- Las Positas College
- Courses
- Courses - Business
Business
The Las Positas College Business Studies Program is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of business concepts and functions used in a wide range of careers. There are many areas of specialization available that fit current and projected needs of the ever-changing business environment. It is important that students work closely with business faculty and counselors to determine which degrees or certificates best support their individual career and/or transfer goals. Students may pursue programs to prepare for work, upgrade skills, or transfer to a four-year college or university.
Degrees:
- AS-T – Business Administration
- AS – Business
- AA – Business Administration
- AA – Business Entrepreneurship
- AA – Administrative Assistant
Certificates of Achievement:
- Accounting Technician
- Administrative Assistant
- Business Entrepreneurship
- Retail Management (WAFC)
- Supervisory Management
Certificates of Accomplishment:
Career Opportunities
Career opportunities include, but are not limited to: entry, level-one analyst and assistant positions in marketing, human resources, distribution, logistics, human resources, product research, and finance; and entry-level supervisory positions in all business and non-profit entities.
Business Courses
BUSN 1A - Financial Accounting
4 units
A study of accounting as an information system; examining why it's important, and how it's used by investors and creditors to make decisions. Includes the recording and reporting of business transactions with a focus on the accounting cycle, the application of generally accepted accounting principles and comparing it to international financial reporting standards, preparation and analysis of the classified financial statements for merchandising and service companies. Also includes issues related to recording and valuation of assets, liabilities, equities and cashflow, recognition of revenues, expenses using effective internal controls and ethical standards. 72 hours lecture, 18 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU, UC; C-ID# ACCT 110.
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: GR
BUSN 1B - Managerial Accounting
4 units
A study of the use of accounting data for managerial purposes including; planning, directing, and controlling activities. Includes broad coverage of concepts, structures, classifications, and behaviors of costs. Topics include; job costing, process costing, activity based costing, relationship between cost, volume and profitability, relevant range, standard costing, profit planning and budgeting, static and flexible budgeting, responsibility accounting and segment reporting, absorption and variable costing and capital expenditure decisions. Prerequisite: BUSN 1A with a minimum grade of C. 72 hours lecture, 18 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU, UC; C-ID# ACCT 120.
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: GR
BUSN 18 - Business Law
4 units
A study of the legal environment of business. Covering laws and regulations impacting business transactions. Introduction to the legal process. Topics include sources of legal concepts and ethics, torts, contracts, UCC, warranties, product liability, consumer financial transactions, environmental, competition, agency, employment and labor, business organizations, and judicial and administrative processes. Strongly Recommended: BUSN 40 with a minimum grade of C, ENG 1A with a minimum grade of C. 72 hours lecture. AA/AS GE. Transfer: CSU, UC; C-ID# BUS 125.
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: GR
BUSN 20 - International Business
3 units
Exploration of major factors involved in international entrepreneurship. Includes an overview of economic, historical, technological, legal, environmental, and educational implications on entrepreneurship. Analyzes cultural differences, issues and trends, which influence entrepreneurship and business decision-making. Discuss options for emerging markets; international marketing; manufacturing, physical distribution, and foreign investment options are explored along with State and federal resources available to facilitate importing and exporting. Strongly Recommended: BUSN 40 with a minimum grade of C, ENG 1A with a minimum grade of C or ENG 1AEX with a minimum grade of C. 54 hours lecture. AA/ AS GE. Transfer: CSU, UC.
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: OP
BUSN 30 - Business Ethics and Society
3 units
A survey of the past and current behavior of business in America society. Examines the ethical, political and social issues confronting organizations and the organizations’ responsibilities and obligations in responding to them. Discusses the responsibility of business toward customers, employees, stockholders, competitors, suppliers, government, and the community at large. Strongly Recommended: BUSN 40 with a minimum grade of C, Eligibility for ENG 1A. 54 hours lecture. AA/AS GE. Transfer: CSU; CSU GE: D.
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: GR
BUSN 33 - Personal Financial Management and Planning
3 units
Designed to provide students with the practical, hands-on means of successfully managing their personal finances and of becoming financially empowered upon course completion. Among other topics, the course will cover the basics of credit management, assessing insurance needs, budgeting, personal financial statement preparation, investment and savings accounts, management of taxes, retirement accounts, will preparation and estate planning. 54 hours lecture. AA/ AS GE. Transfer: CSU; CSU GE: B4.
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: OP
BUSN 40 - Introduction to Business
3 units
A multidisciplinary examination and introduction to business operations within the U.S. and internationally. Provides an overview of global economic systems, business formations, business ethics and laws, general accounting practices and financing, facility location and layout, production, organizational structures and management functions. Fundamentals of risk management, marketing, human resources, and employee motivation are covered. Demonstrates how culture, society, and external business environments impact a business’ ability to achieve its organizational goals. Strongly Recommended: ENG 1A. 54 hours lecture. Transfer: CSU, UC; C-ID# BUS 110.
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: OP
BUSN 45 - Entrepreneurship
3 units
This course is designed for students who are interested in starting an entrepreneurial venture or new business. This course will cover the process of successfully launching, managing and growing their idea, emphasizing opportunity recognition and feasibility analysis. A practical study of the creation and essential skills required to start and grow an entrepreneur venture. It will also cover important topics such as developing a competitive advantage, protecting intellectual property and obtaining venture capital financing. 54 hours lecture. Transfer: CSU.
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: OP
BUSN 48 - Human Relations in Organizations
3 units
An introduction to the interpersonal skills needed in today’s workplace with a focus on effective communication, decision making, cross cultural relations, diversity, resolving conflict, managing change, group dynamics, and ethical behavior. 54 hours lecture. AA/AS GE. Transfer: CSU.
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: OP
BUSN 51 - Accounting for Small Businesses
3 units
Basic accounting skills for managers and entrepreneurs that provide a foundation in financial reporting and analysis, payroll taxes, and internal controls. The course includes practical application of accounting theory to the accounting cycles for service and merchandising businesses, including bookkeeping practices, common debit and credit procedures, books of original entry, working papers, adjusting and closing entries, income statement, statement of owner’s equity, balance sheet, cash, payroll, and special journals. 54 hours lecture, 18 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU.
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: GR
BUSN 52 - Business Communications
3 units
Study of communication functions, choices and roles for professionals that help remove barriers. Practice in using verbal, nonverbal and writing skills to communicate one-on-one, in groups and electronically. Cross-cultural communications, face-to-face and online meetings management, delegating work assignments, planning, problem solving, conferences, employee counseling and making presentations. Strongly Recommended: ENG 1A with a minimum grade of C. 54 hours lecture. AA/AS GE. Transfer: CSU.
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: OP
BUSN 53- Business Correspondence
3 units
Development of skills for composing general business correspondence to a variety of audiences including multiple levels within an organization and cross cultural communications. Crafting messages, including e-mail, administrative communications, technical reports, meeting agendas, and meeting minutes. Determining the appropriate media for the communication, correct writing style, and level of terminology within the message. Emphasis on appropriate English grammar, spelling, on-line netiquette, and cross-cultural communications. Strongly Recommended: ENG 1A with a minimum grade of C or ENG 1AEX with a minimum grade of C. 54 hours lecture. Transfer: CSU.
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: OP
BUSN 55 - Business Mathematics
3 units
This course focuses on learning computations for typical business transactions including; simple interest, compound interest, installment sales, trade and cash discounts, mark-on percents, pricing, discounting notes and drafts, depreciation, taxes, insurance, statistics, stocks and bonds, and distribution of ownership and profits. 54 hours lecture. Transfer: CSU.
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: OP
BUSN 56 - Introduction to Management
3 units
Introduction to the application of tools, principles and concepts in business management. Emphasis will be on planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. Additional topics will include decisionmaking, employee motivation, team work, and current trends. Strongly Recommended: Eligibility for ENG 1A. 54 hours lecture. Transfer: CSU, UC.
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: OP
BUSN 58 - Small Business Management
3 units
Fundamentals for individuals starting, operating, and growing a successful small business enterprise. Emphasis on all endeavors: self-employment; freelancing; brick and mortar, pop-up and Internet retailing; technical and professional services; and franchising. Focus on achieving optimum benefits from limited resources; financing strategies; marketing options; legal, ethical, and regulatory issues encountered by all start-ups. Strongly Recommended: BUSN 1A with a minimum grade of C or BUSN 51 with a minimum grade of C. 54 hours lecture. Transfer: CSU.
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: OP
BUSN 61 - Quickbooks Accounting
1.5 units
Introduction to the use of QuickBooks accounting software to process transactions related to a service and merchandising company. Specific topics include using company files, sales and receivables, payables and purchases, bank and credit card reconciliations, end of period transactions and payroll. Transactions include journalizing, adjusting entries, closing entries, bank reconciliation and preparing financial statements. Strongly Recommended: BUSN 51 with a minimum grade of C, BUSN 1A with a minimum grade of C. 18 hours lecture, 27 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU.
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: OP
BUSN 63 - Payroll Accounting I
2 units
Learn about Payroll Accounting System based on state and federal payroll tax laws. Concepts covered include: Fair Labor Standards Act, employee and employer payroll tax deductions, payroll recordkeeping requirements, personnel records, unemployment tax acts, computing gross and net salaries, reading time cards, computing regular and overtime wage rates for hourly and salaried employees. Filing payroll tax returns and computing various payroll taxes including: Social Security tax, federal income tax, state income tax, federal unemployment tax, state unemployment tax and voluntary withholdings. 36 hours lecture. Transfer: CSU.
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: OP
BUSN 65 - Federal Income Tax Accounting
3 units
A study and analysis of the principles of federal income tax applied to employees, self-employed individuals and rental income. Includes an overview of taxes related to partnerships, informational returns and corporate tax returns. Analysis of the Internal Revenue Code with examination of court rulings and regulations. Review of new legislation that alters existing tax law. Introduction to tax preparation software is included. 54 hours lecture. Transfer: CSU.
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: OP
BUSN 77 - Finance and Insurance Procedures for Medical Offices
3 units
A comprehensive study of medical documentation, Insurance claims, coding, billing and collection strategies. Procedures and paperwork involving various insurance providers including the Affordable Care Act, Tricare, Medicare, and other relevant federal legislation. Medi-claim, workers' compensation, disability Insurance, and private insurance carriers in inpatient and outpatient care are also reviewed. HIPPA and other federal legislation, rules, and regulations involving patient confidential information will be analyzed. 54 hours lecture. Transfer: CSU.
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: OP
BUSN 86 - Management Strategies
3 units
The course is designed to familiarize students with the accepted standards, procedures, and techniques employed by top, middle, and supervisory level managers. The course provides an understanding of the role of management and how to develop plans and execute strategies in pursuit of organizational goals. Strongly Recommended: BUSN 40 with a minimum grade of C. 54 hours lecture. Transfer: CSU
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: OP
BUSN 87 - Organizational Management and Leadership
3 units
This course examines the special case of detailed planning and implementation of management decisions in strategic business units. Attention is focused on three areas: developing action plans and implementation strategies, developing awareness of the contingencies to be considered in taking strategic actions, and investigating how different academic disciplines interpret the leadership phenomenon. This course highlights key criteria used in assessing the viability of an organizational action plan, and the role of leadership in managing constructive change processes. Strongly Recommended: BUSN 40 with a minimum grade of C. 54 hours lecture. Transfer: CSU.
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: OP
BUSN 88 - Human Resources Management
3 units
Introduction to the field of human resources with an emphasis on understanding the impact decisions and activities involving employees have on an organization's overall success. Focus on best practices in recruitment and selection, performance management, compensation and benefits, employee relations, workplace health and safety, and risk management strategies. Strongly Recommended: BUSN 56 with a minimum grade of C. 54 hours lecture. Transfer: CSU.
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: OP