Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration

Next Start Date

Oct 26, 2026

Next Financial Aid Deadline

Oct 16, 2026

Tuition & Costs

$22,540$2,940/session

Duration

7-8 sessions70–80 weeks

Credits

Online Learning

Hybrid

Program Level

Associate Degree

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Start Your Business and Office Career in the Washington, DC Metro Area

Associate Degree in Business Administration provides a strong foundation in business management, accounting, marketing, computer applications, and professional communication. Students learn essential business and financial concepts while developing practical skills in spreadsheets, business software, customer service, office procedures, and day-to-day business operations. The curriculum is designed to help students develop the knowledge and practical skills needed to pursue entry-level opportunities in business, office administration, accounting support, customer service, and related fields.

Business Administration graduates from Columbia College can pursue entry‑level business and administrative careers in;

Healthcare organizations
Government agencies
Small businesses
Nonprofits
Entrepreneurial ventures

With a strong foundation in management, accounting, and office technology, they are prepared for roles such as administrative assistant, office administrator, customer service representative, accounting or billing clerk, and entry‑level administrative services or office manager throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area and Northern Virginia.

Curriculum Course Lists

Code	Core Requirements	Credits
BUA101	Introduction to Business	4
BUA103	Business Mathematics	4
BUA104	Principles of Marketing	4
BUA107	Computer Application	4
BUA121	Office Administration and Procedures	4
BUA131	Principles of Economics	4
BUA151	Principles of Accounting	4
BUA152	Organization Behavior	4
BUA154	Business and Commercial Writing	4

Code	Electives (Choose 7)	Credits
BUA102	Introduction to Hospitality Management	4
BUA124	Creative Problem-Solving	4
BBUA161	Business Statistics	4
BUA201	Managerial Financial Accounting	4
BUA203	Business Strategy and Planning	4
BUA207	Business Finance	4
BUA220	Tourism Management	4
BUA222	Hospitality and Tourism Marketing	4
BUA225	Tourism Development	4
BUA227	Tourism Geography	4
BUA232	Managing Hotel Operations	4
BUA235	Quality Service Management in the Hospitality Industry	4
BUA238	Organization Behavior for the Hospitality Industry	4
BUA253	Management Theory and Practice	4
BUA254	Business Communication	4
BUA259	Business Law	4
BUA263	International Economics	4
BUA270	Career Development I	4
BUA271	Career Development II	4

Code	*General Education Courses(Choose 7)**	Credits
BIO102	Introduction to Biology	4
BPS102	Business and Professional Speech	4
BUA101	Introduction to Business	4
CRT101	Critical Thinking	4
ENG101	English Composition	4
HIST203	U.S. History	4
IT101	Introduction to Information Technology	4
KOR101	Beginner Korean I	4
MAT101	Algebra	4
MAT201	Pre-Calculus	4
PSY101	Introduction to Psychology	4
SOC101	Introduction to Sociology	4
SOC201	Society and Human Behavior	4
SPN101	Introduction to Spanish I	4
SPN102	Introduction to Spanish II	4

*Students must select at least one course from the fields of Humanities, Natural Science/Applied Sciences, Mathematics and Behavioral Sciences.

Federal Student Aid Notice

Federal Pell Grants are available to eligible undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need. Eligibility and estimated award amounts are determined based on information provided on the FAFSA®. Final financial aid offers are determined by the school. To apply or learn more, visit StudentAid.gov.

VETERANS & MILITARY STUDENTS

Eligible veterans, service members, and qualified family members may be able to use VA education benefits for this approved program.

Start Your Business and Office Career in the Washington, DC Metro Area

Business Administration graduates from Columbia College can pursue entry‑level business and administrative careers in;

Healthcare organizations
Government agencies
Small businesses
Nonprofits
Entrepreneurial ventures

Curriculum Course Lists

Code	Core Requirements	Credits
BUA101	Introduction to Business	4
BUA103	Business Mathematics	4
BUA104	Principles of Marketing	4
BUA107	Computer Application	4
BUA121	Office Administration and Procedures	4
BUA131	Principles of Economics	4
BUA151	Principles of Accounting	4
BUA152	Organization Behavior	4
BUA154	Business and Commercial Writing	4

Code	Electives (Choose 7)	Credits
BUA102	Introduction to Hospitality Management	4
BUA124	Creative Problem-Solving	4
BBUA161	Business Statistics	4
BUA201	Managerial Financial Accounting	4
BUA203	Business Strategy and Planning	4
BUA207	Business Finance	4
BUA220	Tourism Management	4
BUA222	Hospitality and Tourism Marketing	4
BUA225	Tourism Development	4
BUA227	Tourism Geography	4
BUA232	Managing Hotel Operations	4
BUA235	Quality Service Management in the Hospitality Industry	4
BUA238	Organization Behavior for the Hospitality Industry	4
BUA253	Management Theory and Practice	4
BUA254	Business Communication	4
BUA259	Business Law	4
BUA263	International Economics	4
BUA270	Career Development I	4
BUA271	Career Development II	4

Code	*General Education Courses(Choose 7)**	Credits
BIO102	Introduction to Biology	4
BPS102	Business and Professional Speech	4
BUA101	Introduction to Business	4
CRT101	Critical Thinking	4
ENG101	English Composition	4
HIST203	U.S. History	4
IT101	Introduction to Information Technology	4
KOR101	Beginner Korean I	4
MAT101	Algebra	4
MAT201	Pre-Calculus	4
PSY101	Introduction to Psychology	4
SOC101	Introduction to Sociology	4
SOC201	Society and Human Behavior	4
SPN101	Introduction to Spanish I	4
SPN102	Introduction to Spanish II	4

*Students must select at least one course from the fields of Humanities, Natural Science/Applied Sciences, Mathematics and Behavioral Sciences.

Federal Student Aid Notice

VETERANS & MILITARY STUDENTS

Eligible veterans, service members, and qualified family members may be able to use VA education benefits for this approved program.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, administrative services and facilities managers earn a median annual wage above the national average and are projected to experience steady employment growth in the coming decade, reflecting continued demand for professionals who can organize, coordinate, and improve business operations.

In the Washington, DC area specifically, salaries for administrative assistants and office managers tend to be higher than national averages, making business administration and office management an attractive career path for students who want strong earning potential and mobility in a major U.S. job market.

Educational Outcomes/Settings

Upon completion, graduates may pursue entry-level opportunities in the Washington, DC metropolitan area and Northern Virginia such as:

Office Administrator
Administrative Assistant
Administrative Coordinator
Accounting Clerk
Billing Clerk
Accounts Payable or Accounts Receivable Assistant
Customer Service Representative
Receptionist / Front Office Assistant
Data Entry or Records Coordinator
Management Trainee

Median Salary

$113,390

per year

$54.52

per hour

Career Services Where Our Graduates Work

Identification

•Passport
•Driver's License
•State-issued ID

Education History

•Diploma/school transcript (at least high school)
•General Equivalency Diploma (GED)
•DD-214 form

Application Fee

Domestic$100

International$200

International Applicants

F-1 Student Visa

•Initial Enrollment
•Transfer-In with I-20
•Change of Status
•1+1+1 Program

J-1 Exchange Visitor

•College/University Student
•Au Pair

Learn more about our Global Education Programs

Non-Native English Speakers

CaMLA (Cambridge Michigan Language Assessments) English Test to define the English level (Must be at Advanced Level).

How to Apply Admissions Apply for Financial Aid

Instructors in the Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration program are skilled professionals with specialized education and hands-on experience in the field.

Dr. Natasha Addison

- Core Expertise : Strategic Project Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Risk Management, and Organizational Leadership. - Professional Focus : Over 10 years of leading full lifecycle projects across corporate, technology, and academic sectors, with an emphasis on PMP‑aligned practices and operational excellence.