Online Degrees & Certificates

AA in Business Administration

Program Description

The Business Administration program has a dual mission (transfer and workforce) in providing students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to prepare for transfer to four-year institutions and to pursue a career or to develop their own businesses.

Students are provided the courses necessary to pursue studies in specialized business fields such as accounting, finance, advertising, marketing, management, banking, and business information systems. All students expecting to work in private or profit organizations or government are strongly urged to include business principles and other business specialized courses as electives.

Additionally, the department offers coursework and activities for increased professional proficiency, career changes, or new employment challenges, as well as for small business development.

The Business department's small business entrepreneurship program is currently in redesign mode and will be refocused on the development of curriculum, activities, and community partnerships with the objective to address the "skills gap." Our initial emphasis will be on skill areas in leadership, communication, collaboration, project management, and innovation.

The department also offers two Certificates of Achievement. The Certificate of Achievement in Data Analytics, created in collaboration with Silicon Valley Bank and Tableau, is designed for people who are seeking to gain real-world experience in data analytics in pursuit of a career as a data professional. The program provides 23 units of instruction and hands-on practice in understanding data needs of a business; acquiring, cleaning, storing, sorting, visualizing, analyzing, and presenting data; and positively impacting business outcomes through data analytics. The Certificate of Achievement in Digital Marketing, created in collaboration with Facebook Inc., is designed for people who are seeking to learn the latest marketing tools to promote a business or an organization online. The program provides 25 units of online instruction and hands-on practice in creating marketing content, understanding basic elements of building a website, employing search engine optimization, developing online ad campaigns, and analyzing key performance metrics.

Learn more about the program on the Business Administration website.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will demonstrate appropriate use of business terms and concepts across a standard breadth of business functions (R&D, Mfg, Sales, Mktg, Ops, IT, Acctg, Finance, etc.).

Students will demonstrate appropriate use of analytical frameworks, methods, and skills in response to business questions, cases, and projects.

Career Opportunities

Generally, entry level or advancement to levels of middle-management and upper-management in business requires at least a bachelor degree in Business. There are numerous opportunities in the domestic and international arenas. Careers in marketing, sales, advertising, personnel management, accounting, finance, market research, business advisory, and risk management. Additionally, opportunities in the development of new small businesses are also available through our program.

Award Type(s)

AA = Associate in Arts Degree

Units Required

Major: 45

Additional Information

Note: Consult your counselor for the most recent math requirements for CSU and UC requirements for business administration. Students having difficulty in attaining a degree because of timing or availability of classes should consult with a counselor to submit a petition for course substitution.

Online Courses for Business Administration

The courses listed BELOW are offered as online courses at least once every two years. Please see the Class Schedule for verification.

• For a complete listing of online courses offered during the current quarter, visit Online Course Information.
• If you need any additional degree information or confirmation, please contact the Counseling Division.

NOTE: Students having difficulty attaining an associate degree because of timing or availability of classes should consult with a counselor to submit a petition for course substitution.

Associate Degree Requirements

A minimum of 90 units is required* to include:

Completion of one of the following general education patterns: Foothill General Education, CSU General Education Breadth Requirements or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)

Core Courses (33 units)

Support courses (12 units)

*Additional elective course work may be necessary to meet the 90-unit minimum requirement for the associate degree.

Note: All courses pertaining to the major must be taken for a letter grade. In addition, a grade of "C" or better is required for all core and support courses used for the degree or certificates.

Core and Support Courses

Core Courses

 Support Courses (12 units)

Select 12 units from the following:

* May be completed only once for credit to satisfy either the core or support course requirement.

For a complete list of degree requirements, please visit Business Administration 2024-2025 in Degrees & Certificates.

Based on the 2024 - 2025 degree program.