Program Info
Minimum credits: 69
Length: 4 semesters (2 years), if suggested full-time course sequence is followed.
Students who have already completed a diploma, degree, or coursework in a relevant area could complete the degree in as little as one year.
Division: Arts, Sciences, & Business
Contact: 434.797.8402 or 434.797.8462
Award: Associate of Applied Science
Plan Code: 718-10 CIP Code: 15.0612
The Venture Creation program teaches students the skills to launch and manage their own viable small business venture. The curriculum consists of a 20-credit core of financial, marketing, management, and IT courses, paired with 18 credits of general education and 31 credits of courses in a specialty skill area of the student’s choice. Examples of specialty skill area Career Studies Certificates include Air Conditioning, Auto Body, Cosmetology, Child Care, Digital Art & Design, Digital Photography, Hospitality, Precision Machining, Website Design, Welding, and many others.
Students with prior relevant DCC coursework may be eligible to receive advanced standing credit for some requirements. Additional electives may include courses to enhance the student’s entrepreneurial skills, such as Buying, Retailing, Internet Marketing, Professional Selling, Supervision, Business Law, Web Design, etc. Students must select courses with approval of the program advisor to develop a true skill set associated with operating an independent business venture.
Program Integration: In addition to earning the A.A.S. degree, program graduates will have earned the Small Business Management CSC and one to two additional CSCs in their chosen specialty area.
Program Description
The Associate of Applied Science in Technical Studies in Venture Creation and Management teaches students the skills to launch and manage thir own viable small business venture. The curriculum consists of a core of financial, marketing, management and IT courses, along with general education courses and courses in a specialty skill area of the student’s choice. Examples of areas are Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Early Childhood Development, Precision Machining, Web Design, and many others.
Program Outcomes: Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Perform a service or generate a product that can feasibly be marketed as the foundation of a business venture;
- Create a business plan that can be used to start & fund a small business start-up or expansion;
- Perform small business accounting tasks & understand the forms & documents associated with managing a small business accounting system;
- Demonstrate human relationship skills used to successfully interrelate with customers, associates, employees, & superiors in a business setting;
- Explain essential legal & regulatory requirements for small business;
- Recognize the features, advantages, & disadvantages of business ownership categories (e.g., proprietorship, partnership, corporation, etc.); and
- Develop marketing strategies for successful products and services.
