Associate of Arts (A.A.) in Business Administration Degree
Majors Overview May 16, 2013Students who are enrolled in an associate degree program in business administration will earn an Associate of Arts degree upon completion of the program. The degree programs are designed to teach students fundamental business skills. Individuals who hold an associate degree will be able to transfer credits earned to a four-year bachelor degree program or obtain entry-level positions.
A.A. in Business Administration Degree
Individuals who are enrolled in these associate degree programs will gain broad foundational business knowledge in various areas. These degree programs usually take two years to complete, if students are enrolled full-time and require completion of approximately sixty credit hours. Typically, colleges and universities require students to hold a general educational development (GED) certificate or a high school diploma before applying to the degree programs.
Program Coursework
Generally, students take a combination of courses that teach computer, mathematics, and critical thinking skills. Core courses also provide fundamental business knowledge in communication, organizational psychology, management, and finance. Other courses offered in a business administration degree program can include the following:
•Information technology
•Business communication
•Business marketing
•Business law
•Accounting
•Economics
•Statistics
Career Options
Employment opportunities available to individuals who hold an associate degree vary based on business-related qualifications and prior work experience. Typically, positions are available at entry-level, including management positions, and usually utilize skills in areas such as administration, management, and human resources. Individuals may obtain the following job titles:
•Sales assistant
•Office assistant
•Assistant manager
Information on Continuing Education
Continuing business education can be obtained by interested individuals through bachelor degree programs in business administration. Several programs allow students to transfer their credits from an associate degree program to a bachelor degree program in a relevant major. Typically, individuals who have completed the bachelor degree program will improve their career prospects in the field of business, including finance and marketing. At the graduate level, students can pursue a Ph.D. in Business Administration or a Master of Business Administration (MBA). A Master of Business Administration degree will prepare students for leadership roles in business and greater specialization in an area of the field, while doctorate degrees commonly lead to careers in research or academia.