SAIT School of Business

Our History

Business education at SAIT has been thriving for more than 60 years. Prior to the formation of the Business Education Department in 1966, business courses were required for many SAIT diploma programs. The first business course delivered was in the Restaurant Management program. Throughout the following years, dozens of other programs added various business courses to their curriculum.

In September 1960, SAIT began offering its first two-year business diploma program entitled Merchandising Administration. In the following year, the first evening business course was offered – the Psychology of Selling. As the development of the business programs progressed, so did the expansion of the SAIT campus.

1966 proved to be a pivotal year for both the campus and the development of business programs at SAIT. The year heralded the opening of the Senator Burns Building, which enabled SAIT to accommodate an additional 2,500 students. The building, which was named for renowned businessman and senator, Patrick Burns, is well known not only for its role played in SAIT’s growth, but also for the famous Tyndall stone block that was used in the construction. Also in 1966, the Merchandising Administration department changed its name to the Business Education Department and relocated to the Senator Burns Building. The department, lead by C.A.Harrington offered four diploma programs:

1. Business Administration
2. Hotel, Motel and Restaurant Administration
3. Merchandising Administration
4. Secretarial Technology

2011 marked the first intake of the Bachelor of Business Administration (Accounting) degree, SAIT Polytechnic's first baccalaureate degree. In 2013, the program had its first bachelor degree graduates, marking an important milestone in SAIT's history.

Today, the School of Business provides business training to thousands of individuals each year. Our full time programs welcome more than 1,000 students each year.

Our programming ranges from individual courses all the way to degrees. Many programs are offered through flexible delivery methods including full-time studies, continuing education, distance learning, online and customized corporate training solutions.