Power Your Career with Carson Certificate Programs: Join our live webinar on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 12 p.m. PT to hear directly from Carson College leaders and learn how our flexible, online certificates can help you grow. Register free today.
Build Career-Ready Skills with Carson Certificate Programs
The Carson College of Business offers flexible, stackable certificate programs in accounting, finance, management, and marketing—designed to help professionals grow and organizations thrive.
Enjoy the Benefits
For Employers
- Cross-functional alignment
- Employee advancement pathway
- Cost-effective alternative to degrees
For Individuals
- Self-paced, career-relevant learning
- Shareable digital badges
- Access to renowned Carson faculty who are experts in their respective fields
Bridging the Skills Gap with Online Business Certificate Programs
Today’s employers face growing pressure to build adaptable, cross-functional teams while navigating tight budgets and rising retention challenges. Many professionals need new skills in areas like finance, management, and communication, but creating custom training or sending employees back to school isn’t always realistic.
Washington State University’s Carson College of Business offers a smarter path forward. The Carson Certificate Programs help organizations strengthen their internal talent through high-impact, online offerings that are flexible, scalable, and cost-effective. With a focus on real-world skills and immediate application, these programs help you build capacity where it matters most, without breaking your learning and development budget.
Explore Our Business Certificate Programs
The Carson Certificate Programs empower teams to develop real-world skills in key business areas. Each program is fully online, flexible, and built for real impact, no matter the learner’s background.
Accounting
This certificate helps professionals make confident financial decisions backed by data.
- Strengthen budgeting, reporting, and cost analysis skills
- Improve collaboration with finance, operations, and leadership
- Build data fluency across non-financial roles
Finance
Learners contribute to better financial strategies in their organization.
- Apply tools like ROI modeling, cash flow analysis, and risk evaluation
- Support more informed planning and investment conversations
- Collaborate effectively with finance teams on planning and budgeting
Marketing
This certificate helps professionals create, communicate, and sustain customer value through thoughtful strategies.
- Improve customer insights and audience targeting
- Strengthen brand positioning and digital strategy
- Drive alignment between product, sales, and marketing
Management
Participants learn how to guide inclusive teams with clarity and purpose.
- Build inclusive leadership and ethical decision-making skills
- Improve conflict resolution, collaboration, and trust-building
- Support stronger communication across roles and departments
How It Works
We designed the Carson Certificate Programs to deliver real impact without disrupting day-to-day activities. Here’s how the learning journey works:
Easy Registration
No prerequisites or prior business education required. These programs are built for working professionals, early- to mid-career talent, and emerging leaders from any function.
Step-By-Step Learning
Each certificate includes five self-paced, asynchronous modules that take five to six hours to complete. Learners earn a digital badge upon completing each one, and the full certificate upon completing all five.
Business-Focused Content
Modules are grounded in real business challenges—from budgeting and risk analysis to inclusive leadership and brand strategy—so participants can put their new skills to work immediately.
Cohort-Ready Delivery
Organizations can offer programs to individuals or entire teams. Cohort-based enrollment supports shared learning, peer accountability, and alignment with team goals.
Customizable Structure
WSU offers options for branded portals, flexible module sequences, and even custom case studies, ensuring alignment with your organization’s goals.
Want to Learn More?
Explore certificate options, delivery models, and partnership opportunities.
Connect with usSmart Learning Solutions for Your Team
At WSU’s Carson College of Business, our certificates are tailored for today’s business challenges. Whether you’re looking to upskill early-career talent or support the growth of emerging leaders, our programs offer an accessible, high-impact way to build capabilities across your workforce.
Partnership Model: What We Bring, What You Own
We make it easy to implement impactful learning. Here’s how responsibilities are shared:
What WSU Brings
Top-tier business education experience
More than 30 years of online delivery, led by respected and research-active faculty
Industry-informed curriculum
Developed with employer input and focused on practical, real-world application
Modular, stackable structure
Certificates built from short, self-paced modules with digital credentials
Branded corporate portal
A custom learning environment aligned with your brand
Engagement dashboards + learner support
Track progress and participation in real time
What You Own
Identify internal talent to upskill
Select target populations—emerging leaders, cross-functional teams, and more
Promote the opportunity internally
Share through L&D channels, leadership alignment and dissemination, or internal communications
Encourage participation and peer learning
Reinforce a learning culture with manager or team support
Create space to apply learning on the job
Help learners tie concepts back to roles, projects, and goals
Align learning goals with business priorities
Ensure learners understand how the program supports development and company success
Customized to Your Organization
For employers enrolling larger teams or seeking deeper integration, WSU offers flexible customization options to match your learning goals:
- Branded learning portal with your company name and logo to deliver a cohesive learning experience
- Optional selection and sequencing of modules based on internal needs
- Cohort-based enrollment to support team engagement and collaboration
- Real-time access to learner progress, engagement, and completion metrics
- Opportunities to add and produce case studies and company-specific video content for tailored learning paths
- 24/7 tech support from the WSU team during the entire course delivery
- A social tool for real-time collaboration and conversation space to strengthen the learner experience
Ready to learn more?
Connect with usProfessional Growth, Made Practical
WSU’s Carson Certificate Programs support your professional growth—whether you’re stepping into leadership, expanding your business knowledge, or building confidence in a new area. These online, self-paced programs offer a practical way to grow your skills without pausing your career. You can start learning wherever you are and apply it right away.
“Through the years, I’ve partnered with the Carson College of Business in many ways—corporate sponsorships, philanthropy, hiring, mentorship, and board participation. In every instance, I have come away impressed and energized by the approach and mission of the Carson College. They truly put developing our next generation of business professionals at the center of all they do, as evidenced by their work with the business community. The faculty and staff are continuously striving to understand the latest trends and how they can incorporate that back into the college, and I always feel the deep appreciation from everyone across the Carson College of Business for our partnership.”
Jaimie Jacobsen | Executive Chief of Staff, US West Region | Slalom