Associate of Arts in Business Administration

 

DEGREE AT A GLANCE:

    • Number of Credits
    • 61
    • Cost Per Credit
    • $ 250
    • Total Tuition*
    • $ 15,250
  • *(Before Transfer Credit)
 

Program Description

The Associate of Arts in Business Administration provides exposure to general education and business fundamentals. The program prepares students for entry level positions in industry and government. The Associate of Arts in Business Administration is a degree option for students who desire only two years of college study. The program also prepares students for entry into baccalaureate degree programs.

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Highlights and Announcements

Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), our offerings are designed in consultation with business leaders and industry advisory councils. Explore the academic contributions and professional insights from our faculty scholar practitioners on current industry news, trends, and world events.

 

Program Objectives

Students who successfully complete the Associate of Arts in Business Administration accomplish the following objectives:

  • Use skills in oral and written communication as well as mathematics, relevant general education coursework, and specific business knowledge in the basics of accounting, economics, management, and marketing.
  • Discuss the basic business principles and operations, including management, marketing, and finance.
  • Apply critical thinking, problem solving, and team-building skills in a business management environment.
  • Examine basic tools for managing in organizations based on a fundamental knowledge of both individual and organizational behavior.

Admission Requirements

American Public University is part of American Public University System, a regionally accredited university offering more than 100 degree and certificate programs at the associate, bachelor's, and master's levels. All courses are online, so students have the flexibility of taking classes any time or any place that fits their schedule. Our degree programs are designed to be challenging and relevant to working adults in both the public and private sectors and can help enhance their current career or prepare them for a career change.

Students come to our university from across the globe with varying educational backgrounds and diverse educational and career goals. Choose the category below that best describes you:

Our 5-step admissions process will allow you to apply for admission, complete your new student orientation, request a transfer credit evaluation, apply for Federal Student Aid, and register for classes. Get started today!

Have Questions?
Our admissions staff is available Monday - Thursday from 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. and Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET to answer your questions and provide assistance with the admissions process. You can reach us by phone at 877-777-9081, e-mail us at info@apus.edu, or connect with us via Live Chat.


 
Core Requirements
24 Hours
NAME
DESCRIPTION
CREDITS
ACCT100
Accounting I
3 hours

Introduction to the purposes of financial accounting statements and the recognition, measurement, and disclosure concepts and methods underlying financial statements. Focus is on using and interpreting financial statements and on understanding the impact of transactions and events on financial statements and financial ratios. Students must have access to Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel software,

Pre Reqs: College Algebra(MATH110)

BUSN100
Basics of Business
3 hours

This course is designed to acquaint the student with the terminology, organization, and function of the American business system. The course will give the student a broad background about the contemporary American and global business environments as well as considering different business organizations, management principles and strategies. Topics covered include marketing, finance, personnel, customer relations, production and operations, e-business, world trade ventures, internal information systems and decision-making processes.

ECON101
Microeconomics
3 hours

Microeconomics is an overview course that covers how households (consumers), firms (producers), and governments interact in competitive and other markets to set prices, and determine what and how much is produced. Key concepts introduced include the role of scarcity and choice, incentives and competition, and the law of supply and demand.

ECON102
Macroeconomics
3 hours

Introduction to Macroeconomics is a survey course that builds on the topics covered and skills developed in ECON101 (Microeconomics) in order to present a complete picture of the economy. Macroeconomics shows how consumers and markets fit into the overall or aggregated economy and provides a framework to assess government policies. Key topics covered will include economic cycles (growth and recession), economic indicators and measures and interest rates and money supply.

ENGL225
Business Writing
3 hours

This course teaches students how to communicate professionally in the business community. It emphasizes business language and style. Included in the course are exercises that instruct students how to write clear, well-structured, effective letters, bulletins, e-mails, instructions, memos, manuals, reports, and other business writing. (Prerequisite: ENGL101).

Pre Reqs: Proficiency in Writing(ENGL101)

MGMT311
Organizational Behavior
3 hours

This course examines human characteristics and their bearing on the management and resultant performance of organizations. It includes a review of theory and research on personality, motivation, values, stress, leadership skills, power bases, and communication. It is designed to provide an understanding of the attitudes and behavior of subordinates and superiors, as well as important insights regarding one's own responses to the organization.

MKTG101
Introduction to Marketing
3 hours

The objective of this course is to familiarize the student with the scope, terminology, and procedures of marketing in a modern firm. The various elements of marketing - price, promotion, distribution, and product planning - are carefully analyzed. Consumer motivation and the diffusion and adoption of new goods and services are studied. The student will complete a marketing plan of his own.

Choose one of the following:
ITCC111
Basic Productivity Applications
3 hours

This course is a study of the concepts and technology trends essential to office productivity applications. Students will explore the principles, practices, features, and functions of the word processing application in the Microsoft Office 2010 Suite. The course will be taught with a mixture of analytical methods and practical exercises. Students will use Microsoft Word to create and format documents; and use lists, themes, mail merge, watermarks, templates, graphics, navigation tools, tables, charts, citations and bibliographies. Students will also be introduced to the features and capabilities of PowerPoint, the presentation application in the Microsoft Office Suite. This course uses the Microsoft Official Academic Course textbook that is aligned with Microsoft’s Exam--Using Microsoft Office Word 2010. The book meets the topical requirements for the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS): Microsoft Office Word 2010 Certification; and contains a six month trial of Microsoft Office.

ITCC112
Advanced Productivity Applications
3 hours

This course is a study of the concepts and technology trends essential to office productivity applications. Students will explore the principles, practices, features, and functions of the electronic spreadsheet application in the Microsoft Office 2010 Suite. The course will be taught with a mixture of analytical methods and practical exercises. Students will use Microsoft Excel to create and format spreadsheets; they will also manipulate data and use formulas, charts, workbooks, styles, hyperlinks, themes, functions, conditional logic, graphics, comments, and security features. Students will also be introduced to Outlook, the electronic mail application in the Microsoft Office 2010 Suite. This course uses the Microsoft Official Academic Course textbook that is aligned with Microsoft’s Exam—Using Microsoft Office Excel 2010. The book meets the topical requirements for the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS): Microsoft Office Excel Certification; and contains a six month trial of Microsoft Office.


Institutional Requirements
3 Hours
NAME
DESCRIPTION
CREDITS
COLL100
Foundations of Online Learning
3 hours

This course is designed to provide a solid foundation for undergraduate study in the online environment. Students will be introduced to learning theory, the tools available in the online classroom and campus, and online research. Identification of personal learning style allows students to improve their study/learning techniques and prepares them to succeed in college level courses. Students will be introduced to formatting and citation styles. APUS policy and procedure is addressed. There is an emphasis on written communication to assist students in the transition to the online environment.


General Education
34 Hours

Lower Level Electives
0 Hours
Electives are typically courses available at your degree level that are not currently required as a part of your degree program/academic plan. Please visit the catalog to view a complete listing of courses.

Program Completion Rates, Median Debt and More

The following program details are intended to help you make an informed decision about the university that's right for you.

2011-2012 Program Completion Rate
Normal time to completion for full-time student2 years
Graduates who completed in this time152%
Tuition & Fees as of January 1, 2013 Median Loan Debt of 2011-2012 Graduates
Tuition
(before any awarded transfer credit)
$15,250 Federal loans5$0
Technology fee2
(per course)
$50Private educational loans$0
Transfer Credit Evaluation fee3
(if applicable)
$50 Institution financing plan$0
Graduation fee$100 
Books and supplies4$0 
On-campus room and boardNot applicable 

1 Data may be “not available” if the program has no graduates during reporting period or if it has not been in existence the normal time for completion. If 0%, then graduates in the reporting period took longer than the average time, usually because they were part-time students. 91% of our students are working adults and do not take a full-time course load.

2 A $50 Technology Fee will be charged for all future undergraduate and graduate level course registrations, including audited courses. The fee is not applicable for Comprehensive Exam courses. An APUS grant will cover the fee for Active Duty Military, Reservists, National Guard, Vocational Rehabilitation (VOCA), VA and VA Chapter 33 students, and anyone using military tuition assistance (TA).

3 Transfer Credit Evaluation Fee waived for all United States Active Duty Military, Guard, and Reserve personnel.

4 The undergraduate book grant provides textbooks, e-books, and other course materials at no cost to students for courses being taken for academic credit. Students must obtain their own software when required for a course or program.

5 This figure does not include PLUS loans or TEACH grants converted to Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loans.

For more information on jobs related to this program, please click on the below links to the O*NET website sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.

American Public University System (APUS) makes no representation or guarantee that successful completion of an APUS program or coursework will result in employment within a particular field. Many employers take into account various criteria, in addition to education, when determining eligibility for employment. To assist our students in their career search, the APUS Office of Career Services provides students and alumni a variety of tools, resources, information, and guidance to assist them as they pursue their life goals.

 

American Public University System, American Public University, and American Military University are not affiliated with American University.

American Public University System (APUS) is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and a member of the North Central Association.

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