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Overview
If you are pursuing a career in business, the Business major at CWI is a great starting point. At CWI, you can earn an Associate of Arts degree and meet general education requirements to transfer to any Idaho public university. The program is designed to introduce you to the core business courses and provide skills in accounting, business decision-making, software, and communication.
Mission
The Business program develops 21st century business professionals that are adaptable, ethical problem solvers who utilize networking and collaboration to achieve their career and business goals.
Why This Program
Business majors are in demand. At CWI, students learn how to think, adapt, and do the things that will prepare them for business or completing a four-year business degree. Network and complete projects with real businesses while in class. Our students that transfer have historically been very successful in completing a four-year degree and acquiring leadership roles within their program.
What You Will Learn to Do
- Accounting
- Attention to detail
- Critical thinking and analysis
- Problem framing and solving
- Communication
- Computation
- Economic thinking
- Legal concepts
- Technology
Additional Opportunities
Business Program Objectives
- Provide opportunities for experience in collaboration and networking within CWI and the local community to succeed in business.
- Develop a framework for understanding the dynamic business environment which requires adaptability and the need to constantly update skills.
- Learn fundamental business skills.
- Establish ethical frameworks for problem solving and best practices for behavior.
Statement of Program Accreditation Status
College of Western Idaho is accredited by ACBSP to offer the following degree:
Business - Associates of Arts Degree
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Requirements and Costs
Degrees and Certificates
Business - Associate of Arts Degree
2
YEARSAA
Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management - Academic Certificate
0.5
YEARAC
Business Analytics - Academic Certificate
2
YEARSAC
Important Dates for Credit Programs
Summer 2023 | Fall 2023 | Spring 2024 | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Priority Registration Begins1 | N/A | April 10 | Nov. 13, 2023 | |
Open Registration Begins | Feb. 27 | April 17 | Nov. 20, 2023 | |
Financial Aid Priority Deadline | May 13 | July 29 | Dec. 16, 2023 | |
Admission Deadline2 | May 27 | Aug. 12 | Jan. 6 | |
Last Day to Register for Classes | June 2 | Aug. 18 | Jan. 12 | |
Tuition and Fees Due | June 2 | Aug. 18 | Jan. 12 | |
Classes Begin3 | June 5 | Aug. 21 | Jan. 16 | |
1 Priority registration is limited to continuing students. Students are assigned a registration time based on their cumulative credits earned. Students should check myCWI and their CWI email to learn their assigned registration time. Students may register online anytime on or after their assigned registration time. | ||||
2 The admission deadline for international students is earlier than the deadline for non-international students and is only available during the fall and spring semesters. Please consult the Academic Calendar for the international student admission deadlines for the fall and spring semesters. | ||||
3 Classes in shorter sessions (including 4-, 5-, and 8-week sessions) may begin before or after this date. Please refer to the Registration and Refund Deadlines by Class Section Dates (located beneath each semester) of the Academic Calendar for more information. |
Advising
Navigating your way through college can be confusing, especially if you try to go it alone. CWI offers advising assistance to help in deciding which courses you need to take to reach your education and career goals. Visit Advising or contact One Stop Student Services for more information.
- Students are encouraged to take mathematics each semester until they complete Brief Calculus (MATH 160)
- Students should complete Business Software Applications (BUSA 120 [previously BUSA 215]) instead of ITAM 101 (previously CISA 101). This course should be taken prior to Business Statistics for Decision-Making 1 (BUSA 207).
Connecting With Ideas
Connecting With Ideas (CWI 101) is the first semester student success course designed to help CWI students become engaged members of the academic community and cultivate habits for lifelong achievement and success. Each semester, students can select from a variety of themes. More information about next semesters CWI 101 themes
Transfer
Look beyond your degree at CWI and plan for continuing your education by working closely with CWI advising and representatives of your intended transfer school. Planning before you transfer can save you time and money. Visit Transfer Information for more information or contact One Stop Student Services.
Faculty in the Business Program work closely with the following four-year schools to assist students with transfer:
- Boise State University
- Lewis and Clark State College
- University of Idaho
- Idaho State University
- Northwest Nazarene University
- Brigham Young University – Idaho
Financial Aid Available
Did you know that as a student in this program you may be eligible for financial aid? Through grants, scholarships, and loans, more than 60 percent of first-time, full-time CWI students receive some form of financial assistance. To learn more about financial aid options and whether you may be eligible, visit Financial Aid.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition for a full-time CWI student averages half the cost of a state university and a third of the cost of a private college. Tuition and fees vary based on program and residence. Visit Tuition and Fees for more information.
Career Info
Professions
- CPA (Certified Public Accountant, with four-year degree and completion of certification)
- Management
- Operations
- Finance
- Leadership
- Administration
- Managers
- Marketing
- Accounting
- Banker
- IT Manager
- Market Research Analyst
- Financial Advisor
- Compliance
- Marketing Manager
- Financial Advisor
- Compliance
- Marketing Manager
- Executive Assistant
- Event Planning
- Sales Manager
- Sales Representative
- Human Resources Specialist
- Human Resources Manager
While an Associate of Arts in Business may improve the career prospects of job candidates in some fields, the current job market places a premium on four-year degrees from accredited business colleges and universities. The College of Western Idaho has agreements in place with many of Idaho's universities to help students transfer credits and complete four-year degrees.
Instructors
Program Department Chair
Instructor(s)
Respectful Community
The College of Western Idaho is committed to maintaining a Respectful Community by providing equal opportunity for all individuals and does not discriminate in services, benefits, or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, veteran status, age, or any other legally protected status. More on Title IX
News and Blogs

College of Western Idaho will co-host the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs Region 7 Fall 2022 Conference, which invites faculty leaders from colleges around the western United States.

Join founding CEO and General Manager at Kount, Bradley Wiskirchen, as he shares his expertise on eCommerce and entrepreneurship April 26.

College of Western Idaho students joined students from across the state this spring to compete for more than $50,000 in prize money and services to advance their startups.

Congratulations to Assistant Professor of Business, Ryan Hanson, College of Western Idaho’s Faculty of Distinction for February 2022.

President Gordon Jones had the opportunity to speak to 80 students Wednesday, Feb. 9, as part of the Business department’s Local Speaker Series.

Congratulations to Business major, Brianna Daniels, winner of College of Western Idaho’s 2022 Connections Project Logo Contest.
Academic Transfer
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