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General Business

Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS)

The degree program enables students to acquire a foundation in the basics of accounting, management, marketing, business communication, business law and finance. learn to apply diverse skills such as critical thinking, organization, problem-solving and professionalism to the business world. Through exploration and analysis of relevant business models, students explore ways of solving problems that commonly arise in business settings from small businesses to the corporate arena. Students complete 90 credits, resulting in a General Business AAS.

Estimated Length of Completion

Degree Quarters Credits
Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS) Full Time: 6
Part Time: 10
90.0

Program lengths are estimates, not guarantees. For the most current program information, please check with the program contact.

Associate Transfer Degrees

Associate Transfer Degrees: Two-year transfer degrees let you take your freshman and sophomore classes at Seattle Colleges for a fraction of the cost, and then transfer to a four-year university with the skills and confidence to succeed. Be sure to work with a transfer advisor at Seattle Colleges and the four-year institution you plan to attend.

Depending on your program pathway, you can earn either an Associate of Fine Arts, Associate of Arts (AA-DTA), Associate in Business (AB-DTA), or Associate of Science (AS), general, Track 1 or Track 2.

Learn more

Program Pathway Map 

Program Pathways are a series of courses and experiences carefully selected to help you earn your credential and prepare for your career or university transfer.  Program Pathway Maps guide you through quarter-by-quarter coursework, indicate when you’ll need to complete important steps, and describe popular careers in this pathway.  Some course sequences or recommended courses can be customized or adjusted by speaking with an advisor.  

General Business AAS Program Map

 

There are no entry requirements for this program

Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor to discuss specific career goals and recommended coursework.


All costs are estimates and are not guarantees. For the most current program information, check with an adviser by calling 206.934.5391. There are additional costs for books and supplies. Each student is responsible for the purchase of certain supplies and required tools before the instruction begins.

Part Time Cost

Resident Non-Resident International
$11,122.20 $12,682.80 $28,615.50

Hours may vary based on specific program requirements. For the most current program information, check with an adviser by calling 206.934.5391.

Worker Friendly

This program is offered at times and in formats that meet the needs of working adults. This includes:

  • Online: Coursework is generally completed over the internet, within a quarterly timeframe, contact with instructor via email. Some courses may require limited on-campus visits.
  • Hybrid: Hybrid courses provide students with the scheduling flexibility of fewer campus visits while covering the same materials as an equivalent class held entirely on campus. Hybrid classes usually have at least one on-campus meeting per week combined with a "virtual classroom" with online content, lessons and activities.
  • Evening: Courses with a start time of 4:00 PM or later.
  • Daytime: Courses offered between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM

Coursework

Course Course ID Credits Availability

Defines basic accounting concepts, principles and procedures for recording business transactions and developing financial accounting reports. Recommended: ACCT 110 or sophomore standing (S).

ACCT& 201 5.0

Examines application of basic accounting concepts, principles and procedures to more complex business situations in a corporate setting. Prereq: ACCT& 201 with a minimum GPA of 2.0 or instructor permission.

ACCT& 202 5.0

Survey of American business in a global context: business and economic terminology, entrepreneurship, forms of business ownership, accounting, budgeting, operations, human resource management, ethics, corporate social responsibility, and marketing principles.

BUS& 101 5.0

Students completing the Communications, Business & Media certificate may substitute the following for BUS 112: CMST 205 - Multi-cultural Communication ( 5 credits )

This course examines primary and secondary aspects of diversity, including (but not limited to): race and ethnicity, gender and gender expression, sexual orientation, intersectionality, mental challenges, social class, and appearance/weight. Students will study effects these issues of diversity have on the ethical, legal, communication, marketing, and organizational change in the workplace of the United States.

BUS 112 5.0

Must complete BUS 131 - Integrated Communications 1
or
Be eligible for ENGL& 101 through English Placement Exam or completion of ENGL 097/098.

Marketing presents an opportunity: find a need and fill it! Responding to the wants and needs of the consumer with the right product, price, promotion, and distribution forms the basis of the marketing concept. Marketing is dynamic, highly-visible, and often very controversial. Marketers must demonstrate value, quality, and service exceeding customer demands while maintaining channel relationships and meeting company goals and objectives. Marketing methods vary, but the need for marketing remains constant in the face of changing business practices. Marketing is essential to survival in today's customer-driven business. Prerequisite: Eligible for English 101 through English Placement Test or completion of English 097/098.

BUS 114 5.0

Course Substitute : BUS 171 - Information Technology II ( 5 credits )

This Office 2016 for Windows hands-on environment (for PC's not for MAC's) allows students to learn the basics of word processing (Word), spreadsheets (Excel), database (Access), and presentation graphics (PowerPoint). Students will create a variety of business documents and learn editing and formatting techniques. In addition, students will be introduced to file control features such as creating and naming folders; and renaming, deleting, copying, and moving files. Computer Fee.

BUS 169 5.0

Covers nature, development and operation of principles of business law relating to contracts, commercial paper, corporations, agency, partnerships and sales.

BUS& 201 5.0

The course focuses on the usefulness and limitations of statistics and their use in managerial decision making. The following techniques are addressed: descriptive statistics, probability theory, sampling, hypothesis testing, simple regression, correlation and forecasting. Emphasis is placed on problem formulation, technique selection, and results interpretation. Prerequisites: Math 098 or Math 116. Transfer Class.

BUS 210 5.0

Must complete BUS 131 - Integrated Communications 1
or
Be eligible for ENGL& 101 through English Placement Exam or completion of ENGL 097/098.

Develop effective business writing skills through preparation of letters, reports, memoranda and employment documents. Emphasizes intercultural aspects of communication. Prereq: BUS 131. Recommended: BUS 104 (S) or BUS 105 (N).

BUS 230 5.0

This course teaches effective interpersonal communication skills. Students learn communication styles and effective ways to adapt communication to meet business needs. Through individual and group activities, students improve understanding of cultural diversity, non-verbal communication, and individual influences on communication. Techniques for making informal and formal business presentations are also covered. Careful preparation for the employment interview is emphasized.

BUS 236 5.0

Contact the Advising Center for approved list of courses

Course Course ID Credits Availability

No Description available

Z999_004 5.0

No Description available

Z999_009 5.0

Electives must include a minimum of 15 credits with BUS designation (except students with CB&M certificate)

Course Course ID Credits Availability

No Description available

Z999_021 5.0

Total of 8 - 10 credits required

Course Course ID Credits Availability

Analysis of accounting data as part of the managerial process of planning, decision-making and control. Concentrates on economic decision-making in enterprises. Prereq: ACCT 120, ACCT& 202 or permission (C, N); ACCT 120 or ACCT& 202 or instructor permission (S).

ACCT& 203 5.0

This course is an overview of project management from a business perspective. Topics will include project authorization & planning as well as managing project resources, scheduling, budgeting and risk. Students will apply principles to their own project.

BUS 118 5.0

Course Substitute : BUS 154 - Exploring Entrepreneurship ( 5 credits )

Designed for those with an interest in starting their own business. This is an opportunity to explore whether you have the Temperament and GRIT (persistence) to successful business owner. Validate or develop your Entrepreneurial Mindset. Understand the process needed to expand your business around your products/services.

BUS 151 5.0

Examines the relationships between business, social and economic development and the environment. Explores how emerging technologies are reshaping energy utilization and management for businesses and their communities. Prereq: BUS& 101 or instructor permission.

BUS 186 5.0

Analyzes basic functions of supervisory-level management with emphasis on skills needed to be an effective leader/manager of a diverse work force. Covers management functions of planning, organizing, directing, evaluating, and skill development in effective communication, motivation, problem-solving, managing conflict, and selecting employees.

BUS 205 5.0

Studies business operations, private enterprise and governmental relationships in a world environment, including investments, marketing, transportation, trade agreements, management, production decisions and financial analysis. Recommended: prior business experience.

BUS 215 5.0

Covers the concepts of production, consumption and distribution with emphasis on price determination, production costs and market structures. Application of economic reasoning to public issues and business.

ECON& 201 5.0

Learn the fundamental elements of the real estate industry, including sales and listing practices, financing, appraising, title, real estate law, escrow and property management. Great introduction class for anyone interested in a real estate related career or investing in real estate. RES 100 and RES 140 Real Estate Sales Practicies prepare students for the Washington State Real Estate Broker Licensing Exam. (Fulfills 60 DOL pre-licensing clock hours.)

RES 100 5.0

Total of 20 - 22 credits required

Any additional course(s) with a BUS designation:
     • Elective BUS courses must be numbered 100 or above AND not list above under 'Technical Specialty Courses'.
     • May include BUS courses list under 'Electives - Pathway'

Any CMST designated courses in the Communication, Business and Media (CB&M) certificate:
     • Only students completing the CB&M certificate may apply CMST courses.

Course Course ID Credits Availability

Hands-on use of QuickBooks Online to record business transactions, prepare customer invoices, pay vendors, and record payroll. QuickBooks organizes and summarizes all financial data and produces a myriad of reports. Course culminates with a certification exam through Intuit to become an Intuit QuickBooks Certified User. Prereq: ACCT& 201 or ACCT 110 or instructor permission.

ACCT 131 5.0

Analysis of accounting data as part of the managerial process of planning, decision-making and control. Concentrates on economic decision-making in enterprises. Prereq: ACCT 120, ACCT& 202 or permission (C, N); ACCT 120 or ACCT& 202 or instructor permission (S).

ACCT& 203 5.0

This course examines accounting information systems as part of enterprise resource planning systems. It focuses on the activities performed in the major business cycles and the flow of accounting data and information in those systems, whether manual or computerized. Topics include systems analysis, systems design, and systems implementation, internal controls, fundamental database concepts, and flow-charting. Prereq: ACCT 110 or ACCT&201 or instructor permission.

ACCT 261 5.0

Covers the concepts of production, consumption and distribution with emphasis on price determination, production costs and market structures. Application of economic reasoning to public issues and business.

ECON& 201 5.0

Intro to the macroeconomic measures in the economy: GDP, unemployment and inflation. Examines monetary and fiscal policies and their effects on the interest rate and inflation. Covers economic growth and business cycles.

ECON& 202 5.0

Explores past and present contributions from major events and leaders to the sustainability movement. Principles of sustainability are used to analyze action on challenges such as urbanization, climate change, food systems and pollution. Prereq: Eligibility for ENGL& 101 and MATH 088 (or MATH 091).

ENVS 160 5.0

Learn the fundamental elements of the real estate industry, including sales and listing practices, financing, appraising, title, real estate law, escrow and property management. Great introduction class for anyone interested in a real estate related career or investing in real estate. RES 100 and RES 140 Real Estate Sales Practicies prepare students for the Washington State Real Estate Broker Licensing Exam. (Fulfills 60 DOL pre-licensing clock hours.)

RES 100 5.0

Course Substitute : RES 203 - Property Management - Commercial ( 3 credits )

This course teaches important functions in rental property management, property analysis, rental policies, rental surveys, lease provisions, inspection, building codes, tenant relations, operating policies and financial result analysis. (Fulfills 30 DOL continuing education clock hours.)

RES 202 3.0