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ASSOCIATE OF ARTS (INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS) DEGREE

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Overview

2 Years Duration
Undergraduate Degree
60 Credit Hours
Transferability

The Associate of Arts degree is a two-year undergraduate program offered by many institutions in the province of British Columbia and beyond. The Associate Degree program is designed to provide broad-based knowledge and experiences which lay a foundation for further undergraduate study or entry to the workforce.

For full program description, requirements, and policies, see the Academic Calendar.

Our Associate of Arts Degree concentrations:

Arts Business Business & Psychology Economics International Business International Relations
Psychology Sociology Mathematics

Our Associate of Science Degree concentrations:

Science Computer Science Mathematics

Program Description

What You Will Learn

Students of the Associate of Arts (International Business) Degree program will gain multi-disciplinary knowledge in the faculties of arts, humanities, and social science, and develop their critical thinking and research skills. The program also includes a customizable concentration in international business, which allows students to explore the application of business strategies across different cultures, developing their skills to conduct business in markets around the world. Students will learn about the business practices of multinational organizations and examine the strategic plans of such organizations.

Program Structure

The Associate of Arts (International Business) Degree is a foundational degree consisting of 60 credits in total, typically completed over a two-year period. Program requirements include a range of breadth requirements, as well as required studies in economics, sociology, political science, international studies, and commerce.

What You Can Do After Graduation

Transfer to 2nd/3rd Year at a University
An Associate of Arts (International Business) Degree may be transferable to the third year of a four-year bachelor’s degree program at a university.

Some BC universities also admit Associate Degree graduates at a reduced GPA requirement. For more information on the option of transferring to a university upon completion of an Associate of Arts (International Business) Degree, please consult the BC Transfer Guide or see an Academic Advisor.

Enter the Workforce
International students completing the Associate of Arts (International Business) Degree program at Alexander College are also eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.

Develop Your Academic Skills

Our Associate of Arts (International Business) Degree program will enhance skills as well as provide experiences and aptitudes in the following areas:

Knowledge of economic theory

Familiarity with the applications of economics

Understanding of interrelationships among business organizations in the global market and of international trade in general

Understanding of government policy pertaining to markets

Development of cultural intelligence, improved intercultural competency and expansive decision-making skills

Program Requirements

The Associate of Arts (International Business) Degree program consists of the following course requirements, which must be completed with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater.

I. 6 credits in first-year English

II. 9 credits in science which shall include at least:

  • 3 credits in mathematics, computer science or statistics (statistics courses taught in subject areas of commerce and psychology may also be used)
  • 3 credits in a laboratory science

III. 36 credits in arts, 18 of which must be taken at the second-year level in two or more subject areas, including:

  • 9 credits in economics
  • 3 credits in international studies
  • 6 credits in political science
  • 9 credits in sociology

IV. 9 credits in Commerce

#myAC Spotlight Student Stories

We get to know Elle Lo who has an amazing story of working and studying abroad. After living in both England and Japan, Elle decided to come to Canada to find a new career path.

She hopes new students learn to branch out and try new experiences while studying at AC!

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Jesse Li is an international student that loves hiking and the outdoors. He is currently starting his first year at Alexander College and shares some great advice to his fellow peers.

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We meet Karan or Kevin who is an active member of ACSA. When not studying, Kevin loves spending time with friends, travelling and going for drives. He hopes new students embrace trying out new experiences and learning about new cultures!

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Gahyung shares more about herself, her experience at AC and how that has helped her transfer to UBC.

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We feature Kaining Zheng who also goes by Nick!

Currently studying Computer Science, Nick is actually one of our scholarship recipients this semester after his teacher's recommendation! He believes that international students should branch out and communicate with different cultures and people in order to improve their English.

Watch Video

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the top 5 questions about this program!

  • How many credits/courses will I need to complete an Associate degree?

    An Associate Degree requires completion of 60-64 credits, depending on the concentration area. Most courses carry a value of 3 credits, and some courses (e.g. laboratory sciences) carry a value of 4 credits. Most students will take 19 or 20 courses to complete an Associate degree. This assumes that all courses are passed and the program GPA remains 2.0 (C average) or higher.

  • How long will it take to complete an Associate degree?

    The average student will complete 30 credits (10 courses) per year, based on taking 3 courses each term (not including summer intensive term). At this rate, most students complete the program requirements in approximately 2 years of study.

    The exact duration of the program depends on various factors, e.g. the number of courses taken each term, the grades achieved in the courses, whether extra courses are taken during the summer term, whether the student has any transfer credit, etc.

  • Can I use transfer credit from another school toward an Associate degree?

    Yes! Alexander College is a member of the BC Council on Admissions and Transfer (BCCAT) and we have transfer credit agreements for thousands of courses offered by other institutions in BC. If you have taken post-secondary coursework at any accredited, degree-granting post-secondary institution in Canada or anywhere in the world, we can evaluate your coursework to determine if any credit from your prior studies can be applied toward your Associate degree.

  • Besides the course requirements, are there any other requirements to complete an Associate degree?

    In addition to the requirement to complete 60 credits in specific subject/program areas, the program also requires a minimum program GPA of 2.0 (C average). This average is calculated based on the grades obtained in all courses which are used to meet requirements of the degree.

  • What can I do with an Associate degree after I graduate?

    On completion of an Associate degree, graduates have several options:

    Transfer to Bachelor degree program – many institutions in BC and elsewhere will grant Associate degree holders priority admission and/or block transfer of 60 credits towards a Bachelor degree program.

    Entry into the workforce – use the skills you have obtained during your studies in an exciting new career. If you are an international student, you may also be eligible to apply for Post-Graduation Work Permit after graduation.

Admissions, Apply Online or Request Information

Looking to start the application process? You can apply online, review admissions requirements or request additional information below.

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APPLY ONLINE

Self-serve Application through our myAC Student Portal

Admissions Process

HOW TO APPLY

Requirements, Tuition Fees, International Student Guide

Request Enrolment Information

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