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Associate Degree in Business Online AS in Business Administration

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Register By: October 21 Classes Start: October 23

Earn a business associate degree online

  • $330/credit (60 credits)
  • Transfer up to 45 credits toward your associate degree
  • 24/7 online accessibility – attend class when and where it's convenient
  • Program accredited by ACBSP
  • No application fee or SAT/ACT scores required
  • Increase your earnings with an associate degree

Associate Degree in Business Online Program Overview

Develop knowledge and skills in accounting, business law, human resource management and marketing in Southern New Hampshire University's Associate of Science in Business Administration program. The associate degree in business administration online is perfect for students who want to start or advance their careers but need a college education to achieve their goal.

With an AS in Business Administration, you'll build business skills employers want to see. Upon graduating, you'll be positioned for success as a team lead or business unit manager in retail, human resources or various other business environments. You'll be prepared to handle crucial administrative tasks like record keeping, ordering supplies and talking to customers.

Since we also accept up to 45 credits toward your associate degree, this program is perfect for those who already have some college experience. Our associate degrees typically require 60 credits and take about 2 years to complete. But as a transfer student, you could satisfy up to 3/4 of your credit requirements – saving you a considerable amount of time and money.

If your goal is to continue to pursue a more advanced business degree, the business administration associate program can be a strong starting point. With a credential under your belt – one that can be completed in half the time it takes to earn a bachelor's – you'll have the opportunity to show employers what you've already accomplished.

"This program is the first of three recommended stepping-stones," said Dr. Bernice Bain, associate dean at SNHU. "All three can provide additional opportunities for employability in a multitude of business industry and business leadership positions."

Our suite of ACBSP-accredited online programs includes a bachelor's in business degree online and a 30-credit online MBA. That means, if you want to continue your education, you don't have to worry about applying to another school.

Plus, with the option to pursue one of 10+ concentrations for your bachelor's or 15+ concentrations for your MBA, you can earn your business degrees while expanding your expertise in the field that interests you most. Our extensive selection of business programs includes high-demand areas like finance, accounting, marketing and more.

Learn how to:

  • Explore business trends in various historical and cultural contexts
  • Articulate strategies for building shared organizational values, attitudes and beliefs
  • Recognize the impact of social and emotional intelligence on various business contexts
  • Explain ethical principles and core personal values in business decision-making
  • Apply change management theories and concepts in various organizational contexts

Career Outlook

There are many reasons you might consider earning your AS in Business Administration. First, earning an associate degree could make a significant financial impact on your life.

According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, those with an associate degree earn higher median weekly salaries than those with only partial college credit or less.1 In 2021, median weekly earnings for those with a high school diploma were reportedly $809; by comparison, associate degree holders made weekly median earnings of $963 – marking a 19% increase in salary.1

An associate degree can also be a valuable benchmark in your educational journey. Not only will you have a credential that shows employers what you've already accomplished, you'll be that much closer to earning a bachelor's degree and pursuing management-level positions.

Yvette Williams with the text Yvette WilliamsFor Yvette Williams, earning an associate degree in business was the first step to accomplish her goals. Upon graduating in 2019, she was promoted to a business analyst role, moved on to a bachelor's and now has her sights on an online master's degree.

“Earning my degree is important for me because it allowed me to earn a salary that will provide for my family,” Williams said. “My degree program has given me an opportunity to advance my career.”

Plus, if you decide to continue your education, both our bachelor's and master's degrees in business administration offer concentrations to choose from. Have a way with numbers? Consider a concentration in accounting or finance. Passionate about sports? Check out an online business degree with a concentration in sport management. What about healthcare, marketing or entrepreneurship? No matter where you hope to go, we offer a degree program that can help you get there.

Start Your Journey Toward an Online Business Administration Degree

Courses & Curriculum

Dr Bernice Bain with text Dr Bernice Bain"The AS in Business Administration course content is based on the understanding that we are currently in the Fourth Industrial Revolution," said Dr. Bernice Bain, an associate dean.

What does that mean exactly? According to Forbes, the Fourth Industrial Revolution describes impending "changes to the way we live, work and relate to one another" through the adoption of technology.2

In the context of AS in Business Administration coursework, that means understanding the way technology shapes business – both now and into the future.

"[These courses offer] an introduction to business trends, diversity considerations, social and emotional awareness as well as exposure to data analytics for business decision-making," Bain said.

Courses were developed with industry experts and designed to help you build a solid foundation in business. You'll explore key practices and principles in accounting, business law, economics, marketing, management and human resources.

You'll also have opportunities to engage with the course material every step of the way. Whether you're receiving feedback from expert instructors, sharing ideas with peers in weekly discussion board posts or using online resources to supplement your learning, you'll never be alone in your journey.

You'll have course materials, resources and tools that emphasize real-world application. Using authentic business scenarios and business data analytics, you'll learn firsthand how to solve key organizational problems.

Last, but not least, you'll develop "soft skills" – like problem solving, communication, diversity inclusion and ethics – that can help you succeed in the workplace.

Curriculum Requirements & Resources
  • General education courses: All associate students are required to take general education classes, if not obtained in prior coursework. Through these foundation, exploration and integration courses, students learn to think critically, creatively and collaboratively, giving you the edge employers are looking for.
  • Technology resources: We provide cloud-based virtual environments in some courses to give you access to the technology you need for your degree – and your career. Learn more about our virtual environments.
  • Earn math credits for what you already know: Save time and tuition with our Pathways to Math Success assessments. Depending on your scores, you could earn up to 12 math credits – the equivalent of 4 courses – toward your degree for less than $50 per assessment. For additional information, or to register for a Pathways to Math Success assessment, contact your admission counselor or academic advisor today.

Tuition & Fees

As a private, nonprofit university, we’re committed to making college more accessible by making it more affordable. That’s why we offer some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation.

We also offer financial aid packages to those who qualify, plus a 30% tuition discount for U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty.

Online Undergraduate Programs Per Course Per Credit Hour Annual Cost for 30 credits 
Degree/Certificates $990 $330 $9,900
Degree/Certificates (U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty)* $693 $231 $6,930

Tuition Rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually. *Note: students receiving this rate are not eligible for additional discounts.

Additional Costs No Application Fee, Course Materials ($ varies by course)

Frequently Asked Questions

University Accreditation

Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) as well as several other accrediting bodies.

This program and its concentrations are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Student achievement data can be found on College Navigator.

ACBSP logo

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