Agribusiness, AAS

This degree is offered jointly between the Business and Agriculture departments. Students will develop an understanding of basic business management and agriculture production principles. They can apply these principles and skills to the management and operation of agribusiness firms. Examples of career opportunities include crop production managers, sales representatives, farmers and ranchers, agribusiness managers and owners, and record-keeping specialists.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Cultivate skills needed to meet various agriculture career responsibilities.
• Practice basic business management principles in an agriculture context.
• Develop a business plan that applies agriculture production principles .
• Apply workplace safety.
• Conduct scientific inquiry, data analysis and reporting on agriculture commodity production.
• Demonstrate problem solving and professional communication skills to meet workplace responsibilities.

This transfer degree prepares you to transfer into the YVC Bachelor of Applied Science in Agricultural Sciences program as well as approved agriculture articulations with Washington State University. Students will develop an understanding of basic business management and agriculture production principles. They can apply these principles and skills to the management and operation of agribusiness firms. Examples of career opportunities include crop production managers, sales representatives, farmers and ranchers, agribusiness managers and owners, and record-keeping specialists.

Students must meet with an advisor as course requirements may alter due to Washington State University and YVC’s requirements.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Cultivate skills needed to meet various agriculture career responsibilities.
• Practice basic business management principles in an agriculture context.
• Develop a business plan that applies agriculture production principles .
• Apply workplace safety.
• Conduct scientific inquiry, data analysis and reporting on agriculture commodity production.
• Apply interpersonal communication, cultural awareness, quantitative reasoning, and problem solving skills to agricultural workplaces.

Business Administration, AAS-T

The AAS-T in Business Administration is specifically intended for students planning to earn a two-year degree in business and pursue the Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Business Management (BASM) at Yakima Valley College.  The AAS-T in Business Administration is designed to include all the business and general education courses required for a smooth transition into the BASM degree.  Academic advisors in Business Administration can provide information to develop the best plan for students.  Note:  The AAS-T degree requires a minimum GPA of 2.0 or higher.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate effective communications, applying interpersonal and cultural awareness to business settings.
• Utilize critical thinking skills to analyze and problem solve quantitative, legal, ethical, and other general business situations.
• Apply information technology tools for problem solving and decision making.
• Differentiate the management functions of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling and their use in decision making and business strategy development.

Business Management, AAS

The Business Management degree is designed to give students a basic background in business and an opportunity to specialize in the area of marketing or entrepreneurship, if desired. In consultation with a Business Administration program advisor, students will develop an individual training plan for the Business Management degree.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate effective communications, applying interpersonal and cultural awareness to business settings.
• Utilize critical thinking skills to analyze and problem solve quantitative, legal, ethical, and other general business situations.
• Apply information technology tools for problem solving and decision making.
• Examine core marketing principles and their use in decision making and developing business strategy.
• Differentiate the management functions of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling and their use in decision making and business strategy development.

Associate in Business – Direct Transfer Agreement/Major Ready Pathway (AB-DTA/MRP)

The Associate in Business – DTA/MRP (Direct Transfer Agreement/Major Ready Pathway) degree is designed for students who plan to pursue one of the business disciplines at a four-year college or university. Students have the opportunity to start on the business core courses while completing their general education requirements. Upon completion of the DTA, students will enter most colleges or universities as a junior.

The degree is accepted by the following institutions:

• Central Washington University
• Eastern Washington University
• Gonzaga University
• Heritage University
• Pacific Lutheran University
• St. Martin University
• Seattle Pacific University
• Seattle University
• University of Washington
• Washington State University
• Western Washington University

See worksheet for details.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Utilize critical thinking skills to analyze and problem solve in business situations.
• Apply quantitative reasoning to solve accounting and financial problems that occur in business.
• Examine basic legal business concepts within the business environment.

Entrepreneurship Certificate

Note: Students are strongly advised to have word processing skills for the business administration classes. While not required, it is the student’s responsibility to apply correct keyboarding skills and written communication formats.

Management Certificate

The Management certificate is designed for students who wish to pursue the management and supervision functions of business. Courses in the certificate may apply toward the Associate of Applied Science degree in Business Management.

Note: Students are strongly advised to have word processing skills for the business administration classes. While not required, it is the student’s responsibility to apply correct keyboarding skills and written communication formats.

Marketing Certificate

The Marketing certificate is designed for students who desire to specialize in the sales and marketing areas of business. Courses in the certificate may apply toward the Associate of Applied Science degree in Business Management.

Note: Students are strongly advised to have word processing skills for the business administration classes. While not required, it is the student’s responsibility to apply correct keyboarding skills and written communication formats.

Retail Management Certificate

The Retail Management certificate is a nine course program designed to prepare individuals for the fast-paced retail industry. The program is intended to help students develop an understanding of the retail manager’s job and the requirements for career success and advancement in the retail industry. The program serves both entry-level job candidates and incumbent employees.

The Retail Management certificate meets the needs of industry leaders such as the Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC). Courses in the certificate may apply toward the Associate of Applied Science degree in Business Management. The Retail Management certificate is not limited to the grocery industry – it is designed to prepare employees and advance careers of general retail professionals.

Note: Students are strongly advised to have word processing skills for the business administration classes. While not required, it is the student’s responsibility to apply correct keyboarding skills and written communication formats.

Wine Sales Certificate

Looking to enter the Washington wine industry? The Agriculture and Business Administration programs collaborate to offer a short-term certificate that combines coursework from both programs to provide training options aimed at industry needs. The Wine Sales Certificate is designed to provide students with a concentration of courses in wine sales and marketing. All courses taken for the certificates would apply toward the related associate degree programs. Careers include tasting room attendants and wine club managers.