Associate of Science in Business Administration Overview

If you’re considering getting started in business or perhaps advancing your career with more knowledge of business concepts, then an Associate of Science in Business Administration might be a good choice for your career plans.

Students participating in this program have the opportunity to gain a practical working background that is built on a strong foundation of general studies in mathematics, science, language arts, and the social sciences.

The Associate of Science in Business Administration online program provides an understanding of fundamental principles of business including:

• Accounting
• Finance
• Marketing
• Business Communication
• Sales

Employment Opportunities

"Overall employment of advertising, marketing, promotions, public relations, and sales managers is expected to increase by 13 percent through 2018." Learn more.

Academic Requirements

To be admitted to any of the programs at South University online programs, the prospective student must be a high school graduate from an acceptable high school or the equivalent (e.g. GED) with a minimum CGPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, and be required to complete the University administered placement test during their first session of attendance, or meet the criteria established for acceptance as a transfer student. South University accepts the International Baccalaureate Program diploma as meeting the requirement for high school graduation.

Associate of Science in Business Administration - 92 Total Hours

Students pursuing the general study Associate of Science in Business Administration are required to take a total of 23 courses as follows:

• 10 general education courses - 40 credits
• 4 foundation courses - 16 credits
• 9 major courses - 36 credits

 

General Education Curriculum - 40 Credits
Students are required to take 10 general education courses as follows:

Professional Development - 8 Credits
Students are required to take 2 professional development courses as follows:

ITS1000 - Computer and Internet Literacy

This course is for students to obtain basic knowledge and skills in using computer office production software and internet features. A broad range of software applications, such as word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software, and internet usage concepts will be covered. Students will also use computer and communications technology to develop information literacy skills.

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits: 4

UVC1000 - Strategies for Success

Designed to help entering students develop a more effective approach to college success, this course emphasizes positive self-evaluation, goal-setting, and motivation; practical skills of successful students; effective use of the library and the many sources of information available; and the concepts and tools of critical thinking, and their applications.

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits: 4

Basic Communications - 16 Credits
Students are required to take 4 basic communications courses as follows:

ENG1001 - Composition I

Students will be introduced to college-level writing processes, including theme, composition, and research. Emphasis will be placed on refining individual skills, writing styles and voices, and on writing procedures. Selected readings in prose, drama, and poetry supplement the course and provide topics for discussion and writing assignments.

Prerequisite(s): ENG0099 or Exemption

Credits: 4

ENG1002 - Composition II / Literature

This course is designed to introduce the student to fiction, poetry, and drama and, through literary analysis and interpretation, to develop the life skills of critical thinking and written expression.

Prerequisite(s): ENG1001

Credits: 4

ENG2001 - Composition III

The goal of this course is to refine the student's reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. By analyzing ineffective arguments and constructing effective ones, the student will discover how ambiguity, evasiveness, vagueness, and obscurity weaken his or her credibility as a writer.

Prerequisite(s): ENG1001

Credits: 4

SPC1026 - Public Speaking

Students will develop and refine presentation skills focusing on compiling, organizing and outlining the research material in preparation for the assignments.

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits: 4

Mathematics and Statistics - 4 Credits
Students are required to take 1 mathematics and statistics course as follows:

MAT1500 - College Mathematics

College Mathematics covers the fundamentals of several areas of mathematics, including set theory, logic, geometry, graph theory, probability, and statistics.

Prerequisite(s): MAT0099

Credits: 4

Natural Sciences - 4 Credits
Students are required to take 1 natural sciences course as follows:

BIO1020 - Biology I

Principles of Biology I is the first in a two-course sequence in biology. The course introduces biology, scientific methods, biological chemistry, cells, energy for life, basic genetics, and biotechnology. The course also compares human and plant organization and function. The student will also complete writing assignments that will introduce the student to scientific literature.

Prerequisite(s): and ENG1001 Co/Pre-Requisite MAT0099

Credits: 4

Arts and Humanities - 4 Credits
Students are required to take 1 arts and humanities course as follows:

HUM1002 - History of Art from the Middle Ages to Modern Times

This course is a history of art from the Renaissance to the Modern period. The concepts, artists, works, and styles of the periods will be studied. Students will analyze the design and artistic concepts common to all art work, and will also cover the external themes and influences that shaped art at various point in history and across cultures.

Prerequisite(s): ENG1001

Credits: 4

Social and Behavioral Sciences - 4 Credits
Students are required to take 1 social and behavior sciences course as follows:

ECO2071 - Principles of Microeconomics

Microeconomics is the study of how individuals, households and firms make decisions about consumption and production which affect the supply and demand of goods and services.  Other topics include the costs of production, behavior of firms, organization of industries, economics of labor markets, and theories of consumer choice.

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits: 4

Foundation Curriculum - 16 Credits
Students are required to take 4 foundation courses as follows:

ACC1001 - Accounting I

ACC1001 is the first of a three-course sequence focusing on how stakeholders rely upon accounting information to assist them in their decision making activities. ACC1001 introduces accounting as the "language of business"—the tool used to communicate the effects of an organization's business activities on its income, financial position, and cash flows. The course provides an overview of the financial accounting system, including: the role of accounting in business; the format, content, and use of financial statements; the impact of transactions on the financial statements; the regulatory environment of accounting; and the accounting standard-setting process.

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits: 4

BUS1101 - Introduction to Business

An introduction to business functions and their opportunities. Students will also be given information about resources available to them through a variety of sources, including the university.

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits: 4

BUS2023 - Business Communications

This course is designed to prepare students to organize and compose effective business correspondence and technical writing. The basic principles of writing and approaches for writing various types of communications are stressed.

Prerequisite(s): ENG1001

Credits: 4

ECO2072 - Principles of Macroeconomics

The study of macroeconomics includes the basic aspects of economic analysis of the business world. Students will develop an understanding of the monetary system, recession, inflation, and the main cycles of business activity.

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits: 4

Major Curriculum - 36 Credits
Students are required to take 9 major courses as follows:

Core - 20 Credits
Students are required to take 5 core courses as follows:

ACC1002 - Accounting II

ACC1002 is the second of a three-course sequence focusing on how stakeholders rely upon accounting information to assist them in their decision making activities. ACC1002 continues the study of the financial accounting system, including an in-depth study of the time value of money and the effects of various financing, investing, and operating activities on a firm's earnings, financial position, and cash flows. It also begins the study of managerial accounting systems as an invaluable source of information to support managers' decision-making activities and introduces a host of alternative cost concepts, including the concept of different costs for different purposes. Basic cost-volume-profit analysis is also introduced.

Prerequisite(s):
ACC1001 with a grade of C or better.

Credits: 4

ACC1003 - Accounting III

ACC1003 is the third of a three-course sequence focusing on how stakeholders rely upon accounting information to assist them in their decision making activities. ACC1003 continues the study of the managerial accounting system, including a focused study of product costing using both traditional and activity-based approaches, the uses of cost-based information in decision making, the use of budgeting to accomplish organization objectives, traditional and contemporary approaches to performance management for all levels of responsibility centers, and capital budgeting.

Prerequisite(s): ACC1002 with grade of "C" or better.

Credits: 4

BUS1038 - Business Law I

Business Law I is a study of the development of American law and procedure covering information, operation, completion of contracts, and consumer protection. This course also includes a study of the Uniform Commercial Code. Both the text and case study methods are utilized.

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits: 4

FIN2030 - Introduction to Finance

This course exposes the student to a wide range of important issues in managerial and personal finance, including such topics as the role of finance in organizations, principles of financial analysis, forecasting and working capital management, and the basics of analysis and evaluation of investments such as stocks, mutual funds, and bonds, with applications for personal investing.

Prerequisite(s): ACC1002 BUS1101

Credits: 4

MGT2037 - Principles of Management

The latest major approaches and techniques of management are studied, including planning, systems management, new organizational concepts, computer influence, controlling, and quantitative measurement.

Prerequisite(s): BUS1101

Credits: 4

Specialization - 16 Credits
Students are required to take 4 courses in their chosen area of emphasis:

General (non-specialized) - 16 Credits
Students in this specialization are required to take 4 courses as follows:

BUS2038 - Business Law II

This course covers the law of business entities, including agencies, partnerships, and corporations.  This course will include a discussion of personal real property concepts, and a study of sales, negotiable instruments, agency and employment law.

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits: 4

MAT1005 - College Algebra

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits:

MKT2010 - Principles of Marketing

This is an introductory course in the primary activities and practices of domestic and global marketing. It provides an overview of the marketing environment, consumer behavior, market segmentation and target marketing, branding, the distribution of goods and services, the pricing system, promotional and communication activities, and new product development.

Prerequisite(s): BUS1101 ECO2071

Credits: 4

PSY1001 - General Psychology

The fundamental questions guiding this course are relatively simple. In what ways are we all alike and in what ways are we different? And why? Although these questions may be simple, the answers, as we shall see, are complex, interconnected, and too often invisible to the untrained eye. Different families... different backgrounds...different sexes... different cultures...different ethnic groups...different ways of looking at things...different behaviors...different values—how are we to understand this incredible diversity of human experience so that we can navigate successfully in an increasingly chaotic and shrinking world? The intent of this course is to examine the psychological foundations underlying the identity of the "self," "identity" and "world view" in an effort to understand the differences that exist from culture to culture, from generation to generation, from family to family, from profession to profession, and from individual to individual.

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits: 4

Hospitality Management - 16 Credits
Students in this specialization are required to take 4 hospitality management courses as follows:

 

HSM1100 - Introduction to the Hospitality Industry

This introductory course provides students with an overview of the hospitality industry, which includes various operational segments, career opportunities, historical perspectives on tourism and hospitality, and a comprehensive look at each department within the foodservice and lodging industry.

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits: 4

HSM1200 - Service Quality Management

This course focuses on service delivery and methods for implementation and improvement within the service delivery process. Special emphasis will be placed on management and supervision techniques in service quality along with steps in critically evaluating and implementing a quality service plan within a hospitality-based establishment.

Prerequisite(s): HSM1100

Credits: 4

HSM1500 - Purchasing and Cost Control

This course is designed to introduce you to the principles of effective product identification and the cost controls necessary to support a hospitality operation, namely within the foodservice segment. Topics include the process of procurement of goods, understanding various forms of product distribution, product identification, costing procedures, inventory management, value analysis, and proper record keeping.

Prerequisite(s): HSM1100

Credits: 4

HSM2100 - Foodservice Operations Management

This course focuses on the management of a variety of foodservice concepts, which include the understanding and management of foodservice segments based on the level of service, menu, theme, and price. Topics include how to manage each type of operating segment and how to maximize profitability based on specific management techniques within each foodservice segment.

Prerequisite(s): HSM1100

Credits: 4

Developmental Courses

Placement tests in Algebra and English are administered to determine if a student needs additional preparation in either of these areas.  If a need is indicated, accepted applicants are placed in developmental courses on the basis of their entrance/placement test scores and/or transfer credit.  Students must successfully complete or place out of developmental courses in order to progress in the program. Developmental course credits do not count towards the total number of credits for graduation however, they do count in determining the maximum time frame and incremental completion rate calculations.

ENG0099 - Principles of Composition

Principles of Composition provides students with a brief review of grammar and mechanics, and an in-depth introduction to writing. The focus is on writing as a process, finding and organizing ideas, composing a first draft, and rewriting subsequent drafts and proofreading.

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits: 4

MAT0099 - Principles of Algebra

This course introduces those principles of algebra that are needed for intermediate and college algebra. Students must earn the grade of C to pass this course. Note: This course is offered for institutional credit only.

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits: 4

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