JR Shaw School of Business

Applied Financial Services

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With help from the Applied Financial Services certificate program, you could fast track your way into the financial services industry. In less than a year, you’ll be prepared for a career in financial services firms through a combination of technical and interpersonal skills development that builds your confidence and provides you with the skills you need to succeed.

Our courses focus on in-class business simulations that combine financial service with foundational business knowledge. As you progress in the program, you will learn to integrate the complexity of managing business processes with excellent service skills.

Quick Facts

Credential: Certificate

Certificates are credit programs that take 1 year or less and lead to government approved and industry-recognized credentials.

Campus: Main

Any in-person components of your courses will be delivered at NAIT's Main Campus in Edmonton. View map

Delivery Options:

  • On-Campus Day - Your course activity is done in-person Monday - Friday in the daytime.
  • On-Campus Evening and/or Weekend - Your course activity is done in-person on weekdays in the evening, or Saturdays and Sundays.
  • Online Day - Your course activity is done online Monday - Friday in the daytime.
  • Online Evening and/or Weekend - Your course activity is done online on weekdays in the evening, or Saturdays and Sundays.
  • Online Flexible Delivery - Your course activity is not scheduled and therefore you can determine when to do the coursework.

Length: 1 Year

With a typical full-time course load, this program will take 1 Year to complete.

Open Studies: Available

This program has courses that are available for Open Studies. Open Studies allows you to explore credit courses without applying to a program. It is an opportunity to get a feel for school and what program you want to be in. View courses

International Students: Accepted

This program accepts international students, however, program availability may be limited. Check program availability for this term. This program also meets the eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit program. Each student is responsible for maintaining their eligibility throughout their studies.

Grad Employment Rate

Employment rates are reported by NAIT alumni, are for information purposes, and do not guarantee future employment opportunities. Please note that data for newer programs may not be included within this report.

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Median Starting Salary

Salaries are reported by NAIT alumni, are for information purposes, and are not a guarantee of future income. Please note that data for newer programs may not be included within this report.

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Hands-on, industry-relevant skills 

The Applied Financial Services program will show you how to advise clients on their day-to-day financial needs. In addition to communication, financial and information technology training, our program will show you the ins and outs of general business administration.

You will discover and master:

  • financial advising 
  • commercial banking services
  • business software and technology
  • introductory accounting principles
  • professionalism and business ethics 
  • marketing basics 

Program fit

You could excel in this program if you:

  • are fluent in English
  • work well as part of a team
  • have a keen appreciation for accuracy and detail
  • enjoy being actively involved in marketing products and services
  • are interested in working in the retail financial services industry

Classroom & study hours

On average, students can expect to spend:

  • 20 hours per week attending classes over the course of each semester
  • An additional 20-30 hours per week studying, completing assignments, doing research, reading, etc.

Hands-on learning

Through the course of the program, you will have the opportunity to engage with industry and practice with real-world case studies and job interviews. These activities will align your studies with the needs of industry and help bring the theory and concepts to life.

Scotiabank Banking and Stock Trading Lab

bank lab

As a student in the Applied Financial Services program, you’ll have the opportunity to use the Scotiabank Banking and Stock Trading Lab, which replicates an operational financial institution to help you integrate key processes with client service expectations.

Practice makes perfect

Financial Banking Lab

8 customer service stations with simulated banking software, financial slips and drawers.

Career Outcomes

As a successful graduate, you will finish with strong interpersonal skills and demonstrate outstanding financial advising with the ability to offer products and services to clients.

Alumni success story

Chantel Gladue
Applied Financial Services '18

While at NAIT, Chantel benefitted from classes in the Scotiabank Banking and Stock Trading Lab that simulated a financial institution customer service environment. Her instructors also became key to her success, and she was fortunate to receive personal guidance and support to help remove academic obstacles.

Advice to students
"Stay dedicated to your studies and when life throws you curveballs, open up to your instructors – they want to help you succeed.”

Read Chantel's story

Work Experience Placements

Courses and Advanced Credit

Current and recently admitted students can find information and updates about their program on their My Program page in the MyNAIT Portal. To monitor your course progress and the courses still needed to graduate, visit your Academic Progress Report.

Advanced Credit

You may apply for advanced credit once you have been accepted into the program. Advanced credit can be Transfer Credit (for completed post-secondary courses) or PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition).

Transfer Credit

In addition to the common guidelines outlined on the Transfer and Credit Options section, your program has other advanced credit requirements that are applied to each request including:

  • You must have completed the course or program no more than 10 year(s) ago unless a formalized articulation agreement is in place
  • You must have a minimum mark of D in the course(s) or program

Prior Learning and Assessment Recognition (PLAR)

This program currently does not have any courses available for PLAR credits. Please refer to the  Credit for Work and Life Experience page  for more information.

Read more about advanced credit or contact us about applying for credit for this program.

Courses

Expand each course below to see details about credits, requisites, scheduling, and more.

Tuition & Fees

Scholarships & Awards

The following scholarships and/or bursaries are available to you as a student in this program. To access your opportunities, visit the Student Portal.

Admission Requirements

Want to learn more about this program?

Thank you for your interest! We want to get you in contact with the right person to answer your questions. If you are a current or recently admitted student you can find program and course information as well as contact details for your program on the My Program page on the MyNAIT Portal.

General inquiries

Please contact the Student Service Centre for general inquiries such as:

  • Student application support
  • Program entrance requirements, tuition & fees, and how to apply
  • Program admissions process
  • Enrolment support
  • Student funding options
  • Fee and refund inquiries
  • General program and course withdrawal procedures
  • Navigating nait.ca and MyNAITPortal

Contact Student Service Centre

Program-specific questions

Please fill out the form below if you have any program-specific questions relating to:

  • Program details
  • Work-integrated learning and cooperative education
  • Advance credit and Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
  • Program and course withdrawal



The personal information on this form is being collected under the authority of the Post-secondary Learning Act and section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP). The information will be protected by the provisions of FOIP, and will be used for the purpose of registration and administration of the event. If you have any questions or concerns about the collection, use, security or disclosure of the personal information, please contact General Council at 780.471.7664 or legal@nait.ca.

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