Business Careers (A.S.)
Associate in Science
Program Advisor: Karen Hines, Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs
413-236-4533 - khines@berkshirecc.edu
The Business Career Associate in Science degree program is designed to prepare students for direct workforce entry. This option provides a strong general business background in the fundamental areas of accounting, business-computer applications, management, marketing and business law.
Additionally, students expand their education by exposure to a wide variety of general elective coursework. Many people currently working in the field of business choose the Business Career degree program in an effort to expand their potential for growth in the business workforce.
Additionally, this program may assist the student who is unsure of an area of concentration by providing a general introduction to the several fields within business.
Upon completion of this program students are prepared to pursue many different business careers in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, marketing and sales, distribution, and service organizations. Graduates can begin careers as management assistants or trainees in a broad array of industries, including banking, insurance, manufacturing and investments. Although not primarily intended as a transfer degree, some students do continue on to a bachelor’s degree program on a full- or part-time basis.
Program graduates can expect to find employment in manufacturing operations, accounting, finance, customer service, sales, government, insurance, marketing, human resources management and other career areas.
Expected Outcomes
Graduates of this program should be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the practice of business, including management, marketing and accounting, and the applications of these topics in the business environment
- Think critically, articulate and explain various business concepts and apply these concepts to solve common business problems;
- Communicate effectively using written, oral and nonverbal techniques, including the use of technology in the gathering and presentation of information;
- Recognize the presence of various cultures and have a global perspective when analyzing and planning in business; understand and appreciate information literacy, critical thinking decision making and problem-solving skills enter the workforce prepared for entry level jobs in a wide range of industries
- Provide students with the ability to achieve the highest level of success in their professional careers
Graduation Requirements
To earn a degree in this program, a student must complete all program and general education credits, plus the following Additional Requirements.
Program Courses
| BUS-107 | Fundamentals of Business | 3 |
| BUS-111 | Principles of Accounting I | 3 |
| BUS-112 | Principles of Accounting II | 3 |
| BUS-247 | Business Communications | 3 |
| BUS- | Electives | 6 |
| CIS-102 | Fundamental Computer Literacy | 4 |
| CIS-225 | Spreadsheets and Databases for Professionals | 4 |
| ECO-212 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| BUS-206 | Principles of Management | 3 |
| BUS-208 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| BUS-251 | Law for Business I | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 38 |
Professional Electives: See footnote 2
General Education Courses
| BUS-105 | Business Mathematics | 3 |
| COM- | Communication | 3 |
| ECO-211 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| ENG- | English Composition/Writing | 6 |
| - | General Education Elective | 3 |
| - | Humanities & Fine Arts | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 22 |
Additional Requirements
| Core Competencies Portfolio |
4 items |
| FORUM |
4 units |
| Health/Fitness |
30 hours |
Minimum Cumulative Average
| Overall |
2.000 |
| All program requirements (except the free electives) |
2.000 |
Suggested Pathway to Graduation
The following is a suggestion for completing this program in two years. The actual time to complete the program may vary according to each student’s individual needs.
First Semester
| BUS-107 | Fundamentals of Business | 3 |
| BUS-111 | Principles of Accounting I | 3 |
| CIS-102 | Fundamental Computer Literacy | 4 |
| BUS-105 | Business Mathematics | 3 |
| ENG- | English Composition/Writing | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Second Semester
| BUS-112 | Principles of Accounting II | 3 |
| BUS-206 | Principles of Management | 3 |
| - | Or | |
| BUS-208 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| - | Or | |
| BUS-251 | Law for Business I | 3 |
| COM- | Communication | 3 |
| ENG- | English Composition/Writing | 3 |
| - | Humanities & Fine Arts | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Third Semester
| BUS-206 | Principles of Management | 3 |
| - | Or | |
| BUS-208 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| - | Or | |
| BUS-251 | Law for Business I | 3 |
| MAT-123 | Elementary Statistics | 3 |
| BUS- | Electives | 3 |
| ECO-211 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| - | General Education Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
General Education Elective: See footnote 3
Fourth Semester
| BUS-247 | Business Communications | 3 |
| BUS-206 | Principles of Management | 3 |
| - | Or | |
| BUS-208 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| - | Or | |
| BUS-251 | Law for Business I | 3 |
| BUS- | Electives | 3 |
| ECO-212 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| CIS-225 | Spreadsheets & Databases for Professionals | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Footnotes
- Business Electives to choose from: BUS-139, BUS-216, BUS-251, BUS-260, BUS-285, CIS, CUL, ECO, HSP
- General Education Elective chosen from History, Natural or Physical Science, Environmental Studies.