Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Business

The Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Business is a fully online baccalaureate program that prepares students to use artificial intelligence tools strategically, ethically, and effectively across business, government, education, nonprofit, and public-sector environments. The program focuses on applied and user-centered AI skills such as generative AI workflows, prompt engineering, AI-assisted data analysis, automation, communication enhancement, ethical governance, and AI project management. It is not a programming or computer science degree.

Students enter the program after completing the Certificate of Achievement in AI for Business and the Associate in Science in AI for Business, which provide the required lower-division preparation. Upper-division coursework includes applied generative AI, AI strategy and innovation, ethical and legal considerations, organizational change management, user-centered AI experience design, and a culminating AI implementation capstone project.

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

1. Use generative AI and workplace AI tools to automate workflows, analyze information, and improve productivity in business and public-sector environments.
2. Apply effective prompt engineering and refinement techniques to support communication, operations, marketing, education, and administrative tasks.
3. Interpret AI-assisted data insights and visualizations to support evidence-based decision-making.
4. Evaluate ethical, legal, and societal implications of AI, including bias, privacy, accessibility, and intellectual property.
5. Plan, manage, and assess AI-enabled projects that involve organizational change, workflow design, and stakeholder communication.
6. Communicate AI concepts, outputs, limitations, and governance considerations clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.

Program Requirements for Entry:
To enroll in upper-division coursework, students must complete the Certificate of Achievement in Artificial Intelligence for Business, the Associate in Science in Artificial Intelligence for Business, the general education requirements for bachelor’s-level entry, and a minimum overall GPA of 2.0.

This program prepares students for AI-enabled roles such as AI business analyst, operations specialist, marketing technology coordinator, instructional AI specialist, customer experience lead, and other emerging positions in the workforce that require applied AI literacy and generative AI competency.

Annual enrollment is projected to grow as the program expands and additional cohorts progress through upper-division coursework. The projected enrollment and completers are as follows:

Year 1: 40 students enrolled, 0–5 completers
Year 2: 70 students enrolled, 15–20 completers
Year 3: 100 students enrolled, 30–35 completers
Year 4: 140 students enrolled, 45–55 completers
Year 5: 175 students enrolled, 60–70 completers

These projections reflect the fully online format, the strong demand for applied AI workforce skills, and a steady pipeline of students completing the Certificate of Achievement and Associate in Science in AI for Business. The program is expected to maintain and gradually increase completion rates as multiple cohorts move through upper-division coursework.

The primary goal of the Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Business is occupational preparation. The program is designed to prepare students for employment and career advancement in AI-enabled business roles that require applied artificial intelligence skills, including generative AI workflows, automation, data-informed decision-making, AI governance, and user-centered prompt engineering. The degree supports regional workforce needs identified in the Orange County Center of Excellence Labor Market Analysis and addresses the growing demand for professionals who can implement, manage, and support AI tools across business, government, education, nonprofit, and public-sector environments. The program provides the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed for roles such as AI business analyst, operations specialist, customer experience lead, instructional AI specialist, and other emerging AI-enabled positions.

The Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Business is structured as a stackable pathway that begins with the Certificate of Achievement in Artificial Intelligence for Business and the Associate in Science in Artificial Intelligence for Business. These awards provide all lower-division major preparation required for advancement into upper-division coursework. Students must complete lower-division major requirements, general education requirements for bachelor’s-level entry, and a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 before enrolling in upper-division courses.

The lower-division major consists of 18 to 19 units, including foundational coursework in generative AI, AI strategies, prompt engineering, ethics, and applied AI tools. Students also complete one emphasis area in Computer Science, Business Technology, Marketing and Digital Publishing, or Education.

The upper-division major consists of 24 units that focus on applied generative AI workflows, AI-assisted data analysis, project and product management, organizational readiness, applied ethics, prompt engineering, and sector-based applications. The program culminates in a capstone course that requires students to design and present an AI implementation plan for a real or simulated organization.

In addition to major requirements, students must complete all general education requirements for the bachelor’s degree. Total major units range from 42 to 43, and total degree units range from 120 to 124.

The Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Business is housed in the Business Applications and Technology Department within the Business Division. The department offers the Certificate of Achievement and Associate in Science in AI for Business, which serve as the required lower-division preparation for the bachelor’s degree. The program extends SAC’s existing strengths in applied technology, digital publishing, Microsoft and Adobe certification preparation, and workforce-focused business applications courses, all of which support a broad cross-campus student population.

There are no similar bachelor’s programs at Santa Ana College. The degree is distinct from Business Administration programs because it does not include traditional business administration coursework such as accounting, finance, or managerial economics. It is also distinct from computer science programs because it does not involve programming, machine learning development, or advanced computing theory. The degree focuses on applied and user-centered AI skills for workplace adoption and supports workforce needs across business, government, education, and nonprofit sectors. No other program at the college provides this preparation, and the bachelor’s degree builds directly upon existing, approved lower-division programs without duplication.

There are no bachelor’s degree programs in the Orange County Region that offer applied, user-centered artificial intelligence training for business or workplace adoption. No community college or university in the region offers a bachelor’s degree focused on generative AI workflows, prompt engineering, AI-assisted data analysis, automation, AI governance, and applied workplace implementation.

California State University Fullerton and other regional CSUs offer Business Administration bachelor’s degrees; however, these programs do not include applied artificial intelligence coursework or generative AI skill development. CSU and UC Computer Science or Artificial Intelligence programs focus on programming, machine learning model development, algorithms, and advanced computing theory, which are not included in this applied AI degree.

No community college in the region offers a similar bachelor’s degree, and no regional program duplicates the applied AI-in-business focus of this proposed degree at Santa Ana College.

Annual enrollment for the Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Business is projected to grow steadily as new cohorts enter and progress through upper-division coursework. These projections reflect unique workforce demand for applied AI skills and do not duplicate enrollments in any existing regional bachelor’s degree programs, as no similar program currently exists in the Orange County Region.

Year 1: 40 students
Year 2: 70 students
Year 3: 100 students
Year 4: 140 students
Year 5: 175 students

Enrollment growth is supported by ongoing demand for the Certificate of Achievement and Associate in Science in AI for Business, the 100 percent online format, district employee upskilling needs, and strong student interest in applied AI literacy and generative AI skills.