The field of management has seen considerable growth over the past few decades and virtually every industry from education to IT has seen a rise in the demand for well-qualified and trained managers. As businesses around the world move towards creating a more efficient and profitable business environment, the demand for managers continues to rise. An Associate in Applied Management degree is a good choice to launch your career in a related management position.
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Associate of Applied Management professionals should be able to perform various tasks depending on the size and specialization of a company. You may be responsible for marketing, retail management, accounting, resource management, risk management and corporate development. Additionally, you may be required to perform day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining records, processing payments and various other duties.
Let’s look at each question that you may come up with while you consider enrolling in the degree.
What will I learn?
The program objectives will vary from one university to another. However you’ll generally learn to:
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Evaluate different kinds of existing management practices and develop new strategies to improve and enhance them.
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Implement new hierarchical order, decision making models and latest technologies within the organization
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Analyze existing leadership styles, identify areas of improvement, and suggest improvements
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Ensure that management practices are aligned with the overall strategic goals
What are the admission requirements?
In order to enroll in the Associate in Applied Management program, you must have a high school diploma or GED and may be required to pass a college entrance exam. In addition you’ll be required to provide official transcripts, letters of recommendation, and personal statements. The admission requirements may however vary from one university to another.
Can I pursue this program online?
Applied Management Associate Programs are also offered online by a number of colleges allowing you to take classes from the comfort of your home. Online programs are appropriate for you if you want to continue managing your personal and professional commitments while you pursue your degree. Moreover distance learning courses will also allow you to save up on costs by doing away with travel expenses. It is generally believed that online education is equally good in terms of the program curriculum and structure. One of the major benefits of an online management program is the flexibility it offers. You may complete the program in a shorter duration by taking up accelerated coursework. Alternatively you may take longer if you enroll in a self paced program.
What will I study?
The coursework for this degree includes Computer Applications, Communication Methods, Base Critical Thinking, General Psychology and Economics. You also take courses such as Introduction to Business, Principles of Management, Business Accounting, Applied Business Law, Human Resource Management, Financial Management, Customer Relations and Servicing, and Introduction to Marketing. You’ll be required to take up a combination of compulsory and elective modules. In addition to providing a broad knowledge base, this’ll also help you in fulfilling the credit hour requirement and focusing particularly on your academic and professional interests.
Once the coursework is complete, you may be required to complete an internship in order to gain practical exposure to today's fast-paced business environment. Some programs may also require you to complete a research project towards the end of your degree.
What can I do with an Associate in Applied Management degree?
An Associate in Applied Management degree may allow you to seek various opportunities at federal, state and local organizations and private businesses. You may also start your own business or provide your services as a consultant.
Examples of positions that you may be eligible to apply for include:
Human Resource Specialists
Job Responsibilities
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Interviewing, assessing, and recruiting new staff
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Maintain employment records
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Manage employee relations
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Deal with issues such as health and safety, employee welfare, labor unions, and wages and salaries.
Median Annual Pay (2013): $56,630
Administrative Services Managers
Job Responsibilities
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Planning, and coordinating supportive services
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Keeping records related to administrative maters
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Ensuring effective communication between the departments
Median Annual Pay (2012):$ 81,080
There are many other career options that you may explore with an associate degree in applied management. The exact job responsibilities and the level of compensation will essentially depend on your relevant experience, the kind of organization you work for as well as your location.