Certificates and Badges
The Maine Business School offers students a number of opportunities to earn professional certifications and badges. These accomplishments add value to your degree and provide demonstrated proof to employers that MBS students have the specialized technical skills they are looking for.
Certifications
The Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC) certification is a self-paced, interactive e-learning course that introduces students to the fundamentals of financial markets. BMC is structured into three key sections:
- Core Concepts – Covers four essential modules: Economic Indicators, Currencies, Fixed Income, and Equities.
- Getting Started on the Terminal – Provides hands-on experience with the Bloomberg Terminal.
- Portfolio Management – Focuses on investment strategies and asset management.
The course integrates real-world Bloomberg data, news, analytics, and video content, offering a comprehensive learning experience. It is accessible through the Bloomberg Terminal or the Bloomberg for Education website.
Why Earn the BMC Certification?
BMC is recognized worldwide and demonstrates proficiency in financial analysis and the Bloomberg Professional Service. Completing this certification enhances your resume and signals to employers that you have a strong foundation in financial markets and data analytics.
Access for Maine Business School Students
At the Maine Business School (MBS), students can access the BMC certification free of charge through the Bloomberg Terminal. While the BUA 257: Intro to Bloomberg course requires students to complete the certification as part of their grade, enrollment in the course is not required to take advantage of this free resource.
Please contact Dr. Sebastian Lobe with questions about this certification.
The Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) certification from Bloomberg provides a comprehensive introduction to ESG investing and its impact on financial markets. What began as a corporate social responsibility initiative by the United Nations two decades ago has evolved into a global ESG movement, shaping investment strategies and corporate governance worldwide.
This certification explores key ESG investment considerations, including:
- The differences between public equity vs. public debt investing and public vs. private markets
- Major regulatory efforts in ESG investing across the United States, Europe, and China
- How portfolio managers integrate ESG factors into investment analysis
- The impact of climate change risk on investment decisions and frameworks for capital allocation
Through Bloomberg’s cutting-edge data, analytics, and market insights, this certification equips students with the knowledge needed to navigate the growing field of sustainable investing. The course is available through Bloomberg for Education.
Access for Maine Business School Students
At the Maine Business School (MBS), students can access the Bloomberg ESG certification free of charge through the Bloomberg Terminal.
Please contact Dr. Sebastian Lobe with questions about this certification.
Earning a Microsoft Excel Certification is a valuable way to showcase your proficiency in one of the most in-demand business tools. Employers across industries actively seek candidates with strong Excel skills, making this certification a powerful addition to your resume.
At the Maine Business School (MBS), all students have the opportunity to earn the Excel Associate Certification. Those who achieve this certification can further enhance their expertise by pursuing the Excel Expert Certification.
Why Earn an Excel Certification?
Excel is an essential tool across multiple industries, particularly for students pursuing careers in:
- Accounting & Auditing
- Financial Analytics
- Data Analytics
- Business Intelligence
- Market Research & Analytics
- Cost Estimating
- Digital Marketing
Required Course for Certification
All MBS students must complete BIS 105: Excel Fundamentals for Business Analytics, a course designed to develop essential Excel skills for business applications. Your MBS Professional Academic Advisor can help enroll you in this class.
The SAP Student Recognition Award acknowledges students who have gained hands-on experience with SAP software as part of their coursework at University Alliance member schools. This distinction highlights proficiency in enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and is valuable across all business disciplines, including Management, Marketing, Accounting, Finance, and Information Systems.
Why Earn the SAP Student Recognition Award?
SAP is a leading provider of business process solutions, and experience with its software is highly sought after by employers. Earning this award demonstrates a solid understanding of business process integration, analytics, and digital transformation, making it particularly valuable for students pursuing careers in:
- Application Consulting
- Business Process Architecture
- Business Process Ownership / Team Leadership
- Accounting & Corporate Finance
- Operations & Supply Chain Management
- Enterprise Architecture
- Program & Project Management
How to Earn the SAP Student Recognition Award
This award is issued by the Maine Business School (MBS) and signed by the MBS Executive Dean and the University Alliances (UA) Program Manager. To qualify, students must meet the following criteria:
- Successfully complete all SAP-supported coursework with a grade of C or better
- Complete a minimum of three courses that incorporate SAP content
- Ensure that at least one-third of the coursework in each qualifying class involves hands-on SAP experience
Pursuing an Official SAP Certification
Students who wish to earn a formal SAP certification may enroll in the Student Certification Academy (TS410). Completing this associate-level program and passing the exam can lead to the SAP Certified Associate – Business Foundation & Integration with SAP ERP certification, a credential recognized across the SAP ecosystem.
Required Courses for the SAP Student Recognition Award
Students must complete the following courses:
- BIS 235: Digital Transformation
- BIS 345: Business Analytics
- BIS 364: Business Process Configuration
If you have questions about the SAP Student Recognition Award or other SAP certifications available to MBS students, please contact Dr. C. Matt Graham.
Advance Your Career with a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration
Enhance your business expertise and open new career opportunities with the University of Maine’s 100% online Graduate Certificate in Business Administration. Designed for professionals looking to build advanced skills in finance, management, business law, and more, this flexible program provides a high-quality, professional-level business education without the commitment of a full degree.
Whether you’re looking to boost your credentials, pivot into a business role, or lay the groundwork for future graduate studies, this certificate serves as a direct pathway to the MaineMBA, with eligible courses transferring upon admission.
Complete 5 courses from the following:
- Strategic Data Analysis (BUA 601)
- Global Supply Chain Networks (MBA 637)
- Financial Statement Analysis (MBA 609)
- Foundations of Business Intelligence (BUA 680)
- Management of Contemporary Organizations (MBA 626)
- Managerial Marketing (MBA 670)
- Financial Management (MBA 651)
Foundations Courses
The MaineMBA is a STEM-designated degree with subject-area prerequisites in specific aspects of accounting (financial and managerial), economics (macro and micro), finance, and statistics. During the admissions process, the admissions team reviews applicants’ transcripts and work history to determine if they meet the program requirements. If it is determined that they still need prerequisites, the applicant will be assigned foundation courses to complete before they can register for classes.
The foundation courses are non-credit-bearing and self-paced and are designed as a faster and more cost-effective method of fulfilling the program prerequisites than full-semester, traditional undergraduate courses. However, admitted students can take traditional undergraduate courses to meet the requirements, should they choose. Each foundation course is designed to be completed in 15-20 hours at the user’s pace.
Turn Data into Business Insights with a Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics
Harness the power of data to drive smarter business decisions with the University of Maine’s Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics. Designed for professionals looking to build essential analytical skills, this program equips you with the expertise to interpret complex data, identify trends, and optimize business strategies.
Gain hands-on experience with data visualization, predictive modeling, and machine learning/artificial intelligence—all critical tools for today’s data-driven economy. Whether you’re looking to enhance your career, pivot into an analytics-focused role, or prepare for further graduate study, this flexible certificate can stand alone or be applied toward the MaineMBA.
Complete 2 Required Courses:
- Foundations of Business Intelligence and Analytics (BUA 680)
- Data Management and Analytics (BUA 681)
Choose 3 Business Analytics Electives:
- Information Visualization (BUA 683)
- Predictive Analysis (BUA 686)
- Econometrics (ECO 530)
- Advanced Econometrics and Applications (ECO 531)
- Business Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery (BUA 684)
- Problem Formulation and Decision Analysis (BUA 686)
Foundations Courses
The MaineMBA is a STEM-designated degree with subject-area prerequisites in specific aspects of accounting (financial and managerial), economics (macro and micro), finance, and statistics. During the admissions process, the admissions team reviews applicants’ transcripts and work history to determine if they meet the program requirements. If it is determined that they still need prerequisites, the applicant will be assigned foundation courses to complete before they can register for classes.
The foundation courses are non-credit-bearing and self-paced and are designed as a faster and more cost-effective method of fulfilling the program prerequisites than full-semester, traditional undergraduate courses. However, admitted students can take traditional undergraduate courses to meet the requirements, should they choose. Each foundation course is designed to be completed in 15-20 hours at the user’s pace.
Badges
Take control of your business finances—quickly and easily! Finances in a Flash is a fast, practical, and engaging micro-course designed for busy professionals looking to build their financial management skills. Offered by the Maine Business School and UMaine Cooperative Extension, this interactive training provides a solid foundation in small business financial management in just two hours.
Why Earn the Finances in a Flash Micro-Badge?
Master the essential financial concepts every business owner needs to know through engaging lessons, interactive activities, and real-world applications. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to sharpen your financial skills, this course will equip you with the tools to:
- Create a strong budget to manage expenses effectively
- Understand key financial statements and how to use them
- Manage cash flow to keep your business running smoothly
- Build an emergency fund for financial security
- Apply practical finance tools to make informed decisions
Upon completion, you’ll earn the Finances in a Flash Micro-Badge, a University of Maine System digital credential that highlights your financial literacy and business acumen. Showcase your achievement on your resume or LinkedIn profile to demonstrate your expertise and commitment to financial success.
What’s Included?
For just $24.99, you’ll receive:
✔ 24/7 access to course content
✔ University of Maine System micro-badge
✔ Takeaway materials to reinforce your learning
Sign Up Today!
Strengthen your business’s financial future—fast! Enroll in Finances in a Flash and gain the confidence to make smarter, more informed financial decisions for long-term success.