BUS 100: Business Essentials

Students will understand core economic concepts, analyze behavior in different market structures, and evaluate fiscal and monetary policy. They’ll examine trade, financial markets, and the role of central banks and global institutions in maintaining.

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Course Curriculum

1. Introduction
1. The External Environment
2. The Economic Environment
3. The Legal Environment
4. Lesson Summary
5. Quiz 1.1
1. Technology Defined
2. Technological Change
3. Advantages of Change
4. Creative Destruction
5. Lesson Summary
6. Quiz 1.2
1. Market Competition Defined
2. Perfect Competition vs. Imperfect Competition
3. Rules
4. Strategy
5. Benefits of Competition
6. Lesson Summary
7. Quiz 1.3
1. Social Environment Defined
2. Effects of External Social Environment
3. Internal Social Environment
4. Diversity and Groupthink
5. Lesson Summary
6. Quiz 1.4
1. Complexity of Global Business
2. Different Political Systems
3. Different Economic Systems
4. Different Cultures
5. Meeting the Challenge
6. Lesson Summary
7. Quiz 1.5
1. Introduction
1. Areas for Ethics in Contemporary Management
2. A Famous Lapse in Business Ethics
3. Ethics Makes Strange Bedfellows
4. Lesson Summary
5. Quiz 2.1
1. Ethics Defined
2. Compliance-Based Code
3. Integrity-Based Code
4. Steps in Drafting a Code
5. Lesson Summary
6. Quiz 2.2
1. A Brave New World
2. What It Means to Be Social
3. So Who Does It?
4. Going All In
5. Lesson Summary
6. Quiz 2.3
1. Introduction
1. Economics - Allocation of Resources
2. Microeconomics
3. Macroeconomics
4. Growth vs. Sustainability
5. Lesson Summary
6. Quiz 3.1
1. Circular Flow of Economic Activity
2. Injections and Leakages
3. Circular Flow Model in Action
4. Lesson Summary
5. Quiz 3.2
1. Consumers and the Market
2. Perfectly Competitive Markets
3. Monopoly
4. Monopolistic Competition
5. Oligopoly
6. Lesson Summary
7. Quiz 3.3
1. Understanding Economic Systems
2. Socialism
3. Communism
4. The Reality - Mixed Economies
5. Lesson Summary
6. Quiz 3.4
1. Gross Domestic Product
2. Components of GDP
3. Lesson Summary
4. Quiz 3.5
1. Welcome to the Land of Macro
2. Day One: Expansion
3. Day Two: Peak
4. Day Three: Recession
5. Day Four: Trough
6. The Business Cycle
7. Lesson Summary
8. Quiz 3.6
1. Introduction
2. Why Do Prices Rise?
3. Inflation and Deflation
4. Real Terms vs. Nominal Terms
5. Summary
6. Quiz 3.7
1. Introduction
1. Global Market - The Stage for Trade
2. Absolute Advantage
3. Comparative Advantage
4. Why It's Important
5. Lesson Summary
6. Quiz 4.1
1. The Basics
2. Why It's Important
3. Barriers to Trade
4. Accounting for Trade
5. Lesson Summary
6. Quiz 4.2
1. Several Strategies
2. Exporting, Licensing and Franchising
3. Joint Ventures and Strategic Alliances
4. Foreign Direct Investment & Subsidiaries
5. Lesson Summary
6. Quiz 4.3
1. The Complexity of the Global Market
2. Sociocultural
3. Political and Legal Forces
4. Economic and Financial Forces
5. Physical and Environmental Forces
6. Lesson Summary
7. Quiz 4.4
1. Emerging Markets
2. Eroding Economic Borders
3. Shifting Focus of Labor
4. Technology Expands Opportunity
5. Lesson Summary
6. Quiz 4.5
1. Introduction
1. Organization and Ownership
2. Sole Proprietorship
3. Partnership
4. Corporation
5. Limited Liability Corporation
6. Lesson Summary
7. Quiz 5.1
1. Corporate Aquisitions
2. Corporate Mergers
3. Hostile Takeovers
4. Lesson Summary
5. Quiz 5.2
1. Franchise - A Proven Model for Success
2. Advantages of Franchises
3. Disadvantages of Franchises
4. Diversity in Franchising
5. Globalization - A Unique Challenge
6. Lesson Summary
7. Quiz 5.3
1. Introduction
1. Entrepreneurs - Risk Takers
2. Examples of Entrepreneurs
3. Characteristics & Skills
4. Lesson Summary
5. Quiz 6.1
1. Small Is Relative
2. Microenterprises - Tiny Businesses
3. Small Business Dominates Economy
4. Characteristics of Small Businesses
5. Why Small Businesses Fail
6. Lesson Summary
7. Quiz 6.2
1. The Global Economy and Small Business
2. Small Business Advantages
3. Small Business Disadvantages
4. Lesson Summary
5. Quiz 6.3
1. Introduction
1. Managerial Skill Sets
2. Technical Skills
3. Human Skills
4. Conceptual Skills
5. Lesson Summary
6. Quiz 7.1
1. The Four Functions of Managers
2. Planning
3. Organizing
4. Leading
5. Controlling
6. Staffing
7. Lesson Review
8. Quiz 7.2
1. Planning to Plan
2. Strategic Plans
3. Tactical Plans
4. Operational Plans
5. Contingency Plans
6. Lesson Summary
7. Quiz 7.3
1. Business Mission Statement
2. Situational Analysis
3. Internal Strengths and Weaknesses
4. External Opportunities and Threats
5. Lesson Summary
6. Quiz 7.4
1. Change in Organizations
2. Structural Change
3. Strategic Change
4. People Changes
5. Process Change
6. Lesson Summary
7. Quiz 7.5
1. What is Leadership?
2. Leadership in Organizations
3. A Leader's Role
4. Lesson Summary
5. Quiz 7.6
1. Worker Inclusion
2. Defining MBO
3. What MBO Delivers
4. Lesson Summary
5. Quiz 7.7
1. Introduction
1. Leadership Orientation
2. Task-Oriented leaders
3. People-Oriented leaders.
4. Lesson Summary
5. Quiz 8.1
1. Classical Leadership Theories
2. Trait Theories
3. Behavior Theories
4. Contingency Theories
5. Transformational Theories
6. Lesson Summary
7. Quiz 8.2
1. Defining New Leadership Theory
2. Transformational Leadership
3. Charismatic Leadership
4. Traditional vs. New
5. Lesson Summary
6. Quiz 8.3
1. Style and Authoritative Leadership
2. Participative Leadership
3. Laissez-Faire Leadership
4. Situational Leadership
5. Bureaucratic Leadership
6. Lesson Summary
7. Quiz 8.4
1. The 5 P's of Leadership
2. How to Use the 5 P's
3. Personal Attributes
4. Position
5. Purpose
6. Procedure/Process
7. Product
8. Lesson Summary
9. Quiz 8.5
1. Introduction
1. Organizational Management Defined
2. Structuring the Organization
3. Specialization & Division of Labor
4. Authority & Delegation
5. Authority & Delegation
6. Policies and Procedures
7. Lesson Summary
8. Quiz 9.1
1. What Is Organizational Design?
2. Theories and Principles of Organizational Design
3. Lesson Summary
4. Quiz 9.2
1. The Relationship Between Organizational Design and Structure
2. Factors That Affect the Relationship Between Design and Structure
3. Lesson Summary
4. Quiz 9.3
1. Organizational Design
2. Simple Design Structure
3. Functional Design
4. Divisional Design
5. Lesson Summary
6. Quiz 9.4
1. Review of Organizational Design
2. Matrix Design
3. Team Design
4. Network Design
5. Lesson Summary
6. Quiz 9.5
1. History
2. Characteristics
3. Pros and Cons
4. Case Study
5. Lesson Summary
6. Quiz 9.6
1. What Is Total Quality Management?
2. What Are the Five Principles of TQM?
3. Produce Quality Work the First Time
4. Focus on the Customer
5. Approach Improvement Strategically
6. Improve Continuously
7. Encourage Mutual Respect & Teamwork
8. How Does TQM Work Interdepartmentally?
9. Lesson Summary
10. Quiz 9.7
1. 'Manager' Is an Adjective
2. Quantitative Approach
3. Systems Approach
4. Contingency Approach
5. Lesson Summary
6. Quiz 9.9
1. Introduction
1. The Pieces of a Company
2. Parts of Operations Management
3. A Narrow Part of the Company
4. Old and the New
5. Lesson Summary
6. Quiz 10.1
1. Productivity and Quality
2. How Do Productivity and Quality Affect Profitability?
3. The Managers
4. Lesson Summary
5. Quiz 10.2
1. Complexity in Business Operations
2. Strategic Planning
3. Tactical Planning
4. Operational Planning
5. Lesson Summary
6. Quiz 10.3
1. Never Enough Time
2. PERT
3. Types of Time
4. Lesson Summary
5. Quiz 10.4
1. Blamestorming
2. Henry Gantt
3. The Gantt Chart
4. Task and Bonus System
5. Lesson Summary
6. Quiz 10.5
1. Managing Information
2. Building a House
3. Raw Data
4. Data Looks Forward and Backward
5. Two Types of Data
6. Lesson Summary
7. Quiz 10.6
1. Introduction
1. What Is Motivation?
2. Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation
3. Two Popular Theories of Workplace Motivation
4. Lesson Summary
5. Quiz 11.1
1. What Is Motivation?
2. Needs-Based Theory of Motivation
3. Behavior-Based Theory of Motivation
4. Lesson Summary
5. Quiz 11.2
1. The Definition of Motivation
2. How to Motivate Employees
3. Expectancy Theory
4. Equity Theory
5. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
6. Lesson Summary
7. Quiz 11.3
1. Introduction
1. What Is Human Resources Management?
2. Recruitment
3. External Recruiting
4. Internal Recruiting
5. Staffing Tasks for Managers
6. Lesson Summary
7. Quiz 12.1
1. Importance of Motivation
2. McClelland's Motivation Theory
3. Adams's Equity Theory
4. Lesson Summary
5. Quiz 11.4
1. Human Resource Management: Laws and Regulations
2. Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII
3. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
4. Sexual Harassment
5. Affirmative Action
6. Lesson Summary
7. Quiz 12.2
1. Employee Performance Checkpoints
2. Commonly Used Employee Appraisals
3. Top-Down Appraisal
4. Management by Objectives (MBO)
5. Self-Assessment
6. 360 Degree Feedback
7. Lesson Summary
8. Quiz 12.3
1. 'Show Me the Money' and Other Benefits to Employment
2. Direct Compensation
3. Other Forms of Compensation
4. Indirect Compensation
5. Lesson Summary
6. Quiz 12.4
1. Introduction
1. Cordwainers & the First Unions
2. Employers Strike Back
3. Progress During the Progressive Era
4. A New Deal for Unions & Post-War Tweaking
5. Globalization and Decline
6. Lesson Summary
7. Quiz 13.1
1. Collective Bargaining Function
2. Collective Bargaining Process
3. Collective Bargaining Process
4. Going on Strike
5. Arbitration
6. Lesson Summary
7. Quiz 13.2
1. Third-Party Interventions in Organizations
2. Mediation
3. Arbitration
4. Lesson Summary
5. Quiz 13.3
1. Introduction
1. Competitive Advantage
2. Cost Competitive Advantage
3. Product/Service Differentiation
4. Niche Competitive Advantage
5. Lesson Summary
6. Quiz 14.1
1. Target Market
2. Identifying Target Markets
3. Marketing Mix
4. Product Strategies
5. Place Strategies
6. Promotion Strategies
7. Pricing Strategies
8. Implementation and Control
9. Lesson Summary
10. Quiz 14.2
1. Marketing Research
2. Marketing Research Business Uses
3. Identifying and Formulating the Problem
4. Research Design & Gathering Primary Data
5. Collecting & Analyzing the Data
6. Preparing & Presenting the Report
7. Following Up
8. Lesson Summary
9. Quiz 14.3
1. Key Differences in Business Marketing
2. First Difference - Individual Roles of Buying Center
3. Second Difference - Evaluative Criteria
4. Third Difference - Buying Situations
5. Fourth Difference - Business Ethics
6. Fifth Difference - Customer Service
7. Lesson Summary
8. Quiz 14.4
1. Ways to Segment Consumer Markets
2. Geographic Segmentation
3. Demographic Segmentation
4. Psychographic Segmentation
5. Benefit Segmentation
6. Usage-Rate Segmentation
7. Lesson Summary
8. Quiz 14.5
1. External Influences and Buying Decisions
2. Culture and Values
3. Social Class
4. Reference Groups and Opinion Leaders
5. Lesson Summary
6. Quiz 14.6
1. Introduction
1. New Product Introduction
2. What Is Product Development?
3. How These New Products Come About
4. Where the Growth Comes From
5. The Cost of Product Development - ROI
6. Lesson Summary
7. Quiz 15.1
1. New Products
2. Categories of New Products
3. Step 1 - New Product Strategy
4. Step 2 - Idea Generation
5. Step 3 - Business Analysis
6. Step 4 - Development
7. Step 5 - Test Marketing
8. Step 6 - Commercialization
9. Lesson Summary
10. Quiz 15.2
1. Packaging Defined
2. Packing: Utilitarian Aspects
3. Packaging: Marketing Opportunities
4. Bundling
5. Lesson Summary
6. Quiz 15.3
1. The Consumer Adoption Process
2. The Five Stages of Adoption
3. How Marketers Use the Adoption Process
4. Lesson Summary
5. Quiz 15.4
1. The Life of a Product
2. Product Life Cycle: Introductory Stage
3. Product Life Cycle: Growth Stage
4. Product Life Cycle: Maturity Stage
5. Product Life Cycle: Decline Stage
6. Lesson Summary
7. Quiz 15.5
1. Introduction
1. Channel Intermediaries: Definition
2. Merchant Wholesaler
3. Agents and Brokers
4. Channel Functions of Intermediaries
5. Lesson Summary
6. Quiz 16.1
1. Wholesale Intermediaries Defined
2. Merchant Intermediaries
3. Functional Intermediaries
4. Lesson Summary
5. Quiz 16.2
1. Product Distribution Defined
2. Intensive Distribution
3. Selective Distribution
4. Exclusive Distribution
5. Lesson Summary
6. Quiz 16.3
1. Non-Store Retailing Defined
2. Kiosks, Carts, and Vending Machines
3. Direct Selling and Multi-Level Marketing
4. Telemarketing
5. Direct Marketing
6. E-Tailing
7. Lesson Summary
8. Quiz 16.4
1. Supply Chain Integration
2. Relationship Integration
3. Measurement Integration
4. Technology/Planning Integration
5. Material and Service Supplier Integration
6. Internal Operations Integration
7. Customer Integration
8. Lesson Summary
9. Quiz 16.5
1. Logistics Defined
2. Logistics Activities
3. Intermediaries and Logistics
4. Lesson Summary
5. Quiz 16.6
1. Introduction
1. Profit-Orientation Pricing Objective
2. Sales-Orientation Pricing Objective
3. Competitor Pricing Orientation
4. Customer Pricing Orientation
5. Team Results
6. Lesson Summary
7. Quiz 17.1
1. Price and Pricing Strategies
2. Profit-Oriented Pricing Objectives
3. Sales-Oriented Pricing Objectives
4. Status Quo Pricing Objectives
5. Lesson Summary
6. Quiz 17.2
1. Cheap or a Good Deal?
2. Pricing Strategy: Everyday Low Price
3. Pricing Strategy: High/Low Pricing
4. New Product Pricing Strategies
5. Lesson Summary
6. Quiz 17.3
1. Introduction
1. Marketing Communication
2. The Sender and Encoding
3. Message Channel
4. The Receiver and Decoding
5. Feedback
6. Lesson Summary
7. Quiz 18.1
1. Purpose of Promotion
2. Informing
3. Persuading
4. Reminding
5. Lesson Summary
6. Quiz 18.2
1. Integrated Marketing Communication
2. IMC Plan - Advertising
3. IMC Plan - Public Relations
4. IMC Plan - Sales Promotion
5. IMC Plan - Personal Selling
6. Lesson Summary
7. Quiz 18.3
1. Advertising
2. Advertising and Market Share
3. More Effects of Advertising on Consumers
4. Lesson Summary
5. Quiz 18.4
1. The Advertising Ninja Apprentice
2. Institutional Advertising
3. Product Advertising
4. Comparative Advertising
5. Competitive Advertising
6. Lesson Summary
7. Quiz 18.5
1. Media Campaigns
2. Magazines
3. Newspapers
4. Radio
5. Television
6. Outdoor Media
7. Internet and Alternate Media
8. Evaluating Media
9. Lesson Summary
10. Quiz 18.6
1. Trade Sales Promotion
2. Persuading Retailers
3. Encouraging Promotion
4. Maintaining Stock
5. Lesson Summary
6. Quiz 18.7
1. Introduction
1. Process and Re-engineering
2. TQM and Competitive Advantage
3. Lesson Summary
4. Quiz 19.1
1. Internet Communication
2. Social Media Operations
3. Common Communication Tools
4. Lesson Summary
5. Quiz 19.2
1. Internet Collaboration
2. Second Life & VOIP
3. Video Conferencing & Virtual Reality
4. Telepresence
5. Lesson Summary
6. Quiz 19.3
1. What Is Business Intelligence?
2. Predictive Analytics
3. Online Analytical Processing
4. Lesson Summary
5. Quiz 19.4
1. What is an MIS?
2. Types of Reports
3. Characteristics of a MIS
4. Lesson Summary
5. Quiz 19.5
1. Introduction
1. Information Technology in Business
2. Benefits of IT
3. Limitations of IT
4. Lesson Summary
5. Quiz 20.1
1. Business Technology
2. Communication
3. Marketing
4. Productivity
5. Customer Service
6. Lesson Summary
7. Quiz 20.2
1. Involved and Committed
2. World of E-Business
3. E-Business and Technology in Companies
4. Enabled and Enhanced
5. E-Business Enabled
6. E-Business Enhanced
7. Lesson Summary
8. Quiz 20.3
1. Technology Issues
2. Privacy and Monitoring of Employees
3. Privacy and Information Security
4. File Sharing and Copyright Infringement
5. Lesson Summary
6. Quiz 20.4
1. Introduction
1. What Exactly Is Risk?
2. Risk Identification
3. Risk Assessment
4. Risk Mitigation
5. Insurable and Uninsurable Risks
6. Lesson Summary
7. Quiz 21.1
1. Risk Management and Insurance Policies
2. Law of Large Numbers
3. Principle of Indemnity
4. Subrogation
5. Lesson Summary
6. Quiz 21.2
1. Insurance Coverage Defined
2. Casualty Coverage
3. Liability Coverage
4. E&O Coverage and D&O Coverage
5. Business Interruption Insurance
6. Key Person Loss Insurance
7. Lesson Summary
8. Quiz 21.3
1. Introduction
1. What Is Accounting?
2. Basic Accounting Equation
3. Purpose of Accounting
4. Importance of Accounting
5. Accounting and Business
6. Lesson Summary
7. Quiz 22.1
1. Which Is Which?
2. External Users of Accounting Information
3. External Uses of Accounting Information
4. Internal Users of Accounting Information
5. Internal Uses of Accounting Information
6. Lesson Summary
7. Quiz 22.2
1. GAAP and Its Acquaintances
2. What Is GAAP?
3. History of GAAP
4. What Influences GAAP?
5. Lesson Summary
6. Quiz 22.3
1. Accounting - The Early Years
2. Technology and Accounting
3. How Has Technology Changed Accounting?
4. Lesson Summary
5. Quiz 22.4
1. Kaycie and the Financial Statements
2. Introducing the Financial Statements
3. What Do Each of the Financial Statements Do?
4. Why Are the Financial Statements Important?
5. Lesson Summary
6. Quiz 22.5
1. Accounting Cycle Defined
2. Step One: Collection and Analysis
3. Step Two: Journalizing the Transactions
4. Step Three: Post to General Ledger
5. Step Four: Unadjusted Trial Balance
6. Step Five: Adjustments
7. Step Six: Adjusted Trial Balance
8. Step Seven: Financial Statements
9. Step Eight: Close Accounts
10. Step Nine: Post-Closing Trial Balance
11. Lesson Summary
12. Quiz 22.6
1. Introduction
1. Financial Management
2. Financial Managers - Role & Duties
3. Lesson Summary
4. Quiz 23.1
1. Raising Capital through Equity
2. Pros & Cons of Using Equity
3. Raising Capital through Debt
4. Pros & Cons of Using Debt
5. Raising Capital & Securities Regulation
6. Lesson Summary
7. Quiz 23.2
1. Short-Term Financing Defined
2. Trade Credit
3. Line of Credit
4. Short-Term Bank Loans
5. Credit Cards
6. Lesson Summary
7. Quiz 23.3
1. Long-Term Financing Defined
2. Commercial Loans
3. Stock Offering
4. Debt Offering
5. Government Programs
6. Lesson Summary
7. Quiz 23.4
1. Financial Planning Process
2. Three Essential Questions
3. Cash and Profit Planning
4. Other Factors to Consider
5. Budgets
6. Lesson Summary
7. Quiz 23.5
1. Introduction
1. Markets of Opportunities
2. Investment Bankers
3. Why Is it Important?
4. Lesson Summary
5. Quiz 24.1
1. Selling Stock to Raise Capital
2. Common Stock
3. Preferred Stock
4. Public Offering v. Private Placement
5. Advantages and Disadvantages
6. Lesson Summary
7. Quiz 24.2
1. Using Bond Financing
2. Bond Financing Basics
3. Advantages of Bond Financing
4. Lesson Summary
5. Quiz 24.3
1. Introduction
1. The Four Basic Functions of Money
2. Money Is a Unit of Account
3. Money Is a Medium of Exchange
4. Money Is a Store of Value
5. Money Is a Standard of Deferred Payment
6. Lesson Summary
7. Quiz 25.1
1. The Multiplier Effect
2. Example of the Multiplier Effect
3. The Money Multiplier
4. Calculating Changes in the Money Supply
5. The Multiplier Is a Tool of the Central Bank
6. Lesson Summary
7. Quiz 25.2
1. The Need for Expansion
2. The Market for Loanable Funds
3. Private Investment
4. The Demand for Loanable Funds
5. The Supply of Loanable Funds
6. Government Policies
7. Lesson Summary
8. Quiz 25.3
1. What Is the Federal Reserve?
2. Main Goals of the Fed
3. How the Fed Achieves Its Monetary Goals
4. The Money Supply and the Fed
5. Lesson Summary
6. Quiz 25.4
1. The Money Supply and the Federal Reserve
2. Open Market Operations
3. Reserve Requirements
4. The Discount Rate
5. Lesson Summary
6. Quiz 25.5
1. Commercial Banks
2. Savings & Loan Associations
3. Credit Unions
4. Investment Banks
5. Lesson Summary
6. Quiz 25.6
1. Online Banking
2. ATMs and Debit Cards
3. Electronic Communications and Apps
4. Electronic Transfers
5. The Downside of Technology
6. Lesson Summary
7. Quiz 25.7
1. Why Use an International Bank?
2. International Banking Services
3. Types of International Banks
4. Lesson Summary
5. Quiz 25.8
1. The World Bank
2. World Bank Group
3. International Monetary Fund
4. Bank for International Settlement
5. Lesson Summary
6. Quiz 25.9
1. Assignment
1. Final Exam: Instructions (Important)
2. FINAL EXAM
1. Reference video: What is Competitive Advantage? (With Real-World Examples)
2. Reference video: The Dynamics of the Global Business Environment
1. Reference video: What is the Role of Small Businesses in the U S Economy?

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Name: Business Essentials
Price: 250 USD
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How can I check if my university will accept credits from UPI Study?

To confirm whether your university will accept UPI Study’s transferable online college credits, you can check one of the following:

1) Verify if your university is listed
UPI Study courses carry NCCRS credit recommendations, and credits have already been reviewed by 1,500+ colleges and universities. If your school appears on the NCCRS list, your credits are very likely transferable.

OR

2) Review your university’s transfer credit policy
Many universities state that they accept credits from regionally accredited institutions or from ACE/NCCRS-evaluated coursework. If your university’s policy includes this language, UPI Study credits typically qualify for review and transfer.

As long as you meet either of these criteria, your credits can usually be transferred without issue.

Check the list of colleges here.

Membership Questions

Will there be hand holding to help transfer courses?
Yes — this is one of the key differences with UPI Study.

Each student is assigned an academic advisor who helps guide them through the credit transfer process, including:

Understanding your university’s transfer policy

Preparing the right documents and transcripts

Knowing when and how to submit credits for evaluation

This level of hands-on support is designed to make transferring online college credits as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Why is UPI Study so Affordable

UPI Study offers a completely online learning experience, free from the high costs of traditional colleges and universities. By cutting out the institutional overhead, we pass the savings onto you (instead of extra costs) — providing top-quality courses at a price that fits with your budget

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Understand the economy, markets, and how policy shapes business Business Essentials connects economic concepts to the real world. You’ll explore market behavior, trade, financial markets, and how fiscal and monetary policy influence growth and stability. Why it matters: 1) Helps you understand real economic news and business trends 2) Builds foundation for business, finance, and policy decisions 3) Strengthens analytical thinking around markets and institutions In-demand careers in this field include: Business Analyst, Operations Associate, Banking Associate, Policy Assistant, Market Research Associate, Finance Support Roles How this course sets you up for success: You’ll build big-picture economic awareness that supports business strategy and decision-making. Start with Business Essentials to strengthen your foundation.

Which universities accept transferable online college credits?

UPI Study offers transferable online college credits that are evaluated by universities across the United States, Canada, and the UK. Our official transcripts have been reviewed by 2,100+ colleges and universities, and many students transfer credits toward general education or elective requirements.

In Short - Many learners use UPI Study to test out of college courses and move faster without paying full tuition.

Who can take self-paced, test-out style online college courses?

Anyone can enroll — including high school students, incoming college students, adult learners, and students trying to test out of traditional college courses. UPI Study is built for self-paced online college courses so you can finish on your schedule.

In Short - If you’re searching for a faster way to earn transfer credits to your university, this is one of the simplest options.

Why take self-paced online college credits instead of traditional classes?

Taking self-paced online college credits can help you save time and reduce tuition costs versus traditional on-campus classes. Many students use UPI Study to complete prerequisites faster and shorten their time to graduation while still earning transferable college credit.

In Short - For students looking to test out or finish general education requirements quickly, this is often the most efficient path.

How many transferable college credits can I earn from this course?

Many UPI Study courses are ACE-recommended and NCCRS-recommended, commonly for 3 semester credit hours per course. Your university registrar makes the final decision, but schools often evaluate UPI Study credits similarly to other ACE credit recommendation options.

In Short -If you’re searching for ACE recommended college credit or NCCRS credit recommendation, these keywords match exactly how registrars review transfer credit.

UPI Study helped me fast-track my final semester for my bachelor’s degree. I completed four courses 12 college credits in total....and successfully transferred them back to my university. Because of that, I stayed on track to graduate on time.
If you’re looking for a legitimate way to earn transferable college credits online and move through your degree faster, UPI Study is definitely worth considering.

Anna, Pennsylvania State University

I was able to go from having no transferable credits to transferring 90 college credits into my university through UPI Study. The courses are broken down into short, easy-to-follow video lessons, which made learning manageable even with a busy schedule.
The platform itself is modern and easy to use, not glitchy or outdated like some online learning systems. If you’re trying to finish your degree faster or pick up extra classes without a huge added cost, UPI Study is a solid option.

Saherine, Southern New Hampshire University

It’s completely legit. I’d just recommend checking in advance that the credits will transfer to the university or college you plan to attend...which is something you should do with any transfer credit option anyway!!
Using UPI Study ended up saving me an entire semester of tuition! I spent a few hundred dollars instead of several thousand, which honestly made a huge difference. The course content was relevant, current, and actually useful—not outdated or filler material.
If your school accepts the transferable credits from UPI Study, it’s a no-brainer. It’s an affordable way to earn college credit online and move through your degree faster.

Lewis, Excelsior University

As a working professional, I wanted to advance my career with a Data Science degree. UPI Study allowed me to earn credits while working full-time, which I transferred to California State University. This helped me finish my degree in 1.5 years instead of 4. I'm graduating in fall '24 and will be working as a data analyst at a health startup. UPI was key to my career growth.

Isabella Silva, California State University

Calculate your UPI savings

How many courses do you wish to take with UPI?

3 courses

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For just $99, by using UPI, you could save:

$3,735

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Ch 1 - The Dynamic Business Environment

Ch 1.1 - How the Economic and Legal Environment Affects Business

Ch 1.2 - How The Technological Environment Affects Business: Examples & Effects

Ch 1.3 - How The Competitive Environment Affects Business: Examples & Importance

Ch 1.4 - How The Social Environment Affects Business: Examples & Impact

Ch 1.5 - How The Global Business Environment Affects Business: Explanation & Examples

Ch 2 - Practicing Social Responsibility and Ethical Behavior in Business

Ch 2.1 - Business Ethics in Contemporary Businesses

Ch 2.2 - Code of Ethics: Compliance-based and Integrity-based

Ch 2.3 - Social Responsibility in Organizations

Ch 3 - Economics and Business

Ch 3.1 - What is Economics? - Definition & Types

Ch 3.2 - Circular Flow of Economic Activity: The Flow of Goods, Services & Resources

Ch 3.3 - Competition Within Free Markets: Types & Summary

Ch 13.4 - Understanding Socialism, Communism, and Mixed Economies: Comparison & Analysis

Ch 3.5 - Gross Domestic Product: Definition and Components

Ch 3.6 - The Business Cycle: Economic Performance Over Time

Ch 3.7 - Consumer Price Index: Measuring the Cost of Living and Inflation

Ch 4 - Business in Global Markets

Ch 4.1 - The Importance of the Global Market and Global Trade: Role & Advantages

Ch 4.2 - Importing and Exporting in a Global Market: Definition, Process & Importance

Ch 4.3 - Strategies for Reaching Global Markets: Examples & Types

Ch 4.4 - Forces that Affect Trade in Global Markets

Ch 4.5 - The Changing Landscape of the Global Market

CHAPTER 5 - Forms of Business Ownership

Ch 5.1 - Organizational Structure & Ownership of a Business

Ch 5.2 - Corporate Expansion: Mergers and Acquisitions

Ch 5.3 - Franchises: Opportunities and Challenges

Ch 6 - Entrepreneurship and Small Business

Ch 6.1 - What is an Entrepreneur? - Definition, Characteristics & Examples

Ch 6.2 - Small Business in the American Economy

Ch 6.3 - Small Business in a Global Market

Ch 7 - Managing and Leading in Business

Ch 7.1 - Managerial Skills: How Good Managers Promote Productivity

Ch 7.2 - Four Functions of Management: Planning, Organizing, Leading & Controlling

Ch 7.3 - Types of Planning: Strategic, Tactical, Operational & Contingency Planning

Ch 7.4 - What is a SWOT Analysis?

Ch 7.5 - Types of Internal Organizational Change: Structural, Strategic, People, and Process

Ch 7.6 - Leadership: Leaders & Their Role in Organizations

Ch 7.7 - What Is Management by Objective? - Defining the MBO Process

Ch 8 - Leadership Styles in Business

Ch 8.1 - Leadership Orientation: Task-Oriented & People-Oriented

Ch 8.2 - Classical Leadership: Theories, Overview

Ch 8.3 - What is New Leadership Theory?

Ch 8.4 - Leadership Style & Fit in the Workplace

Ch 8.5 - Using the 5Ps Leadership Analysis

Ch 9 - Organizational Management

Ch 9.1 - Principles of Organizational Management

Ch 9.2 - Organizational Design: Theory, Principles & Definition

Ch 9.3 - Organizational Design and Structure

Ch 9.4 - Types of Traditional Organizational Designs: Simple, Functional & Divisional Designs

Ch 9.5 - Types of Contemporary Organizational Designs: Matrix, Team & Network Designs

Ch 9.6 - Organizational Behavior Theory in Business

Ch 9.7 - Total Quality Management (TQM): Definition, Principles & Examples

Ch 9.8 - Modern Theory of Management

Ch 10 - Business Production and Operations

Ch 10.1 - Operations Management: Focusing on Production Efficiency & Customer Satisfaction

Ch 10.2 - Productivity, Quality, Profitability and the Role of Managers

Ch 10.3 - Operations Management Planning

Ch 10.4 - PERT Analysis & Project Completion

Ch 10.5 - Gantt Charts & Bar Graphs: Henry Gantt's Contributions to Management

Ch 10.6 - Management Information Systems: Using Data to Manage Operations

Ch 11 - Workplace Productivity & Motivation

Ch 11.1 - Workplace Motivation: Theories, Types & Examples

Ch 11.2 - Motivation Theory: Needs-Based & Behavior-Based

Ch 11.3 - What Is Motivation In Management? - Definition, Process & Types

Ch 12 - Basics of Human Resources

Ch 12.1 - Human Resource Management: Hiring and Staffing

Ch 11.4 - What Is Staff Motivation? - Theories & Strategies

Ch 12.2 - Human Resource Management (HRM): Laws & Regulations

Ch 12.3 - Performance Appraisal and 360 Feedback

Ch 12.4 - Understanding Employee Compensation

Ch 13 - Managing the Employer-Worker Relationship

Ch 13.1 - A Historical Outline of Organized Labor in the United States

Ch 13.2 - Function of Collective Bargaining

Ch 13.3 - Mediation & Arbitration: Third-Party Interventions in Organizations