Maricopa District Office
Business

Business Services

Business services is a broad term encompassing an array of industries serving the needs of corporations and consumers. It includes sectors such as banking, securities, finance, and insurance; professional services in the legal, accounting, engineering, and advertising fields; and business services in management, administration, and human resources. Operations in business services can include corporate headquarters, front and back office operations, and customer contact and data centers. Job types run the gamut of service-related occupations, but are generally focused on occupations with wages higher than the regional average. These occupations can often require specialized training, certification, or licensing in areas such as finance, securities, accountancy, information technology, and healthcare. The business services sector has seen strong growth in Greater Phoenix in recent years. Between 2001 and 2006, total employment in the region increased 17%, while at the same time employment in management consulting increased 22%, commercial banks 48%, consumer lending 47%, investment advising 89%, accounting 18%, and legal services 21%.

The Maricopa Community Colleges offer degree, certificate, and transfer programs to prepare students for careers in business services. Occupational programs are available in fields such as accountancy, general business, organizational leadership and management, marketing, office support, and many others. For a complete list of occupational programs in business services available through the Maricopa Community Colleges, click here.

Associate in Transfer Partnership (ATP) Degrees – In addition to occupational degrees and certificates, the Maricopa Community Colleges offers ATP degrees in business services fields such as accountancy, computer information systems, and general business. ATP degrees are designed for students who have an identified major and have selected the baccalaureate degree-granting institution to which they intend to transfer. The ATP program allows students to fulfill their freshman and sophomore lower division course degree requirements at a college within the Maricopa system. ATP also provides for exemption from Arizona university admission requirements upon the student’s transfer to his or her chosen baccalaureate degree-granting institution.

Retail Management Program
Degrees and certificates in retail management are among the many service sector programs offered by the Maricopa Community Colleges. These programs are designed to prepare individuals working in the retail management, food industry, and related fields for mid-level management positions. For more information about Maricopa’s retail management program, please click here.