How to apply

No, the AMP is a certificate program and is based on a pass/fail basis. Students must attend all required classes, complete homework assignments on time and present their final capstone project on the final day of class in order to pass the AMP. Upon completion of the program, students will participate in a graduation ceremony and receive a graduation certificate signed by the Dean of the Sauder School of Business and the Director of the Ch’nook Indigenous Business Education Office.

On average, 15 Indigenous students are selected each year for the AMP.

Yes, the AMP is only available for Canadian Indigenous applicants (First Nation, status, non-status, Métis and Inuit). Proof of heritage is required when applying to the program.

Throughout the duration of the program, students work on their capstone projects, integrating knowledge and theory learned in the AMP business classes into an actualized, practical business idea/presentation.   

The capstone project is an individual PowerPoint and oral presentation delivered in the final class of the AMP. Students will receive feedback and guidance from top-tier Sauder faculty, business professionals, mentors and their peers throughout the development of this project.  

For the capstone project, students must outline the vision, mission and operating plan of his or her business, and provide convincing arguments for the financial viability of said business.

The topics of these projects are wide in scope. For example, a capstone project could be an existing project that a student’s community or employer is interested in developing. It could be an entrepreneurial project that a student wants to pursue personally or it could focus on the expansion of a current business or business initiative. Every student chooses a capstone project that is relevant to him or her. Over the years, numerous AMP alumni have turned their capstone project ideas into full-fledged businesses.

Past capstone project examples include Indigenous community initiatives such as economic development projects, resource management projects, agriculture and fisheries projects, a storage rental unit business, an Indigenous knowledge field school, housing projects, real estate projects, on-reserve office and conference room rentals etc. Other examples include tourism projects such as a virtual cultural center, an Indigenous outfitting company etc. or small businesses or start-ups including coffee shops, a daycare, an online business, a fashion design company etc.

There are no educational perquisites required to apply to the AMP; any Indigenous applicant is eligible to apply to the program. In the application form you will be asked to provide information on your educational background as well as your highest level of math and skill level in Microsoft Word, Zoom, and Excel. Basic skills in math and excel are encouraged as students will be required to develop a cash flow and income statement using excel for their capstone projects.