Small Business Basics

Program Description

A small business owner or entrepreneur is responsible for the growth, overall direction, and everyday operation of a business. Specific activities vary according to the business’s size and industry and may include: reviewing sales reports, profit and loss statements, and other financial reports; hiring, training, and managing staff; understanding federal, state, and local laws; marketing; and directing activities for sales or production staff.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this Continuing Education Workforce Certificate, students will be able to:

1. apply the knowledge and skills to create and start a new venture,

2. demonstrate best practices for starting a business and identify resources for success,

3. develop confidence to set and meet personal and professional goals, and

4. assume responsibility for continued professional and personal development through continuing education.​

Program Credentials

CCBC Credential: Students will be awarded a Continuing Education Workforce Certificate and have access to a Continuing Education academic record (transcript).

Financial Aid and Payment Options

CCBC currently offers Continuing Education (CE) financial aid to those who qualify. We package public and private funding options to benefit students which include COVID-19 relief funding, the Maryland Sequence Scholarship, CCBC Opportunity Grant funding, Maryland Promise, and Baltimore County College Promise. Financial aid funding is available for select CE courses and programs. 

Additional opportunities for financial support include partial payment options through Nelnet Business Solutions and tuition waivers for those who qualify. Resources outside of CCBC may also be available through employer/sponsor paid tuition,  the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS), and your local office of workforce development. 

For more information about funding resources and how to apply for them, please contact the CCBC Continuing Education Information Center at 443-840-4700.

Length of Training

6 months
Course series offered at various CCBC sites.

Program Requirements

High School Diploma or GED

Application Process

To apply, go to www.ccbcmd.edu/apply and complete the CCBC Continuing Education Workforce Certificate program application.  An email will then be sent with program information and any additional requirements necessary to apply for the program.

Open Entry – No screening or documentation required.

Prior Learning Assessment

This program has potential options for waiving select courses based on previous coursework or articulated coursework from an approved curriculum. Maximum number of program hours that may be earned from prior learning: 15

Program Course Sequence

Additional Information

Skills for Success:
Good planning and organizational skills; strong oral and written communication skills; strong interpersonal skills; and good problem solving skills.

Career Opportunities:
Students will be better prepared to start their own business entity or manage a small business. Careers in this field are available in a broad range of privately held companies, government agencies, and non-profit organizations.

Career Coach

Research your career interests, explore live job postings, take a career assessment, discover which companies in the Baltimore region are hiring, and more.  View a brief tutorial video on how to use Career Coach at: https://youtu.be/C7KpznbPYfA .  Explore career and training opportunities at: https://ccbcmd.emsicc.com/.

Program Contact Information

​Coordinator: Moire Riley | mriley@ccbcmd.edu | 443-840-1804 | Hunt Valley 106

Administrative Assistant: Barb Baker|  bbaker4@ccbcmd.edu | 443-840-5838 | Hunt Valley 104