Applied Business Technology Programs In America

Credential

Bachelor of Science (BS)

Associate of Applied Science (AAS)

Associate of Science (AS)

Associate of Applied Business (AAB)

Associate in Specialized Business (ASB)

Diploma/Certificate

Program Length

4 years for bachelor's degree

2 years for associate's degree

1-2 years for diploma

12-52 weeks for certificate

Entry

Bachelor's degree - direct entry; entry after associate's degree

Associate's degree - direct entry

Diploma/Certificate - direct entry

Areas of Study

General business office administration and management

Specialization areas include administrative/office assistant, tourism and hospitality/sports management, business information technology, accounting, medical office specialist, billing and claims, human resource management, retail management, criminal justice, legal office administration/paralegal, applied project management and secretarial/ reception.

Special Features

co-op/ work placement/ industry practicum

specialized office simulation labs

Businesses don't just run themselves. Skilled workers are needed to handle a number of specialized office procedures and administrative duties, and applied business technology (ABT) programs are there to train them.

University and 4-year college Schools of Business may offer Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees in fields such as business technology support and retail merchandising and management to domestic and international students. However, the majority of programs in applied business technology are found at the community, technical and career college levels. At these institutions--some of which are devoted specifically to business--international students can pursue a 2-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in business information technology, accounting, hospitality and tourism management, medical office administration and office management/ administrative assisting. Within the administrative assistant degrees you can further specialize in legal or medical office options. You can also take an Associate of Science (AS) in office management/ administrative assisting or Associate of Applied Business (AAB) in criminal justice or Associate in Specialized Business (ASB) in accounting management, fashion merchandising and more.

Diplomas and certificates are also available in such areas as business information technology, business applications specialist, accounting technician or clerk, hotel marketing and sales, hospitality and tourism management, retail management, legal office systems, billing and claims analyst, medical receptionist and office assistant are also available. Certificate programs are generally for high school graduates who want to gain employable skills in a short period of time. Some certificate programs allow you to transfer into a 2-year associate's degree program.

Applied business technology programs generally cover basic office skills that are applicable to a variety of potential careers. Required courses within any of these programs may include business office communications, administrative procedures, bookkeeping, keyboarding, computer applications, human/ public relations, business math, business English, and job search techniques. Programs designed for particular work environments (such as legal or medical offices) also include courses in specialized terminology, office practices and software. Programs in applied business technology at both community and career colleges are designed to make international students job-ready, whether they plan to stay in the US or work elsewhere in the world.