Des Moines Area Community College.

Business Administration Skills Guide

Recommended High School Level Background Courses

  • Business Math
  • *Economics
  • Accounting
  • *Algebra I
  • General Business
  • Keyboarding
  • *Composition
  • Business Law
  • Introduction to Word Processing
  • Speech
 

* Courses available in the Academic Achievement Center or High School Completion Center

Basic Skills in the Program and on the Job

Reading

Students in the Business Administration program read general periodicals, trade journals, and newspapers, including both local and national papers such as the Wall Street Journal. Texts are a central part of most courses, with tests based on a combination of text and lecture material. Texts for typical first-semester courses such as Introduction to Business, Principles of Macroeconomics, and Principles of Accounting I are written at a college level.

Students who transfer to four-year institutions can expect reading assignments of increasing length and complexity. In the work place, graduates of the program can expect to read trade journals in their area of specialization, such as real estate or investment.

View more information on reading skills in the Business Administration program.

Language

To succeed in this program, students must have good oral and written communication skills, as well as the ability to work with people to reach company goals. Nine hours of communications courses are required for an Associate of Science degree, including Composition I (ENG 105), either Composition II (ENG 106) or Composition II:  Technical Writing (ENG 108), and a speech course. In their business courses, students may interview business leaders and make class presentations. Written work will include reports, research papers, and essay tests.

In the work place, graduates will use speaking skills primarily on a one-to-one basis as they supervise other employees, interact with peers, and make presentations to customers. Business writing such as letters and memos can also be expected in the workplace.

View more information on language skills in the Business Administration program.

Math

For an Associate of Science degree, students must take a college-level math course, typically Finite Math (MAT 141). One year of high school algebra is the prerequisite for this course. Many business administration students planning to transfer to four-year programs take  Statistics (MAT 157)), which has a prerequisite of two years of high school algebra. Students planning to transfer should check with the 4-year institution regarding math requirements before selecting math courses at DMACC.

In addition, the required economics courses involve graphing and using formulas, while courses such as Personal Finance and Introduction to Investments involve using per cents to calculate returns. The same sorts of general math skills will be used on the job.

View more information on math skills in the Business Administration program.

Learning

Strong study skills are expected of students in this program. Most lecture courses require a minimum of two hours of study for each hour spent in class; many science and math classes take three to four hours of study. Students must take notes from both texts and lectures, integrating the information as they prepare for tests.

Several of the courses required in this program—accounting, economics, business law—require strong reasoning skills. Students and graduates must be able not only to memorize facts but also to apply general principles to specific cases. Drawing inferences from business trends in order to make sound investment decisions, recognizing cause-effect relationships, and problem-solving in financial planning are also important skills in this field.

View more information on learning skills in the Business Administration program.

Computer

Introduction to Computers (CSC 110) is a requirement in this program. Additional computer-related activities in class and on the job involve internet research, word processing for written communications, and spreadsheet work connected to accounting.

View more information on computer skills in the Business Administration program.