Harper College

Business Administration Degree

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Begin your career in business

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  • Administrative services
  • Business analyst
  • Customer support
  • Operations manager
  • Marketing/sales

Take the first step toward a successful career in business administration by completing this degree program. Choose a specialization that aligns with your career goals.

Harper College offers flexible program options, with many courses offered online and through accelerated Fast Track formats. And with apprenticeship programs, you can graduate debt-free with guaranteed employment through Harper’s business apprenticeship programs.

All courses are taught by skilled faculty members and business professionals who are experts in their respective fields.

A.A.S. degree program plans and outcomes

The Associate in Applied Science in Business Administration offers specializations in the areas listed below. Students may complete ONE specialization (click to expand):


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Program learning outcomes

  • Communicate persuasively and concisely, (orally, in writing, and presentation), using the language of business.
  • Evaluate major business functions and related technologies domestically and globally.
  • Explain and use quantitative tools in accounting, finance and economics.
  • Demonstrate soft skills: emotional intelligence, entrepreneurial mindset, leadership and teamwork.
  • Practice social consciousness and responsibility.
  • Explore a business career direction.
  • Analyze financial results from balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement.
  • Create a financial plan to achieve company goals
  • Outline a plan to interact with intermediaries to facilitate financial transactions
  • Recognize the differences among financial policies of other countries


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Program learning outcomes

  • Communicate persuasively and concisely, (orally, in writing, and presentation), using the language of business.
  • Evaluate major business functions and related technologies domestically and globally.
  • Explain and use quantitative tools in accounting, finance and economics.
  • Demonstrate soft skills: emotional intelligence, entrepreneurial mindset, leadership and teamwork.
  • Practice social consciousness and responsibility.
  • Explore a business career direction.
  • Examine business decisions with sound and defensible corporate and personal ethical policies.
  • Evaluate employee performance to fit organizational and individual growth objectives.
  • Develop a training and development plan consistent with corporate vision, structure, staffing, and employment practices.
  • Analyze personnel practices and recommend appropriate enhancements to increase motivation and productivity.
  • Apply effective management practices consistent with federal and state requirements for employee rights/protections, compensation, benefits, and labor relations.


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Program learning outcomes

  • Communicate persuasively and concisely, (orally, in writing, and presentation), using the language of business.
  • Evaluate major business functions and related technologies domestically and globally.
  • Explain and use quantitative tools in accounting, finance and economics.
  • Demonstrate soft skills: emotional intelligence, entrepreneurial mindset, leadership and teamwork.
  • Practice social consciousness and responsibility.
  • Explore a business career direction.
  • Discuss the property liability and personal loss exposers faced by individuals, families and organizations and the insurance coverages used to treat those exposures.
  • Explain the concepts of risk management and insurance.
  • Describe insurances regulation.
  • Calculate the basic financial rations of a P&C insurance co.
  • Explain the various types of insurance distribution systems.
  • Describe key insurance functions (i.e. underwriting, claims, marketing).


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Program learning outcomes

  • Communicate persuasively and concisely, (orally, in writing, and presentation), using the language of business.
  • Evaluate major business functions and related technologies domestically and globally.
  • Explain and use quantitative tools in accounting, finance and economics.
  • Demonstrate soft skills: emotional intelligence, entrepreneurial mindset, leadership and teamwork.
  • Practice social consciousness and responsibility.
  • Explore a business career direction.
  • Demonstrate rational and informed decision making that supports the company goals based on relevant data.
  • Identify motivational tools and techniques to pursue company goals.


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Program learning outcomes

  • Communicate persuasively and concisely, (orally, in writing, and presentation), using the language of business.
  • Evaluate major business functions and related technologies domestically and globally.
  • Explain and use quantitative tools in accounting, finance and economics.
  • Demonstrate soft skills: emotional intelligence, entrepreneurial mindset, leadership and teamwork.
  • Practice social consciousness and responsibility.
  • Explore a business career direction.
  • Demonstrate rational and informed decision making that supports the company goals based on relevant data.
  • Identify motivational tools and techniques to pursue company goals.


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Build on your success

Students interested in business may also be interested in:

To get started taking business administration courses at Harper College, contact Admission Outreach at 847.925.6700, or submit a request information form. You can also apply online.

Last Updated: 9/29/26