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Business Administration: Marketing and Retailing A.A.S.

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Business Administration: Marketing and Retailing A.A.S.

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Marketing is a pathway under the curriculum title of Business Administration. This curriculum is designed to provide students with fundamental skills in marketing and retailing, while embracing the digital landscapes of modern marketing techniques.

Coursework includes marketing, retailing, merchandising, selling, advertising, computer technology, and management.

Graduates should qualify for marketing positions within manufacturing, retailing, and service organizations.

Specific Requirements

Courses requiring a grade of “C” or better: ACA, ACC, BUS, CIS, ECO, and MKT

Courses in this program

Course Code Course Credit Hours Link to course details

This course provides an orientation to the campus resources and academic skills necessary to achieve educational objectives. Emphasis is placed on an exploration of facilities and services, study skills, library skills, self-assessment, wellness, goal-setting, and critical thinking. Upon completion, students should be able to manage their learning experiences to successfully meet educational goals.

View course details for Success & Study Skills ‌‌

This course introduces business decision-making using accounting information systems. Emphasis is placed on analyzing, summarizing, reporting, and interpreting financial information. Upon completion, students should be able to prepare financial statements, understand the role of financial information in decision-making and address ethical considerations. This course has been approved for transfer under the CAA as a pre-major and/or elective course requirement.

View course details for Principles of Financial Accounting ‌‌

This course provides a survey of the business world. Topics include the basic principles and practices of contemporary business. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of business concepts as a foundation for studying other business subjects. This course has been approved for transfer under the CAA as a pre-major and/or elective course requirement.

View course details for Introduction to Business ‌‌

This course introduces computer concepts, including fundamental functions and operations of the computer. Topics include the identification of hardware components, basic computer operations, security issues, and use of software applications. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the role and function of computers and use the computer to solve problems. Microsoft Office will be used in this course; this includes Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.

View course details for Introduction to Computers ‌‌

This course is designed to develop the ability to produce clear writing in a variety of genres and formats using a recursive process. Emphasis includes inquiry, analysis, effective use of rhetorical strategies, thesis development, audience awareness, and revision. Upon completion, students should be able to produce unified, coherent, well-developed essays using standard written English. This is a Universal General Education Transfer Component (UGETC) course that satisfies English Composition.

View course details for Writing and Inquiry ‌‌

This course is designed to engage students in complex and realistic situations involving the mathematical phenomena of quantity, change and relationship, and uncertainty through a project and activity-based assessment. Emphasis is placed on authentic contexts which will introduce the concepts of numeracy, proportional reasoning, dimensional analysis, rates of growth, personal finance, consumer statistics, practical probabilities, and mathematics for citizenship.

View course details for Quantitative Literacy ‌‌
Course Code Course Credit Hours Link to course details

This course is designed to be an overview of the major functions of management. Emphasis is placed on planning, organizing, controlling, directing, and communicating. Upon completion, students should be able to work as contributing members of a team utilizing these functions of management. This course has been approved for transfer under the CAA as a pre-major and/or elective course requirement.

View course details for Principles of Management ‌‌

This course provides a survey of the starting and operating of an entrepreneurial venture. Topics include new venture creation, the business plan, economics of the business, determining resource needs and acquiring resources, marketing, technology, leadership skills, and business ethics. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of entrepreneurship concepts and how to use the entrepreneurial mindset to succeed in their careers.

View course details for Intro to Entrepreneurship ‌‌

This course introduces the principles and problems of marketing goods and services. Topics include promotion, placement, and pricing strategies for products. Upon completion, students should be able to apply marketing principles in organizational decision making.

View course details for Principles of Marketing ‌‌

This course examines the role of retailing in the economy. Topics include the development of present retail structure, functions performed, effective operations, and managerial problems resulting from current economic and social trends. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles of retailing.

View course details for Retailing ‌‌

This course is designed to emphasize the necessity of selling skills in a modern business environment. Emphasis is placed on sales techniques involved in various types of selling situations. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the techniques covered.

View course details for Fundamentals of Selling ‌‌
Course Code Course Credit Hours Link to course details

This course introduces economic analysis of individual, business, and industry choices in the market economy. Topics include the price mechanism, supply and demand, optimizing economic behavior, costs and revenue, market structures, factor markets, income distribution, market failure, and government intervention. Upon completion, students should be able to identify and evaluate consumer and business alternatives in order to efficiently achieve economic objectives. This is a Universal General Education Transfer Component (UGETC) course that satisfies Social/Behavioral Sciences.

View course details for Principles of Microeconomics ‌‌

This course, the second in a series of two, introduces research techniques, documentation styles, and argumentative strategies. Emphasis is placed on analyzing data and incorporating research findings into documented argumentative essays and research projects. Upon completion, students should be able to summarize, paraphrase, interpret, and synthesize information from primary and secondary sources using standard research format and style. This is a Universal General Education Transfer Component (UGETC) course that satisfies English Composition.

View course details for Writing/Research in the Discipline ‌‌

This course introduces the use of critical thinking skills in the context of human conflict. Emphasis is placed on evaluating information, problem-solving, approaching cross-cultural perspectives, and resolving controversies and dilemmas. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate orally and in writing the use of critical thinking skills in the analysis of appropriate texts. This course has been approved for transfer under the CAA as a general education course in Humanities/Fine Arts.

View course details for Critical Thinking ‌‌
Course Code Course Credit Hours Link to course details

This course introduces the ethics and legal framework of business. Emphasis is placed on contracts, negotiable instruments, Uniform Commercial Code, and the working of the court systems. Upon completion, students should be able to apply ethical issues and laws covered to selected business decision-making situations. This course has been approved for transfer under the CAA as a pre-major and/or elective course requirement.

View course details for Business Law I ‌‌

This course is designed to describe consumer behavior as applied to the exchange processes involved in acquiring, consuming, and disposing of goods and services. Topics include an analysis of basic and environmental determinants of consumer behavior with emphasis on the decision-making process. Upon completion, students should be able to analyze concepts related to the study of the individual consumer.

View course details for Consumer Behavior ‌‌

This course is designed to build students' social media marketing skills by utilizing projects that give students hands-on experience implementing social media marketing strategies. Topics include integrating different social media technologies into a marketing plan, creating social media marketing campaigns, and applying appropriate social media tools. Upon completion, students should be able to use social media technologies to create and improve marketing efforts for businesses.

View course details for Social Media Marketing ‌‌

This course covers the fundamentals of digital marketing to implement successful marketing campaigns in the digital environment. Emphasis is placed on the development, production, and implementation of digital-marketing delivery methods, including, but not limited to, email marketing, web-based marketing, search-engine optimization (SEO), online advertising, and social media. Upon completion, students will have the fundamental digital marketing skills to solve real-world business problems and develop digital business opportunities.

View course details for Digital Marketing ‌‌

This course introduces the scientific study of human society, culture, and social interactions. Topics include socialization, research methods, diversity and inequality, cooperation and conflict, social change, social institutions, and organizations. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge of sociological concepts as they apply to the interplay among individuals, groups, and societies. This is a Universal General Education Transfer Component (UGETC) course that satisfies Social/Behavioral Sciences.

View course details for Introduction to Sociology ‌‌
Course Code Course Credit Hours Link to course details

This course provides a study of developing and enhancing individual and organizational creativity and innovation. Topics include that innovation needs to be applied to products, services, and processes to increase competitive advantages and add value to businesses. Upon completion, students should be able to apply innovation and creativity principles in the workplace.

View course details for Innovation and Creativity ‌‌

This course covers the elements of advertising and sales promotion in the business environment. Topics include advertising and sales promotion appeals, selection of media, use of advertising and sales promotion as a marketing tool, and means of testing effectiveness. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the concepts covered through application.

View course details for Advertising and Sales Promotion ‌‌

This course stresses the importance of customer relations in the business world. Emphasis is placed on learning how to respond to complex customer requirements and to efficiently handle stressful situations. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate the ability to handle customer relations.

View course details for Customer Experience ‌‌

This course provides information for decision making by providing guidance in developing, analyzing, and using data. Emphasis is placed on marketing research as a tool in decision making. Upon completion, students should be able to design and conduct a marketing research project and interpret the results.

View course details for Marketing Research ‌‌

This course extends the study of diverse marketing strategies. Emphasis is placed on case studies and small group projects involving research or planning. Upon completion, students should be able to effectively participate in the formulation of a marketing strategy.

View course details for Marketing Applications ‌‌
Total Credit Hours Required:
71

Curriculum is based on the 2025-2026 catalog.

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Good To Know

Why General Education?

You may be asking yourself, “Why do I have to take (course name) when it is not directly related to my major?”

General Education courses will help you develop skills necessary to be successful in your major and in life. General Education can teach you how to talk to your employer, write a paper in a major course, understand interest rates on your car, and much more. General Education can also give you the skills to be a better member of society and a more informed citizen. Critical thinking, global understanding, and appreciation for the human experience are hallmarks of a well-rounded education.

How many hours of General Education do I have to take?

If you are enrolled in an Associate of Applied Science Degree program, a minimum of 15 general education hours is required in the following categories:

  • Six hours from Communication
  • Three hours from Humanities & Fine Arts
  • Three hours from Social & Behavioral Science
  • Three hours from Natural Science & Mathematics

General Education courses have been pre-selected for you by your faculty from the following list:

CommunicationHumanities & Fine ArtsSocial & Behavioral ScienceNatural Science & Mathematics
COM-110ART-111ECO-251BIO-161
COM-120ART-114ECO-252BIO-163
COM-231ART-115HIS-111BIO-168
ENG-110HUM-110HIS-112MAT-110
ENG-111HUM-115HIS-131MAT-121
ENG-112MUS-110HIS-132MAT-143
ENG-114MUS-112POL-120MAT-152
 PHI-215PSY-150MAT-171
 PHI-240SOC-210PHY-110/110A
  SOC-225PHY-121

 

Degrees designed to transfer to universities require more general education hours. If you are enrolled in the Associate in Arts or Associate in Science, you are required to take 45 hours of General Education from the following categories:

  • Six hours in English Composition
  • Six to nine hours in Communication/Humanities & Fine Arts
  • Six to nine hours in Social & Behavioral Sciences
  • Three to eight hours in Mathematics
  • Four to eight hours in Natural Sciences
  • 11 to 14 additional General Education hours

If you are enrolled in the Associate in Engineering, you are required to take 42 general education hours from the following:

  • Six hours in English Composition
  • Six hours in Communication/Humanities & Fine Arts
  • Six work hours in Social & Behavioral Sciences
  • 12 hours in Mathematics
  • 12 hours in Natural Sciences

If you are enrolled in the Associate in Fine Arts in Visual Arts, you are required to take 25 general education hours from the following:

  • Six hours in English Composition
  • Six hours in Communication/Humanities & Fine Arts
  • Six hours in Social & Behavioral Sciences
  • Three to four hours in Mathematics
  • Four hours in Natural Sciences

Additional information about General Education for transfer degrees, including courses that satisfy each category, may be found in the current College Catalog.

What will I learn in General Education?

At A-B Tech, our faculty have designed a general education core so that A-B Tech graduates will learn the following:

Students will critically evaluate information:

  • Students will demonstrate information literacy.
  • Students will critique works of human expression.
  • Students will analyze scientific literature.

Students will solve problems:

  • Students will identify processes.
  • Students will analyze problems.
  • Students will interpret the results.
  • Students will recommend appropriate strategies or solutions.

Students will effectively communicate.

  • Students will communicate appropriately about the subject.
  • Students will communicate appropriately with the audience.
  • Students will communicate appropriately for the medium.

Ever wonder how A-B Tech awards credit for a certain course?

A-B Tech complies with the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges Code, so your courses are assigned the course level and receive the same amount of credit as courses at all 58 North Carolina Community Colleges.

If you want to read more about this, see the A-B Tech Policy and Procedure for the Assignment of Course Level Credit.

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