Business Technology
Associate Degree
A.S. in Business Information Technology
The Associate in Science Business Information Technology degree provides general knowledge in business and in-depth knowledge of a variety of business technology applications. Program topics include: accounting, organization and supervision of business activities, business communications, business computer applications, diversity, and intercultural communications in the workplace. The Business Information Technology A.S. degree is the final step in a stackable program consisting of the Business Information Professional I certificate, Business Information Professional II certificate, and this degree. Students who complete this degree program will have met the requirements to earn the Business Information Professional I certificate and Business Information Professional II certificate.
Catalog Date: January 1, 2026
Degree Requirements
| Course Code | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ACCT 301 | Financial Accounting | 4 |
| ACCT 341 | Computerized Accounting | 3 |
| BUS 300 | Introduction to Business | 3 |
| BUS 310 | Business Communications | 3 |
| BUS 330 | Managing Diversity in the Workplace | 3 |
| BUSTEC 126 | Outlook: Basics | 11 |
| BUSTEC 305 | Introduction to Business Information Technology | 3 |
| BUSTEC 307 | Computer Keyboarding and Skill Building | 3 |
| BUSTEC 309 | Computer Familiarization | 12 |
| BUSTEC 332 | Advanced Business Applications | 3 |
| BUSTEC 360 | Word Processing Beyond the Essentials | 23 |
| BUSTEC 362 | Comprehensive Electronic Spreadsheets | 24 |
| BUSTEC 366 | Electronic Presentations | 25 |
| BUSTEC 370 | Business Information Technology Capstone | 3 |
| COMM 325 | Intercultural Communication | 36 |
| A minimum of 0.5 units from the following: | 0.5 | |
| BUSTEC 498 | Work Experience in Business Technology (0.5 - 4) | |
| A minimum of 3 units from the following: | 37 | |
| BUS 320 | Concepts in Personal Finance (3) | |
| BUS 340 | Business Law (3) | |
| BUS 350 | Small Business Management/Entrepreneurship (3) | |
| ECON 302 | Principles of Macroeconomics (3) | |
| ECON 320 | Concepts in Personal Finance (3) | |
| MKT 300 | Principles of Marketing (3) | |
| PRJMGT 300 | Introduction to Project Management (3) | |
| Total Units: | 42.5 | |
1Substitute course, CISA 126 - Outlook: Basics, is available at American River College.
2Substitute course(s), CISC 300 - Computer Familiarization, is available at American River College and CISC 302 - Computer Familiarization, is available at Cosumnes River College.
3Substitute course, CISA 305 - Beginning Word Processing, is available at American River College and Cosumnes River College.
4Substitute course, CISA 315 - Introduction to Electronic Spreadsheets, is available at American River College and Cosumnes River College.
5Substitute course, CISA 340 - Presentation Graphics, is available at American River College and Cosumnes River College.
6Substitute course, BUS 312 - Workplace Behavior and Ethics, is available at American River College.
7Substitute courses for PRJMGT 300, MGMT 142 - Project Management Techniques and Software and CISA 160 - Project Management Techniques and Software, are available at American River College.
The Business Information Technology Associate in Science (A.S.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus the local FLC General Education Requirement, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See FLC graduation requirements.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:
- demonstrate an understanding of major functional areas of business organizations including planning, management, marketing, and finance.
- demonstrate an understanding of accounting as an information system and how it is used by investors, creditors, and others to make decisions. Understand the recording and reporting of business transactions, generally accepted accounting principles, financial statements, and statement analysis.
- demonstrate proficiency in advanced business technology applications and employ computer applications to create relevant business documents.
- demonstrate proficiency in business administration and leadership skills needed to manage a multicultural workforce.
- demonstrate customer service skills in a business environment and skills required to deliver a positive customer service experience.
- compose effective oral and written communications in various business settings.
- research, develop, evaluate, and test possible solutions using creativity, critical thinking, and technology skills.
Career Information
Business information professionals are employed in many different industries. These middle-skill occupations require more education and training than a high school diploma but less than a four-year degree, and include positions such as customer service representatives, receptionists and information clerks, and executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants. With an A.S. degree, the higher level opportunities include: business analysts, technical support specialists, and first-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers.
Certificates of Achievement
Business Information Professional II Certificate
The Business Information Professional II (BIP II) Certificate will prepare students for mid-level office and administrative support positions in a variety of job positions in a multitude of industries, including office and executive administrative support, office supervision, small business support, retail sales, and customer service representatives. The BIP II Certificate builds on the foundation established in the BIP I certificate. Students gain needed skills in business and communication and business applications such as Access, Excel, QuickBooks, and Word. Students will also learn how to manage diversity and improve intercultural communications. Students who successfully complete the BIP II certification will be prepared to test for the Expert level certification in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word.
Catalog Date: January 1, 2026
Certificate Requirements
| Course Code | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ACCT 301 | Financial Accounting | 4 |
| ACCT 341 | Computerized Accounting | 3 |
| BUS 300 | Introduction to Business | 3 |
| BUS 310 | Business Communications | 3 |
| BUS 330 | Managing Diversity in the Workplace | 3 |
| BUSTEC 332 | Advanced Business Applications | 3 |
| COMM 325 | Intercultural Communication | 31 |
| A minimum of 0.5 units from the following: | 0.52 | |
| BUSTEC 498 | Work Experience in Business Technology (0.5 - 4) | |
| Total Units: | 22.5 | |
1Substitute course, BUS 312 - Workplace Behavior and Ethics, is available at American River College.
2Students who have earned a BIP I certificate need to repeat BUSTEC 498.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:
- demonstrate proficiency in advanced business technology applications.
- demonstrate proficiency in business administration and leadership skills needed to manage a multicultural workforce.
- demonstrate proficiency in business communication and understand the complexities of intercultural communications.
- demonstrate customer service skills in a business environment and provide a positive customer service experience.
Career Information
According to the Center of Excellence labor market data, business information professional jobs are projected to have an increase in annual openings in the North (Greater Sacramento) subregion. These middle-skill occupations require more education and training beyond a high school diploma but less than a four-year degree, and include positions such as first-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers, customer service representatives, receptionists and information clerks, and executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants.
Business Information Worker II Certificate
The Business Information Worker II (BIW II) Certificate will prepare students for mid-level office and administrative support in a variety of job positions in a multitude of industries, including office and executive administrative support, office supervision, small business support, retail sales, and customer service representatives. The BIW II Certificate builds on the foundation established in the BIW I certificate. Students will gain needed skills in Access, Excel, PowerPoint, QuickBooks, in addition to records management and customer relations. Students who successfully complete the BIW II certification will be prepared to test for multiple Microsoft Office Specialist certification exams.
Catalog Date: January 1, 2026
Certificate Requirements
| Course Code | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ACCT 341 | Computerized Accounting | 3 |
| BUSTEC 364 | Intermediate Electronic Spreadsheets | 1 |
| BUSTEC 308 | Advanced Computer Keyboarding and Formatting | 3 |
| BUSTEC 332 | Advanced Business Applications | 3 |
| BUSTEC 361 | Advanced Word Processing | 1 |
| BUSTEC 366 | Electronic Presentations | 2 |
| BUSTEC 367 | Database and Records Management | 3 |
| Total Units: | 16 |
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:
- demonstrate proficiency in advanced business technology applications.
- demonstrate proficiency in business administration skills.
- demonstrate proficiency in business communication skills.
- apply customer service skills in a business environment and provide a positive customer service experience.
Certificate
Business Information Professional I Certificate
The Business Information Professional I Certificate prepares students for entry-level office, computer, and administrative support positions in a variety of industries. This certification includes courses in: oral and written business communications; computer application skills, including beginning Excel, Word, and Outlook; the fundamentals of computer systems; and critical thinking and problem solving. This certificate is a collaborative certificate and courses are available at multiple colleges. Students can reference the required course list to find more information regarding the courses available at each college. This certificate can be completed 100% online.
Catalog Date: January 1, 2026
Certificate Requirements
| Course Code | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL C1000 | Academic Reading and Writing (3) | 3 |
| or BUS 100 | English for the Professional (3) | |
| MATH 300 | Introduction to Mathematical Ideas (3) | 31 |
| BUSTEC 126 | Outlook: Basics | 12 |
| BUSTEC 305 | Introduction to Business Information Technology | 3 |
| BUSTEC 307 | Computer Keyboarding and Skill Building | 3 |
| BUSTEC 309 | Computer Familiarization | 13 |
| BUSTEC 360 | Word Processing Beyond the Essentials | 24 |
| BUSTEC 362 | Comprehensive Electronic Spreadsheets | 25 |
| BUSTEC 366 | Electronic Presentations | 26 |
| A minimum of 0.5 units from the following: | 0.5 | |
| BUSTEC 498 | Work Experience in Business Technology (0.5 - 4) | |
| Total Units: | 20.5 | |
1Substitute course, BUS 105 - Business Mathematics, is available at American River College and Cosumnes River College.
2Substitute course, CISA 126 - Outlook: Basics, is available at American River College.
3Substitute course(s), CISC 300 - Computer Familiarization, is available at American River College and CISC 302 - Computer Familiarization, is available at Cosumnes River College.
4Substitute course, CISA 305 - Beginning Word Processing, is available at American River College and Cosumnes River College.
5Substitute course, CISA 315 - Introduction to Electronic Spreadsheets, is available at American River College and Cosumnes River College.
6Substitute course, CISA 340 - Presentation Graphics, is available at American River College and Cosumnes River College.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:
- demonstrate proficiency in business technology applications.
- demonstrate proficiency in business administration skills.
- demonstrate proficiency in business communication skills.
- apply customer service skills in a business environment and provide a positive customer service experience.
Career Information
Students who successfully complete the Business Information Professional Certificate are prepared for entry-level positions in office, computer, and administrative support positions in a variety of industries.
This program is part of the Business and Management Meta-Major.