Business & Nonprofit

people meeting around a big table with laptop and papers

Course Offerings

Buying an Existing Business

Learn some talking points about considerations when buying an exiting business. First and foremost: Why is this business for sale? What is the history of the business? What is the outlook for this type of business?

Register DCB 1057 CRN 90105 R 10/2 3-5pm $35 KSU

How to Start a Family Child Care Business

The Family Child Care Training Program (FCCTP) aims to grow a rural childcare network, alleviating the lack of child care options in the Ulster County. This training program is designed for those interested in opening in-home child care programs or becoming employable at a child care center. The FCCTP will deliver the basics of how to start a child care business, how to operate the business according to the NYS Day Care Regulations, review the developmentally appropriate practices of a successful program, and include all the required training needed to operate or be employed in a child care program.

NOTE: As part of registering for this program, all students must complete a mandatory online orientation by 10/13/25 as well as the NYS Sexual Harassment Prevention training by 10/28.

Program dates

Oct 14 - Informational session
Oct 16 - Health and safety
Oct 20 - Health and safety
Oct 22 - Health and safety
Oct 24 - Health and safety
Oct 28 - Health and safety
Oct 30 - Health and safety
Nov 3 - DAP and Pyramid 101
Nov 5 - First Aid Training
Nov 7 - Welcome to the Family Child Care Business

Register DCB 2440 CRN 90117 $1000 Offsite

Introduction to HR & Payroll

Many start-ups and small businesses are rightly focused on launching and sustaining their businesses during the first phase of their firm's lifecycle. What we often don't consider until it is right upon us is establishing a Human Resources office that is compliant with government regulations and reflects current best practices. We also don't think very much about doing payroll until we have more than one employee. Even if we have a payroll company process our payroll it is crucial we understand how payroll is processed, what is entailed in setting up employees in a payroll system, what is necessary to ensure the company is compliant with regulations concerning minimum wage, overtime pay, and mandatory tax deductions. In this class we will review the basics of hiring employees, setting up their employee folders, putting them on payroll, and compiling an employee handbook that covers the core components of a good handbook. We will also discuss New York state regulations affecting HR functions of companies in our state. We will include a brief section on the special requirements for DOT-regulated drivers. Time will be allotted for a Q & A session, and relevant handouts will be given.

Register DCB 2419 CRN 90107 R 10/16 3-5pm KSU $35

Start Your Own Business

This seminar provides students with a checklist for starting a small business and includes personal assessment; How to register a new business; Employer ID numbers; NYS and NYC permits and licenses; Business insurance and much more! If you want to start a business but wonder how to go about doing it, this seminar is for you. Learn what makes a successful startup possible as well as what must be in place to keep the business running successfully.

Storytelling, a Complete Marketing Tool

This seminar will highlight the power of storytelling as a compelling marketing tool to engage and connect with audiences. Topics will include crafting authentic brand narratives, emotional engagement, and using stories across different marketing channels. Attendees will learn how to create impactful stories that resonate with customers and drive business growth. Whether you're a business owner or a marketing professional, this session will provide practical techniques to enhance your brand’s messaging.

Register DCB 2455 CRN 90106 R 10/9 6-8pm $35 KSU

Ten Gates for Business Ideation

Have you ever thought of starting a business, but you weren’t sure how to proceed? This seminar will focus on business ideation, the process of developing and examining a business idea. Our presentation will include a discussion on the Ten Gates of business ideation, a framework developed by author David C. Whipple. Our goal for this seminar is to give you a framework and resources for really thinking about a business idea before you leap into it. Let’s explore how to determine the viability of a business idea. A question & answer session will conclude the seminar.

Register DCB 2456 CRN 90108 W 11/12 3-5pm $35 KSU

→ CERTIFICATES

Agile Project Management

Get your certification in various aspects of Agile Project Management.

Agile Project Management Certificate - 32 hours
Register Online Self-paced $695

Integrating Agile Into a Waterfall Environment - 4 hours
Register Online Self-paced $89

Introduction to Agile - 10 hours
Register Online Self-paced $249

Principles of Scrum - 10 hours
Register Online Self-paced $299

Certificate in Human Resource Management Suite

An effective human resource management strategy is a valuable asset to any company, but those running small businesses often cannot justify designating a full-time HR professional to manage employee relations, compensation, policy-making, performance management, and employee appraisals. This suite of courses will teach you the basics of managing the benefits and policies that support an effective staff. Each 3 to 5 hour, self-paced course offers an assortment of interactive exercises, videos, selected readings, case studies, and self-assessments that will engage you and structure your learning about human resource management. Upon successful completion, you can download a printable certificate of completion for this online course suite. This certificate has no textbooks or prerequisites.

Register Online $399

Certificate in Nonprofit Management

This online certificate program introduces learners to key current management issues for nonprofit organizations. Fundraising, board and volunteer development, budgeting, reading financial statements, leadership, marketing, and setting strategic direction are all addressed, and video commentary on these crucial topics will give you insight into how nonprofit professionals apply key concepts in their own organizations. Each 3 to 5 hour, self-paced course offers an assortment of interactive exercises, videos, selected readings, case studies, and self-assessments that will engage you and help you practice effective decision making in a nonprofit setting. After completing all the courses, learners will engage in a simulation meant to test the concepts covered in the courseware. Some courses in this certificate award CFRE credits.

Register Online $699

Project Management

Learn the latest in project management skills and become a CAPM, a PMP, an RMP, and lock-in a confident career path. A broad range of online course offerings are available including various certifications, Ethics for Project Managers, Managing Real World Projects, and more.

For registration and the full range or courses, visit the Project Management Catalog

Nonprofit Management & Budgeting

A broad series of online courses are available. A sampling of our offerings include: Nonprofit Management, Budgeting a Nonprofit Organization, Fundraising for Nonprofits, and more.

For registration and the full range or courses, visit the Nonprofit catalog

Career Development

There are six online networking and career development courses to prepare new graduates, people re-entering the workforce and career changers for the professional work environment. From resume writing and interviewing to networking and managing personal finances, these courses teach professionals the life skills that a traditional education may have left behind.

EMSI, a labor market analytics company, looked at all job postings in Ulster County earlier this year and gathered the top (hot/resilient) skills across 20 occupations with the most job posting growth. The top five on this list were customer service, communications, management, problem solving, and written and verbal communications. According to EMSI “the future of work is skills-based. - On June 26, President Trump signed an executive order implementing ‘merit-based reforms that will replace degree-based hiring with skills and competency-based hiring.’ While the direct impact of the order is limited to the federal government’s own hiring policies, … prominent business leaders ... seems to indicate support from the private sector.” NOW is the time to update your resume!

View the range of courses offered in Career Development. Online $49-$79

Small Business Management

Managing a small business is no small task. Learn the critical skills for managing your small business's finances, human resource challenges, and marketing efforts. These online courses include a certificate in Small Business Management, Accounting for Small Business, Law for Small Business and more.

View the range of courses offered in the Business Catalog.