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Associates Degree in Small Business Management

An associates degree in small business management will help students develop a sound understanding of the basic principles of small businesses and techniques to manage them. The associate’s degree in small management program will also teach students to execute, prepare, deliver, and plan management-level assignments, oral presentations and written reports. This program will also introduce students to various aspects of small management such as strategic planning, small business loan packages, communication techniques and customer relations. The program will also push students to initiate and innovate new and more efficient small business management policies.
Several colleges and universities offer specific concentrations in this degree program.

These specialized concentrations include:

  • Technician management
  • Business administration
  • Management




Typically, students successfully complete their associate’s degree in small business management in two years. Some universities or colleges may also allow you to transfer these credits to a bachelor’s program. This associate’s degree may be offered online, on-campus or as a hybrid degree program, depending upon the college or university the student chooses to attend.

What do you need to do to get admission into an associate’s degree in small business management program?

If you choose to pursue an associate’s degree in small business management, the university or college that you intend to apply to may ask you to fulfill certain requirements before they consider giving you admission. These prerequisites may vary from university to university but normally include the following:

  • A high school diploma or GED or equivalent
  • An acceptable GPA, a GPA of 3.0 or above is preferable
  • Letter of recommendation
  • Personal statement
  • Proof of proficiency in the English language in some cases, such as in the case of international students
  • Official high school transcripts

Some colleges or universities may give preference to students with previous high school coursework in related subjects such as business studies, economics and accounting, during the admission process.

What will you study in the associate’s degree in small business management program?

The curriculum of the associate’s degree in small business management primarily focuses on providing students with in-depth knowledge and building a solid foundation for them in principles of business management. Students are also taught various necessary skills and techniques such as feasibility analysis, competitor analysis, market analysis, entrepreneurship planning and business strategies.

Coursework may vary from university to university but normally includes the following core courses:

  • Fundamentals of business
  • Business communication
  • Principles of entrepreneurship
  • Legal environment of business in the United States
  • Financial and basic accounting
  • Principles of marketing
  • Fundamentals of management
  • Managing a new business
  • Basic document processing and keyboarding
  • Principles of computer science
  • Introduction to information systems

Most colleges and universities that offer this program require students to complete a capstone project related to this field, as a part of the curriculum. The primary aim is to give the students a real-life experience of the field.  In addition to this, the students learn how to apply various theories learnt in the classroom to real-world situations.   

Career outlook and statistics

There are several careers related to this field including small business management entrepreneurs, auditing clerks, administrative assistants, secretaries and human resource assistants.

  • Human resources assistants

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the annual median salary of human resources assistants was $37,680 in May 2013.

  • Auditing clerks

According to the official BLS website, the annual combined median salary of auditing, bookkeeping and accounting clerks was $35,170 in 2012. BLS also estimated that the number of people working as auditing, bookkeeping and accounting clerks would grow by 11 percent from 2012 to 2022, which is about as fast as the average of all occupations.

  • Administrative assistants and secretaries

BLS also reported that the annual combined median salary of administrative assistants and secretaries was $35,330 in 2012. BLS also projected that the number of people working as administrative assistants and secretaries would grow by 12 percent from 2012 to 2022. This growth rate would also differ by occupation specialty; the number of people working as medical secretaries would grow by 36 percent from 2012 to 2022, which is much faster than the average of all occupations.

What certifications are available for careers related to this field?

The Certified Administrative Professional certification is offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals. The Legal Secretaries International organization offers the Certified Legal Secretary Specialist certification.

Frequently Asked Question(s)

Q:How long does it take to get an associate degree in small business management?

A:To get an associate degree in small business management, you will need around 2 years of time. In these two years, you can expect to take classes in general education as well as courses in fundamental business skills. You can learn about sales, human resources, management, advertising or marketing, among other things.

Q:What are the admission requirements for associate degree in small business management?

A:To get admission into an associate degree program in small business management, you need at least a high school diploma or a GED. This program is designed to teach business development through courses on communications strategies, computer applications and management of personnel. This degree is typically offered by vocational schools and community colleges.

Q:What can you do with an small business management associate degree ?

A:With an associate degree in small business management, there are various industries and careers you could take yourself into. You could look for employment in the food service or catering management, hotel management and the hospitality business, retail sales management or administrative services and office management. Entrepreneurs and small business managers can be found across all industries.

Q:How to get an associate degree in small business management online?

A:To get an associate degree in small business management, you will have to complete the coursework and all other requirements of the program. These generally include completion of core courses, projects, and assignments. You will also have to acquire a minimum number of credit hours which will depend on the college you have enrolled in.

Q:How fast can you get your associate degree in small business management?

A:The duration of an associate degree is generally two years. However, you can earn this degree in one year or less by opting for an accelerated degree track. Many online colleges allow students to develop their own study schedule and take courses according to their ability. This means students can complete the program in a shorter time-span, or even extend the time period beyond two years.

Q:How many credits are required for associates degree in small business management?

A:The credit hour requirement of an associate degree will basically depend on which college you enroll in. Most colleges have a credit hour requirements which ranges between 60 and 80 hours. You can successfully earn credits by taking courses each semester and completing all necessary assignments. Find out more about the credit hour requirements from prospective colleges.

Q:Where can you work with small business management associate?

A:With an associate degree in small business management, you can seek work at entry-level. There are many small businesses and organization that hire professionals who have majored in small business management. Some of the sectors in which you can work are: retail, services, marketing, etc. On the other hand, you can also set up your own small business.

Q:What subjects will you study in small business management associate degree?

A:With an associate degree in small business management, you will be exposed to a variety of subjects. These include the likes of principles of accounting, developing a small business, principles of management, introduction to business, human relations and resources, introduction to e-commerce, business communication and computers and introduction to marketing.

Q:What benefits will I get with a small business management associate degree?

A:An associate degree in small business management will help you learn about the managerial aspects of small organizations. You will learn how to set up and run small-sized business. The program will highlight important areas such as marketing, accounts, finance, management, promotion, strategy-building, etc. With this degree, you may qualify for managerial roles in small firms and can even start up your own business.

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