How do I get an Associate's Degree in Business?

Earning an associate’s degree in business typically requires a commitment to two or three years of education after high school. Most community colleges offer associate’s degree in business programs, and you may find them at some four-year colleges as well. To earn this degree, you will typically have to take a core of courses related to business as well as a range of basic courses in such subjects as composition, science, and math. The curriculum you will follow depends on the college you choose to attend, but most allow you to choose at least a few electives as well.

After finishing high school or earning a general educational development (GED) diploma, you may choose to apply to a community college to earn a business associate’s degree. You will typically need a high school diploma or a GED to gain acceptance, but some community colleges will even accept students who have yet to finish high school into dual-enrollment programs. Additionally, community colleges are often less strict about grade point averages than traditional four-year colleges. In fact, many do not consider high school grades at all.

If you’d rather attend a four-year college instead of a community college, you may face more stringent admissions requirements. As with a community college, you will usually need a high school diploma or a GED to gain admittance. You will likely have to submit a high school transcript as well, and your grade point average will usually influence your chances of being accepted. Additionally, you may be required to submit the results of standardized test scores as part of the college admissions process.

Once enrolled in a program to pursue an associate’s degree in business, you will usually have to take a core of business courses in order to earn this degree. The courses you will take may depend on the college in question, but common business courses include business administration, business accounting, managerial accounting, and applied management. You may also take classes in such areas as management information systems, macroeconomics, and statistics. Additionally, you may be required to take liberal arts courses in subjects such as composition, basic math, history, and science.

If you go to college full time, you may earn your degree in about two years. Pursuing your college degree part time, however, will likely require a longer time commitment. For example, you may need three years to earn an associate's degree in business instead of two.