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Commerce Essentials

We're living in a world where almost anyone, anywhere can create business value using their unique talents. If this sounds like you, consider the McIntire School’s growing portfolio of Commerce Essentials micro-courses.

Created and delivered by some of UVA's and the McIntire School's most distinguished faculty and partners and specifically designed to be taken anywhere, anytime, these online, self-paced half-credit courses deliver bite-sized modern business content and skills to support you on your path to success.

Course Registration for UVA Students
Course Registration for Non-UVA Students
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Earn Up to Three Digital Badges

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Business Essentials
NEW! AI Essentials
NEW! Entrepreneurship Essentials

New Courses for Fall 2025

AI Essentials: Business Gen AI

Focus: GenAI tools in business

The course explores key aspects of generative artificial intelligence (genAI) and essential genAI technologies, plus applying tools effectively in various business scenarios. Through on-demand lectures, interactive exercises, and guided readings, you will gain practical insights into AI-driven innovation, experience interaction with AI models, examine business use cases, touch on legal and compliance, and learn ways to stay informed on AI trends. Instructor: Adam Kerpelman

Entrepreneurship-Social Impact

Focus: Social ventures and mission-driven work

This course explores how social entrepreneurs create sustainable solutions to pressing social challenges. You'll examine their mindsets, analyze impact-driven business models and funding strategies, and learn how ventures measure effectiveness. We'll explore scaling social impact and building organizations that generate both social value and financial sustainability. Instructors: Matthew Wheelock and Chad Ratliff

Entrepreneurship in Practice

Focus: Building, testing, and launching a venture with multiple entrepreneurial case studies

In this course, you'll journey from understanding what entrepreneurs actually do in society to building and sustaining your own venture; learning that there's no single "right" way to be an entrepreneur; and that success comes through collaboration, resilience, and designing a path that fits your unique goals. Instructor: Roger Martin

Reviews From Our Students

The best thing about this course was the info and the way in which it was taught. I liked how there was an intro followed by practice problems to help me learn, and also additional resources that dove into more of the specifics of each topic if I wanted to learn more about them. 

Mason

College of A&S

Frequently Asked Questions

How do the courses work?

Commerce Essentials micro-courses are quick, one-half-credit courses designed to be taken over a weekend or two or spread out in smaller segments over several weeks. It takes 8-10 hours to review a course’s asynchronous content, plus independent study time.

Who are the courses for?

There are no restrictions on who can take Commerce Essentials micro-courses, though depending on the school, students may need to get adviser approval first. They are designed for undergraduates who want to get initial exposure to business or brush up on business skills.

How long does it take to complete a micro-course?

It will take 8-10 hours to review the course’s asynchronous content, plus independent study time. Commerce Essentials courses are designed so that they can be taken over a weekend or two, or spread out in smaller segments over several weeks.

How much do the courses cost?

For full-time students, the courses are included in their already-paid tuition, and students can take as many as they like as long as their total course load is under the credit cap. Tuition and fees may defer in summer or January terms than fall or spring terms. Part-time students in the School of Continuing and Professional Studies will pay tuition based on the standard credit hour rate for their program.

When can I sign up for a course? Can I do it anytime?

Most UVA students need to sign up for a micro-course during the normal course registration period of each semester through the UVA Student Information System (SIS). Students in the School of Continuing and Professional Studies must obtain adviser approval first. The school registrar will manually enroll students in the requested course during the registration period.

Are the Commerce Essentials courses graded?

Completion of a micro-course is on a credit/no credit basis.

How will my work in a Commerce Essentials course be assessed?

Assessments for the courses consist of some homework activities and a final multiple-choice test to complete the course.

Can I earn a digital badge by taking a collection of courses?

Yes! If you successfully complete four courses within a collection, you may be eligible for a digital badge.

Offerings as of fall 2025

  • Business Essentials – Strategy, Accounting, Finance, Marketing
  • AI Essentials – Communication, Predictive AI, The Future, Business Gen AI
  • Entrepreneurship Essentials - Entrepreneurship & Growth, Entrepreneurship Fundamentals, Entrepreneurship-Social Impact, Entrepreneurship in Practice

Why are digital badges valuable for students?

Digital badges allow you to

  • Showcase your skills and provide concrete evidence of proficiency for future employers
  • Demonstrate lifelong learning since you show a commitment to continuous education 

They can be easily shared and displayed on platforms like LinkedIn.

Still Have Questions?

We are happy to help you figure out if Commerce Essentials is the right fit for your academic goals, please reach out. 

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