Dr Joe Cappa
Business Program Director
AAS in Business
Associate of Applied Science in Business
Your rapid route to the global workforce
Can’t wait to kick-start your career? Earn a degree to meet today’s employer demands 100% online, and in an average of 18 months.
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AAS in Business program structure
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Your Nexford Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Business starts with general education courses, which give you a solid grounding in essential concepts to help you hit the ground running. Then, build your business knowledge with core courses that resemble reality. Leave with a qualification valued by the global workforce – one that can open up doors to more advanced degrees.
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Dive into the curriculum
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This business degree provides you with new skills and post-secondary credentials to help you enter the workforce at speed. With a strong focus on upskilling you with real-world competencies, the AAS in Business degree prepares you to fast-track your career. From general education to core courses, you’ll master competencies that see you operate like a professional from the get-go.
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To prepare you for the real world
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These courses provide you with a solid foundation. Master topics such as intercultural communication and gain the essentials you need to succeed in different business disciplines. Build your knowledge in essential concepts that act as a bridge to help you understand the level expected from an undergraduate degree.
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American Institutions and Culture
American Institutions and Culture focuses on the United States as an intricate subject of study and provides a foundation for examining and interpreting the unique economic and cultural impact of the United States across the world. This course examines the United States throughout its history and currently on the world stage, provides learners with a practical literacy of the features of American institutions and businesses along with a cultural framework for a fundamental understanding of this nation and prepares learners for the skills to work within an American business environment.
CUL 1100
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Science of Happiness
Science of Happiness offers evidence-based approaches to living a more meaningful, successful and happy life by applying practical strategies to improve every domain of life, including home, work and community. Despite the enormous hardships that many people face around the world, this course explores how to manage cognitive biases and the impact that a positive mindset can have on personal, biological, relational, cultural and global aspects of life. Learners implement strategies which foster a positive behavior change.
SCI 1150
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Professional Communication
Professional Communication places emphasis on communication styles and approaches in today's workplace to include digital, verbal and nonverbal communication. The course focuses on the analyses of cases pertaining to professional communication skills, which include writing, speaking and listening, in actual businesses. Emphasis is placed on clarity, organization, format, appropriate language and consideration of audience, for both written and oral communications. Learners engage in self-assessment of communicative competence and learn strategies for enhancing their skills. This course explores how technology and other tools are integrated into communications within a professional setting and learners will be able to differentiate inappropriate from appropriate professional communications.
COM 1200
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Micro and Macroeconomics
Microeconomics and Macroeconomics gives learners a foundation in basic economic concepts essential to understanding consumer, business, and public policy decision making. Microeconomics areas of study include the market forces of supply and demand, competition, business organization, and consumer behavior. Macroeconomics areas of study include measuring the strength of a nation's economy, international trade, and the appropriate level of government interaction with the economy. This course addresses the knowledge necessary for successful functioning in today's challenging economic times. Economic growth, development, and sustainability is needed at a global level. Micro and Macro economic principles impact emerging and developing markets in different ways than they do for developed countries. This course addresses the knowledge necessary to function successfully as a professional in today's challenging economic times. A key focus of the UN SDGs for 2030 is Sustainable Economic Development
NWL 2100
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Statistics
Statistics emphasizes the methods of data collection and its analyses through the use of current technology. This course introduces statistical terms, distributions, display and interpretation of data collected (probability, validity and reliability), effect size, measures of central tendency (mean, median and mode) and determining statistical significance. Learners undergo hypothesis testing through the use of applicable statistical techniques.
STA 1300
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Nutrition and Wellness
Nutrition and Wellness focuses on highlighting strategies for a healthy lifestyle. A global increase in the consumption of heavily processed food and cultural shifts in many parts of the world where people are moving away from preparing food at home have led to a significant increase in preventable diseases. Learners will be equipped with practical skills to be healthier consumers of food and will be considering the importance of a wellness lifestyle with an emphasis on self-responsibility, physical fitness, stress management and environmental sensitivity. A key focus of UN SDGs for 2030 is Sustainable Economic Development
NWL 2100
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Environmental Science
Environmental Science engages learners in examining how health and food is significantly impacted by the physical environment. Learners explore various topics within Environmental Science to include global warming, pollution, waste and recycling. Learners examine how humans in increasingly industrialized countries and the earth itself, are impacted by environmental pollutants and contaminants. This course reviews major environmental policies and their impact on the health of communities and the preservation of the earth or lack thereof. Learners discuss the scientific evidence of emerging environmental issues and the focus of the UN SDGs for 2030 is Sustainable Economic Development
SCI 2150
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Intercultural Communication
Intercultural Communication exposes learners to the principles of intercultural communication to advance their efforts to understand and attribute meaning to communicative behaviors among different cultures and social groups. Learners study communication and culture, intercultural messages, the role of context in intercultural communication, the impact of culture on one’s identity and communication style. Learners master the practical skills necessary to improve one’s intercultural communication competence in an international world.
CUL 2200
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Problem Solving and Critical Thinking
Problem Solving and Critical Thinking considers how successful professionals in the 21st century assess environments, analyze situations, design alternative solutions, and assist organizations in overcoming challenges and reaching strategic goals. This course focuses on the development of reasoning and problem-solving skills by using scientific methods to analyze case studies and controversial topics. Learners will consider cultural differences in reasoning, inductive and deductive logic, and the use of positive inquiry and synthesis to solve individual and organizational problems. This course emphasizes on the successful models and proven methods that are transferable within the work environment.
PBS 2250
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Cultural Aesthetic Understanding
Cultural Aesthetic Understanding focuses on concepts and theories involved in intercultural, interdisciplinary study of artistic influence and expression. Learners examine interactions among an assortment of modes of creative expression, role of style in daily life, performative representation of cultural identity and difference and interaction of diverse artistic traditions.
CUL 2300
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A rock-solid grounding in all business areas
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Gain new skills in relevant and applicable areas. A rigorous and analytical understanding of the business fundamentals and general management across core subjects prepares you for today’s workforce.
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Roadmap to Success
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Accounting and Financial Reporting
Accounting and Financial Reporting engages learners in applying the principles of corporate finance and accounting to business decision making. Course topics include financial statements and other reports, the basics of financial forecasting and budgeting, accounting analytics, and communications and vocabulary related to financial statements. Learners reconcile financial transactions and accounting records, and examine the implications of international differences in accounting frameworks and financial reporting requirements.
ACC 6050
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Financial Decision Making
Financial Decision Making prepares learners to apply financial data to make financing, investment, and business decisions that create value for the firm and align with internal financial priorities. Learners evaluate the firm’s capital needs by applying their corporate finance and decision-making skills to financial statement analysis, capital budgeting, operational and investment options, and the use of fintech and emerging financial services. Learners build advanced financial models and apply them to corporate finance situations and financial risk management. This course prepares learners to apply key technologies to inform financial decision making.
FIN 6060
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The World of Business
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Leadership and Organizational Development
Leadership and Organizational Development examines individual and group interaction and helps learners gain a deeper understanding of how human behavior drives organizational behavior and development. Drawing from neuroscience and cognitive science perspectives, learners transition from manager to leader through the lens of managing self, others, teams, and relationships. Learners examine the principles of motivation, communication, leadership, organizational development and change relevant to contemporary issues.
BUS 6070
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Personal Branding & Business Impact
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Marketing Strategy
Marketing Strategy focuses on advanced marketing and leadership skills required in today’s fast-paced technology-driven global economy. Learners prepare for roles within the field of marketing, and gain a solid understanding of the role of marketing, both in traditional and digital platforms, in defining and maintaining a brand and in meeting business objectives. Learners examine how technology and transformational approaches are critical to developing future-forward marketing strategies. Topics include leadership, strategic partnerships, and negotiating skills that are key contributors to successful business growth and company culture.
MKT 6080
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Managing Human Resources
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Technology & Operations Management
Technology and Operations Management provides a comprehensive overview of technology utilization to drive a competitive advantage for company operations. Learners explore various technology solutions for business process automation, including value proposition analysis across organization functions. Learners also analyze how technology can be leveraged to improve product development during the four lifecycle phases. The course provides a detailed overview of the impact of technology on various operating models such as manufacturing, supply chain management, customer facing, product development, and support functions (for example HR and finance).
OPM 6090
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International Business and Culture
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Global Business
Global Business provides learners with an expansive understanding of international markets and how to manage cross-border transactions in order to effectively operate and compete in global, local, and emerging markets. The course focuses on the complexities, strategies, risk, and rewards that arise due to liquid borders, technology, cross-cultural and political issues, international organizations (WTO, IMF, World Bank), nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), trade agreements, foreign direct investment (FDI) in emerging markets, currency risk, challenges and sustainability. Learners develop a market entry strategy analysis for a business operating in the global, glocal, or local environment.
BUS 6100
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Organizational Strategy
Strategy examines how the success of any organization is based in part on how effectively strategy is incorporated into the overall mission and vision of the organization. In Organizational Strategy, learners develop an understanding of how adaptability and flexibility are two key aspects of a successful strategy. In many cases, the organization creates, adapts, and remains flexible with its strategy based on the environment in which the organization operates. Learners examine applied principles and frameworks of a successful strategy along with the tools needed to understand how to formulate the appropriate strategy. Learners apply these principles and tools across various industries and markets with the goal of creating a strategy which sustains and/or increases the competitive position of the firm. Strategy places importance on scanning the environment and keeping the strategy flexible and adaptable. This course focuses on the domestic and international strategic approaches needed to solve business challenges, integrating all of the tools related to strategy formulation. Learners perform an external scanning and risk analysis as part of strategy formulation.
BUS 6110
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Business and Culture in China
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Introduction to Intrapreneurship and Innovation
Introduction to Intrapreneurship and Innovation provides a framework for how employees with an entrepreneurial mindset can navigate the complex and challenging environments within existing organizations to bring about a meaningful, practical, and effective change. This course focuses on the need for an innovative mindset and explores the concept of intrapreneurship and how it can take place from within an organization. Learners identify and navigate radical and incremental innovation. This course provides a roadmap for how individuals can plan, present, and execute innovative and entrepreneurial approaches. Learners explore how supporting this kind of entrepreneurial culture within the workplace environment can help attract and retain employees who are entrepreneurial-minded but not yet ready or able to start or join a new venture, or who desire to drive innovation within existing firms or institutions.
BUS 6120
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Introduction to Business Law
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Corporate Sustainability
Before the year 2000, environmental management for a business was typically driven by the need to respond to restrictions imposed by environmental regulation; however, at the dawn of the new millennium, leading businesses began to change their concept of environmental management to look beyond simply meeting governmental dictates. These organizations began to evolve and utilize environmental strategy to create new ways of growing their business by bringing sustainability to the core of their business strategy. This seismic shift in perspective was accompanied by a bottom line emphasis that, in some cases, turned sustainability efforts into profit centers.
Sustainability increasingly is not hidden within the silo of environmental, health, and safety departments, but has become much more seamlessly integrated into the operations of corporate functional disciplines. Today, to effectively work in senior management, executives need to be knowledgeable not only about their specific business functions, but also, how their business will be impacted by governmental regulations & policies, corporate sustainability initiatives, green marketing regulations, industry guidelines or ‘best practices’, new sustainable technologies, energy planning, environmental performance metrics, and required reporting on the environmental impact of their business unit.BUS 6130
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Marketing Fundamentals
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Business Capstone - Entrepreneurial Focus
Business Capstone — Entrepreneurial Focus concentrates on the many dimensions of the entrepreneurial spirit in alignment with new venture creation and growth on the international stage. The principles and concepts apply to entrepreneurship in corporate for-profit and nonprofit settings. This course focuses on content and process questions as well as formulation and implementation issues related to conceptualizing, developing, and managing successful new ventures both nationally and internationally. Learners will apply and synthesize concepts and techniques from functional areas of strategic management, finance, accounting, managerial economics, marketing, operations management, and organizational behavior in the context of new venture development.
BUS 6140
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Business Capstone - Intrapreneurial Focus
Business Capstone — Intrapreneurial Focus examines ways in which innovative corporations cultivate entrepreneurial-minded individuals to become actively engaged in creating new business opportunities within the firm. Learners explore the principles and concepts applied by intrapreneurial individuals in for-profit and non-profit entities. Learners investigate content and process questions as well as formulation and implementation issues related to conceptualizing, developing, and managing successful new ventures, both nationally and internationally. Learners will apply and synthesize concepts and techniques from functional areas of strategic management, finance, accounting, managerial economics, marketing, operations management, and organizational behavior in the context of creating an entrepreneurial venture within an organization.
BUS 6141
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Digital Marketing Fundamentals
Digital Marketing Fundamentals provides an understanding of the digital marketing landscape, key trends impacting the industry, the changed customer journey, and the role each channel can play in that journey. The course also examines the advantages and subsequent challenges of this expanding marketing venue. Learners explore the tools that currently exist and the potential for future applications of the digital platform for marketing purpose. The course will further explore the digital platform as a tool for businesses in general in order to increase its levels of efficiency, effectiveness, and competitive position in the market space. Learners define and develop a digital strategy to help a business achieve its goals.
MKT 2150 -
Financial Accounting
Financial Accounting focuses on the foundations of financial accounting concepts and methods used to generate, analyze, and interpret financial statements. Learners perform journal entries and record-keeping of transactions with an understanding of how these accounts are measured and reported in major financial statements.
ACC 2100 -
Managerial Accounting and Cost Analysis
Managerial Accounting and Cost Analysis focuses on the techniques managers use to identify and manage production costs for labor, material, and overhead. Learners engage multiple methods for budgeting and cost reporting, and calculate and interpret variances between budgets and actual results.
ACC 2200 -
Financial Management
Financial Management focuses on the foundations of finance concepts required to be capable of managing day to day financial operations and to solve complex financial matters. Learners examine the elements of financial statements of an entity and impact of changes in one element on the other. Additionally, learners plan and control cash flows and make decisions in the microeconomic and macroeconomic environment.
FIN 2100 -
Introduction to Digital Transformation
Digital Transformation Foundation is the foundational course for the Digital Transformation and Innovation Core. This course provides a survey of three types of capability transformations that enable digital transformation: people, tool, and process. At the people capability level, digital transformation requires the organization to hire and retain customer-centric and service-oriented talent; this talent search demands more collaboration and knowledge sharing while breaking down the silos between business and technology. At the tool capability level, a horizontal digital enabling layer is required to be developed, covering big data analytics, artificial intelligence, robotics, IoT, wearables, augmented and artificial reality, and modular manufacturing. Vertical business applications require digitization by the horizontal digital enablers in vertical business applications such as supply chain management, customer experience, finance and administration, and more. At the process capability level, digital transformation requires the business processes to be automated via the horizontal digital enablers.
DTF 3100 -
Leadership, Management, and Teams
Leadership, Management, and Teams focuses on how to create a personal and shared vision and communicate effectively with teams, as a leader, a manager and a team member. Topics include setting effective goals and expectations, understanding cultures and explaining the differences between management and leadership, team membership and leadership and the global workplace.
BUS 2200
