The Business Management program provides students with the tools needed to meet the challenges of managing a business. Students receive a background in business operations, accounting, marketing, service operations management, human resource management, team building, problem solving, and business law. Business managers are found in every sector of the economy, in nearly all work settings. Graduates may find positions as an entry-level manager, assistant manager, office manager, team leader, or may start their own business.

The Business Management program may be completed in-person, online, or through a combination of these options.
  • Overview

  • Is This Program for You?

    If you set goals for yourself and strive to accomplish them, prefer working with others rather than alone, enjoy serving as a leader even if it means more work, and want to improve your skills and promotion potential, then a career in business management may be a good choice for you.

    Students entering the Business Management program should:

    • Enjoy working with numbers and details.
    • Enjoy working with people.
    • Be able to make decisions.

    Program Basics

    • Associate degree, requiring a minimum of two years to complete.
    • Classes are offered in-person, online or any a combination that works for you.
    • High school articulation courses accepted.
    • Financial aid available.
    • Program starts in August or January, and is available in online as well as modified plan formats.
  • Curriculum & Costs

  • Curriculum Options

    Full-time Online Curriculum

    Semester 1 - Fall Online
    Course # Course Title Credits
    10-101-111 Accounting 1 4
    10-102-109 Business Law I 3
    10-102-130 Management Principles 3
    10-103-106 Beginning Microsoft Excel 1
    10-104-130 Marketing Principles 3
    14
    Semester 2 - Spring Online
    Course # Course Title Credits
    10-102-105 Introduction to Business 3
    10-102-131 Developing a Business Plan 1
    10-102-151 Personal Finance 1
    10-103-105 Beginning Microsoft Word 1
    10-801-136 English Composition 1 3
    10-804-123 Math with Business Applications* OR * 3
    10-804-195 Introductory Statistics 3
    10-809-195 Economics* OR * 3
    20-809-287 Principles of Macroeconomics 3
    15
    Semester 3 - Fall Online   
    Course # Course Title Credits
    10-102-108 Risk Management 3
    10-102-115 Business Management Strategies 3
    10-104-105 Selling Principles 3
    10-801-198 Speech 3
    10-809-199 Psychology of Human Relations * OR *
    10-809-198 Intro to Psychology 3
    15
    Semester 4 - Spring Online   
    Course # Course Title Credits
    10-102-104 Principles of Finance 3
    10-102-110 Business Law 2 3
    10-102-129 Human Resources Management 3
    10-102-132 Operations Management 3
    10-809-143 Microeconomics 3
    10-102-133 Career Planning in Business 1
    16
    Total Credits: 60

    Cost of Attendance (COA) 25-26

    Cost of Attendance (COA) is a total of all the usual expenses of being a student. The COA sets the maximum amount of financial aid a student can receive.

    Category Amount
    Tuition and Fees $4,932
    Living Expenses (Housing and Food) $10,305
    Books and Supplies $1,463
    Personal Expenses $3,065
    Transportation $4,103
    Charger Tech 360 Fee $700
    Loan Fees $85
    Yearly Total (Living Away from Home) $24,653
    1 Semester Total (Living Away from Home) $12,327

    Based on Wisconsin Residents.

    Approximate school costs are for a full-time (12 credit) student over a semester span of 17 weeks.

    Fees are legislated by the Wisconsin Technical College System Board.

    These costs are estimates and are subject to change without notice.

  • Admissions & Requirements

  • Admission and Program Requirements

    • Submit Application
      • Admissions Preference Policy
      Most programs admit students as applications are completed. For certain high-enrollment programs with limited space, applications are reviewed in order of residency and review dates. Programs currently in this category include Radiography, Electrical Power Distribution, Midwifery, Cosmetology, and Nail Technician. Learn more about our Admissions and Wait List Policy.

    Academic Preparedness Requirements

      Log in to your MySWTC account, go to My Profile → Document Center → All Programs to complete the following:

    • Send your transcripts and scores to Southwest Tech: While not required, sending your transcripts and test scores helps us make sure your classes are the right fit. We consider any previous college credit you’ve earned, Accuplacer or ACT scores, high school GPA, or an assessment at your registration session. Submit your high school transcripts, college transcripts, and test scores by emailing admissions@swtc.edu, or mailing them to Southwest Tech, Attn: Admissions, 1800 Bronson Blvd, Fennimore, WI 53809
    • Career Assessment Plan
      Start your Student Success Plan by exploring your career interests, talking through your program choice, and confirming your path feels like the right fit. This step can be completed either by setting up a One-on-One Career Assessment Meeting with a recruiter or as part of your Student Success Plan Meeting with an advisor. Schedule a Student Success Plan Meeting by clicking “Make an appointment” with your program advisor.
    • Academic Map + Supports & Services Plan
      Continue building your Student Success Plan by planning your courses, reviewing funding options, and connecting with resources. To complete this step, schedule a Student Success Plan Meeting by clicking “Make an appointment” with your program advisor.
  • Outcomes

  • Program Outcomes

    At the completion of the program, students are expected to be able to:

    • Plan the operations of a business across functional areas
    • Organize resources to achieve the goals of the organization
    • Direct individuals and/or processes to meet organizational goals
    • Control business processes

    Technical Skill Attainment (TSA)

    This TSA scoring guide will be used to document your attainment of technical program outcomes for the Business Management Degree. To meet the requirements on the scoring guide, you will be asked to draw upon the skills and concepts that have been developed throughout the program and are necessary for successful employment in your field. Results will be used to inspire continual improvement of teaching and learning in Wisconsin Technical College System. In addition, this assessment will provide feedback to you about your performance.

    If you are unable to access documents here, please contact Technical Skill Attainment Team (tsa@swtc.edu, 608.822.2464)
  • Career Opportunities

  • Southwest Tech's Career Connections Center offers Services to assist students looking for job placement.

  • Transfers
  • Prior Learning

  • Credit for Prior Learning

    Experience Pays! You've Been There... You've Done That... Let's See If You Can Get Credit For It!

    Credit for prior learning gives you opportunities to earn credit for college-level knowledge that you have already acquired. This may be the result of work or volunteer experiences, certifications, apprenticeships, military training, extensive self-instruction, or professional development. Credit for Prior Learning affords you the opportunity to accelerate the completion of your educational goals.

    For more information on Credit for Prior Learning see our Credit for Prior Learning page.

    At any time, you may Request Credit for Prior Learning.

    Business Management Courses that may have Credit for Prior Learning options:

    Course # Course Title
    Challenge Exam
    (Demonstration)
    Challenge Exam
    (Standard)
    CLEP
    Credential
    Portfolio
    10-101-111Accounting 1Yes
    CLEP Test - Financial Accounting
    10-102-104Principles of FinanceYes
    CFP (Certified Financial Planner), CFA (Chartered Financial Analysts), CPA (Certified Public Account), FINRA Series 7 Securities License
    10-102-105Introduction to BusinessYes
    10-102-108Risk ManagementYes
    CLU (Chartered Life Underwiter), CFP (Certified Financial Planner), ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultant), CPCU (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter)
    10-102-109Business Law IYes
    CLEP Test - Introduction to Business Law
    10-102-129Human Resources ManagementYes
    PHR (Professional in Human Resources), SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources)
    10-102-130Management PrinciplesYes
    CLEP Test - Principles of Management
    10-102-132Operations ManagementYes
    APICS test - CPIM
    10-102-151Personal FinanceYes
    CFP (Certified Financial Planner), CFA (Chartered Financial Analysts), CPA (Certified Public Account), FINRA Series 7 Securities License
    10-801-136English Composition 1Yes
    CLEP Test - College Composition
    10-804-123Math w Business AppsYes
    10-809-195EconomicsYes
    CLEP Test - Principles of Macroeconomics
    10-809-198Introduction to PsychologyYes
    CLEP Test - Introduction to Psychology