Degree Plans
SmarterDegree offers degree maps in a wide variety of disciplines that can be completed through choosing the courses that match your goals from the hundreds of credit recommended courses. These include liberal arts, criminal justice, psychology, computer science, homeland security, business administration, math, accounting, and more.
Every regionally accredited college has a requirement that students complete a certain number of courses in general education to be able to earn their degree. These include courses in subjects like math, science, psychology, history, and English. With our self-paced courses, students can complete these requirements and the other credit recommendations they need as part of their degree map at an accelerated pace and for a very affordable price.
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Our experienced advisors work with each student to help them choose the degree map and courses that best meet their goals.
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Business Administration & Management
As a student of Business Administration & Management you will investigate and learn about many overlapping disciplines including, business administration, economics, finance, human resources, information systems, international business, labor relations, management, marketing and public administration.
As a student in this area, you will develop analytical, management, communication and quantitative skills. You will also increase your understanding of economic principles and disciplinary methods and learn about the effective use of information technologies to support your career or personal goals and aspirations. Together with a faculty mentor, students will create a program to meet their specific needs and goals.
(BUS 201) Consumer Behavior
This course is an introduction to the world of consumer behavior. The discipline borrows from several social sciences including psychology, sociology, and anthropology to explain behavior in the marketplace. In this course, the student will explore how perceptions, learning, memory, personality, and attitudes influence consumption behavior, how consumption changes during one’s life cycle, and how powerful cultural and subcultural influences are on consumers.
(BUS 450) Business Leadership
This course teaches students about effective business leadership techniques, with topics including leadership theory, change management, decision making, and the distinction between leadership and management.
(BUS 435) International Business
Topics covered in this course include the effects on international business decisions of cultural, political, legal, and economic forces; a presentation of international business basics such as trade, tariffs, exchange rate regimes, and capital markets; and a study of the comparative theoretical frameworks for establishing international business enterprises, including trade and investment theory.
(BUS 350) Principles of Finance
This course works under the premise there are five essential foundations to financing. The class is taught through the lens of those foundations. There is a concentrated effort to teach students not only to understand finances, but to allow them to make smart financial decisions. Real-life examples are presented so students see real-life answers to real financial issues.
Psychology
The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology is an 120-credit degree program and is the scientific study of the mind and behavior.
The discipline covers major broad topics and employs specific social science methodologies for understanding humans, ranging from simple observation to rigorous experimentation.
Educational Psychology (PSY 335)
This class investigates the primary issues and problems in educational psychology, including those related to development, cognition, behavior, emotion, and culture. The course explores the major theories in these realms and how we can apply them to become better teachers and learners.
History and Systems (PSY 410)
Upon successful completion of the learning experience, students will be able to explain and distinguish among the major theoretical approaches utilized in psychology; demonstrate an understanding of the history of psychology as it relates to the natural sciences, social sciences, and applied disciplines; understand the history of psychology as it relates to the evolution of methods of research and inquiry as well as theoretical conflicts; and explore the nature of scientific progress, as discussed by philosophers, historians, and sociologists of science.
Introduction to Psychology (PSY 101)
This course will introduce the fundamental principles of psychology and major subjects of psychological inquiry. It has been designed to not only provide the tools necessary for the study of psychology, but to present a sampling of the major areas of psychology research. The course begins with a short overview of how psychology developed as an academic discipline and an introduction to a number of the principal methodologies most commonly deployed in its study.
Lifespan Development (PSY 340)
This course provides students with an introduction to the theories, concepts, research methods, and findings relevant to the study of human development throughout the lifespan. Major developmental theories and issues are presented. Emphasis is placed on the integration of lifespan principles and concepts into individual social contexts. The effects of heredity and environment and ethical issues surrounding development are also explored.
Computer Science
A computer science degree develops the skills and knowledge required to design, develop, test, and produce computers and their subsystems. If you decide to earn a computer science degree, you still have many more decisions to make.
You’ll need to choose between an accredited degree program or a coding boot camp, or perhaps both. You’ll also have to determine if you will need a secondary computer science degree in a field such as business or healthcare administration, whether you’ll be best served by an undergraduate or advanced degree, and which specific certifications you’ll need to land your dream job in the field of computer science.
Introduction to Programming
This course is an introduction to computer programming that aims to develop fundamental programming skills using Java as the teaching language. Topics include data types, control structures, arrays, object-oriented design, abstraction, encapsulation, algorithms, documentation, testing, and debugging.
Operating Systems
This course concentrates on the design function of the operating systems of multiuser computers. Topics include time sharing methods of memory allocation and protection, files, CPU scheduling, input/output management, interrupt handling, process synchronization, deadlocking and recovery, and design principles.
Python Programming
Python Programming enables students to implement fundamental principles of modern programming using the Python programming language and problem-solving techniques related to computing.
Artificial Intelligence
This course provides a basic introduction to how artificial intelligence (AI) methods solve problems that are difficult or impractical to solve with other methods. The focus in the course is on the fundamentals of how to determine when an AI approach is appropriate for a given situation, then selecting an AI scheme, and, subsequently, implementing it. AI methods will be chosen from various search algorithms and techniques, use of game theory, simple logic, theorem proving, and structured representation. Finally, neural networks, machine learning, robotics philosophy, ethics, and the future of AI will be explored.
Accounting
The 120-credit accounting degree plan,is designed to serve students who are interested in pursuing future careers as professional accountants, regardless of their chosen field or certification in public, private, nonprofit, and/or governmental accounting services.
The program provides the foundation of both core accounting competencies, theoretical and technical, in general business. The program provides students with the option to pursue a more structured degree program in accounting while offering them the option to individualize their degree through their selection of electives.
Principles of financial accounting
This course introduces students to key accounting principles used to record real-world business transactions, prepare financial statements, and interpret a company’s financial performance. Accounting is often called “the language of business” because it provides external stakeholders such as investors and creditors as well as internal stakeholders such as management with the financial information necessary to make well-informed business decisions. In this course, students learn how to prepare the financial reports that are used by external parties in real-world situations. Key points of study include the accounting cycle, merchandising operations, cash and other financial assets, long-term assets including property and intangibles, current and long-term liabilities, components of stockholders’ equity, and the statement of cash flows.
Principles of managerial accounting
This course focuses on the internal use of financial information and reports to inform and support business decisions. Instead of providing data about the company to outsiders, managerial accounting focuses on giving insiders the information that will help them run the firm successfully. In this course, students learn to identify global influences on business, classify operational costs, assign costs to products, prepare budgets, analyze variances, and evaluate performance using a variety of metrics.
Federal income Taxation
Federal Income Taxation is a one-semester course designed to help you learn the basics of federal income taxation of individuals. The course covers the basic tax calculations, filing status, gross income inclusions and exclusions, gain and loss recognition, business and personal deductions, tax credits, and filing requirements. It also looks briefly at the taxation of partnerships, as well as that of corporations and special S corporations.
Auditing
Auditing is designed to provide students with the foundation needed to develop the skills required of an auditor. It focuses on the tools and processes necessary to complete an audit and includes a review of references and resources available on the internet. It also emphasizes the skills necessary for auditors to make sound judgments and recommendations. Students will review the auditing process by examining internal controls and audit evidence that helps auditors to render an opinion on the financial statements as a whole. Furthermore, students will learn to evaluate such controls and evidence in order to make a documented conclusion on the evidence reviewed. The role of a certified public accountant (CPA) on a certified audit engagement is covered in detail.
Homeland Security
The Bachelor of Science degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management was established to provide students with a broad view of homeland security and emergency management issues focusing on policy considerations and aligning with the five National Preparedness System mission areas of prevention, protection, mitigation, response and recovery. Course work includes, but is not limited to homeland security, emergency management, public safety and business continuity issues.
The program is intended for students who want to learn the fundamentals of homeland security and emergency management and prepares them for the day-to-day decision making required in the post-9/11 era. The 120-credit degree program is offered completely online and complements the Master of Science in Homeland Security or Master of Science in Management degree programs.
Cultural diversity in the United States
Cultural Diversity in the United States investigates and explains the cultural, racial, and ethnic diversity in the United States through the lens of sociological investigation. Using fundamental tools of sociological inquiry and cultural learning, students engage in a sociohistorical discovery of various waves of immigration, amalgamation, and assimilation to the United States. Political and policy initiatives that have affected diversity movements and the development of civil society in the United States are also examined.
Victimology and Criminal Behavior
This course focuses on criminal events from the perspective of the victim. It examines victimization patterns and typologies with a strong focus on the consequences of crime on the victim and on society. The course examines the major categories of crimes, making a close study of the impact of hate crime, school violence, and workplace violence. Also considered are the interactions between victims and the justice system.
Public Policy, Crime and Criminal Justice
Public Policy, Crime, and Criminal Justice provides an analysis of intergovernmental relations in the forming and implementing of criminal justice policies, laws, and procedures. Emphasis is placed on the development of quantitative and qualitative information in analyzing and formulating policy.
Critical Thinking for Homeland Security
This course offers an overview of critical thinking and its applications in the homeland security context. The focus is on essential elements of thought, asking the right questions, uncovering fallacies in reasoning, and statistical misrepresentations. Evidence evaluation in a homeland security setting is featured with several examples interpreting real-world information.
Terrorism
The phenomenon of terrorism is explored along thematic and chronological lines that focus mainly on the American experience and perspective. The course delves into the evolution of terrorism, its impact on U.S. domestic and foreign policies, some pertinent international dimensions, and the prospects for nonconventional terrorism in the future.
Criminal Justice
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree program in Criminal Justice prepares law enforcement officials and adult learners for career change, advancement or graduate education.
Students in the BA in Criminal Justice program focus on the interdisciplinary study of crime and the functioning of the criminal justice system, and develop critical analytical skills, and knowledge of the research findings and methods used in the field. In addition, students develop a broad general knowledge of the traditional liberal arts disciplines while developing a greater depth of knowledge in criminal justice.
Introduction to criminal justice
Introduction to Criminal Justice offers an overview of the entire criminal justice system. The focus is on the administration of police, court and correctional agencies, and the decision-making points from the initial investigation or arrest by police to the eventual release of the offender and his/her re-entry into society. The emphasis is on the dynamic relationships between the various elements in the system as well as special problem areas.
Criminology
This course has a sociological focus on how information is collected, so that students can explore and evaluate reasons why crime and delinquency occur. The course also explores evidence-based prevention strategies through policy development within the field of criminology. Topics covered in the course include the criminal justice system; existing research methods; how to measure crime; classical school thinking; positivism; theories influenced by functionalism; the role of symbolic interactionism in criminological theories; conflict theory-influenced philosophies from the past to the present; and the relationship between theory, research, and policy.
Introduction to Law Enforcement
Introduction to Law Enforcement examines the history and heritage of law enforcement, the criminal justice system in the United States and its contemporary police system, the organization and management of police, and constitutional law and legal precedents.
Introduction to Corrections
Students will examine historical and contemporary correctional practices in this course. Theoretical concepts of the criminal sanction will be introduced, along with institutional rehabilitation and community-based corrections. Various correctional settings and approaches are discussed including topics such as punishment, probation, the prison community, and parole. Students will also explore the role of community resources in treating the noninstitutionalized offender (i.e., through halfway houses, alternative programs, and work and study release).
Liberat Arts
A Degree in Liberal Arts will enhance your awareness and understanding of differences and similarities among people all over the world, including yourself.
You will sharpen your skills in many areas, such as: writing and research, critical reading and thinking, examination and analysis of literary texts, social structures, values, norms, belief systems and historical perspectives and many more. Additionally, students will gain the baseline knowledge to prepare them for many different career fields and advanced degrees.
Earth Science (SCI-102)
This course introduces scientific investigations, methods, observations, and communication, along with common tools and methods used for understanding Earth and its environments. Minerals and rocks that make up the Earth’s crust, Earth’s features, identification, and uniqueness as a planet are also covered in this course. Students will also examine continental drift, seafloor spreading, plate tectonic movement, plate boundaries, landforms, volcanic activity, earthquakes, and mountains resulting from plate tectonic processes, as well as surface processes that create and modify landforms.
Introduction to Gerontology (SCI 205)
This course approaches the study of aging from a multidisciplinary perspective that includes psychological and social aspects on the process of aging. As the lifespan of many has increased, there is a need to better understand and engage with the complexity that is involved in becoming older human beings. Instruction is provided through readings, writing assignments, and a final exam.
Introduction to Physical Oceanography (SCI 101)
This course is designed to introduce students to physical processes that occur in oceans in such a way that they will understand both the conceptual physical principles and at the larger scale how these fit into the earth as a system. Basic equations which describe the principles upon which physical oceanography is based are examined and applied to principles related to waves, tides, currents, and the large-scale ocean circulation.
Legal and Ethical Issues in Healthcare (HCA 316)
This course focuses on the legal and ethical issues that arise for healthcare workers in the modern era. It covers the various types of ethical dilemmas, differentiating between legal, religious, and situational ethics. It also explores past ethical issues to learn from and improve moving forward with the future of the healthcare system. The course addresses the introduction of ethics in the legal system and how it continues to grow and change in countless areas. This includes government ethics, organizational ethics, healthcare ethics, and the healthcare committee. This course is taught with the purpose of helping students become healthcare professionals with a strong ethical understanding and ability to craft solutions.
National Security
A Degree in National Security will Increase your readiness for the job market by deepening your interdisciplinary knowledge of national security issues and operations, and learning how nation-states leverage diplomatic, military, information, economic (DIME) and other instruments of power to gain strategic advantage in competitive international relations.
Introduction to National Security
This course is situated at the intersection of American politics and international relations, and examines national security policy making and implementation, and the political-domestic and global-interactions that determine grand strategy and security politics in an advanced democracy. Learn about the constitutional authority of the U.S. congress, presidency, and executive agencies (such as the U.S. Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and Central Intelligence Agency) and how they defend national interests.
National Security Ethics and Diversity
Discover your own ethical type as you learn about issues of moral judgment in public service. Take a closer look at case studies of wrongful obedience, loyal dissent, and whistleblowing; accountability and mitigation; human and ecological interventions in foreign and international affairs; and the benefits of diversity and inclusion in government agencies and nonprofit organizations and businesses with a global reach.
Comparative National Security Analysis
This course focuses on complex factors involved with protecting national interests and security. Learn about the economic, geo-political, sociological, and regional cultural factors that drive nations and non-state actors to seek local and international partnerships and/or initiate and engage in conflict. In addition, you study the role of the military in non-combat humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and evacuation operations as you become familiar with the Diplomatic, Information, Military, and Economic (DIME) framework of national power.
