Business Administration

Professional/Technical Program Advisor
Jackie Landsem
360.383.3080 for appointment 

Business Administration Program Coordinator
Merrianne Bieler
360.383.3502
Baker 121

Business Information Systems
& Office Administration
Dave Beetham, Program Coordinator
360.383.3707
Baker 126

Hospitality and Tourism Business Management
& Retail Management
Greg Hansen, Program Coordinator
360.383.3760
Baker 126

Information Session

Business/ Accounting/ Business Info Systems/ Office Administration
Tuesday, October 13       4:00 - 5:00pm         LDC 203

Hospitality and Tourism Business Management
Tuesday, November 3     11:30-12:30pm       LDC 203

You are encouraged to attend the information sessions or contact the Professional/Technical advisor listed above for planning help.

Degree and Certificate Information [PDF Format]

• Associate in Science Degree / Business Administration
• Certificate / Accounting
• Certificate / Business Information Systems
• Certificate / Hospitality & Tourism Business Management
• Certificate/Retail Management
• Certificate / Office Administration
• Certificate / Office Professional Technical Support Specialist

For more certificate/short-term training opportunities visit the Office Administration Program webpage.

For more information about the hospitality and tourism options, visit the Hospitality & Tourism Business Management webpage.

What is the Business Administration Program?

The Business Administration program has a number of choices for students. Students can choose from an Associate in Science (AS) degree, which contains five possible specialties for focused study: Entrepreneurship, Accounting, Business Information Systems, Hospitality and Tourism, or General Business. The AS degree contains Core Requirement, Specialty Requirements, Related Instruction/General Education and Cooperative Work Experience/Electives. Students must complete all Core Requirements, one of the Specialty Requirements, the required Related Instruction/General Education courses, Co-op credits and possibly some elective credits for a total of at least 90 college level degree credits.

Six certificates are also available in Accounting, Business Information Systems, Hospitality & Tourism, Business Management, Office Support Specialist and Retail Management. The certificates contain Core Requirements, Related Instruction/General Education courses, and Cooperative Work Experience/Electives for a total of 45 to 61 college level certificate credits. Students who complete a certificate may be able to apply the credits of the AS Business Administration degree in the future.

Many students in the Business Administration program want to maximize the transferability of their coursework to the university/four-year college system. Students can earn both the AS Business Administration degree and the Associate of Arts and Sciences (AAS Transfer) degree with a minimum of extra credits. Also, students in the AAS Transfer degree program can tailor their degree to focus on their interest in entering the Business department at a four-year college or university. For either of these plans, students are strongly recommended to use WCC's advising services in developing their educational plan.

What can I do with with a degree in Business Administration?

Students with training and education in business are employed by public, private and not-for-profit organizations and agencies. Employees with business skills are valued by financial institutions, trade/labor organizations, government agencies, insurance companies, corporations, educational institutions, health care organizations, tax related businesses, and many more too numerous to list. Students with business degrees or certificates have many employment opportunities, and are often able to increase their skills through on-the-job-training or additional education.

What can I do with the Accounting Certificate?

This certificate offers the range of clerical and accounting skills needed to perform full-charge bookkeeping tasks for a small business accurately and efficiently. Employees in this position will use both manual and computerized systems, and will work under the supervision of an accountant.

What can I do with the Business Information Systems Certificate?

This certificate is designed to give students in-depth knowledge of office computer applications. Graduates are able to perform complex functions in databases, spreadsheets, and business documents, and have considerable knowledge of management of computer-based information Graduates are well-prepared to function in an office that produces professional reports or manages large numbers of files or spreadsheets. In addition, students can move forward with this certificate toward the Business Administration AS Degree.

What can I do with a Retail Management Certificate?

This certificate gives students a well-rounded management foundation, and is broadly applicable to all retail situations. The certificate will prepare the student to communicate effectively, handle human resource issues, develop a management style, and understand marketing and promotion. All of the certificate courses are also applicable to the 90 credit Business Administration Associate in Science, General Business Emphasis degree.

Whatcom Community College is part of a consortium of 15 colleges across the state that are offering Retail Management Certificates, and students will be able to complete the certificate at any of the colleges offering the certificate. In addition, the certificate was developed with the assistance of the Western Associated of Food Chains (WAFC). Grocery industry employees who complete the certificate with a ‘C' grade or higher in each course may be eligible to receive a cash bonus and certificate from WAFC. Some local grocery chains are offering significant incentives to their employees to pursue the certificate, such as tuition reimbursement, incentive raises, and cash bonuses upon completion. Go to www.wafc.com for a complete list of participants and for more details.

What are the prerequisites?

There are no special prerequisite courses for this program; however, students are encouraged to develop college level writing and math skills and strong computer skills early in their educational program. New students should complete the college's assessment/placement testing to determine writing and math levels. To schedule an assessment appointment, call (360) 383-3080.

What is the application process?

Apply to WCC online.

If you are unable to apply online, request a WCC application by email at , by phone (360) 383-3001 or in person at the Entry/Advising Office, LDC 116.

There is no special program application for the Business Administration program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the Business Administration degree transfer to a four-year college or university?
You can earn an Associate in Arts and Science (AAS)Transfer Degree with a business emphasis, which will give you a great foundation for your upper level courses at a four-year institution. With more concentrated study in business, the Business Administration Associate in Science Degree offers stronger employment skills but is not accepted as a whole at most four-year institutions. The exception to this is institutions which offer an "upside down" Bachelor's Degree (for more information, speak to an advisor). Another option is to complete both the AS Business Administration and the transfer degree. With good academic planning, this option can be accomplished with a minimum of extra credits. Students who want to enter the workforce earlier may find the second option a viable one.

What is the employment outlook for graduates?
Business Administration is a very broad field, and the WCC Business program offers a wide selection of study options. The major business-related job categories are currently considered "in demand" occupations, with faster-than-average growth through the year 2012. This information, and much more, is available at WorkforceExplorer.com.

Past graduates (from 2001, 2002, and 2003) have been employed at an average wage of $11.89 per hour, with 87% either employed or continuing their education, or both. This data does not include anyone who is self-employed. More information about past graduates is available at the Access Washington: Job Training Results website at www.wtb.wa.gov/jtr .

How long does the degree or certificate take to complete?
The Associate in Science in Business Administration degree requires a minimum of 90 college level degree credits. Many students entering WCC must take several quarters of coursework to bring their skills to college level. Because of this, the AS degree can take more than two years to complete.

The Certificates in Accounting, Business Information Systems, Hospitality & Tourism, Office Support Specialist and Retail Management require from 45 to 61 college level certificate credits. These certificates could be completed in four quarters if the student is starting at college level in English and Math.

Are there Tech-Prep credits that I can transfer from my high school for the Business program?
If you are currently in high school, there are several courses that have articulated agreements between the high schools and WCC. Contact your high school counselor about Tech-Prep credits.