Associate Degrees in Business

Earning an associate degree in business is an excellent way to gain a competitive edge in the entry-level job market. It can also help you learn the necessary skills to build a successful business career. While many local community colleges offer business degrees at the associate level, some also offer online associate business programs.
 

Time and Costs

An Associate of Arts (AA) in Business can be completed in about one to two years if students sustain a course load of 10 credit hours per week. An associate degree in business usually requires about:
  • 60 to 90 total credits
  • eight core classes
  • six classes in a major or area of concentration
  • six elective classes.
The cost to complete an Associate of Arts in Business averages at about $4,500.
 
While junior and community colleges offer business administration associate of arts degree programs, many accredited universities also have online degree programs through which you can earn your AA in business. Online degree programs let students work at their own pace during the hours that best suit their schedules. For those taking care of a family or holding down a full-time job, online business degree programs can the best way to earn associate of arts degree.

Coursework for a Business Degree

Courses for an Associate of Arts in Business are designed to give students the basic knowledge and skills to get started in the corporate world. These programs often focus on teaching students problem solving and decision-making skills. In a business degree program, you can expect business classes, such as:
  • Accounting
  • Economics
  • Ethics
  • Marketing
  • Statistics
  • Leadership.

Elective classes round out the program and give the student a broader prospective. Some possible electives in a business degree program include:

  • English
  • Psychology
  • Mathematics
  • Writing.

Types of Jobs Available

Earning an Associate Degree in Business qualifies students for entry-level positions in the business field. Most of these are support positions with an opportunity to learn and room for advancement within the company. Some of the possible careers for associate of arts business management graduates can include:
  • accounting
  • administrative support
  • customer service
  • human resources
  • reception
  • sales.

Projected Salary

The outlook for students with an Associate of Arts in Business is very bright. Associate level business jobs have a starting salary of about $32,000. For those who choose to continue their education, associate credits can be applied toward a bachelor's or even a master's degree in business.
 
Resources
 
All Star Directories, Inc. (2008). Associate's Degree in Business. Retrieved March 24, 2008, from the AllBusinessSchools.com Web site: http://www.allbusinessschools.com/faqs/
associate-degree-business.php.