Associate Degree in Business

The Associate Degree in Business (ADB) is a nested award within the Bachelor of Business.

Course Description

Are you an aspiring entrepreneur? As a unique course, the ADB is designed to provide you with a broad theoretical knowledge of business studies, along with practical organisational experience. You will be equipped with practical insight for your business field with skills, expertise and an ethical framework for a successful business career. 

The course aims to develop you to be able to minister effectively in Christian and community settings, and respond intelligently to a wide variety of modern challenges and issues. The ADB seeks to link academic reflection in Christian studies in meaningful ways to training needs which stem from increasing contemporary challenges that business communities are facing.

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Course Structure

The course structure is based on four semesters (each of 12 weeks duration, plus an exam week), with four subjects taught in each semester. It comprises:

  • 10 compulsory core subjects (100 credit points)
  • 6 elective subjects (60 credit points)

To qualify for award of the degree of Associate Degree in Business a candidate shall accrue an aggregate of at least 160 credit points, including satisfactory completion of the core subjects.

For more information see the Student Handbook.

Admission Criteria

Academic

Applicants with Recent Secondary Education (within the past 2 years)

Applicants admitted on the basis of their recent secondary education must demonstrate the completion of NSW Higher School Certificate with an ATAR of 65 or higher (or the completion of the International Baccalaureate or interstate or overseas equivalent qualification and result) for admission into this course.

Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) Study

Applicants with a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification will demonstrate the completion of a Certificate III or higher qualification awarded by an authorised institution or registered training organisation (RTO).

The Program Director will conduct a pre-admission interview (either face-to-face or phone or via Zoom) with all applicants seeking entry into the course on the basis of a Certificate III qualification. This interview aims to assess academic suitability and preparedness of the applicant for undergraduate level study.

Applicants with Higher Education Study

Applicants whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a complete or partially complete higher education qualification must demonstrate the completion or partial completion of an AQF Level 5 Higher Education Diploma (or higher) by an authorised institution for admission into this course.

Applicants with Work and Life Experience

If you are over the age of 21 at the time of commencement, you can apply for admission into this course on the basis of provisional entry, and complete the provisional entry qualifying period to become a full candidate.

Language

Overseas students are required to demonstrate their English proficiency skills. Such students admitted into our programs must attain an overall IELTS (or equivalent) score of 6.5 (with no score below 6.0 in any of the four skills areas). IELTS (or equivalent) is not required for applicants who have undertaken five years of required higher education study (or equivalent) in English from an approved country or who have completed a Certificate IV or higher qualification awarded in English under the Australian Qualification Framework by an authorised institution or registered training organisation.

Study Modes

Locations: Online, Sydney
Full-time Duration: 2 years
Part-time Duration: Up to 8 years
2023 Intakes: Oct Intake, Nov Intake
2024 Intakes: Sem 1, Sem 2, Nov Intake

See the timetable to confirm individual subject location and mode availability.

Fees & Timetable

A complete Fee Schedule for all Alphacrucis programs and courses can be found in our Fees Information section.

For a full list of course dates for new and continuing students, please see our Timetables.

FEE-HELP is available for eligible students to assist you in financing your studies. For more information and other options, please visit the Financing Your Study page. For students who cannot access government loans, an alternative option is Study Loans, a private student loan provider. To learn more about loans provided by Study Loans, click here.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge:

Demonstrate

  • a broad knowledge of business theory, business principles and practices, with depth in the areas of either Accounting or Business.

Skills:

Demonstrate

  • skills to analyse, synthesise, and apply knowledge of business theory, principles and practices;
  • skills to comprehend, apply and communicate a Christian worldview, with particular emphasis on the role of the gospel in providing an ethical framework for business practice;
  • cognitive and technical skills required for professional activity, with depth in the areas of either Accounting or Business;
  • ability to identify issues and to provide evidence based and innovative solutions, by integrating their Christian worldview with business acumen, to complex issues;
  • basic skills in critical thinking and self-directed learning, using a range of sources and methods;
  • communication skills to present business theories, ideas and arguments to specialist and non-specialist audiences using appropriately selected communication methods;

Application of Knowledge and Skills:

Demonstrate

  • ability to analyse and discuss contemporary topics, issues and challenges impacting on business in Australian and international contexts, and evidence based and innovative solutions to these challenges. This includes the ability to apply knowledge and skills to new and diverse contexts;
  • some ability in self-reflection and evaluation of own performance for the purpose of vocational development.

Career Opportunities

After graduating from this course of study, you may find employment in relevant occupational fields that require skills in research and critical thinking, such as: small business owner, sales, management consultant, operations manager, or administration.


Alumni Stories

“There are plenty of ways to make a difference in business. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if more people understood that having a successful business and finding solutions to real-world problems, especially environmental and social ones, aren’t mutually exclusive?”

Adrian Chen

AC Graduate, Entrepreneur and
Co-Founder of Huskee Coffee Cup

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Work-integrated Learning

To qualify for the award of Associate Degree in Business, a candidate will complete at least 1 subject (10 credit points) of Professional Practice as part of the core subjects. Students are usually required to find their own workplace/ employer/ mentor to be approved by AC. In some cases, a new aspect within a student’s current paid employment may be suitable as a work placement.

Student Services

For information on the suite of student support services available, please see our Student Services section.

CRICOS Course Code: 0102071