Associate of Arts (AA): Business Degree Overview

An Associate of Arts degree in business is for individuals who are eager to start or advance their careers in the business field. Earning an AA in Business can lead to jobs as sales managers, community service managers or cost estimators.

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Associate of Arts in Business

An Associate of Arts in Business provides individuals with basic foundational knowledge in the business field. Students will participate in coursework that covers areas of practical business information, social sciences and core content areas, such as humanities, sciences and arts. An associate's degree can take 1.5-2 years to complete.

Education Prerequisites

Individuals applying to an AA in Business degree program should submit high school transcripts of GED scores. Some programs also require students to have previous full-time work experience in the field of business.

Course Topics

Students interested in an associate's degree in business should expect to take courses that instill effective work ethics, provide fundamental information and cover general education requirements. An AA degree in business can give students a solid foundation on the basics of business. Students of a business program will learn business theories and acquire skills required in the human relations, management, marketing and computer technology. Courses may include:

  • Economics
  • Banking
  • Business mathematics
  • Business management
  • Communication
  • Accounting

Popular Career Options

Earning an Associate of Arts in Business is a great opportunity for graduates to look for employment in various business fields including accounting, finance and banking. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), cost estimators earned a median salary of $57,860 as of May 2010 (www.bls.gov). The BLS also reports that administrative service managers earned a median salary of $77,890 that same year. Graduates with an AA in Business may choose to work in positions as:

  • Sale managers
  • Administrative service managers
  • Cost estimators
  • Community service managers.

Continuing Education

Associate's degree programs are the first educational step in the business field. Graduates of associate's degree programs may find that their general education and business courses can be easily transferred to bachelor's degree programs. Beyond the undergraduate level, master's degree and doctoral degree programs are available in business, each of which can offer multiple concentration options in the field.

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