work permit and get approval before starting the work placement.

Learn more about PGWP and explore eligible NAIT programs.

Want to learn more about this program?

Thank you for your interest! We want to get you in contact with the right person to answer your questions. If you are a current or recently admitted student you can find program and course information as well as contact details for your program on the My Program page on the MyNAIT Portal.








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