What can I do with this?

The Business AS Degree

  • Helps students develop skills for immediate employment in an increasingly challenging business environment.
  • Prepares students for a career in business.

You can use this to:

  • Earn a two-year Associates degree.
  • Enhance career opportunities as a:
    • Budget Analyst
    • Business Owner
    • Manager/Supervisor
    • Loan Officer
    • Management Analyst
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Business is, by far, the most popular field of study among undergraduates according to the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics. Business ownership and management continue to be at the very forefront of economic growth and development in the United States. Choosing to pursue higher education is crucial to long term personal success and the success of our state.

What will I learn?

  • To explain the importance of the functional areas of business, business operations, business organizations, and business procedures.
  • To apply critical thinking skills (analysis, synthesis, evaluation) to complex issues in a business environment.
  • To make legal and ethical decisions in a business context.
  • To analyze issues involved in operating a business in complex, diverse, and international environments.
  • To explain the importance of financial management.

Program Learning Outcome Assessments

What courses do I take?

Note: Some courses within the major may have a required prerequisite. If you feel you have equivalent knowledge and skills to those included in the prerequisite course through professional experience, licensure, or certification, you have the opportunity to submit a Prerequisite Challenge to be reviewed by the faculty chair. For the Prerequisite Challenge to be considered, you must submit documentation/verification to substantiate the basis for the challenge. Please consult a counselor for more information regarding Prerequisite Challenge.

Complete all of the following courses:

C-ID: BUS 110 Introduction to Business

Advisory: ENGL C101

54 hours lecture. This is a survey course in business providing a multidisciplinary examination of how culture, society, economic systems, legal, international, political, financial institutions, and human behavior interact to affect a business organization's policy and practices within the U.S. and a global society. Topics include the impact of these influences on the primary areas of business including the following: organizational structure and design, leadership, human resource management, organized labor practices, marketing, organizational communication, technology, entrepreneurship, legal, accounting, financial practices, the stock and securities market.

C-ID: ACCT 110 Financial Accounting

Advisory: BSOT C070, BSOT C072

72 hours lecture. This is the study of accounting as an information system, examining why it is important and how it is used by investors, creditors, and others to make decisions. The course covers the accounting information system, including recording and reporting of business transactions with a focus on the accounting cycle, the application of generally accepted accounting principles, the financial statements, and statement analysis. It includes issues relating to asset, liability, and equity valuation, revenue and expense recognition, cash flow, internal controls, and ethics.

Advisory: ENGL C101, MATH C055

54 hours lecture. This course introduces students to the principles of personal financial management. Topics include budgeting, career decisions, tax structure, consumer credit, insurance, retirement, purchasing decisions, savings, and investment.

C-ID: BUS 125 Business Law

Advisory: ENGL C101

54 hours lecture. This course covers the fundamental legal principles pertaining to business transactions and is an introduction to the legal process. Topics include sources of law and ethics, contracts, torts, agency, criminal law, business organizations, and judicial and administrative processes.

Advisory: ENGL C101

54 hours lecture. This course is a survey of the processes involved in creating a workplace environment which is free of bias related to cultural background, gender, lifestyle or other legally relevant classification. Topics include identifying a personal comfort level, skill building in dealing with diversity issues, and the role of diversity in organizational culture. It also examines specific groups and categories such as Blacks/African Americans, Latinos/Hispanics, Asians, Whites/Caucasians, Native Americans, and Multi-Racial groups. Case studies, exercises for developing competency, and projects are used to assist the students in understanding the material and in developing managerial skills. Approved for Local GE Area 6.

Advisory: BSAD C145, ENGL C101

54 hours lecture. This course introduces the nature and scope of the marketing activity as demonstrated by an integrated, analytic, and practical study of marketing concepts. Topics include Distribution and sales of products and ideas; analysis of consumer behavioral patterns; and development of strategies, plans, forecasts, and evaluations of the marketing process. This course provides the foundation needed to understand how marketing concepts and procedures work in the marketplace.

Advisory: ENGL C101

54 hours lecture. This course covers the formal organization, its environment and structure. Elements of planning, decision making, organizing, staffing, leading, controlling, and evaluating are covered. Case studies, competency (experiential) exercises, and projects are used to develop managerial skills. This course is a “capstone” for business career students.

C-ID: BUS 140 Business Information Systems, ITIS 120 Computer Information Systems

Advisory: ENGL C101

36 hours lecture/54 hours laboratory. This course is an examination of information systems and their role in business. The course focuses on information systems, database management systems, networking, e-commerce, ethics and security, computer systems hardware, and software components.

 

General Ed Requirements

Complete one of the following general education patterns:

Program Pathways

All classes needed for this degree are available at the following campuses: CC Online Ridgecrest / IWV

Additionally, some of the general education courses needed to complete this major are available at all our locations.

See Counseling for specific help with enrolling and completing this major.

How can I afford it?

This degree requires 60.0 units and will likely take 4 semesters.

Approximate Total Costs

CA Residents

60.0 units

at $46 per unit

Equals $2,760 in tuition and fees

Plus approximately $3,600* for books and supplies

Total cost $6,360 for 4 semesters

Non-residents

60.0 units

at $388 per unit

Equals $23,280 in tuition and fees

Plus approximately $3,600* for books and supplies

Total cost $26,880 for 4 semesters

*This is an estimate. Actual costs will vary.

Need help? Financial Aid can help with fee waivers and scholarships and other aid. Make sure to fill out your FAFSA every January.