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Associate in Business

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Advance your journey with a business associate degree

Businesses are a vital thread in the fabric of society. They create solutions for unmet needs, help communities prosper, and fundamentally propel human progress. Startups, nonprofits, and global enterprises alike all rely on people with strong critical-thinking, communication, and operational skills to drive business forward.

When you earn an Associate in Business here at DeVry, you’ll build a strong foundation in business principles such as marketing, accounting, management, technology, and more. Equipped with these practical skills, you’ll be ready help businesses grow and adapt in today’s dynamic marketplace:

  • Build core knowledge: Gain essential insights into accounting, strategic planning, operational management, and marketing in our Business Core classes, designed around real-world business needs.

  • Tailor your journey: Choose from several specializations like Project Management, Human Resources, and more. Want the freedom to find your fit? Our Undecided Option1 allows you to explore a variety of topics before committing to one area of focus.

  • Gain new skills while getting ahead: Automatically earn an Undergraduate Certificate in Business Essentials2 as part of this program. You can also apply qualifying credits toward a related bachelor’s program in the future.3

Classes Start Every 8 Weeks

Boost your business plan today — reach out to us to get started. 

What you'll learn in our Associate in Business program

Earning your Associate in Business here at DeVry provides you with the essential business skills you’ll need to enter the workforce or take the next step  in your career journey. Learn about communication, teamwork, finance, marketing, and management while gaining confidence in your abilities.

Problem solving

Build an understanding of key business and management principles and apply them to solve administrative and operational challenges.

Technology skills

Get hands-on experience with Microsoft Office tools for analysis, reports, and communications.

Communication

Learn how to communicate effectively for different audiences and mediums to support business initiatives. 

Collaboration

Develop the ability to work together productively and respectfully in a wide range of settings to foster teamwork and build better solutions.

Ethics

Gain knowledge of your legal and social responsibilities so you can support employees through ethical business practices.

Finance and accounting

Interpret financial metrics and statements using GAAP guidelines to shape agile business strategies and run a lean operation.

Marketing and advertising

Cultivate essential marketing skills to identify customers and their needs so you can communicate value through research and branding. 

Associate in Business classes and credits

Classes

19

Credits

61

Semesters

44

Build a strong professional foundation in business courses such as:
COMP100
Computer Applications for Business with Lab
BIS155
Data Analysis with Spreadsheets with Lab
BUSN115
Introduction to Business Technology
LEAD150
Leadership and Facilitating Change
BUSN219
Marketing Fundamentals

Learn more about the details of our Associate in Business degree in the program guide.

 

Your program perks

  

Industry-recognized software: Stand out to hiring managers by getting hands-on experience with software used every day in companies big and small.

Access 24/7 online tools: Explore options like virtual tutoring resources, e-books, and audiobooks that support your learning. 

Gain meaningful workplace insights: Learn from expert faculty with years of experience in the business world to gain an understanding of what it’s like to work in the field. 

Pick your Associate in Business specialization

A business degree can open doors, and to match your goals, you can choose a specialization that turns your passion into market-ready skills.

Budgeting and Forecasting

Gain an in-depth understanding of core accounting principles and statistical analysis to support business goals and drive organizational success:

  • Analyze data and assess financial functions to form strategic insights that inform decision-making and business strategies.

  • Design effective budgets and long-range forecasts to help organizations grow and pivot.

  • Monitor cash flow trends for predictive analysis in support of business initiatives.

General Business

Help businesses run smoothly by building effective management skills and explore specialized topics through focused coursework. You can also apply qualifying transfer credits to complete your academic goals efficiently:

  • Analyze financial and statistical data to make informed business decisions.

  • Combine theory and practical application to identify risks and solve problems.

  • Allocate finances to identify business opportunities for sustained success.

  • Customize your curriculum with elective courses that match your interests and career goals.

Healthcare Business

Build foundational business knowledge, study the administrative side of healthcare, and explore how the two fields intersect:

  • Learn fundamental business strategies and examine how they can be used strategically in healthcare services to adapt to an ever-changing and rapidly developing field.

  • Become familiar with the rules and regulations governing health administration. to identify risks and solve problems.

  • Learn the structure of the U.S. healthcare system and its role in business.

  • Study essential medical terminology and learn how it’s used in healthcare.

Human Resources

Gain vital skills in communication, management, and HR procedures so you can help foster a thriving work environment and learn to support organizations:

  • Build a foundational understanding of key HR responsibilities such as recruitment, employee relations, training, and development.

  • Explore strategies for healthy conflict resolution and how they are used in modern workplaces.

  • Understand ethical HR practices that contribute to employee wellbeing.

Project Management

Turn ideas into actionable plans and deliver measurable results through effective communications and core project management principles:

  • Create project planning documents that facilitate smooth project execution and clarity.

  • Drive initiatives from conception to completion by applying foundational methods to plan the creation and development of a project.

  • Learn how to analyze data to improve business strategies and decisions.

Retail Management

Dive into product merchandising, retail sales, customer service, and more key concepts needed to be effective in a retail setting:

  • Learn to develop a strategic consumer relations program to help increase a company’s sales.

  • Explore basic management processes like merchandising, inventory, and store layouts.

  • Study the role and impact of ethical employee relations and legal considerations in an organization.

  • Discover marketing and promotional strategies that appeal to the consumer mindset and support the customer experience.

Sales and Customer Development

Gain key insights on consumer psychology and develop practical techniques that enhance the customer experience to fuel sales:

  • Analyze and identify consumer behavior and needs to build customer loyalty and trust.

  • Cultivate communication and interpersonal skills to nurture positive customer relations.

  • Study the sales strategies that drive profits and retain customers.

Level up your learning

Earn an education you can put to work right away, and when you’re ready to advance, your qualifying credits count toward your next degree.2 When you earn an Associate in Business, you’ll automatically earn an Undergraduate Certificate in Business Essentials along the way.3  

What’s more, qualifying credits can also be applied down the road to one of the following bachelor’s:2

• Bachelor’s in Business Administration
• Bachelor’s in Business Management
• Bachelor’s in Technical Management

Here at DeVry, you can celebrate your growth at every step — honing your knowledge while reaching your goals efficiently.

DeVry Stackable Programs
DeVry Stackable Programs

Accreditation matters

Being accredited means we meet rigorous quality standards and are committed to giving you the education you deserve. Our accreditations and recognitions include:

  • Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP): Our Associate in Business program is accredited by the ACBSP, www.acbsp.org, demonstrating it has met standards of business education that promote teaching excellence.5

  • The Higher Learning Commission (HLC): DeVry University is accredited by the HLC, www.hlcommission.org. Our Keller Graduate School of Management is included in this accreditation.

Learn more about our
accreditations
ACBSP
ACBSP

Business careers 

When you're pursuing an Associate in Business, you’ll have a range of job options to consider, from managing the day-to-day activities of a small company to launching a career in healthcare services.

Our Associate in Business prepares you to pursue many entry-level roles, including:

  • Accounts associate

  • Assistant manager

  • Assistant marketing analyst

  • Human resources assistant or specialist

  • Information clerk

  • Inventory associate

  • Junior staff accountant

  • Media buyer

  • Project coordinator

  • Sales representative

Access robust Career Services like personalized coaching, networking opportunities, and expert guidance for every stage of your career — and beyond graduation.

 

Ways to save

Explore options to help make your education more accessible.

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Scholarships and grants

Save money with a variety of scholarship and grant opportunities.6

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Transfer credits 

Your hard work matters: Find out how to transfer your qualifying credit hours. 

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Employer reimbursement

Find out if your employer offers tuition savings or reimbursement.

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Military and veteran benefits

Learn about savings for veterans, active-duty U.S. military members, and their spouses.

Get started with a business associate degree

Your journey to a rewarding business career begins here — contact us today.

Frequently asked questions

What are the benefits of having an associate degree in business?

An associate degree in business gives you a solid foundation in key business principles, with plenty of opportunities to gain practical knowledge. Data analysis, budget management, marketing strategy, and inventory management are a few applicable skills you'll practice that will allow you to prepare to pursue entry-level positions in business.

Plus, those with an associate degree reported earning 18.2% more than the median pay received by those with only a high school diploma, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.7

Is a 2-year business degree worth it?

Yes, a 2-year business degree is worthwhile for many people. It's a focused and efficient way to enter the business world, giving you hands-on training in core business functions such as finance and marketing. 

When you enroll in our Associate in Business program, you’ll gain access to our Career Services, which connects you to a network of business professionals, job search resources, and more. 

How long does it take to get an associate degree in business?

You can earn an Associate in Business here at DeVry in:

• As little as 1 year and 4 months with an accelerated schedule.4
• Less, with qualifying transfer credits.
• In 2 years with a normal schedule.4

What is an associate in business?

An associate degree in business is a program designed to introduce you to the fundamentals of business operations. It’s typically pursued after earning a high school diploma or GED. The curriculum covers areas such as accounting and people management, giving you the skills needed to embark on or grow a career in business.

What are good entry-level jobs for business majors?

Depending on your interests, some jobs you may consider pursuing include:

• Account associate
• Assistant manager
• Assistant marketing analyst
• Human resources assistant or specialist
• Junior staff accountant
• Media buyer
• Project coordinator
• Sales account representative

1Students can start the program in “Undecided” status. A specialization must be chosen before the completion of 30 credit hours.

2At the time of application to the next credential level, an evaluation of qualifying transfer credit will occur and the most beneficial outcome will be applied. Future programmatic changes could impact the application of credits to a future program at DeVry. Refer to the academic catalog for details.

3Future programmatic changes could impact the ability to earn additional credentials enroute to an eligible degree program at DeVry. Refer to the academic catalog for details.

4Accelerated schedule assumes full-time enrollment, completing 3 semesters at 12-18 credit hours with no breaks per 12-month period. Normal schedule assumes full-time enrollment, completing 2 semesters at 12-18 credit hours each per 12-month period.

5Conferral and Assessment data is available for all DeVry and Keller ACBSP accredited programs. For a full list of our ACBSP accredited programs, visit our Accreditation page.

6Scholarships are available to those who apply and qualify. Click here for more information, including any requirements or restrictions. Students may participate in only one DeVry University-based scholarship, grant or group tuition benefit program at a time. Those who qualify for more than one program will be presumed to accept the program with the highest reduction per session cost, unless the student confirms their desire to participate in different program in writing prior to starting classes at DeVry. Scholarship and grant terms and eligibility conditions are subject to change.

7The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that those with an associate degree earn 18.2% more, on average, than those with only a high school diploma. https://www.bls.gov/emp/chart-unemployment-earnings-education.htm