;

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.
  • Explain and apply general business concepts in the areas of accounting/finance, economics, management, and marketing.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in current office and web based information systems technology.
  • Discuss ethical, moral, and legal issues associated with the professional working environment and be able to apply ethical concepts in business-like situations.
  • Identify and implement team based skills in completing everyday business tasks through participation in departmental teams in a virtual enterprise capstone experience.

Courses

First Semester

COLS101College Success

1 credits

ACCT101Financial Accounting I

3 credits

CISC101Introduction to Information Technology

3 credits

CMTH102Introduction to Communication

3 credits

ENGL101English I

3 credits

MATH140College Algebra

3 credits

OR

MATH150Introductory Statistics

3 credits

Total Credit Hours:16

Second Semester

BUSA232Principles of Marketing

3 credits

BUSA152Business Law I

3 credits

BUSA205Management Fundamentals

3 credits

CISC104Information Systems and Resources

4 credits

ENGL151LEnglish II

3 credits

Total Credit Hours:16

Third Semester

ACCT160Accounting Applications

3 credits

OR

ACCT202Managerial Accounting

3 credits

 

BUSA221GBusiness Communications

3 credits

BUSA226Human Resources Management

3 credits

ECON201Macroeconomics

3 credits

General Education Elective (AH or SIT)

3 credits

Total Credit Hours:15

Fourth Semester

BUSA211Personal Finance

3 credits

BUSA260International Business Practice Firm

3 credits

BUSABusiness Elective ++

3 credits

General Education Elective

3 credits

Elective

3 credits

Total Credit Hours:15

Total Credit Hours: 62

++ Business Elective options: BUSA114, BUSA115, BUSA137, BUSA141, BUSA201, BUSA202, BUSA235, BUSA252.

  • Completion of BUSA221G satisfies the Writing Intensive (WI) requirement.
  • Completion of ENGL151L satisfies the Diversity and Global Awareness (D) requirement.
  • Students need to take 9 credits in at least two of the fields listed: AH, SIT, SSHB. ECON201 fulfills 3 credits of this requirement as an SSHB.