For students and business professionals interested in enhancing their business acumen with flexible coursework, an online Bachelor's degree in Business Administration can expand employment opportunities and increase wages. Alongside practical business courses such as accounting and management, students delve into the best practices used by successful business professionals.
The following guide reviews popular online business degree courses, what students should expect, and common careers for recent graduates with a business degree. An online business degree offers a practical path toward different careers. Read on to learn about these flexible online degrees and see if they are right for you.
What can I expect from an online Bachelor in Business Administration program?
- Students interested in earning an online bachelor's degree in business administration typically have strong analytical skills and thrive on taking courses that include mathematics. Online learners complete 120 credits of general education and business classes before graduation. Of the 120 credits, business-related courses often take 40-60 credits.
- Online degrees are particularly practical for working adults, as they provide a flexible and affordable way to open career options and boost earning potential.
- Jordan McCreary, a graduate of Roosevelt University's Heller School of Business, advises students to pursue their interests when deciding on a program of study.
- "If you're considering a career in business, find a place you love and build your education around that passion," McCreary says.
- Core business classes often include management principles, organizational behavior, and business ethics. Degree seekers generally complete courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and accounting. Many learners complete their business courses with a focus on management, commerce, or finance.
- Some online business administration degrees also provide students with the ability to choose between a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts. This distinction allows learners to tailor their degree to academic and professional goals. Undergraduate students complete business classes with courses such as sociology and history, while undergraduate students primarily focus on additional business electives.
What Courses Will I Study in an Online Bachelor's Program in Business Administration?
Whether you are pursuing a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, core classes usually cover topics such as accounting, marketing, and economics.
Undergraduate students typically focus on a curriculum that primarily includes business majors. In contrast, undergraduate students often take an interdisciplinary approach, and supplement business coursework with courses in sociology, communications, and anthropology.
Principles of Macroeconomics
This introductory course teaches learners the basics of microeconomics. Topics covered include supply and demand, corporate and individual behavior theory, competition and monopoly. Online students often watch lecture videos, complete reading assignments, and take online exams and exams.
Accounting principles
This chapter highlights the value of useful financial information used by business professionals. Topics covered include financial statements, debt and equity financing, and operating expenses.
Legal environment for business
While analyzing numbers is essential to effective business operations, understanding the legal landscape of the business world is also important. In this class, learners delve into business, the constitution, statutory law, common law, consumer protection, and labor law.
computing in a business environment
By analyzing both individual and corporate business computing, this course examines how technology has changed the business landscape. This course also introduces common business applications, and researchers examine computer software degrees they may encounter in business environments.
Business Communication
This course teaches degree seekers to write and speak well in a business environment. Learners develop practical presentation skills and the ability to write business efficiently.
What are the admission requirements for an online bachelor's program in Business Administration?
Admission requirements for online bachelor's degrees in business administration programs vary, so prospective learners should pay close attention before submitting their applications. The next section examines some of the most common components and provides insight.
Application
Most colleges and universities allow students to submit applications online, rather than paper forms. Higher education applications typically ask for basic demographic information such as the applicant's full name, address, Social Security number, and other identifying features.
test grades
For years, most schools have required undergraduates to provide standardized ACT or SAT test scores. However, an increasing number of colleges are abandoning this requirement. Check with prospective schools about college entrance exams ahead of time to see if you need to study and take one of these exams.
letters of recommendation
Many online Bachelor of Business Administration programs require applicants to submit letters of recommendation that speak of their readiness for the rigors of higher education. Common reference sources include business supervisors, teachers, and mentors.
Articles
College application essays provide the opportunity for students to distinguish themselves from other candidates by talking about life experiences, motivations, and/or future goals. Applicants should leave plenty of time to write a thoughtful and concise application essay.
Official Documents
First-year college students must submit high school transcripts, while transfer students must submit transcripts from any college or university they attended previously. Official transcripts confirm the learner's GPA and any completed core requirements, providing schools with details of potential transfer credits.
What can I do with an online bachelor's degree in business administration?
career prospects
An online bachelor's degree in business administration can help college graduates find employment in public, private, and nonprofit settings. This degree can also prepare learners to pursue an MBA degree.
"Go slowly and feel things," McCreary advises. "Over the past 10+ years of my career, I've worked in a variety of consulting roles, all somehow related to marketing or management. However, none of these roles were something I would have considered before I had opportunities."
The online bachelor's degree in business administration applies to many growing fields. For example, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that employment opportunities will grow for marketing managers (by 10%), human resource professionals (by 10%), and financial analysts (by 6%) between 2020 and 2030.
Check out our Business Administration careers page to learn more about popular graduate jobs.
“Take the time to understand all the different programs that are offered and think about how you might overlap with those industries after you complete your college journey,” McCreary says.
Career paths
Budget Analyst
These professionals help organizations with financial planning. Budget analysts often work closely with project and program managers, reviewing organizational spending, consolidating budgets, and planning future financial needs. These business professionals work in public and private organizations, including governments, colleges, and many for-profit companies. Approximately 55,400 budget analysts work in the United States as of 2020.
Average annual salary: $78,970
Financial Analyst
Financial analysts bring their expertise to individuals and companies, helping them navigate financial decisions that ultimately lead to higher profits. These professionals must understand investments and synthesize past and current financial information. Financial analysts often have a specialized area of interest and serve as financial risk specialists, portfolio managers, and investment analysts.
Average annual salary: $83,660
tax examiner
Working mainly in federal and state governments, tax examiners review tax returns from businesses and individuals to determine how much they owe in taxes. These professionals use business skills and technical knowledge to examine tax returns, conduct audits, and collect late tax payments.
Average annual salary: $55.640
Human Resource Specialist
HR professionals deal with recruitment, employee relations, compensation and benefits. These professionals also work in payroll processing and strategic business planning. HR professionals need a working knowledge of local, state, and federal employment regulations.
Average annual salary: $63,490
Market Research Analyst
These professionals use their business knowledge to examine market conditions and how they affect sales of services or products. In addition to forecasting sales and marketing trends, market research analysts use data to examine marketing strategies and gather data through surveys, polls, and questionnaires.
Average annual salary: $65,810
How do I choose an online Bachelor in Business Administration program?
cost
College Board data shows that in-state learners in public
schools paid an average of $10,560 annually during the 2019-20 school year.
Those attending private institutions paid an average of $37,650 in the same
time frame. Students should understand the true cost of their program and the
price differences between campus-based and online programs before making their
decision.
Program format
Online Bachelor of Business Administration programs offer
students several different formats. Learners looking for flexibility can opt
for asynchronous programs, allowing them to log in at times that work best with
their schedules. Students can also choose from part-time and full-time learning
formats. Some schools may offer quick options for particularly motivated
students.
Location
When you search online programs, school options open up in
terms of location. However, learners who wish to attend an occasional in-person
class—or are required to visit for on-campus activities—should reconsider
choosing a school away from home. If travel expenses are a concern, choose a
school within driving distance.
Accreditation
Students must ensure that they attend an accredited school.
Failure to do so could result in trouble when transferring credits to a
different school, applying to graduate school, or even finding a job. In
addition to ensuring an institution obtains accreditation, students must also
seek programmatic accreditation from an agency such as AACSB.
Student support
Schools that provide extensive support services can make a
huge difference in finding mentorship opportunities and securing first-class
university training. Student Services cover a range of support programs and are
available to both on-campus learners and online learners.