The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Business offers areas of emphasis such as accounting, business administration, computer information management, logistics/materials management and marketing. This two year degree provides necessary business and interpersonal skills to succeed in the job market, including leadership, listening, team membership, and communication skills. During the final semester, students will experience practical on-the-job training to practice, reinforce, and review program competencies. All required courses of the program must be completed, including a minimum of 12 semester hours of general education courses.

Emphases:

Accounting

The Associate of Applied Science in Business with an emphasis in Accounting program prepares students for various entry-level positions in the field of accounting. Upon successful completion of this program, the student should be able to perform all steps in the accounting cycle for business entities, compute and record those amounts arising from representative transactions unique to partnerships or corporations, analyze financial statements, recognize potential problem areas, and suggest appropriate actions to alleviate or eliminate problems, prepare a federal income tax return and tax forms for representative individuals including the person who is operating the business as a single proprietorship, record representative cost accounting transactions and subsequently reflect the effect of these transactions in appropriate financial statements, prepare financial forecasts based on information from both internal and external sources, prepare cash budgets, prepare production budgets and subsequent variance reports, demonstrate efficient utilization of appropriate accounting software, and apply basic economic principles in the business decision-making process.

Agribusiness

The Associate of Applied Science in Business with an emphasis in Agribusiness will give you skills necessary to work in a variety of agricultural-related businesses. The program encompasses the technologies of agriculture and business, management and production. Upon graduation, you will be prepared to start your Agribusiness uses technology to coordinate all activities that contribute to production, processing, marketing, distribution, financing and developement of agricultural commodities.

Business Administration

The Associate of Applied Science in Business with an emphasis in Business Administration program is designed to prepare students for a career in business administration. The program will prepare students in fundamentals, principles, techniques and skills essential to theory and effective practice of business.

The program is designed to combine the business fundamentals of marketing, fiance, communication, and management into a unique education that is useful in a variety of business and industry settings as they relate in the local, regional and global marketplace. Graduates of this program should have the skills necessary to step into the business field in such areas as banking, sales and marketing, insurance, finance management, office supervision and real estate.

General mangagement focuses on careers that plan, organize, direct, and evaluate all or part of a business organization through the allocation and use of financial, human, and material resources. In some instances additional training may be required for specialized employment.

Complete the degree entirely online!


Computer Information Management

The Associate of Applied Science in Business with an emphasis in Computer Information Management will provide students with a well-rounded education in computer technology and information systems. It is designed to prepare students for wide range of entry-level computer technology careers. Students who choose to earn an AAS degree in Computer Information Management can plan on entering a variety of computer related and business professions. Those wishing to pursue this degree should plan to study accounting as well as business-related mathematics, English, and writing. It is expected that graduates with this degree will demonstrate skills in business management, input technologies, word processing, spreadsheets and database management computer software packages. Business Computer Information Management provides a bridge between business processes/initiatives and IT. Employees in this area help to align business and IT goals.

Entrepreneurship

The Associate of Applied Science in Business with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship will prepare students to develop the insight needed to create entrepreneurial opportunities and have the necessary skills to manage them after development. Upon completion, graduates should have the knowledge and skills needed to assess new enterprise opportunities, obtain financial resources, market and start new ventures, and manage entrepreneurial ventures for growth and profitability. Individuals who already own and operate their own businesses will have the background necessary to upgrade skills and broaden their business foundation.

Events Management

The Associate of Applied Science in Business with an emphasis in Events Management degree is designed to give students the skills to successfully plan, market, and execute special events.  Attention will also be given to laws and risk management as they pertain to providing safe, effective, and productive events for fairs, weddings, banquets, conferences, trainings, fundraisers, festivals and other events.  Students who earn an Associate of Applied Science in Business with a Event Management Emphasis degree will have the entry level skills needed for employment within the hospitality industry.

Logistics/Materials Management

The Associate of Applied Science in Business with an emphasis in Logistics/Materials Management is designed to prepare you to manage and coordinate all logistical functions in an enterprise. Logistics includes instruction in acquisitions and purchasing, inventory control, storage and handling, just-in-time manufacturing, logistics planning, shipping and delivery management, transportation, quality control, resource estimation and allocation, and budgeting. Graduates will have the required foundation in procurement and logistics to manage the flow of material through the supply chain in local, regional or global marketplace.

Marketing

The Associate of Applied Science in Business with an emphasis in Marketing will provide students with a clear understanding of current approaches to sales and marketing. As a graduate, you will have a solid foundation of sales and marketing theory, marketing strategies, advertising design, and layout, as well as effective techniques in sales. You will gain the technical and professional skills important for a successful career. You will develop not only proficiencies requires for marketing arena, but you’ll have the understanding of sound business principles. The Marketing Custer includes career opportunities whose processes create, communicate, and deliver value to customers and manage customer relationships in ways that benefit the organization and its stakeholders.

Nonprofit Management

The Associate of Applied Science in Business with an emphasis Nonprofit Management degree is designed to train nonprofit leaders, board members, volunteers, social entrepreneurs, and those interested in social services.  Coursework covers topics unique to operating and expanding a nonprofit organization as well as legal compliance and capacity building for social service organizations.  Students who earn an Associate of Applied Science in Business with a Nonprofit Management Emphasis degree will have the entry level skills needed for employment in a nonprofit organization.

Sports & Recreation Management

The Associate of Applied Science in Business with an emphasis in Sports and Recreation Management degree is designed to give students the skills to manage, market, and execute sports related events and activities. Sports managers operate in a variety of employment settings including college sports, professional sports, community sports, sports marketing, sporting goods stores, civic centers, and nonprofits such as the YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, Youth Camps.  While sports managers need general business skills, they also need sports management specific skills and this degree is designed to provide that.  Students who earn an Associate of Applied Science in Business with a Sports and Recreation Emphasis degree will have the entry level skills to successfully plan, market, and execute sporting events on a community level and work in the sports and recreation industry. 

 

Program Objectives

  • Perform tasks related to entry level employment in a business setting.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of personal and work characteristics that contribute to effective job performance.
  • Use effective communication skills appropriate to the business field.
  • Apply the theory of technical specialization to entry level employment in a business setting.
  • Use mathematical data and reasoning skills in relation to entry level employment in a business setting.

Employment Opportunities

The Associate of Applied Science Degree is intended for students seeking employment immediately following graduation. Opportunities exist in retailing, management, accounting, marketing, sales, and computer information management. Anyone considering self-employment would also benefit from the coursework required for the AAS Degree in Business.

Electives

Course work in business, foreign language, economics, real estate, psychology, sociology, government, composition, statistics, information technology, and cultural diversity would complement the business program. Please see the list of electives at the end of this section.

Note: Students planning to continue their education toward a bachelor’s degree at a transfer institution should enroll in the Academic Transfer Program.