Business and Education Division
The Business and Education Division administers an array of degree programs including Business, Child Development, Elementary Education, Secondary Education, and HPER (Health, Physical Education, and Recreation). Our dedicated and effective instructors deliver a curriculum that is innovative and fun, creating a curriculum that is anything but boring. From hands-on learning and business simulations to instruction from faculty and guest speakers with real-world experiences, we prepare our students to enter the workforce or transfer on to a four-year university.
What is possible with a Business and Education degree?
Business and Education are two of the most popular career areas for Oklahoma community college students. Both fields offer strong transfer pathways, but they lead to different types of work:
- Business offers flexibility across industries (healthcare, energy, banking, government, technology, retail, manufacturing) and generally has a higher salary ceiling.
- Education offers a clear career path, strong community impact, and opportunities to work with students, families, and communities.
Starting at an Oklahoma community college can help you complete general education courses affordably through an Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree before transferring to a university.
Business and Education Careers in Oklahoma
| Career | Community College Starting Point | Typical Oklahoma Salary Range* | Education Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Administrative Assistant | AA Business | ~$35,000–$50,000 | Associate |
| Office Manager | AA Business + experience | ~$45,000–$70,000 | Associate/Bachelor’s |
| Bookkeeper/Accounting Technician | AA Accounting/Business | ~$40,000–$60,000 | Associate |
| Human Resources Specialist | AA → Bachelor's | ~$50,000–$75,000 | Bachelor's typical |
| Marketing Specialist | AA → Bachelor's | ~$45,000–$75,000 | Bachelor's typical |
| Business Analyst | AA → Bachelor's | ~$60,000–$95,000 | Bachelor's typical |
| Project Coordinator/Manager | AA → Bachelor's + experience | ~$55,000–$100,000+ | Bachelor's typical |
| Elementary Teacher | AA Education → Bachelor's | ~$45,000–$65,000 | Bachelor's + license |
| Special Education Teacher | AA Education → Bachelor's | ~$50,000–$70,000 | Bachelor's + license |
| School Counselor | AA → Bachelor's → Master's | ~$55,000–$80,000 | Master's |
| Principal/School Administrator | Teaching degree + experience | ~$80,000–$120,000+ | Master's |
*Salary estimates are approximate Oklahoma ranges. Pay varies by location, employer, experience, and credentials. Sources include the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics and Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Business Careers
Common degrees:
- Associate of Arts in Business Administration
- Associate of Science in Business
- Associate of Arts in Accounting
- Associate of Arts in Entrepreneurship
Typical first courses:
- Accounting
- Economics
- Business Law
- Marketing
- Management
- Statistics
- Computer Applications
- Communication
Many Oklahoma community colleges offer transfer pathways to universities for bachelor's degrees in business.
Accounting Technician / Bookkeeper
Entry point: Associate degree
What they do
- Record financial transactions
- Maintain financial records
- Process payroll
- Assist accountants
Employers
- Small businesses
- Corporations
- Government agencies
- Nonprofits
Skills
- Excel
- Financial reporting
- Organization
- Attention to detail
- Math skills
Career progression
Bookkeeper → Accountant → Senior Accountant → Controller
Next education step
Bachelor's in Accounting + CPA pathway for higher-level accounting careers.
Human Resources Specialist
Typical pathway: AA Business → Bachelor's in HR/Business (recommended)
What they do
- Recruit employees
- Support workplace policies
- Help with employee relations
- Coordinate training
Employers
- Healthcare organizations
- Energy companies
- Universities
- Government
- Manufacturing
Skills
- Communication
- Conflict resolution
- Interviewing
- Organization
- Employment law knowledge
Helpful certifications
- SHRM-CP
- PHR
Career progression
HR Specialist → HR Manager → HR Director
Marketing Specialist
Typical pathway: AA Business → Bachelor's in Marketing
What they do
- Create marketing campaigns
- Manage social media
- Analyze customer trends
- Support sales efforts
Skills
- Writing
- Creativity
- Data analysis
- Digital marketing
- Communication
Helpful skills
- Social media platforms
- Google Analytics
- Graphic design tools
Career progression
Marketing Assistant → Marketing Specialist → Marketing Manager → Director of Marketing
Business Analyst
Typical pathway: AA Business → Bachelor's preferred
Business analysts help organizations make decisions using data.
What they do
- Analyze business problems
- Create reports
- Improve processes
- Work with technology teams
Skills
- Excel
- Data analysis
- Problem-solving
- Communication
- Process improvement
Helpful certifications
- Microsoft Excel certifications
- Data analytics certificates
- Project management credentials
Management & Operations Careers
Possible roles:
- Operations Coordinator
- Project Coordinator
- Supervisor
- Store Manager
- Office Manager
Employers
- Healthcare
- Manufacturing
- Logistics
- Government
- Retail
- Energy
Career path:
Coordinator → Supervisor → Manager → Director
Further Education & Certifications
- AA Business Administration
- AA Accounting
- Entrepreneurship certificates
- Office technology programs
- Business Administration (BBA)
- Accounting
- Finance
- Marketing
- Management
- Human Resources
- CPA (Accounting)
- SHRM certifications (HR)
- PMP (Project Management)
- Lean Six Sigma
- Data analytics certificates
Job Market Outlook in Oklahoma
Business careers remain broad because nearly every industry needs workers who can:
- Manage operations
- Analyze information
- Work with customers
- Handle finances
- Lead teams
Strong Oklahoma industries hiring business graduates include:
- Healthcare
- Aerospace
- Energy
- Banking
- Manufacturing
- Government
Education Careers
Common degrees:
- Associate of Arts in Elementary Education
- Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education
- Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts (transfer)
Typical coursework:
- Psychology
- Child Development
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- History
- Education Foundations
After community college, students usually transfer to complete a bachelor's degree and teacher certification.
Education Careers in Oklahoma
| Career | Typical Education | Entry Level | Typical Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary Teacher | Bachelor's + certification | Entry | Approximately $45,000–$60,000+ |
| Middle School Teacher | Bachelor's + certification | Entry | Approximately $45,000–$62,000+ |
| High School Teacher | Bachelor's + certification | Entry | Approximately $47,000–$65,000+ |
| Special Education Teacher | Bachelor's + certification | Entry | Approximately $50,000–$65,000+ |
| School Counselor | Master's | Mid | Approximately $55,000–$75,000+ |
| Principal | Master's + experience | Advanced | Approximately $80,000–$120,000+ |
| Instructional Coordinator | Master's | Mid | Approximately $70,000–$100,000+ |
| College Instructor/Professor | Master's or Doctorate | Mid/Advanced | Varies by institution and discipline |
Elementary Teacher
Typical pathway
AA Education → Bachelor's in Elementary Education → Oklahoma teaching certification
What they do
- Teach multiple subjects
- Plan lessons
- Assess student progress
- Support student development
Skills
- Communication
- Organization
- Patience
- Leadership
- Creativity
Career progression
Teacher → Team Lead → Instructional Coach → Administrator
Secondary Teacher (Middle/High School)
Typical pathway
AA → Bachelor's in subject area + education certification
Common subjects:
- English
- Math
- Science
- History
- Career and technical education
Strong demand areas often include
- Special education
- Mathematics
- Science
- Career technology education
Special Education Teacher
Typical pathway
AA Education → Bachelor's + certification
What they do
- Support students with disabilities
- Create individualized learning plans
- Collaborate with families and specialists
Skills
- Patience
- Adaptability
- Communication
- Problem-solving
Special education is frequently a high-need area in many school districts.
School Counselor
Typical pathway
Bachelor's → Master's in Counseling → School counseling certification
What they do
- Help students with academic planning
- Support career development
- Provide guidance and resources
Skills
- Listening
- Counseling
- Communication
- Problem-solving
Education Administration
Typical pathway
Teacher → Leadership experience → Master's in Educational Leadership
Careers:
- Assistant Principal
- Principal
- Curriculum Director
- Superintendent
Skills
- Leadership
- Budget management
- Communication
- Policy knowledge
Further Education & Certifications
-
Community College Options
- AA Elementary Education
- AA Early Childhood Education
- Liberal Arts transfer
Transfer Degrees
- Elementary Education
- Secondary Education
- Special Education
- Educational Leadership
Certifications
- Oklahoma teaching certification
- Reading specialist certification
- Special education credentials
- National Board Certification
Job Market Outlook in Oklahoma
Education continues to need qualified professionals due to:
- Teacher retirements
- Student enrollment needs
- Demand in specialized areas
- Growth in student support services
Areas that often have stronger demand:
- Special education
- Mathematics education
- Science education
- Rural school districts
Explore Degrees in Business and Education
Business and Education Enter-the-Workforce Degrees Programs
Business and Education Transfer Degree Programs
- Business AS
- Child Development AA
- Elementary Education AS
- Elementary Education AS - ECU Option
- Enterprise Development AS - Business Administration
- Enterprise Development AA - General Studies
- Health, Phys. Ed. and Recreation AS
- Secondary Education AS
- Secondary Education AS - Biology Teacher Emphasis
- Secondary Education AS - Chemistry Teacher Emphasis
- Secondary Education AS - English Teacher Emphasis
- Secondary Education AS - History Teacher Emphasis
- Secondary Education AS - Math Teacher Emphasis
- Secondary Education AS - Physics Teacher Emphasis
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