Associate of Arts in Business Administration

Start Your Journey to Success with Our Associate of Arts in Business Administration Program

Are you ready to take the next step in your career and pursue a future in the dynamic and constantly evolving world of business? At Columbia International University, our Associate of Arts in Business Administration program is designed to provide you with a strong foundation in the key principles of business administration. Whether you’re just starting out in your career or looking to advance to a higher level, our comprehensive curriculum can help you build the foundations you need to achieve your professional goals.

Our program is built around the idea that a well-rounded education in business is essential to success in today’s competitive job market. As such, our curriculum covers a wide range of topics, from accounting and economics to marketing and leadership. Our courses are taught by experienced faculty members who are experts in their respective fields and are committed to helping students succeed in their chosen career paths.

In addition to our rigorous academic curriculum, our program also provides students with practical, hands-on learning opportunities. Through internships, case studies and group projects, students have the chance to apply what they’ve learned in real-world settings and gain valuable experience that can help set them apart in the job market.

At Columbia International University we understand that pursuing an education in business can be a significant investment of time and resources. That’s why we strive to provide a supportive, inclusive learning environment that fosters personal and professional growth. Our faculty and staff are committed to helping each student reach their full potential, and our program is designed to prepare students for success in whatever career path they choose.

If you’re ready to take the first step towards a successful career in business, we invite you to explore our Associate of Arts in Business Administration program page and learn more about what we have to offer.
 

Next online class starts May 6, 2024

Why Choose Columbia International University for this degree program

With a well-rounded curriculum and experienced faculty, Columbia International University is an excellent choice for students pursuing an Associate of Arts in Business Administration degree. Our program offers practical, hands-on learning opportunities and a supportive community to help you build a strong foundation in business administration. Prepare for success in your future career with our comprehensive program! 

Overall Benefits of the Degree

  • Comprehensive curriculum covering key principles of business administration
  • Preparation for a variety of business-related career paths
  • Transferable credits that can be applied to a four-year degree program 
  • Affordable option for beginning a career in business
  • Development of valuable skills in communication, problem-solving, critical thinking and leadership
  • Opportunities to network with faculty members, fellow students and professionals in the business community
     

Featured Faculty

What Will I Study?

  • ICS 1210 Discovering the Mission of God

    This course is designed to help you develop world-Christian characteristics. You will explore the Christian's heritage in the history of the church and missions, begin to develop a scriptural perspective on the purpose of the gospel in confronting ideologies, religions and spiritual needs of the world, and discuss current strategies for identifying and reaching the lost.

    3.00 credit hours
  • MSD 1110 Encountering Spiritual Formation

    This course is designed to introduce the student to the foundational principles of spiritual formation for effective life, ministry, and vocation. The process of the student's spiritual formation includes their relationship with God, their biblical self-image, their relationship with the Body of Christ, their personal relationships, and their relationship with the world. Students are invited into a multiple-year journey of encountering spiritual formation in community. The goal of this course is to help students build a foundation for continued spiritual formation at and beyond their time at CIU.

    3.00 credit hours
  • THE 2010 Survey of Bible Doctrine

    This course provides you with a survey of the foundational ideas and teachings of Christian thought and doctrine. You will explore the biblical teachings which form Christian doctrine. You also will consider how to move from theory to practice and from ideas to behavior as you learn about practicing a Christian life and worldview. (3) Limited to online program students.

    3.00 credit hours
  • COM 1010 Communication for Leaders

    This course provides you a general overview of basic communication skills and strategies that typically accompany proven leaders. Topics covered include listening, evaluating an audience, speaking in public settings, facilitating small work groups, and business writing. The course is a blend of theory and practice. You will have the opportunity to engage and practice leadership communication techniques firsthand. (3) Limited to online program students.

    3.00 credit hours
  • CPT 1010 Technology for College

    This course provides foundational knowledge so you can use technology as an effective communication tool for researching and for presenting information. You will gain experience with key technology tools, with a view toward learning how to create documents and presentations, as well as use them to communicate appropriately to academic and professional audiences. (3) Limited to online program students.

    3.00 credit hours
  • ENG 1010 College Writing and Research 1

    This course overviews the tasks and skills involved in writing formal essays. You will increase your writing proficiency step-by-step, accomplishing smaller goals that lead to the achievement of larger goals. You will thoroughly cover the mechanics of good English grammar with the goal of identifying your strengths and weaknesses. As a summative exercise, you will examine biblical examples of various types of writing. (3) Limited to online program students.

    3.00 credit hours
  • ENG 1020 College Writing and Research 2

    This course builds upon the knowledge of writing and writing research skills you covered in ENG 1010 - College Writing and Research 1. The course stresses intellectual and analytical reasoning and their contribution to good research and writing practices. Students continue to drill the mechanics of grammar and provide input for other student writers. As a summative exercise, students will examine examples of research and reasoning as they relate to and help us understand the biblical text. (3) Limited to online program students.

    3.00 credit hours
  • HIS 2010 World Civilizations

    This course surveys world history from the beginning of civilization to AD 1700. You will study the origins and achievements of the major civilizations of Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. You will also be exposed to Christian, Islamic, and Byzantine cultures. Upon completion of the course, you will have gained a foundational understanding of ancient history-historical, cultural, and geographical factors-and grasp its relationship to the biblical record. (3) Limited to online program students.

    3.00 credit hours
  • MAT 2010 Personal Financial Management

    This course will provide you a practical introduction to personal finance management. It highlights strategies for managing personal assets and also explores topics such as the development of personal financial goals, planning and budgeting; avoiding fraud and swindles; buying, insuring, and financing major assets; consumer credit; banking services; investments; insurance; retirement and estate planning; and income tax. You will also learn to understand biblical principles of stewardship that impact financial management. (3) Limited to online program students.

    3.00 credit hours
  • PHI 1010 Philosophy and Worldview

    This course acquaints you with key philosophies and worldviews today that come from various sources and that impact people's understanding of reality and of the world. You will come to understand, recognize, and evaluate these various belief systems within the context of biblical Christianity. Such topics as the nature of God, the meaning of life, the nature of humanity, and morality will be covered. (3) Limited to online program students.

    3.00 credit hours
  • PHI 3010 Personal and Social Ethics

    In this course, you will study the history of ethics, ethical decision-making, personal character development, and build a framework of Christian personal and social ethics. You will learn to apply a biblical ethic to a range of contemporary issues. (3)

    3.00 credit hours
  • PSY 2010 Organizational and Industrial Psychology

    In this course, you will study and apply the science and theory behind how people predict and manage human behavior within an organization. Students will cover theories of motivation, cognitive psychology, leadership theories, ethics, performance management, team management, and organizational development. (3) Limited to online program students.

    3.00 credit hours
  • SCI 2010 Earth Science

    This course is designed to provide you a general overview of environmental science, with an emphasis on sound science, stewardship, and sustainability. Students study basic concepts of environmental science, relationships between living and nonliving things, human impact upon the environment, and proper care of earth's resources. Critical thinking skills will be utilized throughout this course, with a view toward helping you carefully consider scientific concepts and their effects upon human interactions. The study of environmental science is approached from the perspective that human beings are tasked with practicing appropriate stewardship of God's creation. (3) Limited to online program students.

    3.00 credit hours
  • SOC 1010 Succeeding at CIU

    Through this course, you will be introduced to communication, self-motivation, and critical thinking skills necessary for academic success at CIU. (3) Limited to online program students.

    3.00 credit hours
  • SOC 2010 Cultural Diversity

    This course is an exploration of cultural diversity and multiculturalism within the framework of a biblical worldview. This course provides you with a process to understand and relate to people of various cultures. It also provides ongoing preparation for effective interaction with all kinds of people in our culturally diverse world. Growth in these skills will equip you with what you need to build trust across cultural differences. (3) Limited to online program students.

    3.00 credit hours
  • BUS 1010 Fundamentals of Business

    This course provides you a foundational understanding of the basic practices and issues necessary to managing and operating a business. Topics include various management theories, economic concepts, management and organization, human resources, sales and marketing, and operations, along with consideration of the challenges, ethics, and strategies necessary to conduct business in both domestic and global markets. (3) Limited to online program students.

    3.00 credit hours
  • BUS 1020 Introduction to Finance

    This course will equip you with knowledge of basic finance principles to help you link financial markets, institutions, and investors. You will study the corporate perspective on the flow of capital, including related topics such as interest rates, stocks, bonds, risk and return, the time value of money, and the cost of capital. (3) Limited to online program students.

    3.00 credit hours
  • BUS 2020 Principles of Accounting

    This course will provide you foundational knowledge of basic managerial accounting processes. Topics covered include product and service costing, profit planning, capital investment analysis, flexible budgeting, and financial statement analysis. You will also become more proficient in your use of various computer applications to analyze data and to inform your financial decisions. (3) Limited to online program students.

    3.00 credit hours
  • BUS 2030 Global Issues in Business

    This course will introduce you to foundational concepts for conducting business in an increasingly global economy. You will investigate key cultural, ethical, political, and economic issues that impact the world of global business, with a view toward making you more informed and effective business people as you relate to the larger world of business. (3) Limited to online program students.

    3.00 credit hours
  • BUS 2040 Business Case Study

    This course builds upon material you have learned in earlier courses with the goal of applying your knowledge to solve true-to-life business issues. You have the flexibility to focus on an organization of your choice as you approach your case studies. A written case study is completed as a summative exercise in which you identify problems, explore the relevant literature, and propose recommendations for improvement. (3) Limited to online program students.

    3.00 credit hours
For a comprehensive list of courses related to this program visit the Academic Catalog.

Admission Requirements

  • Online application
  • Official high school transcript or successful completion of General Education Development (GED) Testing Program
  • Applicants who have attempted 12 or more college credits post-high school must provide official college transcripts of all work completed or in progress. Recommended college grade point average (GPA) is 2.0 on a 4.0 scale (those with a GPA under 2.0 may be admitted on a provisional basis)

Accreditation and Accolades

SACSCOC (The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges)

Career Path Opportunities

  • Business administration and management
  • Accounting and financial management
  • Sales and marketing
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Human resources
  • Operations management
  • Customer service and support
  • Business analytics and research
  • Purchasing and supply chain management
  • Nonprofit management
  • Government or public administration
     

Top FAQs

What is a … AA, BS, MBA, DBA?

AA stands for Associate of Arts, which is a two-year undergraduate degree. BS stands for Bachelor of Science, which is a four-year undergraduate degree. MBA stands for Master of Business Administration, which is a graduate degree that usually takes one to two years to complete and focuses on advanced business skills and management. DBA stands for Doctor of Business Administration, which is the highest level of education in the field of business administration.

What will I study?

Students in the CIU’s Business Administration program will study fundamental business topics, such as accounting, economics, finance, management, marketing and business ethics.

How long does it take?

The Associate of Arts in Business Administration program is a two-year program that requires the completion of approximately 60 credit hours of coursework.

How much does it cost?

It is recommended that students speak with a financial aid advisor at CIU to discuss tuition and other fees.

What are the career opportunities with this degree?

Graduates of the Business Administration program can pursue entry-level positions in a variety of industries, including finance, marketing, human resources and management.

How will the degree benefit my career?

CIU’s degree in Business Administration provides students with a strong foundation in business principles and practices, which can prepare them for a variety of entry-level positions in the field of business. Additionally, it can also serve as a stepping stone for students who wish to pursue further education in business, such as a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration.

What are other degree options?

Other degree options in the field of business at CIU include a Bachelor's degrees in Business Administration, Sports Management or a graduate degree such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA).

 

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