Business – Associate in Science Degree

Top Code:

0505.00

This degree is primarily intended to prepare students to transfer to a university and earn a bachelor’s degree in majors such as Business, Economics, Information Systems, and others. The study of Business gives the student an understanding of the social and economic environment in which we live and provides a common body of knowledge for all students who specialize in any business field. It is the purpose of this degree to develop in students the interpersonal, technical, and managerial competence necessary for successful performance in business, business law, industry, government, economics, managerial accounting, computer information systems, and education. Students who choose this field of study will accomplish several objectives. The first of these is to prepare for lifelong professional careers in commerce, finance, and industry, as well as for management careers in the public and non-profit sectors. A second objective is to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to obtain professional, entry-level positions in one or another functional area of the business enterprise, or in some particular field of business. The primary objective, however, is transfer in the field of business and economics. Specialized options in a bachelors’ degree program such as accounting, finance, entrepreneurship, information systems, economics, and other specializations are widely available in CSU, UC, and private schools.

For students intending to transfer, courses identified for this degree fulfill major preparation requirements as demonstrated through ASSIST.org articulation. Select courses are based on ASSIST.org data for major preparation articulation with selected transfer institutions. Consult with a Counselor for specific information regarding the intended major at the college the student is choosing. Courses used to complete a student's major may double count for general education. Although the associate degree recognizes the completion of lower division general education requirements, it does not guarantee admission to a specific campus in the CSU or UC system, nor does it guarantee admission to a specific major or a specific community college program. Some majors and schools require a higher GPA than is necessary for the associate degree. Students should meet with a Counselor to determine the lower division major preparation coursework in addition to which general education pattern is required for transfer or for community college programs.   

All courses within the major must be completed with a grade of C or better.  All courses must be numbered 1-99.  Students must complete a minimum of 18 units, as set forth in the table below. 

The Business Associate in Science degree will be awarded upon completion of coursework totaling 60 California State University (CSU) transferable units. The degree requirements include the 18 major requirements and the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or California State University General Education (CSUGE) requirements or the PCC Local GE with a minimum grade point average of 2.0. All courses in the major must be completed with a grade of “C” or better or P if the course is graded P/NP. Please note the courses that universities and colleges require for transfer vary. When selecting courses for transfer purposes, students should consult with Counseling Services to determine the particular transfer requirements of specific transfer institutions.

Program Outcomes

  • Analyze business, economic, or financial principles and explain their application to the real world.
  • Develop written and verbal communication skills used in a business relationship, a teamwork setting or a leadership position.
  • Demonstrate technological competency by using technology effectively in the business environment or workplace.

Requirements for the area of emphasis

Complete a minimum of 18 Credits of the following:
ACCT 001AFINANCIAL ACCOUNTING4
ACCT 001BMANAGERIAL ACCOUNTING4
BIT 025SURVEY OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY IN BUSINESS3
or CIS 010 INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION SYSTEMS
BUS 009INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS3
BUS 011ABUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS3
BUS 012ABUSINESS LAW3
BUS 014AMATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS FOR BUSINESS-FINITE4
BUS 014BMATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS FOR BUSINESS-CALCULUS4
ECON 001APRINCIPLES OF MACROECONOMICS3
or ECON 001AH HONORS PRINCIPLES OF MACROECONOMICS
ECON 001BPRINCIPLES OF MICROECONOMICS3
or ECON 001BH HONORS PRINCIPLES OF MICROECONOMICS
MATH 005ASINGLE VARIABLE CALCULUS I5
or MATH 005AH HONORS SINGLE VARIABLE CALCULUS I
STAT 015STATISTICS FOR BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS4
or STAT 018 STATISTICS FOR BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
or STAT 050 ELEMENTARY STATISTICS
or STAT 050H HONORS ELEMENTARY STATISTICS

General Education Requirements for the Associate in Arts Degree

Visit the Program Mapper for a suggested sequence of courses.