Associate of Applied Science in Business

What type of degree will I earn at Missouri State University-West Plains?

Students enrolled in this program will obtain a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree that will include general education, business and accounting courses. Using a variety of business core courses allows more flexibility in tailoring a program of study to meet community and student needs. The program also includes an internship component which allows students to work in the area of their career choice. This degree puts an emphasis on the technical skills students will need on the job.

What type of work would I do if I studied Accounting?

Students with a business degree emphasizing accounting will be able to obtain jobs at area industries or organizations outside the Certified Public Accountant arena. Jobs in tax services, management consulting and general bookkeeping are not hard to find for these graduates. As a bookkeeper/accounting clerk, these graduates would compute, classify, record and verify numerical data to develop and maintain financial records. Although bookkeeping/accounting clerk jobs are entry-level positions requiring at least a high school diploma, a higher level of education such as that offered by an Associate of Applied Science degree will usually be favored over a high school diploma. (Missouri Occupational Information Coordinating Committee)

What salary can I expect to earn with Accounting?

Bookkeepers and accounting clerks (Occupational code 43-3031) in Missouri earned an average annual salary of $34,040, according to 2012 data (most recent data available) compiled by the Missouri Department of Economic Development and posted on the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center website. Bookkeepers and accounting clerks in the south-central Missouri region earned an average salary of $25,598 for the same period.

What type of work would I do if I studied Computer Information?

Students with a business degree emphasizing computer information systems will be prepared to work in the general business environment with the ability to make business decisions, act as an intermediate level computer application specialist and write simple programs.

What salary can I expect to earn with Computer Information?

Computer operators in Missouri earned an average annual salary of $36,020, according to May 2009 data compiled by the Missouri Department of Economic Development and posted on the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center website. In south-central Missouri, annual salaries average $21,105.

What type of work would I do if I studied Business Management?

Students with a business degree that emphasizes management can expect to land a supervisory position at area businesses, working into middle and upper management throughout their career. Among the jobs open to students with these degrees are retail sales manager and department supervisor. Managers plan, organize and control the operations of a business or department, overseeing the work and leading employees to accomplish the goals and objectives of the organization. They also interview, hire and train staff. Although many come into these positions from previous experience, many have a postsecondary education. On the local and national level, larger businesses are turning to community and junior college vocational programs to supply management personnel to manage their operations. (Missouri Occupational Information Coordinating Committee)

What salary can I expect to earn with Business Management?

The salaries of managers vary substantially, depending on the level of responsibility, length of service, and type, size and location of the firm. According to May 2012 statistics from the Missouri Department of Economic Development the average entry-level salary of management occupations in south-central Missouri was $32,623. In the state of Missouri the average entry level salary of management occupations was $43,020. (May 2012 data, Missouri Economic Research and Information Center website)

What type of work would I do if I studied Technology Management?

Students with a business degree that emphasizes technology management can expect to land a supervisory position at area businesses, working into middle and upper management through their career. Managers plan, organize and control operations of a business or department, as well as interview, hire, train and supervise staff. Although many come into these positions with previous experiences, many have a post-secondary education. On the local and national level, larger businesses are turning to community and junior college vocational programs to supply management personnel to manage their operations. (Missouri Missouri State University-West Plains Occupational Information Coordinating Committee).

Business (AAS)

Associate of Applied Science

The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Business prepares students for a career in the business field. Students may select from options in Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Human Resources, Information Technology, Management and Technology Management. 60 credit hours

General Education Requirements Credit Hours
CIS 101 Computers for Learning 3
COM 115 Fundamentals of Public Speaking 3
ENG 110 Writing I 3
IDS 110 Student Success 2
Civics: Select three (3) credit hours
  • HST 121 Survey of US History to 1877  OR
  • HST 122 US History Since 1877  OR
  • PLS 101 American Democracy and Citizenship
3
Economics: Select three (3) credit hours
  • ECO 155 Principles of Macroeconomics  OR
  • ECO 165 Principles of Microeconomics
3
Mathematical Sciences: Select three (3) credit hours
3
General Education Total 20
Business Requirements Credit Hours
ACC 201 Introduction to Financial Accounting 3
BUS 135 Introduction to Business 3
BUS 170 Business and Professional Ethics 3
BUS 297 International Business (capstone course) 3
LAW 231 Legal Environment of Business 3
MGT 120 Introduction to Management 3
MGT 286 Business Communications 3
QBA 237 Basic Business Statistics 3
Business Total 24

Degree Notes:

  1. Math requirements exclude MTH 197 and MTH 297.
  2. Students are required to complete a minimum of three (3) credit hours of math regardless of placement.
  3. Electives must be approved by the department.
  4. Students should confirm transferability of courses with their transfer university before completing courses at MSU-WP.

Accounting Option

Accounting Requirements Credit Hours
ACC 211 Introduction to Managerial Accounting 3
ACC 220 Payroll Accounting 1
ACC 221 Introduction to Individual Income Tax Accounting 2
ACC 290 Accounting Software Applications 3
ACC 299 Internship in Accounting 3
CIS 201 Computer Applications in Business 3
Elective 1
Accounting Option Total 16
Degree Requirements Credit Hours
Total Hours Required 60

Entrepreneurship Option

Entrepreneurship Requirements Credit Hours
ACC 290 Accounting Software Applications 3
EPR 110 Introduction to Entrepreneurship 3
EPR 130 Sales and Customer Service 3
EPR 290 Business Plan Development 1
MGT 299 Internship in Business Management 3
MKT 150 Introduction to Marketing 3
Entrepreneurship Option Total 16
Degree Requirements Credit Hours
Total Hours Required 60

Human Resources Option

Human Resources Requirements Credit Hours
ACC 220 Payroll Accounting 1
BUS 180 Associated Professional in Human Resources (aPHR) 3
CIS 201 Computer Applications for Business 3
MGT 140 Benefits Administration 2
MGT 299 Internship in Business Management 2
WES 110 Preparing for Today's Workforce 3
WES 126 Workplace Psychology 1
WES 140 Critical Thinking 1
Human Resources Option Total 16
Degree Requirements Credit Hours
Total Hours Required 60

(Pending CBHE Approval)

Information Technology Option

Information Technology Requirements Credit Hours
CGP 145 Introduction to Computer Programming 3
CIS 201 Computer Applications in Business 3
CIS 205 Website Design and Development 3
CIS 235 Computer Hardware and Operating Systems 3
CIS 260 Introduction to Java Programming 3
CIS 299 Internship in Computer Information Systems 1
Information Technology Option Total 16
Degree Requirements Credit Hours
Total Hours Required 60

Management Option

Management Requirements Credit Hours
ACC 211 Introduction to Managerial Accounting 3
MGT 299 Internship in Business Management 3
MKT 150 Introduction to Marketing 3
Elective 1
Economics: Select three (3) credit hours
ECO 155 Principles of Macroeconomics OR
ECO 165 Principles of Microeconomics
3
Real Estate and Insurance: Select three (3) credit hours
FIN 266 Principles of Real Estate OR
INS 211 Insurance
3
Management Option Total 16
Degree Requirements Credit Hours
Total Hours Required 60

Technology Management Option

Technology Management Requirements Credit Hours
TEC 112 Introduction to Supply Chain Management 3
TEC 228 Logistics, Transportation & Distribution 3
TEC 232 Quality Management 3
TEC 250 Safety Management 3
TEC 255 Project Management 3
TEC 299 Technology Internship 1
Technology Management Option Total 16
Business (AAS) Degree Credit Hours
Total Hours Required 60