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Business and Business Administration

Gain a solid foundation in key business areas with the Business and Business Administration program at Arapahoe Community College.

ACC Business students practicing the skill of the sales pitch at the Littleton Campus.

Through ACC’s focused Associate of Applied Science degrees in Business Administration, you gain the business, management, entrepreneurship, marketing, and digital marketing skills you need to be successful in business. Courses offer opportunities to experience leadership, negotiation, networking, and a variety of other skills that are highly valued in the workplace. With a business-focused certificate or degree, you will be prepared to join the workforce or continue your education at a 4-year university. ACC now offers an Associate of Arts in Business that transfers to CSU Pueblo at Sturm Collaboration Campus for a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Marketing or Management concentration.

ACC Admissions
Admissions
admissions [at] arapahoe.edu
Adam Shelffo
Faculty / Department Chair, CE Lead
Business Administration
adam.shelffo [at] arapahoe.edu

Easy Transfer Options

CSU Pueblo logoThrough ACC’s partnership with CSU Pueblo, you can earn both your AA in Business and your BS in Business Administration with a Marketing or Management concentration at the Sturm Collaboration Campus at Castle Rock!

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What You'll Learn

The business program offers the skills you need to be successful in your education and your career. Whichever concentration area you choose to study, once you graduate, you will be able to:

  • Write properly structured and organized business documents.
  • Examine a business problem and design a course of action
  • Use correct business terms
  • Develop a business opportunity (Entrepreneurship)
  • Examine the use of financial statements for planning and monitoring financial decisions. (Finance)
  • Explain the universal management functions of directing, planning, organizing, and controlling (Management)
  • Develop the appropriate marketing mix to capitalize on a marketing opportunity (Marketing)

CIP 5220101 (DBUS)

The purpose of a statewide articulation agreement is to identify the courses a student at a Colorado public community college must complete as part of an AA/AS degree to be guaranteed to be able to complete the designated baccalaureate degree program at public four-year colleges and universities as designated by the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) transfer agreement.

For more information about this transfer degree please refer to the Colorado Department of Higher Education website.

Program Requirements

General Education Courses (32 credit hours)
Written Communication (6 credit hours)
Math (4 credit hours)
  • a higher level Calculus course
Arts and Humanities (6 credit hours)
History (3 credit hours)
Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 credit hours)
Natural and Physical Sciences (7 credit hours)

GT - Two Guaranteed Transfer Natural and Physical Sciences courses (GT-SC1, GT-SC2), one must be with laboratory (GT-SC1).

Additional Required Courses (21-23 credit hours)
Electives (5-7 Credit Hours)

Elective credit must be completed from the following lists of approved prefixes or courses to bring the total credit hours to 60.

  • Guaranteed Transfer
    • Any Guaranteed Transfer course.
  • Any course in the following prefixes
    • Any course in the following prefixes except Special Topics, Independent Study, Capstone, and Internships: ANT, ART, BIO (1000 OR above), CHE, ECO, HIS, HUM, LIT, MUS, PED, PHI, PHY (1105 OR above), POS, PSY, SOC.
  • Specific Courses:
    • AAA 1001 - College 101: The Student Experience 1 Credits
    • COM 2220 - Group Communication:GT-SS3 3 Credits
    • CSC 1060 - Computer Science I (Language)4 Credits
    • CSC 1061 - Computer Science II (Language) 4 Credits
    • ENG 1031 - Technical Writing I: GT-CO1 3 Credits (OR higher ENG course)
    • HNR 1000 - Honors Seminar: 1 Credits
    • HNR 2089 - Capstone: Honors 1 Credits
    • HWE 1060 - Weight Loss 1 Credits
    • HWE 1061 - Fitness and Wellness 2 Credits
    • MAT 1240 - Mathematics for Liberal Arts: GT-MA1 4 Credits (OR higher MAT course)
    • ANY Foreign Language (including ASL) numbered 1011 or higher
Note(s):
  1. Any additional courses taken in the discipline covered by this agreement might not count toward the requirements of the major at the receiving institution.
  2. Select two or three courses (5-7 credit hours) found on the Recommended Elective List. Depending on the actual course credits taken, the number of courses you need to take as electives will vary. You should consult your advisor for more information.
  3. Please meet with your advisor to discuss elective options that best meet the needs of your transfer institution. Most transfer institutions require MAT 1340 for the GT-MA1 requirement; however, some transfer institutions will accept Finite Math (MAT 1320) and some require Survey of Calculus (MAT 1400) or a higher-level calculus. If an additional math course is needed, it will count towards these elective credits.
Total: 60 credit hours

All courses required for this degree must be completed with a "C" or better to be considered for transfer to another Colorado institution. Transferability of courses to colleges or universities outside of Colorado is determined by the receiving institution.

Graduation Requirements

CIP 520701 (4BAE)

The Associate of Applied Science degree in Business Administration is designed to provide students with the skills needed in diverse public and private organizations. The program provides the business, management and marketing skills necessary for success in entry-level positions requiring foundations of greater responsibility, authority and leadership. Students who complete the program will be viewed by potential employers as having a broad-based education necessary for today's team-oriented and globally-competitive environment.

The Business Administration program prepares students for careers in business, as well as providing students with instructional resources for the purpose of ongoing enhancement of skills. This program may transfer to other Colleges or universities and apply toward a bachelor's degree. Contact the ACC Advising Office or a Faculty Advisor in Business Administration for details.

Program Requirements

Concentration (9 credit hours)

The Entrepreneurship Concentration is designed to prepare those interested in a career in owning or managing a business, as well as to enhance the skills of those already involved in entrepreneurship. The courses are designed to stimulate the entrepreneurial spirit by giving the student the knowledge and ability needed to profitably respond to the environment of the small businessperson.

Students must choose 9 credit hours from BUS 288 or any course with an ENP prefix, or other with Department Chair Approval

Total: 60 credit hours

Graduation Requirements

  • Apply for graduation online at www.arapahoe.edu/graduation.
  • As a graduate of a Career and Technical Education program you will be contacted by an ACC employee in approximately six months to verify your employment information. This information gathering is a federal requirement to ensure that ACC receives certain federal funding.

CIP 520801 (4BAF)

The Associate of Applied Science degree in Business Administration is designed to provide students with the skills needed in diverse public and private organizations. The program provides the business, management and marketing skills necessary for success in entry-level positions requiring foundations of greater responsibility, authority and leadership.

Students who complete the program will be viewed by potential employers as having a broad-based education necessary for today's team-oriented and globally-competitive environment.

The Business Administration program prepares students for careers in business, as well as providing students with instructional resources for the purpose of ongoing enhancement of skills. This program may transfer to other Colleges or universities and apply toward a bachelor's degree. Contact the ACC Advising Office or a Faculty Advisor in Business Administration for details.

Program Requirements

Concentration (9 credit hours)

The Finance Concentration prepares students for entry-level positions in a broad range of business occupations. It continues the students' exposure to major areas in the business world, as well as giving the student flexibility in designing a program to fit his or her specific needs.

Student must choose 9 credit hours from the following: MAN 2025 - Managerial Finance, BUS 1016 - Personal Finance, ENP 2007 - Entrepreneurship Financial Topics, INV 1150 - Investments/Stocks and Bonds, BUS 2088 - Practicum, or other with Department Chair approval

Total: 60 credit hours

Graduation Requirements

  • Apply for graduation online at www.arapahoe.edu/graduation.
  • As a graduate of a Career and Technical Education program you will be contacted by an ACC employee in approximately six months to verify your employment information. This information gathering is a federal requirement to ensure that ACC receives certain federal funding.

CIP 520201 (BSBS)

The Associate of Applied Science degree in Business Administration is designed to provide students with the skills needed in diverse public and private organizations. The program provides the business, management and marketing skills necessary for success in entry-level positions requiring foundations of greater responsibility, authority and leadership.

Students who complete the program will be viewed by potential employers as having a broad-based education necessary for today's team-oriented and globally-competitive environment.

The Business Administration program prepares students for careers in business, as well as providing students with instructional resources for the purpose of ongoing enhancement of skills. This program may transfer to other Colleges or universities and apply toward a bachelor's degree. Contact the ACC Advising Office or a Faculty Advisor in Business Administration for details.

Program Requirements

Concentration (9 credit hours)

The General Business Concentration prepares students for entry-level positions in a broad range of business occupations. It continues the students' exposure to major areas in the business world, as well as giving the student flexibility in designing a program to fit his or her specific needs.

Students must choose 9 hours from any courses with the prefix: ACC, BTE, BUS, CIS, ENP, FIN, MAN, MAR, or other with Department Chair approval.

Total: 60 credit hours

Graduation Requirements

  • Apply for graduation online at www.arapahoe.edu/graduation.
  • As a graduate of a Career and Technical Education program you will be contacted by an ACC employee in approximately six months to verify your employment information. This information gathering is a federal requirement to ensure that ACC receives certain federal funding.

(This program is in teach-out and not currently accepting applications)

CIP 520201 (BAIF)

The Associate of Applied Science degree in Business Administration is designed to provide students with the skills needed in diverse public and private organizations. The program provides the business, management and marketing skills necessary for success in entry-level positions requiring foundations of greater responsibility, authority and leadership.

Students who complete the program will be viewed by potential employers as having a broad-based education necessary for today's team-oriented and globally-competitive environment.

The Business Administration program prepares students for careers in business, as well as providing students with instructional resources for the purpose of ongoing enhancement of skills. This program may transfer to other Colleges or universities and apply toward a bachelor's degree. Contact the ACC Advising Office or a Faculty Advisor in Business Administration for details.

Program Requirements

Concentration (9 credit hours)

The International Business and Foreign Language Concentration is designed to prepare students for careers in international business. The courses introduce students to a selected foreign language, to contemporary international business concepts and to cultural diversity in business.

Student must choose BUS 2003 - Introduction to International Business from the major course list, BUS 2085 - Independent Study, BUS 2041 - Cultural Diversity in Business, and any 5-credit foreign language course or other with Department Chair approval.

Total: 60 credit hours

Graduation Requirements

  • Apply for graduation online at www.arapahoe.edu/graduation.
  • As a graduate of a Career and Technical Education program you will be contacted by an ACC employee in approximately six months to verify your employment information. This information gathering is a federal requirement to ensure that ACC receives certain federal funding.

CIP 520201 (MAN)

The Associate of Applied Science degree in Business Administration is designed to provide students with the skills needed in diverse public and private organizations. The program provides the business, management and marketing skills necessary for success in entry-level positions requiring foundations of greater responsibility, authority and leadership.

Students who complete the program will be viewed by potential employers as having a broad-based education necessary for today's team-oriented and globally-competitive environment.

The Business Administration program prepares students for careers in business, as well as providing students with instructional resources for the purpose of ongoing enhancement of skills. This program may transfer to other Colleges or universities and apply toward a bachelor's degree. Contact the ACC Advising Office or a Faculty Advisor in Business Administration for details.

Program Requirements

Concentration (9 credit hours)

The Management Concentration prepares students for entry-level positions in business, government and nonprofit organizations. For those who are already managers, the Concentration is designed to improve and broaden their skills by keeping abreast of the most current technological and theoretical aspects of Management.

Students must choose 9 hours from courses with a MAN prefix or BUS288 may be taken in place of any 3-credit MAN prefix concentration elective, or with Department Chair approval.

Total: 60 credit hours

Graduation Requirements

  • Apply for graduation online at www.arapahoe.edu/graduation.
  • As a graduate of a Career and Technical Education program you will be contacted by an ACC employee in approximately six months to verify your employment information. This information gathering is a federal requirement to ensure that ACC receives certain federal funding.

CIP 520201 (MANM)

The Associate of Applied Science degree in Business Administration is designed to provide students with the skills needed in diverse public and private organizations. The program provides the business, management and marketing skills necessary for success in entry-level positions requiring foundations of greater responsibility, authority and leadership. Students who complete the program will be viewed by potential employers as having a broad-based education necessary for today's team-oriented and globally-competitive environment.

The Business Administration program prepares students for careers in business, as well as providing students with instructional resources for the purpose of ongoing enhancement of skills. This program may transfer to other Colleges or universities and apply toward a bachelor's degree. Contact the ACC Advising Office or a Faculty Advisor in Business Administration for details.

Program Requirements

Marketing Concentration (9 credit hours)

The Marketing Concentration prepares students for entry-level positions which deal with directing the activities of the organization toward the satisfaction of consumer wants and needs. This involves an understanding of consumer behavior; promotional, sales and pricing strategies; product management; and physical distribution, all of which prepare the student for a wide variety of opportunities.

Student must choose 9 credit hours from BUS 288 or any course with a MAR prefix, or other with Department Chair approval.

Total: 60 credit hours

Graduation Requirements

  • Apply for graduation online at www.arapahoe.edu/graduation.
  • As a graduate of a Career and Technical Education program you will be contacted by an ACC employee in approximately six months to verify your employment information. This information gathering is a federal requirement to ensure that ACC receives certain federal funding.

CIP 520201 (BUSB)

The Business Administration certificate offer opportunities for students to add a wide range of business related courses to their expertise in order to advance in their jobs, to enhance skills needed in the workforce sectors, and to excel in endeavors involving self-employment and entrepreneurship.

Program Requirements

Major Courses (12 credit hours)

Choose 12 credits from an area of interest from the following prefixes: ACC, BUS, ENP, FIN, MAN, MAR or other with Department Chair Approval.

Total: 24 Credit Hours

Graduation Requirements

  • Apply for graduation online at www.arapahoe.edu/graduation.
  • As a graduate of a Career and Technical Education program you will be contacted by an ACC employee in approximately six months to verify your employment information. This information gathering is a federal requirement to ensure that ACC receives certain federal funding.

CIP 520201 BADM

The Digital Marketing Certificate is intended to give students a foundation of business and marketing and to focus on strategies for digital marketing and applying these for meeting business goals. The certificate will also focus on measuring and analyzing applicable strategies using social media and digital analytics, employing these concepts to plan a marketing campaign. The certificate will provide students with digital marketing concepts such as digital analytics, social media marketing and digital marketing.

Program Requirements

Total Hours: 18 credit hours

Graduation Requirements

  • Apply for graduation online at www.arapahoe.edu/graduation.
  • As a graduate of a Career and Technical Education program you will be contacted by an ACC employee in approximately six months to verify your employment information. This information gathering is a federal requirement to ensure that ACC receives certain federal funding.

ACC academic plans will help guide you through your chosen program. The academic plan will provide you with important information, like which semesters courses are offered if there are any prerequisites or co-requisites for courses, program outcomes, course sequence recommendations, notes for the program, graduation requirements, and other important information. These are updated annually, so we recommend downloading a copy of yours to keep on track to graduation.

Job Opportunities in Business

Business Administration Focus Areas

ACC offers a wide range of concentrations in the Business Administration program. Whether you want to begin your career or transfer to a 4-year college or university to get your bachelor’s degree or beyond, the Business Administration program will get you there! Visit your advisor or the Career & Transfer Center to help you decide the path that is best for you.

Business Transfer Major AA

The Business Transfer Major AA prepares you to transfer to any 4-year college or university in Colorado to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business. Visit the Colorado Department of Higher Education website to learn more about Colorado’s guaranteed transfer and guided degree pathways.

Business Administration AAS

(Concentrations in General Business, Finance, Management, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, and International Business & Foreign Language)

Getting your Business Administration Degree provides you with the foundational skills you need to begin an exciting career, start your own business, advance in your current job, or continue your education at select 4-year institutions.

Business Administration Certificate

The Business Administration Certificate offers you the opportunity to add a wide range of business related courses to advance in your job, to enhance skills needed in the workforce, and to excel in self-employment.