What is a Business Degree?

A degree in business can be applied in almost every industry. Earning a business administration degree can open new doors for a variety of careers in business. Working adults with a demanding schedule can even pursue a business degree online to obtain necessary skills to prepare for a career in management in their field of choice. Some vital skills obtained by pursuing a business degree: operations management, managerial decision-making, leadership, and team-management. Getting started with your degree in business is just a few clicks away!

STATISTICS:

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that over a 10 year period, from 2008-2018, employment in business and financial operations occupations is projected to grow by 18 percent, resulting in 1.2 million new jobs. Employment in management occupations is projected to increase by 5 percent, which will mean an addition of 454,300 new jobs. The BLS also indicates that increasing financial regulations and the need for greater accountability will drive demand for accountants and auditors, adding roughly 279,400 jobs to this occupation from 2008 to 2018.

SPECIALIZATIONS:

• Accounting
• Finance
• Human Resources
• International Business
• Marketing
• Non-Profit Management

What are the program, career, and income details?

With a completed degree in business administration, not only can you expect a countless number of opportunities, your business degree can also help you obtain higher starting salaries. Salary and career opportunities in business will vary depending on your chosen area of study within business and the degree level you choose to pursue.

CERTIFICATE/DIPLOMA

OVERVIEW:

Certificate and diploma programs are designed for students wishing to gain necessary skills to prepare for a career in the workforce as soon as possible. These programs usually will not include general education courses required for an undergraduate degree in business. A certificate in business or a diploma in business can generally be completed in 9-12 months and credits earned can often be transferred later toward an undergraduate degree in business.

JOBS & NATIONAL AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY:

• $25,400      Receptionist
• $27,110      Data Entry
• $31,790      Customer Service Representative
• $33,800      Accounting Clerk
• $35,500      Payroll Clerk

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2008

ASSOCIATE’S DEGREE

OVERVIEW:

Associate’s degree programs are generally two-year programs offered by many colleges and universities as well as technical and vocational institutes. Many online schools will offer associate degree programs which can be completed in as little as 1 and a half years. A graduate of an associate’s degree in business will be equipped with general education in the business field and will be prepared to work in a wide variety of entry-level positions within any organization.

JOBS & MEDIAN SALARY:

• $35,520      Tax Preparer
• $39,910      Retail Sales Manager
• $41,970      Loan specialist
• $42,340      Executive Assistant
• $48,700      Office Manager
• $50,320      Food Service Manager

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2008

BACHELOR’S DEGREE

OVERVIEW:

Undergraduate bachelor’s degree programs at a traditional brick-and-mortar college, with a traditional semester schedule, are typically four years in length. By offering year-round learning, many online colleges allow you to earn a bachelor’s degree in roughly three years. Earning a Bachelors in business administration can prepare graduates for careers in a wide variety of fields. Many bachelor’s in business administration degree graduates can be found in entry-level and mid-level positions including hospitality management, human resource management, international business management, marketing and sales, operations management, and supply chain management.

JOBS & MEDIAN SALARY:

• $53,170      Advertising Sales Agent
• $54,830      Training and Development Specialist
• $56,250      Property Manager
• $65,840      Accountant
• $69,970      Executive Recruiter

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2008

MASTER’S DEGREE

OVERVIEW:

Master’s degree programs are typically offered as two year graduate degree programs. Many online schools offering year-round learning, however, will offer a masters degree program which can be completed in about a year and a half. Graduate students pursuing a master’s in business administration can usually find themselves with the competitive edge in the job market. MBA graduates with work experience prove to be highly valuable players in any organization. Earning a general MBA will focus on high-level business management theories and practices. At this level, many graduate degree-seeking students will choose a specialty within their MBA degree program such as accounting, finance, human resources, marketing, or project management.

JOBS & MEDIAN SALARY:

• $101,220    Public Relations Manager
• $103,920    Human Resources Manager
• $107,970    Operations Manager
• $110,640    Financial Manager
• $118,160    Marketing Manager

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2008

DOCTORATE DEGREE

OVERVIEW:

A doctoral level degree program can vary in length and will depend on the school’s structure of the doctorate degree plan. A Doctor of Business Administration degree program will often include a residency which varies in length and frequency, applied dissertation projects, a thesis, and/or a capstone course. A doctor of business administration or a PhD in Business is often designed to encourage lifelong doctoral degree level research design and application.

JOBS & MEDIAN SALARY:

• $160,440    Chief Executive
• Varying        Business Consultant