Business - Marketing
Overview
An online, future-focused marketing diploma designed to fit your life while opening doors to advanced business studies and diverse career opportunities.
Stay ahead in the fast-moving world of marketing with Lambton College’s Business – Marketing online, Ontario College Diploma—designed for learners who want high-quality education delivered entirely online, on their schedule. This flexible program builds a strong foundation in core business principles while developing hands-on marketing skills in areas such as product innovation, pricing, digital content creation, brand management, sales, and strategic marketing.
Guided by responsible management practices, students learn to think analytically, act ethically, and apply business strategies to real-world challenges. And with built-in laddering pathways, you can seamlessly move into other Lambton College business programs as your interests evolve—ensuring your education grows with your ambitions.
Admission Requirements
O.S.S.D. or equivalent with:
- Grade 12 English C or U
Mature Student Assessment for this program is available in the subject of English for the purpose of demonstrating proficiency in this required admission subject. For all other admission requirements, applicants must complete the required course(s) as listed above. For more information, please contact counselling@lambtoncollege.ca. Review the Mature Student Admission process.
Academic admission requirements can be obtained through Academic Upgrading and the Pre-Programs at Lambton College.
Costs
- Fees will be determined in Spring 2026.
Technology Requirements
In order to keep pace with the requirements of each and every course in your program, Lambton College requires that each student have access to a laptop while studying at our college.
Courses
Business Math I
This is a course in the mathematical concepts needed for success in the modern business world. We will study percentages, ratios and proportions, exponents; algebraic manipulation and solution of equations and equation systems; plotting, graphing and reading descriptive charts; deriving and presenting descriptive statistics.
Critical Thinking & Writing
This writing course challenges students to explore diverse opinions and articulate their own perspectives clearly and persuasively. Through critical reading, students will develop skills in synthesis, analysis, comparison, and response, striving for clarity and diplomatic expression of their opinions based on factual evidence. Students will practice various rhetorical strategies of persuasion and hone their writing to ensure precision and accuracy in their messages. This course lays the foundation for a subsequent research-writing course, equipping students with essential skills for academic success.
Strategic Human Resources Management
Specific focus is on the factors that affect the overall atmosphere in the workplace and that which contributes to an environment conducive to maximum productivity. Students will be introduced to effective strategies for hiring, motivating, managing, training, and retaining staff. Students will study the following topics: the strategic importance of Human Resources and the role of the HR Manager; competitive challenges facing Human Resources; job analysis and design; Human Resources planning; recruitment and selection; orientation and training; employee relations; performance management; compensation; employee benefits and services; labour relations; health and safety; equity and diversity; and international human resources management. Significant emphasis will be placed on the team approach to creative problem-solving techniques and heir application to selected case studies and a project that replicates actual on-the-job activities. Successful completion of this course, with a minimum final grade of 65%, will qualify as an approved credit towards the academic component of either the Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) or the Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) designations granted by the Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA).
Marketing I
Marketing 1 is the first course of a two course Introduction to Marketing designed to provide students with a sound grounding in the field of marketing. Emphasis is placed on the formulation of integrated marketing strategies that play a role in achieving organizational objectives. The course is divided into four segments: marketing process and marketing environments; marketing planning and information collection processes; buyer behaviour and targeting strategies; and marketing mix (two components of the mix are discussed: product and price).
Microeconomics
Introduction to Computers
This course will familiarize students with the digital world by exploring the hardware and software of their computer system. Graduates will be able to use the most common functions of the Windows operating system including File Explorer for file management, utility programs, various web browsers for social media while observing and identifying security and privacy concerns and issues. Graduates will be able to build properly formatted documents using Microsoft Word and spreadsheets including correctly functioning formulas using Microsoft Excel and create commanding presentations with Microsoft PowerPoint while using the cloud to store and access their files.
Job Search & Workplace Skills
Communications for Business
This course provides students with the skills required for professional, written, and oral communications essential to business success and subsequent courses. Students will develop database and internet research skills; prepare professional written business communication; and create, practice and deliver professional oral presentations. Students will research and document borrowed information in a business report and will demonstrate critical reading and thinking skills.
Macroeconomics
This course provides an understanding of how society chooses what goods and services to produce through an examination of the laws of supply and demand as well as how and for whom they are produced, by examining the behaviour of firms, market structures and the distribution of income.
Introduction to Sustainable Development
This course introduces the concept of sustainable development to a broad audience. Students are presented with the factors that affect the environmental, economic and social sustainability of our communities. The course investigates the development of human populations and how their need for resources (e.g. energy, food, water) has compromised the natural ecosystems. Social and economic factors are explored in the context of social equality and sustainability in the local and global economy. The effects of individual lifestyle changes on the sustainability of communities are also examined.
Entrepreneurship I
This course will cover a wide variety of topics for those interested in starting, or seeking employment in, a small business. The course will capture the entrepreneurial spirit, and students will get first-hand exposure to the benefits and drawbacks of starting a new business and being your own boss. Issues pervasive in small businesses such as spotting trends or taking advantage of niche business opportunities will be discussed and factored into class exercises. Students will have the opportunity to practice start-up skills through feasibility analysis, the idea pitch, defining markets, targeting customers, operations, and deciding on which type of business to start. The ability to maintain and sustain operations of a small business will be experienced with particular attention to budgeting, forecasting, and cash management. In this course, students will have an authentic opportunity to test their entrepreneurial skills through a real business venture.
Digital Marketing
This course focuses on the latest in digital based marketing tools and strategies including: search engine optimization, website analytics, social media platforms, and mobile communications. The main focus will be to enable students to develop and implement integrated marketing campaigns and strategies by leveraging multiple digital marketing platforms in a simulated Business-to-Consumer (B2C) environment.
Consumer Behaviour in Strategic Marketing
General Education Elective
Optional Co-op
Critical & Ethical Decision Making
Students are introduced to business ethics, applied ethics, and social psychology. They will assess today's most important ethical dilemmas and the human behaviours that drive them. Students will recommend how to best navigate corporate landscapes, political influencers, and social contexts to ensure ethical decision-making.
Finance & Accounting Math
This course introduces the student to the concepts and procedures of the time value of money calculations used in Mathematics of Finance. It covers topics in simple interest, compound interest, simple and general annuities, bonds and cost-benefit analysis.
Marketing Research Techniques
Digital Presence for Today’s Business
In this digital marketplace, image capturing and a strong web presence are key to communicating effectively with current or prospective clients and to other successful professional practices. With professional image creation in mind, students have the opportunity to explore the practical groundwork of photo capture focus, composition and exposure. Students will explore cost-effective website building platform options and learn about the questions to ask when retaining a professional website designer.
Social Media Marketing
In this course you will be provided with a fundamental understanding of many of the different social media channels including the use of mobile apps and games for social media marketing. Once an understanding of the social media channels is established you will learn how to leverage the channels to engage audiences, and integrate with traditional media, in order to achieve marketing objectives.
General Education Elective
Selling
This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to professional selling and the skills required to find success in relationship building and sales. Students are introduced to the many career alternatives available as well as the day-to-day expectations of a successful salesperson. The focus is to assist students develop their personal brand and strengthen their presentation, communication, and negotiation skills through role-playing, simulations, and applied learning exercises. Both traditional and digital prospecting methods are explored, along with the application of effective discovery, proposal creation, and problem resolution strategies, all in support of creating a customer relationship built on trust. Topics include goal setting, planning, time management, sales analytics, key performance indicator analysis, and customer relationship building. Students apply their learning in a simulated, professional business-to-business sales environment.
Business Statistics
This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of statistics. It includes regression analysis, probabilities and distributions, sampling, statistical estimation, and hypotheses testing.
Integrated Marketing Communications
In today's marketing world, there are more advertising contact points and specialized media competing for consumers' attention than ever before. To effectively break through the clutter, companies need to use a well-coordinated approach to selecting different promotional methods to differentiate their communication and present a consistent message to target audiences. This course introduces students to the concept of integrated marketing communications (IMC); a strategic planning process that helps companies identify the most appropriate and effective methods for communicating and building relationships with consumers. Students will learn the essential components of an IMC plan, including how to integrate advertising, sales promotions, public relations, direct marketing and digital media to maximize the impact of communications. Students will utilize this knowledge to build their own comprehensive marketing communications plan for a selected product or service.
Entrepreneurship II
This course will cover the creation of a comprehensive business plan. The course will capture the entrepreneurial spirit, and students will get first-hand exposure to the benefits and drawbacks of starting a new business and being your own boss. Through the steps in creating the business plan, students will have the opportunity to practice start-up skills through defining markets, targeting customers, and addressing financial planning such as cash management, budgeting, and financing. At the conclusion of the course, students will each have the opportunity to ‘pitch’ their plan to a potential investor.
Introduction to Financial Management Accounting
This course introduces the use of financial management and managerial accounting principles for planning, decision making, control, and cost management for a business enterprise. Topics covered in this course include the following: financial analysis for decision making, cost-volume-profit analysis, organizational costing techniques, and budgetary planning and control. Successful completion of this course, with a minimum final grade of 65%, will qualify as an approved credit towards the academic component of either the Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) or the Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) designations granted by the Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA).
Integrated Business Solutions Capstone
This interdisciplinary capstone course brings together students from marketing and human resources to collaborate on a real-world business challenge. Working in cross-functional teams, students will partner with a local organization to develop and implement strategic solutions that address key operational, financial, and sustainability goals. Through hands-on engagement, students will analyze market trends, create HR strategies, integrate sustainable business practices, and ensure financial viability while refining their problem-solving and leadership skills. Throughout the course, students will apply their specialized knowledge to develop a comprehensive business proposal, culminating in a final presentation to stakeholders. Emphasizing experiential learning, this course prepares students for the complexities of modern business environments by fostering collaboration, adaptability, and strategic thinking. By the end of the capstone experience, students will have gained practical insights into cross-disciplinary decision-making within the business world.
General Education Elective
Optional Co-op
Students can choose to take the optional co-op between Term 2 and Term 3 or between Term 3 and Term 4.
Contact
Online Education
Room B2-280
Program Information
After Graduation
Employment Opportunities
Graduates are prepared for a wide range of roles in advertising, promotions, digital and social media marketing, brand management, sales, retailing, purchasing, and more. Whether you’re looking to launch your career or continue into advanced business studies, this flexible online program positions you for success in today’s ever-evolving marketing landscape.
Pathways
Transfer to Programs within Ontario
- Honours Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies - minimum GPA of 65%. Eligible to enter into Semester 5
Want to see more Ontario transfers? Visit ONTransfer.ca.
Co-op
About Co-op
Students in this program have the opportunity to gain valuable work experience by applying classroom learning during co-op experiences.
Learn more about co-op terms and the roles and responsibilities of students and co-op advisors.
More Information
Technology Requirements
It is recommended that you use a Windows laptop for your coursework. While other devices like MacBooks or Chromebooks might work for some tasks, they may not support all the software required for your program. If you're unsure, check with your professors before buying.
Internet Speed Requirements
To get the best experience while learning online, we recommend having an internet connection with at least 40 Mbps download speed and 10 Mbps upload speed. This will help you use video calls, attend online lectures, and access other learning tools smoothly.
Because students live in many different areas, we can't suggest a specific internet provider. You'll need to check with local companies to find one that works best for you.
Laptop Requirements
In order to access the internet and virtually-delivered software and courseware, student laptops should include the following at a minimum. By meeting the following specifications, students will be equipped to access software and courseware on their laptop through the internet:
- Intel i5 8th Gen Processor or equivalent
- 8GB of RAM
- 100 GB HDD or more
- Webcam with a microphone
- Wi-Fi capable (802.11n/ac 5GHz)
- Windows 11 operating system
Mobile Device
Students will require a mobile device (smartphone) for:
- Accessing your digital student ID
- Using campus applications and services
Software
To ensure students are getting the most our of their classroom experience, some software will be required.
Lambton College has made this software easily accessible online. Students can leverage our Microsoft Office 365 software packages and services. In addition, much of the software you require for your courses will be available on demand for use on any device - on or off campus.