Guide to an Associate Degree in Business
Associate degree programs are known to be easier compared to full-time programs. They are also cheaper, and they are over half the time it takes to earn a bachelor’s degree. One such program is an associate degree in business.
But what exactly is an associate’s degree in business compared to a full-time bachelor’s program? This undergraduate program intends to provide skills and knowledge enough to help a student find entry-level positions in various industries. It is not for students looking to complete it to get admission in a master’s degree. Thus, it doesn’t dive too deeply into topics, compared to a full-time degree.
So, what exactly is a business associate program? What sort of courses and curriculums can you expect? On top of that, what sort of jobs or salaries should you hope to get once you have an associate’s degree?
These are all of the questions we’ll answer and more, as we dive deeper into this program, and understand the basics of it. So, let’s dive right into it.
What is an associate degree in business administration?
A two-year college degree focused on the basics of business and managing it is what we call an associate’s degree program in business. The focus of these associate’s degrees depends on the business college and course type that you choose.
However, usually, these degrees entail key programs in specific areas of business, including:
- Management
- Finance
- Marketing
- Economics
The purpose of these courses and programs is to help the student understand basic concepts of business management. While they might not cover all the specific or niche areas of management, the students end up developing enough skills to manage or assist in the management of businesses.
What Does an Associate’s Degree in Business Entails?
The associate’s business degree focuses on a variety of key areas of managing a business. As mentioned before, it covers particular categories, like marketing or management. However, there are specific courses that are usually found in such degrees.
These courses focus on all the important areas of the degree, thus ensuring the student develops a keen understanding of managing businesses. This includes:
- Introduction to Business (Core/Necessary)
- Principles of Management (Core)
- Financial Accounting (Specialization)
- Business Law (Specialization)
- Marketing (Specialization)
- Economics (Specialization)
- Human Resource Management (Specialization)
These are some of the key courses or courses that are found in specific specializations. So, let’s say you’re going for an associate’s business degree with a specialization in accounting, then, you’ll find more courses dedicated to it.
The same goes for other categories like marketing, economics, or human resource management. Each of these specializations will entail curriculums that help you learn the nooks and crannies of managing each area of a business.
Are there Online Associate Business Programs? If So, Which One Should You Choose?
Yes, there are online associate business programs. But, the choice between an online and on-campus program depends on your preference, commitment, and affordability. Online degrees are relatively cheaper and considered more affordable than on-campus degrees.
Here is a comparison of online and on-campus associate degree costs to give you an idea:
| University | Program | Online/On-Campus | Average Cost |
| Monroe College | Associate in BA | On-Campus\Hybrid | $7,900 (per semester) Approx. $32,000) |
| Baker University | Associate of Arts in Business | On-Campus | $24,000 (based on $480 per credit hour) |
| DeVry University | Associate in Business | Online | $17,000 |
| Southern New Hampshire University | Various Associate Degrees | Online | $19,000 (based on $330 per credit) |
The following are some more universities that offer associate degrees online and host a variety of programs to choose from.
Besides, most online degrees are easy to take from anywhere, as you only need a web-enabled device. Despite that being one of the main benefits, online degrees provide a slew of other advantages too, such as:
- Learning flexibility, as some tend to be at your pace;
- Granted accessibility from anywhere at any time (in some cases);
- Cost-effectiveness, as most online degrees are cheaper than on-campus ones;
- A variety of programs and choices to study out-of-state without needing to travel;
- And having no necessity to travel or go to a physical class.
Now, that doesn’t mean on-campus degrees aren’t worth it. Just like online classes, physical classes have their own advantages. They allow you to socialize with your fellow students and also find people who might be in the same profession as you in the future.
On top of that, get other key advantages, like:
- Easy reach to teachers/professors;
- Access to on-campus perks like libraries, gyms, etc.;
- Structured and linear working environment;
- The choice to participate in extracurricular activities;
- And the opportunity to build socializing skills.
So, the choice of picking one or the other comes down to which one you prefer. Or, the one you can afford to attend or pay for. If anyone wants to study while working, then online degrees are certainly better. Regardless of the option you go for, it’s imperative to ensure it’s an accredited university/degree.
Enrollment Requirements for An Associate’s Degree in Business
One of the first requirements of any associate degree is to be of age, which is 18 in the United States. So, you need to be 18 or older by the time you attend the first day of classes. Besides that, it’s important that you meet the selection criteria, i.e., online IT diploma or general education certificate/high school.
And lastly, you also need to have finished your high school with an acceptable GPA. So, some of these key requirements include:
- High school diploma or GED (General Education Development test);
- Be 18 years or older;
- Meet the college’s GPA requirement, usually 2.5 or above;
- Completed application form;
- And statement/essay (if required).
Some other requirements might be requested by specific colleges, but these are some of the most common ones. Other than that, community colleges often offer an “open enrollment policy”. This means the student can attend classes, even if they don’t meet the selection criteria.
These open-enrollment colleges will then assess whether the student is capable of managing the coursework or not. Through a series of tests and examinations, the student is then determined the right fit to attend the associate’s program.
Types of Careers and Jobs You Can Pursue with an Associate’s Business Degree
There are quite a few types of job titles you can pursue after getting the associate business degree. It won’t land you a high-profile job, but even some entry-level jobs can offer handsome pay and other perks.
But it all boils down to the field you choose and the kind of specialization you go for. Usually, these associate’s degree holders pursue job titles such as:
- Accountants and Auditors
- Budget Analysts
- Financial Examiners
- General/Operations Managers
- Management Analysts
- Human Resource Specialists
- Talent Recruitment
- Marketing Analysts
- Marketing Project Assistants
Besides that, there are many niches and nooks that these degree holders might pursue. According to BLS’ Outlook Handbook, entry-level business professionals might find their careers in sectors such as:
- Accounting And Payroll Services
- Finance And Insurance
- Government
- Companies/Enterprises Management
- Self-Employed/Freelance Workers
Besides, these associate degree holders might even find work as freelancers in marketing, with job titles like copywriter. However, that entirely depends on the personal preference and the career ambitions of the student.
Salary and Job Outlook for an Associate’s Degree in Business?
We know the kind of job titles and industries that an associate’s degree in business can get you. But, what kind of money do you earn when chasing this field? Every category or job title offers different sorts of salaries in this industry.
Business is a sum of many things, as mentioned before, and it includes marketing, management, human resources, finance, etc. So, depending on where you go, you can expect to earn $50,000 or above. According to BLS, here are some median salaries for different job titles:
| Job Title | Salaries (Median/Average) |
| Accountants and Auditors | $79,000 |
| Budget Analysts | $84,000 |
| Financial Analysts | $99,000 |
| Human Resources Specialists | $67,000 |
| Logisticians | $79,000 |
| Market Research Analysts | $74,000 |
| Project Management Specialists | $98,000 |
These are some of the median pay that you can expect in these job titles. You might also be wondering about the job outlook. What does the job availability look like for these industries in the future? Every industry or job has its specific job outlook.
Experts say that human resource management has a job outlook of 6%, and will continue to rise until 2032. This indicates that there will be 6% more jobs every year for human resource specialists. As for others, here are some other job titles and their specific job outlooks:
| Job Title | Job Outlook % |
| Accountants and Auditors | 4% |
| Budget Analysts | 3% |
| Financial Analysts | 8% |
| Human Resources Specialists | 6% |
| Logisticians | 18% |
| Market Research Analysts | 13% |
| Project Management Specialists | 6% |
These are the job titles that you can pursue once you finish the associate’s degree in business. Now, there are other management specialties, and you can look up specific job benefits and compensations for them.
However, these primary business management niches should tell you the potential of a career in each area. And, an associate’s degree opens the door for you to pursue these opportunities.
What’s Next?
Once you enroll in an associate’s program, you will earn the degree in around two years. However, it’s recommended that you continue to pursue higher education in your particular business field so you can pursue some of the job titles that we have mentioned.
So, instead of settling for a human resource specialist job, you can go for a human resource manager. Or, instead of working as an assistant accountant, you can work as a chief accountant in a professional environment. Thus, you should use an associate’s degree as a stepping stone and pursue higher education in your interests.
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