Associate of Arts in Business

What We Need From You

Completed application form

• For applicants whose native language is not English, a minimum TOEFL test score of 600 on the paper-based test, a score of 250 on the computer-based test, or score of 100 on the Internet-based test for international applicants (Minimum passing score may vary as the ETS revises the exam.)
• Official transcripts from all regionally accredited colleges or universities attended
• An official high school transcript with a minimum GPA of 2.3 or official GED certificate with a minimum score of 47 is required if less than 12 credit hours are transferred

Enrollment Eligibility

Official transcripts from all regionally accredited institutions of higher education previously attended must indicate a minimum grade point average of 2.0. To be eligible to enroll in a major, a minimum of 36 transferable credit hours (D grades do not transfer) including three credit hours of Composition I with a grade of C or better must be earned.

How to send transcripts to Baker

General Education & Elective Course Requirements

• Arts & Humanities (no more than 6 credits from any one discipline) 18 credits
• Social Sciences 6 credits
• Sciences 6 credits
• Math (College Algebra or higher) 3 credits
• Written English 3 credits (satisfied in the AAB lower-division courses)
• Electives 6 credits
• Lower-division courses 24 credits

Total 63 credits (minus the 3 credits of written English included in lower-division courses) Based on reasonable projections of faculty availability and appropriate curriculum considerations, the following courses can change as deemed necessary by Baker University to fulfill its role and mission. Completing the 63-credit-hour AAB curriculum requires approximately 24 months.

BK 110: Introduction to Business Education This introductory course is for adult students pursuing a business degree. Topics include oral and written communication skills, critical reading and reflection, effective research skills using technologies and credible sources, study skills, time management, and group interaction.

Foundations Track: Students with Fewer than 24 College Credits

SO 242: Society and the Individual An essential goal of sociology is to understand the dynamic relationships between social structures and individual values and behaviors. This course explores the nature of human interaction in its social context. Primary focus is given to the study of the relationship between norms, social roles and society. The course also discusses the nature of social identities, social transactions and the development of the “self.” How each applies to gender and sexuality, obedience and conformity, socialization and groups will also be discussed.

EN 102: Business Writing This course introduces students to the fundamentals of college writing and writing in the business settings. Students will learn to use the writing process as well as different rhetorical strategies to develop logical, organized business communications and classroom essays. Emphasis will be placed on communicating ideas clearly and using feedback to edit and improve work.

PS 115: Introduction to American Politics Introduction to American Politics introduces students to the basic concepts of American politics, including its classical roots and theoretical basis, the Constitution, the three branches of government, civil liberties, public policy, the mass media, and foreign policy. At the conclusion, students apply their understanding of the theories to specific current problems.

EN 110: Literature and Ideas Literature and Ideas introduces students to various forms and genres of literature while developing their skills in reading, thinking, discussing, and writing. Students will identify basic literary techniques and devices used to create meaning and effect, learn to analyze literature for cues about purpose, audience, and agenda, and build skills in interpreting complex literary messages as they recognize that authors, poets, and playwrights write from the society they know. Students will interpret and articulate what the literature shows them about human life and struggles.

HU 111: Critical Thinking Critical Thinking introduces students to logic and the ability to think clearly and critically, primarily through practice in inductive and deductive reasoning. The course emphasizes recognition of fallacious reasoning, unclear or misleading language, and manipulative techniques in various forms of communication.

CO 102: Business Communication In this course, students build interpersonal, small group and public presentation skills. Course content focuses on the process of communication, self-concept, perception, listening, leadership in groups, language and nonverbal communication as well as research, design and delivery of public presentations.

TH 110: Theatre: Playwright to Production This course introduces students to the art, craft and business of theatre. Students will become familiar with the roles of the playwright, actor, director, designers and other theatre professionals in the collaborative creation of works for the stage. Other topics include the role of the audience, play genres, dramatic structure, types of theatres and musical theatre. Students will attend and evaluate a live theatre performance.

HI 231: 1945-1980: Decades of Change In this course, students explore the significant events in American history from World War II to 1980 and the impact of these events on the present. Course content focuses on foreign and domestic policy, social and cultural change, politics, and the economy.

PY 258: Industrial and Organizational Psychology This course introduces students to the factors that influence human behavior in organizational settings, emphasizing scientific analysis of individual processes, group processes, and organizational structure and design. Investigate specific areas such as personnel psychology, organizational psychology, factors in the workplace, and consumer psychology.

BI 120: Human Ecology A biology course for the non-scientist, Human Ecology introduces the terminology and world view of biological science by examining the impact of modern technology on human ecology.

Pathways Track: Students with 24 or More Credits

BU 230: Financial Planning In this course, students learn about the role of consumers in the economy. Students will develop a basic financial plan, apply budgeting procedures in daily and monthly spending plans, calculate principal and interest, define types of consumer credit, and identify types of housing mortgages. Applying course concepts, the student will be able to determine individual insurance needs and be able to explain employee and retirement benefits.

BU 250: Advertising and Promotion Advertising and Promotion provides an introduction to the fundamental elements of customer communication and how to apply them to target market strategies. Students are introduced to advertising principles and practices and develop an advertising plan for a business organization.

MA 145: College Algebra College Algebra includes a study of algebraic equations, inequalities, functions, graphs, exponential and logarithmic functions, arithmetic sequences, combinations and permutations, and simple probabilities.

BU 220: Foundations of Business Management Foundations of Business Management introduces students to the operation of business and its position in domestic and international commerce. Students examine the role of business in the creation and distribution of goods and services, and learn about business participation in civic and public affairs. Students get to know the basic business functions of management, marketing, human resources, accounting, and finance. The course explores career options in business.

BU 260: Fundamentals of Accounting Fundamentals of Accounting introduces students to accounting theory and practice, and emphasizes the use of financial statements for management control. BI 245: Human Nutrition Human Nutrition introduces the student to the fundamentals of human nutrition as related to growth, development, and maintenance of good health. In addition to nutritional theory, students learn to analyze and plan nutritional regimes.

BU 240: Basic Economics This course provides an introduction to the study of economics and applies economics to contemporary social issues, such as pollution, professional sports, crime, unemployment, and taxation. Students gain a framework of basic tools to support their understanding of fundamental economic principles.

EC 111: Economic Analysis of Social Issues Economic forces lie at the root of many social problems. Furthermore, many social problems arise because of the incompatibility of individual incentives and social outcomes. Students in this course will be encouraged to thin k about everyday events in an economic fashion. This course begins by developing in the student a few fundamental tools of economic analysis and continues to apply those tools to current problems discussed in economics as well as other academic disciplines, paying particular attention to the role of government in solving or creating social problems.

RE 350: Bible and Leadership In this course, students examine principles of effective leadership as they are demonstrated by prominent biblical figures. The course applies these leadership principles to Joseph, King David, Peter, Paul, and Jesus. Students also explore their own leadership style as it relates to the leadership principles.

MM 140: Mass Media and Society In this course, students study the technological growth and impact of our media environment on the individual and society as a whole. Special emphasis is placed on the political-legal, economic, sociological, and psychological effects of mass media on American life.

Students must meet the following requirements to earn an Associate of Arts in Business degree:

• Successful completion of at least 63 semester credits
• Successful completion of the specified 24 credit hours of required residency courses taken Baker University
• Satisfaction of all general education requirements
• A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0
• A Baker residency core GPA of of at least 2.0
• Submission of intent to graduate form six months before anticipated degree completion
• Payment of all tuition and fees
• Approval by the faculty and Board of Trustees

Transfer Hours

We will evaluate your transcripts from other regionally accredited colleges and universities to determine what credits will transfer.