Essential Information
In an A.A. in Business Management program, students learn foundations in topics such as accounting, critical thinking and analysis, leadership and communication skills. Applicants need a high school diploma or its equivalent to be considered. Graduates can then either use their degree to obtain a position in personnel, office, sales, inventory, or production management, or they may choose to pursue further study.
Associate's Degree in Business Management
To achieve an associate's degree in business management, students must pass required courses in the areas of economics, marketing, humanities and social sciences. Though course names may vary, required courses often include some variation of the following topics:
- Business management
- Business ethics
- Human resources
- Project management
- Business mathematics
- Human resources management
Employment Outlook and Salary Information
A business management degree can be an asset to graduates who are entering or re-entering the workforce. Graduates of these programs may become business entrepreneurs at their own company or obtain entry-level positions such as office assistant, administrative support supervisor or office manager.
Salaries for administrative support supervisors, office and business managers vary depending on the place of employment, job responsibilities and level of experience. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual income for first-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers was $55,810 as of May 2018. Also according to the BLS, employment for secretarial and administrative assistant positions overall was expected to decrease by 7% overall from 2018 to 2028.
Continuing Education
Some students choose to pursue a 4-year degree in business management after completion of an A.A. program in business management instead of entering the workforce. Many accredited schools offer these baccalaureate programs. In some cases, students are also able to complete internships to acquire additional hands-on training.
An associate's degree program in business management gives students the basic background in business and management techniques to work entry-level jobs in the field. Many graduates will go on to pursue a bachelor's degree program in business, but may enter the workforce as administrative support supervisors, administrative assistants and more.
