Application deadlines for this program are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, you can visit our Apply tab. You can also connect with one of our Online Learning Enrollment Counselors by email at online@louisville.edu or by calling 800.871.8635.
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Cameron Murray-Hicks
Online Enrollment Counselor
Online Certificate in Family Business Management & Advising
UofL’s online certificate in Family Business Management & Advising is designed to prepare family business advisors, owners, and next-generation leaders to help support the success and continuity of family businesses.
The online Family Business Management and Advising Certificate prepares family business advisors, managers, owners, and next-generation leaders to support the success and continuity of family businesses—all through flexible 100% online courses allowing for a better balance between work, life, and education. This certificate provides essential business education for successfully navigating the opportunities and challenges specific to family business ownership.
The certificate is made up of six courses that can be completed entirely online and on your schedule. Taught by College of Business faculty and industry experts, the program has been intentionally designed to align with the needs of family businesses, their current and future leaders (both family and non-family), and the professional advisors who serve them.
The online Family Business Management & Advising Certificate is offered through the College of Business at the University of Louisville.
Highlights
- Gain expertise to manage the challenges and opportunities of family-owned businesses more effectively.
- Enrich your advising and family business leadership knowledge in areas such as governance and wealth creation and gain relevant skills in family business dynamics, transition, and preservation.
- Learn at your preferred speed, on your schedule—100% online format gives you access anywhere, anytime, and on any device.
- Complete the certificate program in as little as 15 weeks.
- Experience an enhanced online learning environment with classes taught in-part by business experts.
- Connect and network with other family business owners, and professional advisors from across industries.
- Credits earned in the certificate program apply to completion of your UofL MBA available online or on-campus (you must apply separately to the MBA). Graduate in less than 2 years with a UofL MBA and Family Business certificate.
START YOUR APPLICATION REQUEST INFORMATION
100% ONLINE COURSES
No matter where you are in the world, you can gain family business expertise on your schedule.
Learn More
6 COURSES
The certificate program is made up of only 6 courses, taken 1-3 at a time.
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2 SEMESTER PROGRAM
Complete your certificate in just 2 semesters with 5-week course terms.
Learn MoreWho should apply for the Family Business Online Certificate at UofL?
The family business online certificate curriculum was designed for anyone playing a part in the success and continuity of the family business, including:
- Family business owners looking for tools to manage family relationships and the needs of the business simultaneously.
- Next-generation business members wanting to learn more about the management and responsibilities of family ownership.
- Professional service providers looking for additional knowledge and credentials to help better serve family business clients (e.g. wealth managers, CPAs, financial advisors, and consultants).
- Anyone who already is or is looking to become a leader or manager within a family business setting.
What will I gain as a Family Business online certificate student?
The Family Business Management & Advising Certificate gives students a specific understanding of the key knowledge necessary to support, consult, or manage family business operations—delivered through a fully online course format that allows you to better balance work, life, and education.
Graduates would be well-suited for any number of professional positions in family business operations (management and leadership) and to provide professional advice to family businesses (lawyers, accountants, financial advisors, insurance providers, etc.). In addition, this program is also relevant and valuable for current and future family business managers and leaders (both family and non-family) who already work in family businesses
Graduates can pursue further business education by rolling completed credits into the online MBA at UofL. The knowledge gained also prepares graduates to pursue the following careers within family businesses:
| Type of Family Business Job | Avg Wage | |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants & Auditors | $67,660 | |
| Financial Managers | $113,070 | |
| Financial Specialist | $67,850 | |
| Management Analysts | $77,780 | |
| Managers | $90,430 | |
| Personal Financial Advisors | $98,300 | |
| JOB INFORMATION ACCORDING TO BLS.GOV | ||
Around the world, it is estimated that between 80 and 90 percent of businesses are family-owned or operated. Because family can be complex, estimates are that as many as 70% of family businesses fail to complete management and ownership transition from one generation to the next. Many of these businesses fail because they lack the knowledge necessary to address the family business' unique challenges. Conversations with local family business owners, managers, and consultants indicate a need to obtain specific family business skills and knowledge. UofL's online Family Business Management & Advising certificate seeks to bridge those gaps in knowledge.
| Application Deadline | Term | Start Date |
|---|---|---|
| August 7 | Fall I | August 21 |
| September 11 | Fall II | September 25 |
| October 16 | Fall III | October 30 |
| December 8 | Spring I | January 8 |
| January 29 | Spring II | February 12 |
| March 4 | Spring III | March 18 |
Admission Requirements
- Completed online application
- $40 application fee
- Bachelor's degree from a regionally-accredited college or university
- Official transcript(s) certifying the undergraduate degree
- Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale)
Note: GMAT/GRE scores are not required for admission.
Send all materials to:
Graduate Admissions
University of Louisville
2211 S. Brook Street
Louisville, KY 40292
gradadm@louisville.edu
For more information on the admission and application process, please contact our Online Learning Enrollment Counselor at 800.871.8635 or by email at online@louisville.edu.
UofL’s Family Business online certificate consists of 6 courses (9 hours), delivered in 5-week terms and can be completed in as little as 15 weeks. The curriculum was designed in close partnership with industry experts to ensure the curriculum aligns with the needs of current and future family business leaders as well as the professional advisors who serve them.
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
| FMBZ 610 Family Business Management | 1.5 |
| FMBZ 620 Entrepreneurial Family Dynamics | 1.5 |
| FMBZ 630 Family Business Transitions and Continuity | 1.5 |
| FMBZ 640 Family Business Governance | 1.5 |
| FMBZ 650 Family Wealth Creation and Preservation | 1.5 |
| FMBZ 660 Leading Family Business | 1.5 |
| Total Credit Hours | 9 |
Course Descriptions
FEATURED FACULTY
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What are the application deadlines?
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Will this certificate program help me start my own business?
The Family Business Management & Advising Certificate will provide you with knowledge and tools to support, consult, or manage family business operations. Graduates of this program would be well-suited for any number of professional positions in family business operations (management and leadership) and to provide professional advice to family businesses.
Students who are interested in acquiring more experience beneficial to starting a business are encouraged to explore our 100% online MBA program. Credits earned in this Graduate Certificate can also count towards the MBA degree.
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What kind of skills will I learn in this program?
Students will learn how to manage the challenges and opportunities of family-owned businesses more effectively. They will also learn more about advising and family business leadership in areas such as governance and wealth creation and gain relevant skills in family business dynamics, transition, and preservation. Additionally, students will learn more about connecting and networking with other family business owners, and professional advisors from across industries.
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I own my own business; how will this certificate help me?
If you are a business owner, you will gain more knowledge and skills that can enhance your business operations—better preparing you for interactions with other family-owned businesses in your city and state. Please see our Overview tab for more information.
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I do not have a bachelor’s degree. Can I still apply for this program?
This program is designed for students who currently hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited four-year college or university. A bachelor’s is currently required to apply. For the most up-to-date information, please see our Apply tab, or contact our Online Learning Enrollment Counselors by email at online@louisville.edu or by calling 800.871.8635.