Best Online Business Degree

Best Online Business Degrees

Whether you are planning to embark on a career in business or enhance your prospects as a business professional, you should consider pursuing formal education. Getting a degree in one of the many areas of business helps prepare you to deal with the opportunities and challenges that contemporary businesses organizations may be faced with.

Are you worried about not being able or have the time to attend classes on a campus? Well, advances in technology have made it more convenient for students to earn a degree in business from any location. All that is required is a computer and an internet connection. An online business degree is typically equally rigorous in terms of the course content and program curriculum. You’ll be required to remain diligent and meet the deadlines to turn in assignments and quizzes. What about paying for online classes? Online degree programs are relatively cost effective, and they enable students to complete their degree program in an amount of time that fits their schedule through accelerated programs or self-paced programs.

What business programs are offered?

You could choose from the following:

Associate degree in business

Bachelor degree in business

Masters degree in business

Doctorate degree in business

You should look through the details of each program and choose the one that interests you and meets your academic interests and career aspirations.

Associate degree in business

An associate degree in business is an undergraduate, two-year program. It is geared towards equipping students with fundamental and basic knowledge of business and management. The program will focus on core areas such as principles of management, commerce, finance, human resource management, etc.

The program may help students prepare for entry-level careers in organizations or use the degree as a stepping stone towards a higher degree. The curriculum may vary from college to college. However, some of the important courses most likely to be covered in the program are:

Marketing and advertising

Social, legal, and ethical environment of businesses

Microeconomic analysis

Elementary statistics

Basic management concepts

Bachelor degree in business

This is a four-year undergraduate program offered by many schools. The curriculum of the program will focus on a range of diverse business subjects. Students will learn about business trends, marketing strategies, cultural implications of the global marketplace, and basic functioning of organizations.

Alongside theoretical learning, students would also participate in practical projects and develop strong communication, management and analytical skills. Here are some of the courses that may be covered in a bachelor degree in business:

Financial and managerial accounting

Project management

Microeconomic analysis and policy

Corporate finance

Supply chain management

Marketing strategies

Masters degree in business

This is a two-year graduate program that aims to prepare students for advanced job positions in the corporate field. The program will help students develop strong business and management skills and gain in-depth knowledge of management strategies used by modern-day organizations.

Throughout the program, students will cover a range of courses that shed light on various aspects of business organizations. Students will learn how to integrate knowledge, practically apply business principles, devise business strategies, and understand various factors that influence business activity. Here are a few of the courses, which may be covered in the program:

Human capital management

Business law

Accounting

Organizational leadership

Business research and statistics

Strategic management and implementation

Doctorate degree in business

A doctoral degree is the highest level of education you can get in business and management. The program is research-oriented and aims to prepare students for leadership and executive positions in organizations.

Students enrolled in this program will be required to cover all the main components and conduct an independent research study. Once the coursework is complete, students can choose an area or topic for research with the help of their assigned supervisor. By the end of the program, students must have completed a dissertation. It can take 4 to 8 years to complete the program. Here are some of the courses covered in the program:

- Leadership theory and practice

- Research conceptualization and design

- Marketing

- Methods of analysis

- Contemporary issues in leadership

- Data analysis

- Business certificate programs

Business certificate programs help students develop professional skills and acquire career-oriented knowledge. A certificate program is a non-degree program that can be completed in 6 to 12 months. The coursework focuses on core business areas and skill enhancement. Many students opt for this program to improve their employment prospects. On the other hand, professionals can also boost their career by earning a certificate.

Business degree requirements

The requirements will vary from college to college and will also depend on the degree-level. Common business degree requirements include:

- Completion of general education courses such as English, math, science, and humanities.

- Pass lower level core courses in accounting, economics, and business law.

- Select a concentration of your choice and complete advanced courses in that area.

- Completion of a final year project, a thesis, or an internship.

- Accumulation of a minimum number of credit hours.

- Online business degree programs

An online business degree is typically equally rigorous in terms of the course content and program curriculum. You’ll be required to remain diligent and meet the deadlines for assignments and quizzes. Online degree programs are relatively cost effective, and they enable students to complete their degree program at their own pace. Students should go for accelerated business degree programs online if they wish to earn their degree in a shorter time span.

What are the admission requirements for online business programs?

In order to enroll in an online degree program, you’ll have to fulfill the entrance requirements, which may be as follows:

- A high school diploma or GED

- Official transcripts

- Standardized test scores

- Personal statement

- Letters of recommendation

Remember that the admission requirements will vary from college to college.

What can you do with a business degree?

Whether you are planning to embark on a career in business or enhance your prospects as a business professional, you should consider pursuing business education. Getting a degree in one of the many areas of business could help you prepare for the many opportunities and challenges that contemporary business world offers.

A business degree could qualify you to work in a diverse range of business settings, such as:

- Government organizations

- Online businesses

- Retail and manufacturing organizations

- Nonprofit organizations

- Federal agencies

- Trade and merchandising

- Research

- What careers are out there?

The US News & World Report has compiled a list of best business jobs for 2014. The top business jobs in the list include 2012 median pay and growth rate information provided by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics – BLS.

Market Research Analyst

They study consumer preferences and market conditions, and assist companies in effectively marketing their products and services.

2012 Median Pay: $60,300

Growth Rate: 32% (much faster than average)

Operations Research Analyst

They use advanced analytical and mathematical tools for helping businesses identify and solve problems.

2012 Median Pay: $72,100

Growth Rate: 27% (much faster than average)

Accountant

They prepare, examine, and assess the financial records of companies.

2012 Median Pay: $63,550

Growth Rate: 13% (as fast as average)

Financial Advisor

They advise clients on financial and investment decisions, and the potential returns and risks.

2012 Median Pay: $67,520

Growth Rate: 27% (much faster than average)

Relevant Degree Programs

Students can also opt for degree programs in related fields of business. Here are a few options:

Marketing degrees

Marketing degree programs are designed to prepare students for careers in marketing. The programs emphasize on marketing strategies and principles. Students will learn how to develop marketing programs and promote different goods/services.

Finance degrees

These programs can help students prepare for finance-related jobs in business organizations. Finance is integral to business organizations. These programs would cover a range of topics such as accounting principles, financial statement analysis, etc.

Human resource management degrees

Managing human capital in organizations can be the key to success. Many organizations invest heavily in the effective management of human resource. Now students can prepare for a career in this with the help of human resource management degrees. Such programs emphasize on hiring, training of staff, development of HR polices, etc.

Entrepreneurship degrees

Students, who plan to be entrepreneurs, pursue leadership positions, and manage their own business, can make use of entrepreneurship degrees. These programs can help students understand the challenges faced by new businesses, practical application of management principles, etc.