Business
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The Business Program at Skyline College provides challenging academic experiences in a wide variety of business specializations that prepare students with a foundation in business, accounting, economics, and data processing.
We offer three Associate Degrees in Business with concentrations in a variety of areas geared towards students looking to transfer to a four-year institution. We also offer seven different Business Certificates for students looking to gain an advantage once they enter the workforce.
The Business Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council of Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Skyline College was the first community college on the west coast to receive accreditation from Accreditation Council of Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
An education in Business prepares students for a wide range of executive, administrative and managerial occupations through the study of economics, international relations, public policy, and organizational management.
In order to succeed in Business, students should have good judgment, an ability to communicate clearly and persuasively, self-confidence, good problem solving and analytical skills, leadership qualities, flexibility, and a willingness to obtain formal training in other areas.
Career Outlook
In order to succeed in Business, students should have good judgment, an ability to communicate clearly and persuasively, self-confidence, good problem solving and analytical skills, leadership qualities, flexibility, and a willingness to obtain formal training in other areas.
Specific job descriptions vary greatly by industry, by nature and size of the organization, and by level of responsibility. At the highest level of responsibility, general managers and top executives formulate policy and direct the operations of private companies and government agencies; these positions frequently require graduate level education.
Most entry- to mid-level positions in Business require a Bachelor’s Degree. The Business Programs at Skyline College offer a springboard from which to transfer to a four-year institution.
The State of California Employment Development Department provides an online Occupational Guide that provides helpful job descriptions, job outlooks and wages, and qualification requirements for a wide variety of careers. Use this guide to find more information about a career that may interest you.
Looking for a list of classes offered this semester?
Check out the current class schedule.All Courses
BUS. 100 Introduction to Business (3 units)
A basic orientation designed to develop a foundation of business practices and the role of business in the economy, and as an aid in selecting a field of specialization.
BUS. 101 Human Relations at Work (3 units)
Application of basic principles in the behavioral sciences, communication, practical problems of personal growth, self-management, and the development of healthy, productive, interpersonal relationships, in the workplace.
BUS. 103 Introduction to Business Information Systems (3 units)
Introduction to computer systems and software applications and their impact on the business environment. Topics include computer architecture, hardware, software, computer terminology and theory. Students use software applications as problem solving tools for business projects.
BUS. 113 Personal Finance (3 units)
Personal finance leads students toward financial education and enables students to obtain the foundation for a lifelong understanding of the basics of finance including money management, tax planning, investing, and retirement planning. Students learn to apply quantitative and computational methods to help them understand the basis for financial literacy. Emphasis is placed on learning the fundamental concepts of everyday finance with a hands-on approach. Instruction will be based on student-centered activities, where they will analyze, and be able to synthesize financial documents and reports. Quantitative reasoning will be emphasized for the students so that they develop their problem-solving skills.
BUS. 120 Mathematical Analysis for Business (3 units)
Fundamental mathematical principles required for business courses. Includes introduction to calculus including applications; probability, including expected monetary value and decision making; and mathematics of finance, including amortization.
BUS. 123 Statistics (3 units)
Introduction to basic statistical methods, descriptive statistics, classification of data, probability, probability distributions, hypothesis testing, estimates and sample sizes, correlation and regression, chi-square tests, and analysis of variance. Use of technology to analyze data from business, life sciences, social sciences, psychology, health science, education, and physical science.
BUS. 150 Entrepreneurship - Small Business Management (3 units)
For potential or present entrepreneurs with or without prior experience. An emphasis on the mindset of the entrepreneur, business model concepts, business management, marketing, 21st century skills and developing a business pitch.
BUS. 161 Creativity and Innovation in Entrepreneurship (3 units)
Emphasis on creativity and innovation as a strategic process. Includes the role of risk-taking in entrepreneurship, opportunities that lead to successful business ventures and the examination of personality traits of successful entrepreneurs. For potential or present entrepreneurs with no prior business experience.
BUS. 166 The Business Plan (3 units)
Preparation of a compelling and well-researched business plan to be used as a guide for starting or managing a small business. Emphasis is placed on formulation of effective strategies with the goal of achieving sustainable market advantage within the political, social, and economic environment. The role of business incubators as a means of leveraging physical and intellectual resources to accelerate and ensure the success of entrepreneurial businesses is also examined.
BUS. 180 Principles of Marketing (3 units)
An overview of the fundamental concepts, principles and applications for both Business-to-Consumer and Business-to-Business marketing. Examines the marketing mix – the four Ps of marketing--product, price, placement, promotion--and the role of each in effective marketing. Also addresses market research, target marketing and marketing planning.
BUS. 188 Consumer Behavior and Interpreting Marketing Dynamics (3 units)
An in-depth study of how psychological, sociological, and cultural variables influence buying behavior and marketing strategy development. Will focus on identifying the relevant behavioral variables in a given product purchase situation and determining what marketing strategies can be adapted to meet the ways in which consumers perceive, select, and buy.
BUS. 189 Sales and Self Promotion: Fundamentals of Personal Selling (3 units)
An introduction to the basic concepts and practices of relationship selling and a practical approach to creating enduring customer interactions. Learning will be through examples, exercises and role-playing of selling situations. The skills acquired are applicable in all aspects of life - course work, job search, career sales, and idea presentation. Sales ethics, account relationship management and aspects of motivating sales forces will also be covered.
BUS. 192 Ethnic and Multicultural Marketing (3 units)
Today's marketing success depends on the ability to segment customers effectively, and it calls for specialized approaches to deliver an effective and ethnically aware marketing mix. Through case studies and market analysis, you will explore how to create the right messages for the right audience and do so in a way that isn't appropriating cultures and is current and delivers results.
BUS. 193 Digital Marketing (3 units)
Digital technologies and platforms are routinely used to market to consumers and businesses. Study of best practices including social media, web, mobile media as it applies to consumers, for political and advocacy purposes as well as internal audiences within an organization.
BUS. 201 Business Law (3 units)
Origin, development, and functions of the law and the legal environment with the objective of promoting a general understanding of legal reasoning. Framework within which the judicial process takes place. Legal problems pertaining to contracts and related topics, sales, and the impact of law on economic enterprise.
BUS. 391 Retail Management (3 units)
Retail operations from a managerial perspective. Topics include, innovations impacting retail, exposure to various types of retailers including consumer buying behavior, retail marketing approaches, merchandising, store management, store layout and design and customer service.
BUS. 401 Business Communications (3 units)
An overview of effective business communication skills and their direct relationship to workplace success. Emphasis is placed on the planning, organizing, composing, and revising of business documents such as letters, memos, reports, and emails. Presentation skills, professional behavior in the workplace, and current communication technologies are included with an emphasis on real world problem solving. Digital communication topics include presentation software, emails, business-relevant social media, and mobile technologies.
BUS. 665 Selected Topics in Business (0.5- 1.5 units)
Designed to develop specific skills that are utilized in business settings. Will focus on one specific topic; for example, a specific software package, telephone techniques, time management, human relations skills, small business management, etc.
BUS. 670 Vocational Cooperative Education in Business (3 units)
Students may receive credit for work experience related to their major field or to their established career goal. Meetings are scheduled at convenient times during the semester for the instructor and the student to review learning objectives related to the student's employment. 3 units per semester for a total of 225 hours worked may be earned by students with jobs related to their academic or occupational majors or goals. Occupational Cooperative Education work experience courses offered within the SMCCCD may be repeated for credit up to a combined total of 16 units.
BUS. 695 Independent Study in Business (0.5- 3 units)
Designed for students who are interested in furthering their knowledge via self-paced, individualized, directed instruction provided in selected areas to be arranged with instructor and approved by the division dean using the Independent Study Form. Varying modes of instruction can be used -- laboratory, research, skill development, etc. For each unit earned, students are required to devote three hours per week throughout the semester. Students may take only one Independent Study course within a given discipline.
MGMT 100 Introduction to Business Management (3 units)
An introduction to successful management strategies and tactics that focus on the most important areas for business today: planning, organizing, motivating, leading, and controlling. Emphasizes the roles and responsibilities of the management team in all sizes and types of businesses. Includes discussion of ethical considerations in terms of social and environmental impacts of business.
MGMT 101 Introduction to Human Resources Management (3 units)
An introduction course that examines the fundamentals of human resources management which includes employee motivation, labor relations, employee performance and culture and diversity in the workplace.
MGMT 150 Human Resources Law and Labor Relations (3 units)
Exploration of federal and state employment laws and regulations, including EEO, prohibition of discrimination, harassment and retaliation, disability rights in the workplace, family leave laws and worker’s compensation. Understanding of organized labor in the United States; union relations, collective bargaining; contract negotiations, and grievance procedures.
MGMT 151 Human Resources Compensation and Benefits (3 units)
Introduction to compensation and benefits development and administration. Compliance with pay regulations, assessing benefit plans and pension systems. Incentive pay and wellness program components and considerations.
MGMT 152 Human Resources Talent Acquisition and Performance (3 units)
Examination of the fundamental concepts and techniques for hiring and developing employees within an organization. The course examines the identification, recruitment, selection, on-boarding and promoting of employees within an organization. In addition, the course focuses on performance management; the process for developing high performing employees and managing low performing employees.
MGMT 153 Managing Culture and Diversity (3 units)
An in depth exploration to the theory, practices and implementation of creating a diverse and culturally aware company and workforce. Topics include how ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, gender age and physical ability affect employee motivation and experiences, pay gap, ethics, value of diversity, cultural competence and managing issues of harassment, racism and discrimination.
MGMT 450 Fundamentals of Construction Management (3 units)
Introductory survey of basic concepts in construction management, including: industry overview, construction phases, project participant roles, estimation, bidding and contracts, licensing and legal issues, construction documents and office procedures, insurance and financing, construction accounting, project scheduling, project controls, construction project management software, safety concerns and issues, and leadership and supervisory/employee relationships. Also listed as ESTM 450.
MGMT 452 OSHA 10 Construction Industry Training (1 units)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Standards, policies, and procedures in the construction industry. Topics include scope and application of the OSHA Construction Standards, construction safety and health principles, and special emphasis on those areas in construction which are most hazardous. Upon course completion students will have the ability to define construction terms found in the OSHA Construction Standards, identify hazards which occur in the construction industry, locate and determine appropriate OSHA Construction Standards, policies, and procedures, and describe the use of the OSHA Construction Standards and regulations to supplement an ongoing safety and health program. Also listed as ESTM 452.
| Program | Type | Total Units |
|---|---|---|
| Business Management | AS | 60 Units |
| Business Administration for Transfer Degree 2.0 | AS-T | 60 Units |
| Business Administration | CA | 29 - 32 Units |
| Business Management | CA | 31 Units |
| Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management | CA | 24 Units |
| Office Assistant | CA | 14 Units |
| Entrepreneurship | CS | 12 Units |
Upon completion of the program students will be able to:
- Critical Thinking - Apply critical thinking and analytical skills in decision making and problem solving.
- Accounting/Financial Accounting - Understand and apply accounting principles to prepare financial statements.
- Business Law - Develop an understanding of the law and the legal environment as it relates to business operations, including its ethical implications.
- Intro to Business Information Systems - Identify the basics of information technology and apply software applications to enhance efficiency of business functions.
- Business Communications - Create effective oral and written business communications utilizing modern communication technologies.
- Economics/Macroeconomics - Demonstrate knowledge of basic economic concepts and how they affect business.
| Type | Status | Title | Days | Time | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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OPEN for Waitlist | BUS. 100 - 50045 - Introduction to Business | TBA | Pate, H | |
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OPEN | BUS. 100 - 55151 - Introduction to Business | T | 9:30am-11:30am | McCarthy, S |
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OPEN | BUS. 100 - 55151 - Introduction to Business | TBA | McCarthy, S | |
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OPEN for Waitlist | BUS. 101 - 55504 - Human Relations | TBA | McCarthy, S | |
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OPEN for Waitlist | BUS. 103 - 50081 - Intro to Bus. Info Systems | TBA | Beltran, H | |
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OPEN | BUS. 150 - 55225 - Entrepreneurship Sm Bus Mgmt | T | 12:00pm-3:00pm | McCarthy, S |
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OPEN | BUS. 150 - 55225 - Entrepreneurship Sm Bus Mgmt | TBA | McCarthy, S | |
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OPEN | BUS. 193 - 56036 - Digital Marketing | TBA | Canfield, C | |
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OPEN | BUS. 193 - 56036 - Digital Marketing | Th | TBA | Canfield, C |
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OPEN for Waitlist | BUS. 201 - 55088 - Business Law | TBA | Raskin, J | |
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OPEN | BUS. 201 - 50777 - Business Law | M W | 12:25pm-2:00pm | Shek, S |
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OPEN | BUS. 201 - 50777 - Business Law | TBA | Shek, S | |
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OPEN | MGMT 150 - 56141 - Human Resources Law/Labor | TBA | Beltran, H |
Business Program Graduate Data
Business Program Success and Retention Data
| Year | Success Rate | Retention Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-2015 | 67.4% | 80.5% |
| 2015-2016 | 69.5% | 83.0% |
| 2016-2017 | 71.3% | 83.8% |
| 2017-2018 | 72.9% | 85.6% |
Additional Resources
Primary Contact
Department Faculty
