This two-year degree exposes students to all aspects of operating a small business with a focus on entrepreneurship. The program also prepares students for positions such as management trainee, first-line supervisor, buyers and purchasing agents, sales managers, and higher levels of management for either profit or nonprofit organizations. Focus is placed on entrepreneurship for those interested in starting/operating a business or applying this managerial approach in a medium to large organization.
Employment in this field is expected to remain steady. Prospects are very good for those who want to own and manage a business, especially if they have determination, talent and a unique service or product.
Many students will decide to begin this program by first earning a Career Pathway Certificate of Completion in Supervision or Marketing. A Certificate of Completion can typically be completed in one year. Click here to view the entire Pathway. Students interested Retail Management may also earn a Certificate of Completion Retail.
Students who intend to transfer to a four-year institution with the goal of completing a bachelor's degree in business should consider completing the ASOT-BUS degree and consult with business program faculty.
Graduation Requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 95 credit hours with a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 or better. All courses must be passed with a grade of ‘C’ or better. Twenty-four (24) credits must be completed at Southwestern before the AAS Business Management/Entrepreneurship degree is awarded.
Complete the graduation application process one term prior to the term of completion (e.g., spring term graduates must apply during winter term).
Pre-Program Courses
Students are required to take the following courses prior to the program courses, depending on students' college placement information. See advisor for details:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CIS90 | Computer Basics | 2 |
| MTH20 | Basic Mathematics | 4 |
| WR90 | Paragraph Fundamentals 1 | 3 |
| or WR90R | Academic Literacy | |
Program Guide
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| BA101 | Introduction to Business | 4 |
| BA150 | Introduction to Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| BA284 | Job Readiness | 1 |
| CIS120 | Concepts of Computing | 4 |
| WR115 | Introduction to Expository Writing (or higher) | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| AC2764 or BA212 |
Small Business Accounting or Principles of Accounting II |
4 |
| BA120 | Leadership Development 2 | 3 |
| BA223 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| CIS125S | Spreadsheet Applications | 3 |
| MTH82 | Business Mathematics 3 | 4 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| BA156 | Essentials of Economics 4 | 3 |
| BA206 | Management Fundamentals | 3 |
| BA213 | Principles of Accounting III | 4 |
| BA233 | E-Marketing | 3 |
| BA239 | Advertising | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BA230 | Business Law | 4 |
| BA238 | Sales | 3 |
| BA250 | Small Business Management | 3 |
| SP218 | Interpersonal Communication 5 | 3 |
| Specific Elective 6 | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Winter | ||
| BA203 | Intro. to International Business | 3 |
| BA205 | Solving Communication Problems | 4 |
| BA222 | Finance | 3 |
| PE231 | Wellness for Life 7 | 3 |
| Specific Elective 6 | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| BA224 | Human Resource Management | 3 |
| BA277 | Business Ethics | 3 |
| BA280 | CWE: Business Admin | 3 |
| BA292 | Entrepeneurship Capstone | 3 |
| Specific Elective 6 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 95 | |
| 1 | WR90R Academic Literacy is a 4 credit course |
| 2 | BA285 Human Relations in Organizations; PSY100 Introduction to Psychology; PSY201 General Psychology; PSY201H General Psychology w/Honors; PSY203 General Psychology; PSY203H General Psychology w/Honors; BA110 Group Dynamics for Teams may be substituted for BA120 Leadership Development. |
| 3 | MTH60 Algebra I, MTH65 Algebra II, MTH95 Intermediate Algebra or higher may be substituted for MTH82 Business Mathematics. |
| 4 | Four credits of ECON201 Microeconomics or ECON202 Macroeconomics may be substituted for BA156 Essentials of Economics. |
| 5 | SP100 Basic Speech Communications, SP111 Fundamentals of Public Speaking, SP219 Small Group Discussion, or SP220 Gender and Communication may be substituted for SP218 Interpersonal Communication. |
| 6 | Specific Electives: Any AC, BA, CIS, CS, PSY, or SOC courses not required for degree; CRT2015 Sanitation and Safety for Managers; ECON201 Microeconomics; ECON202 Macroeconomics; OA116 Office Procedures; MTH65 Algebra II; MTH95 Intermediate Algebra; MTH111 College Algebra; MTH111H College Algebra w/Honors; MTH241 Calculus for Bus and Soc Science I; MTH243 Intro to Probability and Statistics. |
| 7 | HE250 Personal Health or three credits of PE 185 sport/activity courses may be substituted for PE231 Wellness for Life. |
| New Footnote |
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program the student will be able to:
- Identify appropriate ethical and legal procedures for a small business.
- Recognize and evaluate opportunities in the global marketplace.
- Demonstrate professional decorum while employing appropriate and effective business communication skills in virtual and interpersonal environments.
- Develop critical thinking and decision making skills as an individual, a team member, and a leader of an organization.
- Develop and evaluate financial record keeping systems and interpret results.
- Develop and evaluate marketing strategies for a small business.
- Explore entrepreneurial potential and develop a business plan.