In this Specialization, you’ll develop basic literacy in the language of business, which you can use to transition to a new career, start or improve your own small business, or apply to business school to continue your education. In five courses, you’ll learn the fundamentals of marketing, accounting, operations, and finance. In the final Capstone Project, you’ll apply the skills learned by developing a go-to-market strategy to address a real business challenge.

Business Foundations Specialization


Business Foundations Specialization
Solve Real Business Problems. Build a foundation of core business skills in marketing, finance, accounting and operations.



Instructors: Michael R Roberts
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Beginner level
No prior experience required
2 months to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
What you'll learn
Understand branding and go-to-market strategies
Read income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements
Manage people through motivation and reward systems
Analyze and improve business processes in services or manufacturing
Skills you'll gain
- People Management
- Financial Statements
- Process Management
- Capital Budgeting
- Return On Investment
- Human Capital
- Branding
- Financial Statement Analysis
- Marketing
- Marketing Planning
- Operational Efficiency
- Finance
- Corporate Finance
- Financial Reporting
- Financial Modeling
- Peer Review
- Go To Market Strategy
- Operations Management
- Financial Accounting
- Process Analysis
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Taught in English
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- Earn a career certificate from University of Pennsylvania

Specialization - 6 course series

Introduction to Marketing
Course 110 hours
What you'll learn
Skills you'll gain
Category: Consumer Behaviour
Category: Brand Strategy
Category: Marketing
Category: Brand Awareness
Category: Go To Market Strategy
Category: Marketing Strategy and Techniques
Category: Target Market
Category: Integrated Marketing Communications
Category: Customer experience strategy (CX)
Category: Customer Insights
Category: Marketing Communications
Category: Branding
Category: Marketing Planning

Introduction to Financial Accounting
Course 213 hours
What you'll learn
Skills you'll gain
Category: Financial Statements
Category: Cash Flows
Category: Depreciation
Category: Bookkeeping
Category: Financial Accounting
Category: Balance Sheet
Category: Financial Statement Analysis
Category: Accrual Accounting
Category: Financial Analysis
Category: Accounting
Category: Financial Reporting
Category: Income Statement
Category: Revenue Recognition

Managing Social and Human Capital
Course 37 hours
What you'll learn
Skills you'll gain
Category: Human Capital
Category: People Management
Category: Organizational Change
Category: Organizational Structure
Category: Employee Performance Management
Category: Decision Making
Category: Job Analysis
Category: Change Management
Category: Organizational Effectiveness
Category: Human Resource Strategy
Category: Constructive Feedback
Category: Organizational Leadership
Category: Talent Recruitment
Category: Team Motivation
Category: Leadership and Management
Category: Compensation Management

Introduction to Corporate Finance
Course 47 hours
What you'll learn
Skills you'll gain
Category: Corporate Finance
Category: Cash Flows
Category: Financial Analysis
Category: Capital Budgeting
Category: Financial Modeling
Category: Business Valuation
Category: Financial Management
Category: Asset Management
Category: Cost Benefit Analysis
Category: Return On Investment
Category: Financial Acumen
Category: Risk Analysis
Category: Cash Flow Forecasting

Introduction to Operations Management
Course 514 hours
What you'll learn
You will learn to analyze processes, optimize flow, and manage variability, driving improvements and achieving excellence in operations management.
Skills you'll gain
Category: Operations Management
Category: Capacity Planning
Category: Process Analysis
Category: Continuous Improvement Process
Category: Root Cause Analysis
Category: Process Improvement
Category: Statistical Process Controls
Category: Supply Chain Management
Category: Lean Methodologies
Category: Inventory Management System
Category: Process Management
Category: Workflow Management
Category: Quality Management
Category: Process Flow Diagrams
Category: Operational Efficiency

Wharton Business Foundations Capstone
Course 614 hours
What you'll learn
Skills you'll gain
Category: New Business Development
Category: Analysis
Category: Business Analysis
Category: Strategic Thinking
Category: Peer Review
Category: Marketing Planning
Category: Product Development
Category: Case Studies
Category: Financial Accounting
Category: Consumer Behaviour
Category: Project Design
Category: Finance
Category: Entrepreneurship
Category: Feasibility Studies
Category: Marketing Strategies
Category: Marketing
Category: Competitive Analysis
Category: Business
Category: Business Planning
Category: Accounting
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