Associate in Applied Science Degree

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This program prepares students to meet the growing need for office technology skills in business, industry, and government. The program is designed to provide students with the necessary background in word processing, databases, spreadsheets, business communications, and office administration for positions in technologically advanced offices. One High School Mathematics Course or its equivalent is recommended.

Goal 1 To prepare the students for positions in technologically advanced offices or transfer to another degree program

  • Graduates seeking a job secure a position in technologically advanced offices within two years
  • Graduates seeking further education transfer to a higher education institution

Goal 2 To prepare the students to interact effectively within a diverse business population

  • Students will interact effectively within a diverse student population by completing collaborative projects

Goal 3 To prepare the student to communicate effectively

  • Students will communicate appropriately with instructors and peers through written or oral assignments
  • Students will visually and graphically communicate through presentations and/or projects

Goal 4 To train students to solve business problems

  • Students will demonstrate the use of computers as a problem solving tool
  • Students will analyze and solve case studies

Goal 5 To introduce students to a variety of international business scenarios

  • Students will demonstrate an understanding of world-wide issues related to business
  • Students shall investigate various international issues through the use of media

Goal 6 To prepare the student with the skills and knowledge needed to create effective office documents

  • Students shall demonstrate the ability to use word processing, business communications and presentation software
  • Students shall demonstrate the ability to use database and spreadsheet software

Goal 7 To prepare students to demonstrate information literacy

  • Students will use traditional and contemporary information technology
  • Students will identify, access, and appropriately use authoritative sources of information

Total Credit Hours: 64

First Semester

This course is an opportunity for students to develop the skills necessary to be successful in college. Students learn the importance of the faculty-student and advisor-advisee relationship, develop time management techniques, apply effective study skill techniques, recognize the implications of living in a diverse society, utilize college resources, and explore career and transfer requirements. Collaborative projects are included. Students matriculated in a degree program must take this course in their first term of study.

This course introduces proper computer keyboarding techniques, builds speed and accuracy, and provides practice in formatting personal and business documents.

This course presents the relationships among social, political, economic, legal, and environmental forces, and the development and operation of business in a global economy. It includes an overview of the concepts and principles of the various subfields of business accounting, management, finance, marketing, law, ethics, human resources, and general business as well as current topics of interest, and internet research and simulation exercises.

This course focuses on several kinds of writing-self-expressive, informative, and argumentative/persuasive, and others. A minimum of five essay compositions are required. The course emphasizes the composition of clear, correct, and effective prose required in a variety of professions and occupations. Prerequisites: Appropriate high school GPA or placement test score or EN090 Basic Writing Skills or SL116 ESL4: Advanced Composition or SL145 ESOL Advanced Composition

This course provides knowledge of relevant computer skills and a solid foundation in the terminology and concepts of computer technology. Experience is provided with a variety of microcomputer software applications, including word processing, electronic spreadsheets, graphics, file management, and integrated software. Concepts and terms focus on preparing for a technologically oriented society and using the computer as a tool for productivity, research, and communication.

This course gives an understanding of and a feeling for the society in which we live. The concepts and theories discussed relate to humanity, its culture and society, and to those forces that contribute to the smooth operation of this society as well as those forces that contribute to conflict and social problems. Topics include culture, socialization, stratification, population, and patterns of social organization.

Take any Physical Education Course

Second Semester

This course covers the fundamental principles of effective business correspondence, report writing, and oral communications. These principles are applied first to sentences and paragraphs, and then to specific types of business communications. It includes a review of spelling, vocabulary, punctuation, grammar, and composition as necessary.

This course concentrates on increasing keyboarding speed and accuracy, and providing practice on more advanced word processing and desktop publishing projects. Prerequisite: AA111 Keyboarding - Basic

This course encourages a deeper understanding of human nature and the human condition through the study of ideas and values expressed in imaginative literature. Emphasis is placed on the use and development of critical thinking and language skills. Library-oriented research is required. Prerequisite: EN101 English 1: Composition or EN105 English Composition for Speakers of Other Languages or EN106 English 1: Composition & Reading.

This course is a survey of mathematics for students in those programs that do not require a mathematics sequence. It provides an appreciation of mathematical ideas in historical and modern settings. Topics include problem solving, logic, geometry, statistics, and consumer mathematics. Prerequisite: Appropriate high school GPA or placement test score or MA089 Arithmetic.

This course introduces probability and statistics. Topics include graphs, tables, frequency distributions, measures of central tendency and dispersion, normal distribution, correlation and regression, probability, and inferential statistics. This course is available in two formats: lecture only, or lecture plus laboratory using technology. Prerequisite: Appropriate high school GPA or placement test score or MA089 Arithmetic.

This course introduces the principles of desktop publishing in a business environment. Professional quality business documents are designed and produced that combine text, graphics, illustrations, and photographs in documents such as letterheads, business cards, flyers, brochures, promotional documents, and newsletters.

Take any Physical Education Course

Third Semester

This course introduces the scope and responsibilities of administrative office management. Topics include information management as it relates to planning, organizing, operating, and controlling office operations, management leadership and human relations factors, salary administration, labor management relations, and office personnel problems and practices.

This course teaches the fundamentals of personal finance through the creation of a financial plan, management of personal finances, and reaching personal financial goals. Topics include the establishment of financial objectives (home ownership, education, and retirement), budgeting and savings, personal income tax, investments (stocks, bonds, and mutual funds), retirement, and estate planning. The effective use of and management of credit is covered.

This course expands the knowledge of those already familiar with the basic elements of electronic spreadsheets. It examines the various uses for a spreadsheet in business. Intermediate and advanced spreadsheet techniques are examined, including the power of functions, formatting, analytical graphics, and macros. Prerequisites: IS101 Computers and Society or IS100 Introduction to Computers and Society.

This course will introduce students to basic database concepts. The course will focus on designing and structuring databases to meet the objectives of management. Students will use a database management system to complete an in-depth exploration of query capabilities and report generation. The student will learn the creation and management of a working database from the ground up. When the student completes this course, they will have the ability to create tables, queries, forms, and reports within database software and understand the role of a database within a business setting.

Take any General Education Natural Science Course

Take any Physical Education Course

Fourth Semester

This course provides an overview of business ethics and ethical management practices, with emphasis on the process of decision making and working through contemporary dilemmas faced by business organizations, managers, and employees. It demonstrates how ethics can be integrated into business decisions and applied to careers. Topics include an overview of business ethics; corporations and social responsibility; business and society; consumers and the environment; ethical issues in the workplace; business ethics in a global and multicultural environment; values, rights, and responsibilities; and frameworks for ethical decision-making in business.

This course introduces the functions involved with managing the human resources within an organization. Topics include job design and analysis, recruitment and selection, performance appraisals, training, compensation administration, benefits, and employee rights.

Students have options when working as an Administrative Assistant. Below are some suggestions on program electives that will better prepare students in the workforce depending on career interests. Students Interested in Accounting: AC110 Principles of Accounting AC115 Financial Accounting AC131 Business Law 1 Students Interested in Business Management: BM100 Introduction to Business BM290 Business Internship AC131 Business Law 1 Students Interested in Healthcare: HM100 Medical Terminology for Health Professionals (online only) HM101 Health Information Management Introductory Concepts (online only) AC131 Business Law 1

This course is an introduction to public speaking. It emphasizes the fundamentals of preparing, organizing, supporting, and delivering the speech based on factual material. It includes topic selection, audience analysis, fact vs. opinion, outlining, supporting material, and visual support. Informative, demonstrative, and persuasive speeches are presented. Elements of interpersonal communication, logic, and persuasion are discussed. Prerequisite: EN101 English 1: Composition or EN105 English Composition for Speakers of Other Languages or EN106 English 1: Composition & Reading.

This course introduces the many and varied facets of psychology. Emphasis is on interactions of individuals in their cultural, social, and economic environments as determined by their cognitive, behavioral, and emotional experiences and training.

Take any Physical Education Course

(a) MA108 Concepts in Mathematics OR MA110 Elementary Statistics

(b) Students have options when working as an Administrative Assistant. Below are some suggestions on program electives that will better prepare students in the workforce depending on career interests.

Students Interested in Accounting:

AC110 Principles of Accounting
AC115 Financial Accounting
AC131 Business Law 1

Students Interested in Business Management:

BM290 Business Internship
AC131 Business Law 1

Students Interested in Healthcare:

HM100 Medical Terminology for Health Professionals (online only)
HM101 Health Information Management Introductory Concepts (online only)
AC131 Business Law 1