Overview
About the program
The demand for data-savvy professionals spans various industries, including finance, healthcare, marketing, retail, and manufacturing, where data-driven decision-making is critical to maintaining a competitive edge and driving innovation. The Associate Certificate in Business Data Management (ACDM) is designed to meet the growing need for data management skills across all industries and sectors, enhancing data literacy by providing professionals with the skills to govern and manage data quality, enabling them to leverage tools and techniques to ensure accurate and reliable data for analysis.
As organizations increasingly rely on data to drive strategic decision-making, the need to ensure data integrity, privacy, and compliance has never been greater. The ACDM program prepares students to manage data as a strategic asset—harmonizing disparate systems, upholding governance standards, and enabling accurate, reliable insights that support informed decisions.
Designed to meet the growing demand for data management and governance skills, this program empowers learners to thrive in a data-driven world while helping employers meet the need for innovative, competitive talent.
Research from the Centre for International Governance Innovation reveals that many countries are still in the early stages of developing effective data governance frameworks, which creates significant challenges in ensuring accountability and reliability, particularly as data increasingly powers artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) systems.
The ACDM program directly addresses this gap, equipping graduates with the knowledge and skills to navigate the complexities of data governance in the age of AI, thereby positioning them as valuable contributors to organizations that strive to leverage data responsibly and strategically.
Who it’s for
Who should apply for the Business Data Management Associate Certificate?
- Graduates of BCIT Business Diploma programs looking to develop knowledge and skills in Data Management and Governance.
- Graduates of business diploma and degree programs from other post-secondary institutions.
- Industry professionals looking to develop knowledge and skills in Data Management and Governance.
If this sounds like you, apply today on the Entrance Requirements page.
Entrance Requirements
Application processing
Applications are accepted throughout the year with intake options available during the following periods:
| Intake | Opening date | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Winter (January) | February 1st* | January 2nd* |
| Spring/Summer (April) | May 1st* | April 1st* |
| Fall (September) | October 1st* | September 1st* |
*or next business day
Intakes may fill before the deadline. If you are currently registered in a course or planning to start, submit your application early to secure your spot in the program.
Entrance requirements
Applicants must meet all entrance requirements and will be accepted on a first-qualified basis as long as space remains:
- English language proficiency: Category 2 – English Studies 12 (67%) or equivalent
- Post-secondary courses:
International applicants
This program is not available to international students. View available programs.
Apply to program
To submit your application:
- Include proof of meeting all entrance requirements.
- Convert all transcripts and supporting documents to PDF files.
- Have a credit card ready to pay the application fee.
Apply Now
Scheduled Intakes
Ongoing Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) intakes: January, April, and September.
Costs & Supplies
Tuition fees
Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) tuition is charged on a course-by-course basis. Please see the Flexible Learning Tuition & Fees page for more information.
Books & supplies
Approximately $300.
Courses
You must be accepted into the program before you can register in any courses. Courses must be taken in the order identified in the ACDM Course Flow [PDF]. Please email Ruth MacKay, Program Assistant, to register.
Program matrix
Check current availability of courses for this program.
| Required courses | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| BABI 3000 | Data Quality Approaches for Business | 3.0 | |
| BABI 3005 | Data Governance for Business Analytics | 3.0 | |
| BABI 3100 | Business Analytics Theory | 3.0 | |
| BABI 4000 | Applied Data Management for Analytics | 5.5 | |
| BABI 4005 | DQM with Python | 2.0 | |
| Total Credits: | 16.5 | ||
Check current availability of courses for this program.
Transfer credit
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
Program Details
Program aim
The ACDM aims to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge to organize and manage data for meaningful analysis. The program focuses on data governance, quality, and integration, ensuring the reliability, accuracy, and completeness of data for impactful business outcomes.
Program goals
Graduates of the program will:
- Leverage data governance frameworks to ensure that data is utilized effectively for analytics and meets the standards of privacy, security, and ethics.
- Explore the critical role of data quality in contemporary business environments, learning approaches and techniques to ensure data accuracy and reliability.
- Recognize and enhance the quality of data in various business scenarios.
- Utilize advanced tools to facilitate the cleaning, storage, transformation, and integration of data from diverse sources, thereby supporting business analytics.
- Plan for and use data analytics for strategic business purposes.
- Plan for and support the evolution of the mature data organization.
Program length
The program can be completed in one year, based on completing two courses per term for two terms. The program must be completed within 5 years.
Program delivery
Blended: This program is delivered partly on campus and partly online.
Continue your education
Graduates of this program may continue their studies to complete the BCIT Business Information Technology Management (Analytics Data Management Option) program, a 2-year, full-time (day school) program in the School of Business and Media.
Graduating & Jobs
Job opportunities
The BC Labour Market Outlook identifies critical demand for roles requiring advanced analytical and data-driven decision-making capabilities. Many of the roles within this sector such as software engineers, data analysts, and database administrators are identified as high-opportunity roles.
Apply for graduation
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, complete an Application for BCIT Credential [PDF] and submit it to Student Information and Enrolment Services.
Allow approximately six to eight weeks for processing.
All financial obligations to the Institute must be met prior to issuance of any credential.
Contact Us
Ruth MacKay
Flexible Learning Program Assistant – Operations Management
Tel: 604-412-7417
Email: Ruth_MacKay@bcit.ca
Shauna Begley
For program specific questions.
Tel: 604-412-7460
Email: shauna_begley@bcit.ca
Juan Azmitia
Flexible Learning Coordinator – Operations Management
Tel: 604-453-4005
Email: Juan_Azmitia@bcit.ca
Questions or comments?
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