The Associate of Arts (AA) in Business Administration provides a basic understanding of business principles and prepares the student for entry-level positions in business. The AA provides students with a strong liberal arts background that develops prized skills such as effective communication and critical thinking, along with core business acumen to make immediate contributions in the workplace.  The degree prepares students with the knowledge and skills necessary to solve problems, guide decision making, and grow leadership.

Students completing the AA degree can apply for admission in to bachelor’s level degree programs (check with Admissions or the Registrar’s Office for details regarding readmission upon completion of the AA).  Courses completed at the associate’s level can apply to bachelor’s level requirements. 

Learning Outcomes

As a graduate, the student will earn an Associate of Arts degree with foundational-to-integrated proficiency in APU’s Core Competencies:

1. Effective Communication [EC]:  Demonstrate the ability to get one’s point across in writing, presentations, and organizations in order to share information, teach others, and foster collaboration
2. Critical Thinking [CT]:  Demonstrate the ability to compute, analyze, make sense of information or data, and reach reasoned conclusions cognizant of possible bias or fallacies
3. Cultural & Historical Perspective [CH]:  Demonstrate the ability to effectively consider tradition and heritage in relation to decision-making in a world shaped by diverse cultures and abiding histories
4. Scientific Inquiry [SI]:  Demonstrate the ability to reach verifiable conclusions based on documented observations, findings, and recognized methods in order to know how things work in our world
5. Ethical Engagement [EE]:  Demonstrate ability to raise needed questions and apply ethical and effective problem-framing and problem-solving to make things better

The degree is designed to meet the following Professional Competencies:

• Theory & Practice (T&P): Attain a foundational knowledge of the theories and practices of business [EC, CH, CT, SI]
• Functional Integration (FI): Understand the different functional areas of business and be able to articulate how they integrate [CT, SI]
• Written & Oral Communication (WOC): Establish written and oral communication skills for improved performance in the workplace [EC, CH, EE]
• Quantitative Skills (Q): Establish quantitative skills for improved performance in the workplace and as a platform for additional quantitative skills acquisition  [CT, SI, EE]