Business degrees cover a wide range of areas within the business field. Some degrees focus more on the financial aspects of businesses, while others focus on managing a business. Different levels of business degrees are also available, including associate and master’s degrees. Knowing which business degree program to choose can be difficult, with so many options to explore. The following can give you a better understanding of different types of business majors and degrees and help make your decision easier.
Why Study Business?
As a business major, you can learn more about certain aspects of the business field, from supply chain issues to team development. You can gain in-depth knowledge depending on the degree program you choose and whether or not you select a specialization. Studying business also helps you develop skills that are helpful in many situations, such as conflict resolution, time management, decision-making, and problem-solving. You can also learn more specific skills that are relevant to a particular area of business, such as project management or leadership.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Business Degree?
This depends on the kind of business degree program you choose. Different types of business degrees take varying lengths to complete, depending on whether they are undergraduate or graduate level, whether the student attends full- or part-time, and if accelerated options are offered. In some cases, students may have credits from previous college experience they could transfer, or work experience might count toward college credits, which can shorten the amount of time it takes to earn a degree. The following can give you a general idea of how long it might take for you to earn a business degree.
Associate Degree
An associate degree program in business generally takes two years to complete. These degree programs provide an education that teaches basic concepts and skills in a certain business area, such as accounting, management, or marketing.
Bachelor’s Degree
A bachelor’s degree program in business typically takes four years to complete. These degree programs teach more advanced material and skillsets associate degree programs.
Master’s Degree
A master’s degree in business typically takes two years or 24 months to complete. However, some programs have a shorter completion time, such as 20 – 22 months. Remember that you might need to earn a bachelor’s degree before starting a master’s degree program. These advanced degree programs teach high-level concepts and material and advanced skills, such as project management skills or certification preparation.
Different Business Majors
When you begin to explore business degree programs, you will find several to consider. Knowing more about some of these degree programs can help you choose the one that best suits your career aspirations. The following are some of the main kinds of business degree programs available.
Accounting
Accounting degrees provide an education focused on financial aspects of business, such as bookkeeping. Undergraduate business degree options in accounting include an associate degree in accounting and a bachelor’s of degree in accounting. A master’s in accounting is the most common advanced accounting degree program.
Typical Accounting Courses
In an associate degree program, you can expect to take classes such as financial accounting, macroeconomics, managerial accounting, principles of finance, and spreadsheet and general ledger software. A bachelor’s degree program typically includes cost accounting, managerial accounting, data analytics for accountants, advanced accounting, and auditing. A master’s degree program typically includes courses in international accounting, advanced audit issues, nonprofit and governmental accounting, and enterprise risk management.
Business Administration
Business Administration degrees teach a wide range of business skills and cover material in different business areas, such as management and marketing. Degree options include a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Concentrations in business administration provide a way to specialize in a particular area, such as Corporate Innovation, Healthcare Systems Leadership, or Finance, to name a few.
Typical Business Administration Courses
In a bachelor’s degree program, typical classes include project management, managerial accounting, principles of management, human resource management, principles of supply chain management, and business analytics. In a master’s degree program, typical classes include corporate finance for managers, strategy, operations management, organizational dynamics and effectiveness, and descriptive analysis and decisions. Keep in mind that classes in business administration degree programs can vary considerably based on concentration. Each concentration has courses designed to teach specific material and skills for that business area.
Concentrations in Business Administration
Concentrations in a bachelor’s degree program include general business administration, accounting, computer information systems, entrepreneurship, finance, human resource management, international business administration, marketing, sport management, and MBA track. An MBA program’s concentration includes corporate innovation, finance, entrepreneurship, healthcare systems leadership, human resource management, leadership, marketing, multidisciplinary, project management, and supply chain management.
Communication and Media Studies
Communication and media studies degree programs teach traditional and digital communication skills. These programs also help you develop skills used in traditional and digital media. You can earn a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Studies and choose from a few concentrations. These include general communication, emerging media, and strategic communication.
Typical Communications Courses
A bachelor’s degree program in communication and media studies typically includes classes in mass media and society, media literacy, communicating across cultures, interpersonal communication, content creation, and principles of communication and media. Other courses include group communication, media research techniques, and persuasion. Concentrations such as Strategic Communication or Emerging Media have more specific courses, including topics like public relations and social media management.
Finance
Finance degrees cover financial-related business areas, such as financial planning and corporate finance. Business degree programs in finance include a Bachelor of Science in Finance and an MBA with a concentration in finance. Several concentrations are available in the bachelor’s degree program for finance, including general finance, corporate finance, financial planning and analysis, financial services and banking, international finance, and personal financial planning.
Typical Finance Courses
In the bachelor’s degree program, typical classes include microeconomics, money and banking, investment management, finite analysis, corporate finance, personal financial planning, and insurance and risk management. More specific classes are offered in finance concentrations, such as international financial management and international investments in the international finance concentration. In the MBA program, typical classes include organizational risk management, emerging topics in finance, advanced financial statement analysis, and investment management and analysis.
Human Resources
Human resource degrees teach the skills and knowledge used to recruit staff, oversee employee compensation and benefits, and handle other HR tasks. These programs also teach valuable skills that can be used in different areas of your life, such as conflict resolution, communication, and time management. Business degree programs in human resources include a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Management and an MBA with a concentration in human resource management.
Typical Human Resources Courses
A bachelor’s degree program in human resources typically covers managerial accounting, human resource management, organizational behavior, employment law, business analytics, labor and management relations, compensation and benefits, and training and development. In the MBA program, an HR Management concentration might include classes on inclusion and diversity, leadership and change management, emerging topics in human resource management, and the foundation of human resource management.
Management
Management degree programs teach leadership skills for overseeing departments or teams, and handling other managerial tasks. These degree programs also help you learn the principles behind effective leadership. Undergraduate degree programs in management include an Associate of Science in Management and a Bachelor of Science in Management. Concentrations in the bachelor’s degree program include general management, entrepreneurship, leadership, and an MBA track. Graduate degree program options include an MBA with a concentration in leadership.
Typical Management Courses
In the associate degree program, classes typically include principles of management, macroeconomics, finance principles, leadership foundations, and managerial accounting. In the bachelor’s degree program, typical classes include entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation, managing a diverse workplace, and learning organizations. In the MBA program, the leadership concentration includes classes in developing leadership effectiveness, leadership and change management, innovating leadership and management, and emerging topics in leadership.
Marketing
Marketing degree programs teach you the skills used to promote products and services. These programs also teach the concepts behind effective marketing programs and campaigns. Undergraduate business degree programs in marketing include an associate degree in marketing and a bachelor’s in marketing. A bachelor’s degree program’s concentration includes general marketing, digital marketing, integrated marketing communications, international marketing, market research and analysis, sales management, and sport management. Advanced degree options include an MBA with a concentration in marketing.
Typical Marketing Courses
In an associate program, classes often include retail merchandising and management, sales and techniques of selling, social media marketing, and business-to-business marketing. In a bachelor’s degree program, typical classes include business-to-business marketing, marketing research, strategic marketing, principles of marketing, and consumer behavior. Marketing concentrations have specific classes in a particular area, such as sales management or international marketing. In an MBA program with a concentration in marketing, typical courses include consumer psychology and buying motivations, advanced marketing research and analytics, strategic brand management, and emerging topics in marketing.
Project Management
Project management degree programs teach the skills needed to manage public, nonprofit, and for-profit projects effectively. This kind of degree program helps you build skills such as budgeting, time management, and decision-making. You can earn a master’s degree in project management that teaches you how to manage complex projects from start to finish.
Typical Project Management Courses
A master’s degree program in project management typically includes classes in scope project management, project, and risk management, portfolio management, project scheduling and cost planning, project quality management, and project procurement management. Other courses include agile project management with scrum methodology and the future of management and leadership.
Sports Management
Sports management degree programs help you learn the skills for managing sports teams and other sports organizations. If you have a strong interest in sports, this degree program teaches you the principles behind effectively managing sports organizations, such as sports economics and sports marketing. You can earn a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management, which includes concentrations in sport communication and sport psychology.
Typical Sports Management Courses
The bachelor’s degree program in sports management typically includes courses in sports in society, sports law, sports marketing, sports economics, foundations of sport management, sport and athletic administration, and sports event and facility management. The sports communication concentration includes classes in social media management, history of sports broadcasting, and sport communication. The sport psychology concentration includes classes in the fundamentals of psychology, sport psychology, and theories of personality.
Can I Take Business Courses Online?
Several business degree programs are available online. Some programs are fully online, while others are available on campus. Taking business courses online can provide a more convenient way to learn, especially if you work full-time. Online business degree programs offer more flexibility to learn at your own pace. With these programs, you can also study and complete projects and assignments in your own home instead of visiting the campus.
How to Choose a Business Major
Choosing a business major depends on where your interests lie, among other factors. You might consider your career goals to help you identify your strongest interests. For example, if you are interested in studying how companies get customers to buy their products, you might choose a marketing business major. The degree program you choose helps you develop relevant skills and learn more about the area of business you are interested in. Keep in mind that a more advanced degree offers more in-depth material for you to learn.
Accreditation for Business Degrees
It is important to choose a business program that is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) or a similar organization. Accreditation is either done on a programmatic level, at an institutional level, or both. Programmatic accreditation involves evaluating specific business degree programs, while institutional accreditation involves evaluating an entire school or academic institution. Post University offers business degree programs with programmatic accreditation from ACBSP.
If you are interested in studying business and building business skills, please contact Post University. We offer a variety of business degree programs, including undergraduate programs, graduate programs, professional development, business certificate programs, and micro-credentials. We can help you find the right program based on your interests and other factors.
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