Business Degree
At Montgomery College, you’ll gain hands-on, practical skills in business from seasoned industry professionals. MC will help you launch your career, and will also prepare you for advanced degree programs at prestigious institutions across the US. Pursue an associate’s degree to launch your exciting career in business, or transfer to a four-year college.
This curriculum is designed for students planning to transfer to a four-year college and major in general business, or a more specialized field of business such as finance, accounting, international business, marketing, or management. It also provides a solid foundation for students planning to major in economics or pre-law. Completion of all requirements for this curriculum will lead to the award of the AA degree in business. Note: Many credits earned in the management certificate requirements may not be applied toward an AA in business. Students should seek advice from a counselor.
Business students may be eligible for the Macklin Business Institute scholars program, a competitive honors program which includes seminars, special honors courses, mentoring, the possibility of an internship, and a scholarship. Students potentially interested in this program should wait to take ACCT 221, ACCT222, ECON 201, and ECON 202 for the sophomore year.
Program Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, a student will be able to:
- Interpret and evaluate financial information to assist business decision making.
- Apply economic principles to business decision making.
- Apply basic ethical principles to businesses practices.
- Use appropriate analytical and statistical tools and technology to support business practices.
Program Advising
Explore the following Business Career Pathways to learn about what academic preparation (certificate, associate's, bachelor’s, or master's degree) is required for various jobs in business.
- Business Career Pathway (PDF,
) - Marketing Career Pathway - B2B or Consumer (PDF, )
- Marketing Career Pathway - Government (PDF, )
Meet with your academic advisor regularly to discuss your academic plans and make sure you are on track to graduate and/or transfer. The program advising guide outlines the degree requirements and is meant to supplement the advising process.
- Business AA Program Advising Guide for Full-Time Students (PDF, )
- Business AA Advising Guide for Part-Time Students (PDF, )
- Find a Program Advisor
- Business AA 006 Advising Worksheet (PDF, )
Transfer Opportunities
MC has a long history of successfully preparing students for transfer to four-year institutions. Requirements for business majors are fairly standard regardless of your transfer destination. See all business transfer agreements.
Basic courses for business majors are ACCT 221 and 222 (Principles of Accounting I and II), BSAD 101( Intro. to Business), and ECON 201 and 202 (Principles of Business I and II). Most schools require two math courses: MATH 150 (Elementary Applied Calculus) and a statistics from either BSAD 210 (Statistics for Business Administration) or MATH 117 (Elements of Statistics). Check with each school to be sure that you are selecting the right classes.
One local exception is the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC, formerly UMUC), where MATH 117 Elements of Statistics is the only math required. Further, if you completed any of these courses as an advanced placement course in high school, check with the transfer institution for eligibility. MGMT 201 Business Law is also a course that may not be required by your transfer school - for example, at the Smith School of Business UMCP, it is not required but will transfer as a business elective, while it is a required course for Towson.
- Transferring to University of Maryland College Park Smith School of Business (PDF, )
- Transferring to Towson University in Business (PDF, )
- Business Programs within a 50-Mile Radius of Rockville (PDF, )
- Options for Business Majors: Alternate Paths (PDF, )
Careers
For some positions listed, a bachelor's degree or higher may be required. Use the Career and Program Explorer to see a full report for this career field. See links below chart for further guidance and/or connect with a Program Advisor to discuss career goals.
Careers include financial analyst, management consultant, accountant, actuary, market research analyst, business teacher, financial manager, business operations manager, and cost estimator. Some positions require a bachelor’s degree.
- MC Student Employment Services: Speak with the Student Employment Specialist for help with resume writing, interviewing, setting up a College Central Network (CCN)new window account and other job search topics.
- Career Coach: Explore Career Coach to learn more about this career and/or discover related majors and in-demand careers based on your current interests! Take a Career Assessment and then browse careers and job opportunities in the area.
Curriculum
A suggested sequence for students follows.
- All students should review the advising guide and consult an advisor.
- Find out about related programs and course in the Fields of Study section.
- Most courses have either assessment levels that must be met or prerequisites (courses that must be taken first). Part-time students and those who need to meet assessment levels or take prerequisite courses will take longer to complete a degree. An advisor will help make sure you are taking your courses in the right order.
- All degree-seeking students must take a central group of General Education courses in English, mathematics, arts, behavioral and social sciences, humanities, and science. These courses are included in the suggested course sequence below.
Suggested Course Sequence
Students should complete the required English and Math foundation courses within the first 24 credit hours. All students should review the Program Advising Guide and consult an advisor.
First Semester
- ENGL 101 - Introduction to College Writing 3 semester hours
- Mathematics Foundation 3 semester hours (MATF) †
- BSAD 101 - Introduction to Business 3 semester hours
- CMAP 120 - Introduction to Computer Applications 3 semester hours
-
OR
- CMSC 110 - Computer Concepts 3 semester hours
- Behavioral and Social Sciences Distribution 3 semester hours (BSSD) **
Second Semester
- English Foundation 3 semester hours (ENGF)
- BSAD 210 - Statistics for Business and Economics 3 semester hours
-
OR
- MATH 117 - Elements of Statistics 3 semester hours
- COMM 108 - Foundations of Human Communication 3 semester hours (GEIR)
-
OR
- COMM 112 - Business and Professional Speech Communication 3 semester hours (GEIR)
- Arts Distribution 3 semester hours (ARTD)
- Natural Science Distribution with Lab 4 semester hours (NSLD)
Third Semester
- ACCT 221 - Accounting I 4 semester hours
- ECON 201 - Principles of Economics I 3 semester hours (BSSD)
- MGMT 201 - Business Law 3 semester hours
-
OR
- Elective 3 semester hours ††
- Humanities Distribution 3 semester hours (HUMD) ‡
Fourth Semester
- ACCT 222 - Accounting II 4 semester hours
- ECON 202 - Principles of Economics II 3 semester hours
- Arts Distribution (ARTD), Humanities Distribution (HUMD) or Health General Education Course (HLTH) 3 semester hours (GEIR) ‡
- Natural Sciences Distribution 3 semester hours (NSND)
- Elective 3 semester hours ††
* ENGL 101/ENGL 101A, if needed for ENGL 102/ENGL 103, or elective. Please consult an advisor or transfer institution for assistance with course selection.
Behavioral and Social Science Distribution (BSSD) courses must come from different disciplines.
† Many, but not all four year institutions require MATH 150 or MATH 181 as a Math foundation. Students should consult with an advisor regarding the requirements of transfer institutions.
†† Students should consult an advisor regarding the requirements of transfer institutions. For some institutions, MGMT 201 may be appropriate, for others (e.g. The Smith School at the University Maryland) another course will be more appropriate. If necessary use as needed to fill the 60 credit requirement.
‡ Students must complete one Global or Cultural Perspectives designated course as part of their General Education Program to graduate.
This program can be completed either on campus or online.
How To Apply and Register
Special Programs and Features
Related Programs and Courses
Students who major in general studies explore personal, professional, and academic areas of interest within a flexible framework supporting transfer.
Update your skills and gain in-demand professional certifications in information technology, project management, human resources, business, or entrepreneurship; learn from faculty who are top industry experts.
"[The faculty] have always been there to support me and just tell me how to get to my next step."