Department of Business Leadership, Fashion, and Hospitality Degree / Certificate Programs

Academic Offerings

All of the programs and courses provided by the Business Leadership, Fashion, & Hospitality department equip students with the knowledge, tools, skill sets and practical experience to be competitive in job markets as well as prepare those who desire bachelor’s degrees and higher. Students enrolled in any Business Leadership, Fashion, & Hospitality department program will participate in fully active classroom instruction including both lecture and practical application knowledge delivered in a variety of classroom modalities. Students will be challenged and encouraged by highly skilled and educated faculty members. In addition, there are opportunities in select programs for personal growth and social interaction through engagement events, guest speakers, apprenticeships, and work experiences. 

Program options offered by the Business Leadership, Fashion, & Hospitality department include Associate in Arts Degrees, Associates in Applied Science Degrees and Proficiency Certificates.

  • Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) = A degree that provides students career-specific skills leading directly to employment. Students with this degree may also transfer to bachelor’s degree-granting institutions.
  • Associate in Arts (A.A.) = A degree for those who plan to transfer to bachelor’s degree-granting institutions.
  • Proficiency Certificates = Proficiency certificates are short-term, focused course offerings that are primarily developed to prepare students for employment. Students may also continue their education, since all credits received through the proficiency certificates can potentially transfer seamlessly into an associate’s degree program in a related field.

Academic Offerings - Degree Programs 

 Proficiency Certificates 

Course Offerings – All Programs:  https://www.ccp.edu/college-catalog/course-offerings 

Transfer Options – All Programs: https://ccp.edu/academic-offerings/transfer-opportunities 

Academic Advisors

Academic Advisors see students by scheduled appointment only. Please contact the front desk staff (BG-12) to schedule an appointment with your advisor at (215) 751-8777, or book an appointment online through Starfish.

Department of Business Leadership, Fashion, and Hospitality Advisors -  

Additionally, Curriculum and Program Coordinators serve as Faculty Advisors and are a great resource for students when they have questions or concerns regarding their academic degree programs. 

Academic Programs

If you are uncertain which career path to choose, a description of each academic program can be found below:

Business Leadership

This Business Leadership degree is intended for students who are looking for an associate’s degree that they can put to immediate use in many different business fields. Through completion of the Business Leadership program, students will be able to advance in their current careers or jump start a new one having earned leadership skills in several areas such as: Problem solving, cultural competence, data analysis, organizational design, and customer service. 

The program also allows students to earn credits in a complimentary discipline. The Business Leadership program requires that students complete a set of courses (15.0 credits) in a separate area of interest to further complement their degree. Students can dual enroll in a proficiency certificate of their choice in areas including, but not limited to: Automotive Service, Computer Programming, Corporate Social Responsibility, Cybersecurity, Entrepreneurship, Fashion Retail & Customer Service, Project Management, Tourism & Hospitality Management, or Web Development; or, complete an approved sequence of courses. *Courses completed in a complementary discipline require department head approval. 

This degree is optimal for someone already working in the field who is limited from career advancement because of a lack of degree or leadership skills, or someone looking to change careers. 

Corporate Social Responsibility Proficiency Certificate 

The Corporate Social Responsibility proficiency certificate is for students who wish to gain a business perspective on corporate social responsibility and who seek employment with a business, non-profit organization, or government agency that has an increasing commitment to corporate social responsibility principles. Students within this program gain a competitive advantage by learning about environmentally sustainable technology and responsible stakeholder relationships, in addition to gaining skills in systems and critical thinking, monitoring and evaluating programs, and conducting local research. When completed, the Corporate Social Responsibility proficiency certificate courses can be applied to the Business Leadership Associate’s Degree

The Corporate Social Responsibility certificate is also recognized by SHRM to offer professional development credits (PDCs) for the SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP®. This program is valid for 90 PDCs for the SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP®. For additional information about certification or recertification, please visit www.shrmcertification.org.

Culinary Arts 

The Culinary Arts degree program provides students with a culinary education that has depth and breadth as well as crucial work experience. Students enrolled in the Culinary Arts program work in state-of-the-art commercial kitchens building skills and understanding of food and beverage management. The Culinary Arts program is also designed to expose students to a broad range of career options to which they can add depth and specificity through their work experience during and upon completing the curriculum. Graduates of the program are prepared for positions as chefs, cooks and kitchen workers in restaurants, schools, health care and university food operations, and other institutions. 

Students who earn a proficiency certificate in Culinary Arts I and Culinary Arts II learn the principles of cooking, baking, and food safety as well as key business management skills. Completed coursework from either of these certificates can be applied to the Culinary Arts Associate’s degree. 

 

Entrepreneurship & Small Business Management Proficiency Certificate 

The Entrepreneurship & Small Business management proficiency certificate is a 16 credit-hour program for students who are interested in becoming entrepreneurs. Students learn the basics of how to launch an entrepreneurial venture including planning, funding, accounting, marketing, and law for the entrepreneur. Upon successful completion of the Entrepreneurship proficiency certificate, the students will be able to: Describe the characteristics of a successful entrepreneur and explain the key aspects of entrepreneurship, develop a marketing plan for an entrepreneurial venture, apply key financial, accounting, licensing & legal concepts to an entrepreneurial venture, and develop a business plan including a concept statement, feasibility study, and business model.

When completed, the Entrepreneurship proficiency certificate courses can be applied to the Business Leadership associate’s degree

Fashion Merchandising & Marketing 

The Fashion Merchandising and Marketing degree program prepares students for early career jobs in fashion merchandising and fashion marketing, beyond the entry-level retail associate position. Merchandising is an integral part of how people interact with products and services. This program focuses on building a foundation in the history of fashion, textiles, consumer behavior, customer relationship management, advertising, marketing, PR, buying, allocations, private label development, inventory management and digital commerce. This program serves students who intend to pursue a career in retail merchandising or marketing, or who wish to explore entrepreneurship with the desire of opening their own retail store or service business. 

Students in this degree develop meaningful understanding through experiential learning embedded in the curriculum; specifically, in the retail experience which examines how to create an in-store experience that entices the customer to come, stay, and buy. Students will also have the opportunity to gain work experience that advances practice skills and builds confidence through a variety of retail and shopping zone experiences. 

In addition to the degree, a Fashion Retail & Customer Service Proficiency Certificate is available and there are optional National Retail Federation certifications in Customer Service and Sales, Advanced Customer Service and Sales, and Retail Industry Fundamentals. Courses are explicitly designed to prepare students who desire to obtain these certifications or transfer to local bachelor completion programs. 

Project Management Proficiency Certificate 

The Project Management Proficiency Certificate prepares students to enter the project management workforce. Students will learn the management principles and theories that put them on the path towards a rewarding project management career in various industries, such as health care, information technology, construction, finance, and advertising. Students gain hands-on experience through various course assignments and requirements. The Project Management Proficiency Certificate offers courses that develop skills in project management, communications, agile project management, and organizational leadership. The courses in the certificate can also apply towards the Business Leadership A.A.S. degree.

Upon completion of the certificate, students will be prepared to take the Certified Associate Project Manager (CAPM from the Project Management Institute) exam, providing a competitive and financial advantage in the job market. Graduates of the program are prepared for positions such as IT program support specialist, project manager, emergency response project manager, marketing communications coordinator, and member relations administrator.

Tourism & Hospitality Management 

The Tourism and Hospitality Management degree prepares students to either enter the workforce at a supervisor level or transfer to a Hospitality program at a four-year college or university. Through this program, students gain an understanding of the management principles and theories that put them on the path towards a rewarding career in various segments of the hospitality industry, such as: Cruises, sales, events, gaming and casinos, hotels, restaurants, and tourism. Students gain hands-on experience through various course assignments and requirements. Upon completion of the degree, students will be ServSafe certified and TIPS training certified, providing a competitive and financial advantage in the job market. Graduates of the program are prepared for positions such as front desk assistant manager, banquet captain, beverage operations supervisor, concierge supervisor, customer service manager, and event coordinator.

Students may also earn a proficiency certificate in Tourism & Hospitality Management where they learn about careers in lodging and restaurants, marketing, and management in the hospitality industry. Students are able to further build upon that foundation and complete an A.A. in Tourism & Hospitality Management upon successful completion of the certificate.

Philadelphia continues to grow the tourism market and students in these programs get to connect with industry partners all over the city to prepare to launch their careers.