Skip to content

Online Professional Certificate in Business Administration

Business confidence for the Age of AI

100% online learning  

Graduate in 6 months 

AI-focused  

2 subjects 

Learn more today

Complete the form to learn more about this program.

upcoming information session

To find out more about your eligibility and the course, join our upcoming webinar for La Trobe’s 100% online Business Administration courses on Wednesday, July 15 at 5:45 pm AEST. Register here to learn more about the courses and online learning experience at La Trobe. 

Build confidence in business decision-making in an AI-driven world 

Study the Professional Certificate in Business Administration at La Trobe University, a globally recognised business school. This focused postgraduate qualification develops your understanding of how AI is reshaping business strategy, innovation and decision-making, helping you contribute more confidently in data-driven and digitally evolving workplaces.

Certificate Details

  • AI-informed Business Foundations  
  • Pathway to an MBA  
  • Flexible, career-aligned learning 
Request Info

Why study this course? 

Artificial intelligence is transforming how organisations make decisions, solve problems and create value. This Professional Certificate is designed for early-career professionals who want to strengthen business capability while building confidence in AI-informed thinking. 

Rather than focusing on technical or coding skills, the course explores how AI is applied in real business contexts, from strategy and innovation to organisational decision-making. You’ll gain practical, immediately applicable knowledge that helps you contribute more effectively to projects, reporting and strategic discussions. 

Delivered 100% online in flexible study blocks, the program is designed to fit around full-time work while supporting rapid skill development. 

Required Business Administration Courses

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the nature and function of business. However, business leaders are challenged by the effective and competitive adoption of AI. This subject provides you with an industry-ready skillset to empower productivity, innovation and decision-making across the business ecosystem. You will learn to apply prompting techniques, build and evaluate AI chatbots, construct and articulate AI strategies. Alongside AI capabilities, you will recognise and address the risks of AI, ethics and cybersecurity through a deep understanding of local and international guidelines, regulations and governance. You will foster an AI-first mindset for the effective and responsible practice of AI in any business or industry environment.
Navigating the AI Economy develops advanced economic and analytical capability for organisational decision making in an AI-driven global economy. The subject applies key economic concepts and frameworks to business, organisational, and societal challenges shaped by artificial intelligence, data, and automation. You will use digital and AI-enabled tools to interpret economic data, analyse market behaviour, and evaluate financial and organisational performance. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, problem solving, and the construction of sound economic arguments to support evidence-based strategic decisions in complex and uncertain environments.

What you’ll gain 

Build confidence in business and AI-informed decision-making while developing practical skills in strategy, data interpretation and ethical leadership. You’ll learn how AI shapes business performance and gain the capability to contribute more effectively to projects, reporting and organisational decisions. Graduates may pursue roles such as Business Analyst, Operations Analyst or Project Officer, with a pathway into the Graduate Certificate and La Trobe’s AI-first MBA. 

Advance into AI-driven leadership roles

Operations Analyst AU$90,000 per year1

Project Officer AU$110,000 per year2

Value of a certificate

The Professional Certificate in Business Administration is a flexible, future-focused qualification designed to help you build valuable business capability quickly. By combining business foundations with AI-informed decision-making, you’ll gain practical, career-relevant skills that strengthen your professional profile and prepare you for increasingly digital workplaces. 

Designed for working professionals, this stackable qualification can be completed in two subjects and studied fully online in flexible blocks. It also provides a pathway into La Trobe’s AI-first MBA, allowing you to continue building your expertise as your career evolves.

What you’ll be able to do

Designed for early-career professionals looking to strengthen business capability, this course is ideal if you work in analytics, operations or project-based roles, want to build confidence in business decision-making, or are exploring future postgraduate study. 

  • Learn to apply AI tools, so you can contribute more confidently to business decisions.  
  • Learn to interpret business and economic data, so you can support reporting and performance outcomes.  
  • Learn to understand AI risks and ethics, so you can apply responsible decision-making.  
  • Learn to think strategically, so you can contribute to projects and organisational priorities.  
  • Learn to evaluate markets and business trends, so you can make more informed recommendations. 

Entry requirements 

Apply online 

To be considered for admission to the Professional Certificate in Business Administration, applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria: 

  • Completion of an Australian bachelor degree or higher or equivalent in any discipline, and a minimum of two years’ relevant work experience* (or part‑time equivalent); 

OR 

  • A minimum of four years full-time relevant work experience* (or part time equivalent) 

You can apply now. 

Admissions

Tuition

$5,000 per subject 

2 subjects 

Investing in your education is an investment in your future career. The Professional Certificate in Business Administration helps you build practical business and AI-informed skills that are increasingly valued across industries. 

We understand cost is an important consideration. Eligible students may access FEE-HELP, and our team can help you explore professional development support through your employer. 

Tuition & Aid

Frequently asked questions

We’re always happy to chat with you. If you’d rather talk one-on-one or have a question you don’t see answered here, request more information or call (+61 3) 9917 3009.

A bachelor’s degree is not strictly required to enrol. Applicants can be considered for admission either by holding an Australian bachelor’s degree or equivalent in any discipline alongside a minimum of two years’ relevant work experience, or by demonstrating a minimum of four years’ full-time relevant work experience. Relevant work experience is typically defined as professional experience in a managerial or professional role involving responsibility for decision-making, such as managing people or strategic projects.

The professional certificate helps you build practical, career-relevant skills in AI-informed decision-making, strategy, data interpretation, and ethical leadership that are increasingly valued across industries. Graduates may pursue roles such as Business Analyst, Operations Analyst, or Project Officer, with a clear pathway into the graduate certificate and La Trobe’s AI-first MBA. As a stackable qualification, it allows you to continue building your expertise over time as your career evolves.

Our Professional Certificate in Business Administration is a focused postgraduate qualification offered by La Trobe University that develops your understanding of how AI is reshaping business strategy, innovation, and decision-making. It comprises two subjects (Artificial Intelligence for Business and Navigating the AI Economy), and delivers it in fully online in flexible study blocks. It’s designed for early-career professionals who want to strengthen their business capability and build confidence in AI-informed thinking.

The Professional Certificate at La Trobe University is a two-subject qualification aimed at early-career professionals seeking a focused introduction to AI-informed business thinking, whilst the graduate certificate is a four-subject qualification designed for emerging and early-career professionals who want to build stronger business foundations alongside practical AI-enabled decision-making capability. Both are stackable qualifications that provide a pathway into La Trobe’s AI-first MBA, but the graduate certificate covers a broader curriculum including entrepreneurship, strategy, and financial management.

Visit our FAQ page

Sources and Disclaimer

  1. Operations Analyst salary in Au (May, 2026) – seek (no date) SEEK Australia. Available at: https://au.seek.com/career-advice/role/operations-analyst/salary
  2. Project officer salary in Au (May, 2026) – seek (no date) SEEK Australia. Available at: https://au.seek.com/career-advice/role/project-officer/salary.

*Relevant work experience typically includes experience in a managerial or professional role involving responsibility for decision‑making/supervisory role such as managing people or strategic projects.