Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration
Start Your Business & Office Career in Washington, DC and Northern Virginia
-Competent & Practical Associate Degree Program: offers comprehensive understanding of business operations, setting up students to work in diverse career paths - management, accounting, and hospitality
-Further degree path: graduates can pursue Bachelor's and Master's in affiliated institutions- Strayer University and University of the Potomac.
The Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration at Columbia College prepares students for entry‑level business and office management careers in the Washington, DC metropolitan area and Northern Virginia.
This business administration degree offers a comprehensive curriculum in core areas such as business management, accounting, marketing, and computer applications. Students build a strong foundation in business theory, financial and accounting principles, and essential computer skills, including spreadsheets and business software commonly used in today’s workplaces.
Upon completion, graduates are ready for roles such as office administrator, administrative assistant, accounting or billing clerk, customer service representative, and entry‑level management trainee, with the flexibility to adapt to the demands of a global, technology‑driven economy.
Build a High‑Earning Office & Business Career in Washington, DC
Business Administration graduates from Columbia College can pursue entry‑level business and administrative careers in healthcare, government, small businesses, nonprofits, and entrepreneurial ventures throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area and Northern Virginia.
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.
Earning an Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration offers a practical pathway into these careers and can support long‑term advancement into supervisory and management positions.
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
Graduates of the Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration at Columbia College gain the practical business and office skills needed for entry‑level administrative, accounting, customer service, and management support roles in the Washington, DC metropolitan area and Northern Virginia.
The business administration curriculum combines business management, accounting, marketing, and computer applications so students can support day‑to‑day operations in small businesses, government agencies, healthcare organizations, and nonprofits.
Median Salary
$113,390
per year$54.52
per hourIdentification
- •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).
