Business, A.A.
Prairie State College’s Business A.A. program offers a comprehensive curriculum covering essential topics like management, marketing, and finance. Designed for students planning to transfer to four-year universities or enter the workforce, this program provides the skills needed to succeed in a competitive business environment.
What Can You Do with a Degree in Business?
With this degree, you can transfer to a four-year institution to earn a bachelor’s
degree in business-related fields. It also provides a strong foundation for entry-level
positions in various industries such as sales, customer service, administration, marketing,
and management. The program prepares you with vital business skills to support your
career growth and professional development.
Graduates with an Associate in Arts in Business are prepared to transfer to four-year
colleges or universities to pursue bachelor’s degrees in business administration,
marketing, management, or related fields. Career opportunities include entry-level
roles in sales, customer service, administrative support, marketing, and business
operations. The demand for business professionals remains strong across industries,
offering promising career prospects.
Suggested Curriculum
Business programs at community colleges and universities offer courses and majors
in areas like general business, accounting, finance, marketing, and management. The
recommended courses outlined here apply across these fields. These suggested classes
are designed to meet the requirements for the Associate in Arts Degree at Prairie
State College and to prepare students for a smooth transfer to a four-year university.
Area A: Communication (9 credits)
- ENG 101 Composition I (C1 900) - with a grade of C or better
- ENG 102 Composition II (C1 901R) - with a grade of C or better
- COMM 101 Principles of Communication (C2 900)
Area B: Humanities and Fine Arts (9 credits)
Select three courses from the list for Area B with at least one course from humanities and one course from fine arts.
- PHILO 202 Ethics (H4 904) recommended
Area C: Mathematics (4-5 credits)
Select one math course from:
- MATH 157 Calculus for Business and Social Science (M1 900-B)
- MATH 171 Calculus with Analytic Geometry I (M1 900-1; MTH 901)
Area D: Physical and Life Sciences (7-8 credits)
Select one life science course and one physical science course from the list for Area D. One course must have a lab component.
Area E: Social and Behavioral Sciences (9 credits)
Select three courses in at least two different disciplines from the list for Area E including:
- ECON 201 Macroeconomic Principles (S3 901)
- ECON 202 Microeconomic Principles (S3 902)
- BUS 131 Financial Accounting (IAI: BUS 903)
- BUS 132 Managerial Accounting (IAI: BUS 904)
- BUS 240 Elementary Statistics (IAI: M1 902; BUS 901)
- ITAPP 101 Introduction to Computers (BUS 902)
- BUS 210 Business Law and Its Legal Environment *
*Recommended at the freshman/sophomore level by some, but not all universities. This is taught as an upper division course for some universities. Check with your intended transfer destination before taking this course.
Select additional courses from the list of Courses Approved for Transfer or contact the universities you are considering.
Special note:
Courses such as Principles of Management and Principles of Marketing are considered junior-level or upper-division courses at most universities. Some universities, though, will accept these courses as elective credit (but it often will not count toward the hours you need for a major in business). Some have provisions for validating this credit. In this case, a student may be requested to take a proficiency examination, take the next course in sequence, or take a specific CLEP subject examination. Students are strongly advised to consult the information for the school of their choice before registering for these courses.
Each college and university has its own major requirements and transfer policies. Consult the schools you are considering and a PSC advisor to discuss courses and their transferability.
Faculty Contact Information
Colleen Ivancic
Associate Professor, Accounting and Business
Email: civancic@prairiestate.edu
Phone: (708) 709-3664
Office: 2182
Prairie State College provides a comprehensive array of resources designed to foster student success and well-being. These include disability support services, health and safety protocols, career development counseling, and personal support. Academic assistance is readily available through tutoring, advising, and library services, while transfer advising and campus security ensure a safe and seamless college experience. Additionally, the college offers various financial aid options to help students achieve their educational objectives.
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