Associate of Science
Business Degree
Your path toward a successful business career starts with this online associate degree program.
Business Degree
Build actionable skills with an Associate Degree in Business.
You need a business degree that aims to offer you back a strong return on your time, money, and effort. In this online associate of science in business degree program you can get more by earning certificates of completion along the way –and jump start your career. Build practical skills that can be put into action right away–career-focused skills in critical areas from business management to business technology.
Earn business certificates along the way.
With an associate degree in business, your online coursework is designed to benefit you and your future career. You can earn more than one certificate of completion in business areas such as Frontline Leadership and Management along the way to show the value you can bring to your current or potential employers. Bring new skills to the job immediately and prepare for the jobs of the future.
Move right into your bachelor’s degree.
The Bellevue University Associate of Science in Business can put you on a fast track to your bachelor’s degree. In fact, by the time you graduate with your associate degree online, you’ll be nearly halfway through your bachelor’s degree. Transfer your associate degree credits into a Bellevue University bachelor’s program in business, or any major of your choice, and earn your bachelor’s degree sooner.
Courses
What You’ll Learn
- Demonstrate fundamental business acumen in core functions of accounting, marketing, finance and management.
- Identify interests, skills, strengths, knowledge, experience, and areas of growth related to career goals.
- Articulate thoughts and ideas clearly to a variety of audiences.
- Apply basic concepts of supervisory management and leadership practices to the business environment.
- Utilize basic data and technology skills to complete tasks, make decisions, and accomplish goals.
- Use critical thinking skills to analyze issues, make decisions, and overcome problems in business.
Business Degree Courses
Current students please login to BRUIN and select “Academic Progress” for your curriculum requirements.
The Associate Degree in Business has three components: Integrative General Education courses (27credit hours), the Business Major (24 credit hours), and Electives (9 credit hours), which can be used to build one of several Certificates of Completion.
Integrative General Education Credits
Major Requirements Credits
Elective Credits
= 60 Total Credits*
Major Requirements (24 credit hours)
Associate of Science students majoring in Business must complete the following major area of study courses.
(Click a course name below to view course details)
This course will familiarize students with the terminology, structure and the function of the American business system. It covers a variety of topics in today’s dynamic business environment mapping a path through ethics, world markets, and forms of business organizations, accounting, management, finance, law, technology, marketing, and e-commerce. Students who are interested in expanding their appreciation of the world of commerce or wish to pursue a career in business may find this course an appropriate starting point.
This course provides an introduction to the basic financial, accounting, and data skills necessary for managers in a modern business environment. Students will apply basic data analysis techniques using financial and accounting data to inform common business decisions facing managers, including budgeting versus actual performance, gross profit analysis, pricing analysis, and ad-hoc data-informed decision-making. Students will gain an appreciation of how financial reporting influences their roles as managers.
This comprehensive career course will help you unlock your full career potential. Designed to empower individuals at every stage of their professional journey, this course offers a strategic roadmap for navigating the complexities of today’s job market. You’ll build a robust toolkit to use as you work towards your career aspirations in your chosen field.
This course is an introduction to accounting concepts and the elements of financial statements including basic accounting vocabulary and analysis of business transactions from an accounting viewpoint. Students will be required to recognize, record, and classify new accounting data. Emphasis is placed on corporate accounting. Introductory financial statement analysis and interpretation are also covered. Prerequisite: none
This course examines the fundamental concepts, theories, principles, and techniques of management by integrating classical and modern perspectives with real-world experiences. Students are introduced to both traditional and contemporary views along the management functions of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. Management domains such as business ethics, business law, international management, organizational behavior, human resource management, operation management, organizational development and change, entrepreneurship, management information systems, and strategic management are also introduced, and their implications on students’ careers as managers are explored.
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the field of marketing. It covers the current marketing concepts and practical applications that will include the functions of product, price, place, promotion, and positioning. Additional emphasis will be given to multicultural and global marketing in the United States and internationally.
This course provides an introduction to the role of manager and enables students to learn the basic skills necessary to be a successful front-line supervisor. This course will also develop students’ knowledge of the processes inherent to achieving desired results through efficient utilization of human and material resources.
This course examines the important supervisory and managerial topic of leadership. This course helps frontline supervisors identify the qualities of effective leaders, understand different leadership styles, know how to build credibility and trust, and lead employees and teams in challenging times of change. Pre-requisite MGMT 150
Integrative General Education Requirements (27 credit hours)
Integrative general education courses help form the basis for academic study in all fields and establish a strong platform for lifelong learning.
All Associate of Science students majoring in Business must complete courses in the following Integrative General Education categories:
Foundational Learning:
This course provides a welcome to college learning, introduces information about academic support services, and focuses on the skills necessary for student development and success. Topics such as time management, learning styles, study skills, and writing techniques are taught and practiced through interactive modules and activities for academic and real-life application.
It is strongly recommended to take STS 110 in the first term.
Written Communication:
Like its foundational sequence course, EN 101 emphasizes critical thinking and writing improvement. Students exercise analytical habits of mind, rhetorical strategy, and thinking/writing process to approach writing situations, to publish an analytical essay. The course stresses growth as thinkers and writers through self-evaluation, learning community exchanges, and instructor feedback to improve and gain confidence as writers. Strategies and techniques learned in this English sequence course will prepare students for EN 102 and also for writing in other coursework, workplaces, and society.
EN 102 is the last course in the English Composition sequence. Like other sequence courses, EN 102 emphasizes critical thinking and writing improvement. Students apply the analytical habits of mind, rhetorical strategy, and the thinking/writing process learned in earlier courses to produce a research-based argument essay. Throughout the course, students assess growth and make adjustments to improve thinking and writing through honest self-evaluation, critical exchanges within community of writers, and instructor feedback. The habits of mind, rhetorical strategy, thinking/writing process, discourse in community, and self-improvement are designed to prepare students as confident life-long learners in academics, professions, and society. This course offers instruction in the methodology of research and applies summary, critique, and synthesis in the construction of a research-based essay. Prerequisite: EN 101 or equivalent.
Mathematics:
This course presents the real number system and its properties, linear equations and inequalities and their graphs, systems of equations and inequalities and their application in problem solving, polynomials and rational expressions, and radical equations. Prerequisite: MA 100 or placement via ALEKS Placement Exam
OR
This course is a functional approach to Algebra that incorporates the use of appropriate technology. Emphasis will be placed on the study of functions and their graphs including linear, quadratic, piecewise, rational, exponential and logarithmic, systems of equations and inequalities and matrices. Real world applications of each will be emphasized. Prerequisite: MA 101 or placement via ALEKS Placement Exam
OR
This course provides the theoretical basis and problem-solving experience needed to apply the techniques of descriptive and inferential statistics, to analyze quantitative data, and to improve decision making over a wide range of areas. Topics covered include descriptive statistics, linear regression, data gathering methodologies and probability, as well as confidence intervals and hypothesis testing for one and two samples. Use of technology in solving and interpreting statistical problems is emphasized. Prerequisite: MA 101 or placement via ALEKS Placement Assessment
Oral Communication:
This course provides training in the fundamentals of public speaking in the 21st-century, mediated environment. By learning the principles of presentation development, organization, and delivery, students will be empowered to share their messages in a variety of forums.
Human Civilization:
This course introduces students to the economic, political, legal, social, and cultural factors impacting organizations when operating in an international context. Students will learn the fundamental realities of international business, which are essential in today's interdependent world, including the advantages and problems that come when business is conducted on the international stage. Pre-req: BA 101
Human Thought & Expression:
This course introduces argumentation as a model of critical thinking. Students will learn the foundation of critical thinking and how critical thinking positively impacts communication.
OR
Cultural differences have profound effects on communication. This course examines communication challenges that arise from cultural diversity and explores ways to effectively address those challenges to create more inclusive workplace environments.
Technology:
This course introduces the use of Microsoft Office 365™. Students will learn file management, including saving to the Cloud and to local devices. Hands-on assignments will help students become proficient in Word, Excel and PowerPoint as well as other productivity applications. Additionally, students will gain experience with collaborative applications.
Human Behavior:
This course provides an introduction to the area of Microeconomics. This introduction assists students in achieving a practical understanding and ability to apply economic concepts, theories, and practices relevant to the understanding of our economy. The course investigates the economic behavior of consumers, businesses and government. Emphasis is placed on price and output determination under various market structures and on the entrepreneurial competitive process. Prerequisites: Basic college level ability in English, logic, and mathematics
Electives Requirements (9 credit hours)
In addition to the Major Requirements (24 credit hours) and General Education Requirements (27 credit hours), students must choose 9 additional credit hours of electives. While students may choose any courses to meet the elective requirement, consider strategically selecting elective courses from the following list to build additional certificates of completion into your degree.
Managerial accounting is designed to introduce the fundamentals of managerial accounting to both accounting and non-accounting majors. It covers accounting and management decision making in both short-term and long-term strategic situations. Students will be expected to explain and apply accounting concepts including basic costing and processes, cost classifications, responsibility accounting and ethical behavior of the managerial accountant. Prerequisite: AC 205
Students evaluate and determine appropriate goals of individuals relative to their life cycle and acquire knowledge of key financial concepts and related products that can be applied to optimize personal financial wellbeing. Specific elements of the course include goal making, financial record keeping, and managing decisions associated with credit, taxation, insurance, investments, and estate management.
This course will provide students with an understanding of the importance of exceptional customer service across all touch points to attract and retain customers. Students will gain appreciation of essential customer service skills including: identifying customer needs, developing an attitude of service excellence, providing positive interaction through effective oral, social and non-verbal communication, relationship building, and service recovery of dissatisfied customers. Students will develop strategies to determine how exceptional problem-solving impacts customer satisfaction, business profitability, and employee engagement in the workplace. Prerequisite any Communication Course at the 100 or 200 level.
This course is designed for College of Business students who have basic file management and office software skills. Course projects are designed for business problem solving and include document management, using spreadsheets for information processing, design and management of personal databases for automated data management, presentation, and integrating business communications. Recommend prior computer knowledge. Prerequisite: Prerequisite: Recommend prior computer knowledge of Word, Excel and PowerPoint before taking BA 222, also MA 101 is a prerequisite.
In this course, students will develop their fundamental healthcare business concepts and acumen. Students will gain an understanding of common policies, procedures, and tasks that support healthcare operations, as well as the manager’s role in those activities. Students will be introduced to skills in budgeting, scheduling, employee allocation, safety and security, and inventory/asset/risk management.
This course introduces foundational communication skills for business and professional situations. Emphasis is placed on the skills of developing effective workplace relationships, collaborating with others in groups and teams, and presenting information to meet audience needs.
This course introduces practical approaches for identifying, researching, and evaluating existing and emerging technologies. Various types of current and emerging technologies are introduced such as software, services, and social-based technologies. The importance of usability and accessibility of technologies is discussed as well as techniques used to identify technologies that do not comply with usability and ergonomic principles.
This course explores the practical application of technology tools that facilitate creating and communicating information in a digital environment. Topics include the creation of basic documents, presentations, videos and web pages. This course also covers social networks, digital research, online collaboration, communication etiquette, online privacy and security.
This course explores fundamental project management concepts, processes, and knowledge areas. Discussion includes aligning projects with organizational processes and strategies to achieve business goals and objectives, comparative analysis, introduction to risk, and the fundamentals of financial management.
This course is a study of the behavior of the macroeconomy, including the causes and consequences of inflation, unemployment, and the business cycle. Monetary, fiscal, and “supply side” policies for dealing with macroeconomic problems are examined. Prerequisites: Basic college level ability in English, logic, and mathematics
This course introduces business and non-business students to entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurial process and explores its significance in the competitive global economy. Students will examine the characteristics of an entrepreneur and the skills necessary to identify opportunities in the marketplace. They also will explore creativity and innovation as key components driving success not only in new ventures, but also in existing organizations. Other topics include forms of business ownership and the importance of a business plan in directing a new company and attracting investors.
This course will provide an overview of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) law and related concepts. Employment laws that will be addressed include: Civil Rights Acts, Age Discrimination and Employment Act (ADEA), Americans with Disability Act (ADA), Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). Topics addressed in this course will include: how to determine what constitutes harassment/hostile work environment, LGBTQ rights (and how employment law applies), current court cases and managerial responsibilities for EEO related laws. No Prerequisites
This course will provide an overview of various employment laws and related concepts. Employment law will include: Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Occupational Health and Safety Act (OSHA)/Workers Compensation (WC), Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and National Labor Relations Act (NLA). Topics addressed in this course will include: current court cases and managerial responsibilities for these laws. No Prerequisites
Various current topics and trends will be addressed in this course, including: Diversity and Inclusion, Workforce Generations, Employee Relations trends and Ethics. No Prerequisites
This course provides an overview of the business of sport. Current topics and issues within various sport organizations are introduced and discussed. Career opportunities within the sport industry are explored.
This course is an introduction to the fundamental concepts of public relations and communication in a sport setting. Applied activities offer an opportunity to develop knowledge and skills related to public relations and communication within the sport industry.
This course serves as an introduction to ethics within the sport industry. An examination of values promoted by sport and ethical dilemmas within the industry provide opportunities for critical analysis.
Certificates of Completion
You may strategically select elective courses from the above list and build additional certificates of completion into your degree, in specialty areas such as business communication, basic business finance, human resource management, business technology, healthcare management and sport management. Your student coach can help you make a course plan to achieve your desired goals.
Frontline Leadership and Management
Certificate of Completion (MGCC) (6 credits)
MGMT 150 Essential Management Skills (3 credits)
MGMT 175 Effective Leadership Practices (3 credits)
Moving into a management role can be both exciting and daunting. Being a good manager does not automatically make one an effective leader. This certificate is for new and developing managers who seek to motivate employees and maximize work performance. This Frontline Leadership and Management Certificate of Completion consists of two (2) three-credit courses (6 credits total) for those entering frontline supervisory management positions. You must complete both courses to earn the certificate of completion.
Business Foundations
Certificate of Completion (BSFD) (12 credits)
BA 101 Introduction to Business
BA 102 Financial and Data Skills for Managers
BA 206 Foundations of International Business
ENT 230 Introduction to Entrepreneurship
Employees, managers, customers, citizens, and the remaining stakeholders of companies benefit from a stronger appreciation of how business operates in a market-driven economy. This program contains a multi-faceted exploration of many aspects of contemporary business both domestic and international. Thus, students will gain exposure to an array of American and global business principles, financial and data skills for managers, and an understanding of entrepreneurship that will assist them in their individualized career in commerce.
Business Communication
Certificate of Completion (BSCO) (12 credits)
BA 212 Customer Service Essentials
CA 105 Introduction to Business & Professional Communication
CA 209 Diversity, Inclusion & Communication
CIS 212 Communicating in a Digital World
Communicating clearly and competently in written, oral, and digital formats is critical to anyone’s professional success. The Certificate of Completion in Business Communication provides students with a solid foundation that covers a variety of functions related to an organization’s internal and external communications. Students are introduced to basic business communication concepts, theories, and techniques which will help students effectively and inclusively communicate with colleagues, supervisors, and customers. Students will learn how to appropriately communicate business information through development of written and verbal communications, creating presentations, and providing management support. This Certificate of Completion is designed to help professionals enhance their business communication skills.
Basic Business Financial Practices
Certificate of Completion (BBFP) (12 credits)
BA 102 Financial and Data Skills for Managers
AC 205 Financial Accounting
BA 222 Intermediate Computer Concepts and Applications
ECN 202 Microeconomics
Today’s business environment is increasingly dominated by data driven business decisions that influence consumer, business, and government actions. Successful managers possess an understanding of the key accounting and financial drivers of success within their organization and the competitive market in which they operate. This certificate is intended to build confidence in managers, providing insight into how and why businesses make decisions, and developing their confidence in working with and leveraging data to support improved decision-making in their business / department.
Note: It is strongly recommended that students take BA 102 Financial and Data Skills for Managers PRIOR to AC 205 Financial Accounting.
Human Resource Management
Certificate of Completion (HRMG) (9 credits)
HR 101 Employment Law: Equal Employment
HR 102 Employment Law: Compensation, Benefits, Safety and Employee Relations Related Laws
HR 103 HR Current Trends and Topics
This CoC will provide an overview of Human Resource/Employment related law for those individuals that have “people management” responsibilities. The focus of this is to educate managers/supervisors on employment law and related human resource current issues and trends.
Business Technology
Certificate of Completion (BSTG) (12 credits)
CIS 121 Microsoft 365™
BA 222 Intermediate Computer Concepts and Applications
CIS 122 Emerging Technologies
CIS 133 Introduction to Project Management
This Certificate of Completion will provide students with foundational technology skills that can be applied while accomplishing essential business functions and operations. Students will learn when and how to apply various technologies and use productivity applications to solve business problems, manage projects, and communicate results with co-workers and leadership.
Note: It is strongly recommended that students take CIS 121 Microsoft 365™ PRIOR to BA 222 Intermediate Computer Concepts and Applications.
Healthcare Management Fundamentals
Certificate of Completion (HLMG) (9 credits)
BHMC 200 Healthcare Operations Management
MGMT 150 Essential Management Skills
MGMT 175 Effective Leadership Practices
Healthcare is an integral component of business. Adding a basic understanding of healthcare operations at any level of management, could prove beneficial. The Certificate of Completion in Healthcare Management Fundamentals introduces the student to basic business concepts of healthcare operations in leadership, management, marketing, finance, health information management that are key in understanding and navigating healthcare. The curriculum of the certificate program in Healthcare Management Fundamentals is designed to (1) offer support for individuals interested in the health care field who may or may not want to pursue a degree in the field of health care management, (2) provide basic level of knowledge in the practice of healthcare management topics, and (3) encourage students to pursue degrees related to their specific field of interest or practice.
Sport Management
Certificate of Completion (SPMG) (9 credits)
SM 105 Intro to Sport Management
SM 210 Sport Public Relations & Communication
SM 240 Sport Ethics
The Sport Management Certificate of Completion provides students foundational knowledge and skills needed to work within the sport industry. The intent of this certificate is to introduce students to the business of sport. Concepts focus on potential career paths, basic computer applications, communication, and ethical conduct within the sport industry.
University Accreditation
Bellevue University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org).
Whether a college, university, or program is accredited is important to students with financial aid, employers who provide tuition assistance, donors, and the federal government.
This program is considered a non-licensure degree/certificate program and is not intended for those seeking licensure or the practice of licensed profession. This program may be relevant to multiple occupations that do not require licensure and was not designed to meet educational requirements for any specific professional license or certification.
*Consult with an admissions counselor to determine your eligible credits, as well as to verify minimum graduation requirements for this degree. Transfer credits must be from a regionally accredited college or university. Bellevue University makes no promises to prospective students regarding the acceptance of credit awarded by examination, credit for prior learning, or credit for transfer until an evaluation has been conducted.
Get credit for what you’ve earned.
Accelerate your path to earning a degree.
Thanks to our generous credit transfer policy, you can avoid retaking the classes you’ve already completed, and chip away at the credit requirements you need to complete your degree.
- Already have an associate degree? You could accelerate your bachelor's degree completion. Transfer your full associate degree or even your A.A.S.*
- You may be able to get credit for your military experience and training.
Finish Faster
*Acceptance of transfer credits is always subject to official transfer credit evaluation by Bellevue University.
See how you’ll build a foundation for college and your career with a business associate degree.
Format
100% Online learning that works for your life and your goals.
Our flexible online courses are designed to bring quality learning into a format that fits your schedule, without sacrificing meaningful faculty feedback and collaboration with peers across the country. Stay on track with the help of your Student Coach — with you from day one to graduation.
On-campus classes offered on a convenient schedule.
If you prefer an in-person learning experience, our Omaha-area campus offers classes that accommodate the working professional’s schedule.
Tuition & Financial Aid
It’s more affordable than you think.
Earning a degree is an investment in yourself, and we want to help you make sure it’s a wise one with a generous credit transfer policy and competitive tuition rates.
2024 / 2025 Academic Year
$449 Online Cost Per Credit $339 In-Class Cost Per Credit (Daytime Residential Only) $250 Military Preferred Cost Per Credit
(Additional fees may apply to individual courses within your major requirements)
Only pay for the credits you need.
Talk to us about our generous credit transfer policy so you can make more of the credits you’ve already earned count toward your degree.
Get help with financial aid.
Our counselors will guide you to find a financial aid plan that works for you. Explore all the ways to help pay for your degree.
Reach out to admissions staff for your personalized look at tuition costs.
Admissions
Removing barriers to the education you deserve.
College is challenging, but getting in shouldn’t be. We have simplified our requirements for admission and we do not require entrance exam scores like the ACT or SAT—so you can get on track to achieving your goals. Here’s how it will go:
To be admitted to Bellevue University, provide proof of high school completion. We accept the following forms of documentation:
- Official high school transcript
- GED certificate
- Homeschool letter of completion
- Certificate demonstrating that the student has passed a state authorized examination recognized by the state in which it is awarded — equivalent to a high school diploma.
- Self-certification on application.
You’ll just need to complete the application and submit the following:
- Official high school transcripts or proof of high school completion
- If applicable, official transcripts from any college or university you previously attended
- A one-time $50 application fee
- Note:
- International students must provide a few extra documents. See international student bachelor admissions details.
- Students applying for a cohort-based major must possess an associate degree or 60 semester hours completed with a grade of "C-" or higher from an accredited institution of higher learning. If you do not meet this requirement, you can build your credits directly with Bellevue University.
Short on time? You can start the application and save your progress as you go. Start your application >
You'll just need to create an account and complete a pre-application to Bellevue University through Guild. Once you receive confirmation that your pre-application to Bellevue University has been approved, you'll need to complete the required steps to get fully accepted and registered. These include:
- Submitting transcripts from past institutions
- Completing the FAFSA, per your employer's benefit requirement
If you’re transferring from another institution of higher education, you must submit an official transcript from each accredited institution you previously attended. Here are a few details to note:
- A transcript can be emailed securely to [email protected] or by mail. It is required to be sent directly from the issuing institution to Bellevue University's Office of the Registrar to be considered an official document. Please check with previous institution for available sending options.
- Applicants who submit an official transcript which reflects a two-year degree from a regionally accredited postsecondary institution are not required to show proof of high school completion.
- Transcripts must be submitted even if credits were not earned at the previous institution or if transfer credit is not granted.
Ready to get started?
Reach out to admissions.
- Get your questions answered about the Business Degree
- Understand your financial aid and scholarship options
- Map out a schedule that fits with your priorities
