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Business Management, Associate in Applied Science

Overview

Narrative

If you're ready to get started, Northampton's Business Management program will prepare you for a career in business, government or non-profit organizations. This program is designed for those looking to enter the business world upon graduation rather than transferring to a four-year institution. Our program emphasizes the practical applications of business studies. (For those interested in pursuing a four-year degree, we recommend our Business Administration degree.) The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Features

The program offers a strong foundation of common core course work on which to build your managerial skills. You'll also complete a capstone experience called the International Business Practice Firm, a virtual business in a state-of-the-art facility. Through this experience, you will perform various business functions (i.e., Accounting, Human Resources, Marketing/Sales, and Purchasing/Inventory Control) as the firm transacts business with students in other simulated companies in the U.S. and in other countries. This hands-on experience gives you marketable employment skills and insight into the global market economy. The International Business Practice Firm also enhances critical thinking, problem solving and communication skills.

Our Business Management associate's degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). As you near graduation, your instructors and the professionals in Northampton's Career Services Office can help you find employment in your area of interest.

Requirements

The Business Management Program contains provisions for three credits of free electives in addition to the General Education electives. This program can be completed in the day or evening, on a full-time or part-time basis. Traditional day students must take Principles of Marketing (BUSA131) and Human Resource Management (BUSA226) in a fall semester; Management Fundamentals (BUSA205) is to be taken in a spring semester.

Contact the Admissions Office at 610-861-5500 for further information.

Career Potential: Self-Employment, Management Trainee, Entry-level Positions, leading to Corporate Management, Sales Management.

Outcomes

Graduates of the program will be able to:

  • Demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills necessary to work effectively with people in the business field.
  • Apply general business concepts in the areas of accounting/finance, economics, management, and marketing.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in current office information technology.
  • Discuss ethical, moral, and legal issues associated with the professional working environment and be able to apply ethical concepts in business-like situations.
  • Develop team skills in completing everyday business tasks through participation in a virtual enterprise capstone experience.

Courses

First Semester

BUSA131Principles of Marketing

3 credits
CISC101Introduction to Computers

3 credits
CMTH102Speech Communication

3 credits
ENGL101English I

3 credits
MATH
Mathematics Elective (QL) +

3 credits
Total Credit Hours:15

Second Semester

ACCT101Financial Accounting I

3 credits
CISC104Microcomputer Applications

4 credits
BUSA152Business Law I

3 credits
BUSA205Management Fundamentals

3 credits
ENGL151LEnglish II

3 credits
Total Credit Hours:16

Third Semester

ACCT160Accounting Applications

3 credits
OR
ACCT202ManagerialAccounting

3 credits
 
BUSA221GBusiness Communications

3 credits
BUSA226Human Resources Management

3 credits
ECON201Macroeconomics

3 credits
General Education Elective

3 credits
Total Credit Hours:15

Fourth Semester

BUSA211Personal Finance

3 credits
BUSA260Intl Business Practice Firm

3 credits
BUSA
Business Elective ++

3 credits
General Education Elective

3 credits
Elective

3 credits
Total Credit Hours:15

Total Credit Hours: 61

+ Mathematics Elective options: MATH140, MATH150, MATH160, MATH165, MATH175, MATH176, MATH180, MATH181

++ Business Elective options: BUSA114, BUSA115, BUSA137, BUSA141, BUSA201, BUSA202, BUSA235, BUSA252, BUSA272, BUSA293 (BUSA293 - Special Studies requires permission from the department)

  • For the General Education Electives, students must take two courses from at least two of the following areas: Arts & Humanities (AH); Social Science: Societies and Institutions over Time (SIT) or (Social Science: Scientific Study of Human Behavior (SSHB). Note: ECON201 is required, so only one additional SSHB course may be used as a General Education Elective.
  • One course should be designated as Diversity and Global Awareness (D).
  • Completion of BUSA221G satisfies the Writing Intensive (WI) requirement.