Pursuing an online college business degree can be an invaluable step toward gaining the knowledge and expertise necessary to advance your career. In today’s digital age, many students are opting to pursue their degrees online, taking advantage of the convenience and affordability that online education has to offer.
An online college business degree can provide students with a wealth of knowledge and career opportunities, allowing them to develop the skills necessary to succeed in the business world.
Getting an Online College Business Degree
Before starting on the path to earning an online college business degree, you need to research the different types of programs available and find one that best fits your needs.
Depending on your current level of education, you may opt for an undergraduate or graduate program, or even a certificate program. Additionally, some schools offer concentrations within business courses such as accounting, finance, marketing, management, or general business.
Once you choose a particular program that meets your goals, you must ensure that it is accredited by one of 6 regional accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education:
- Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
- New England Association of Schools & Colleges
- North Central Association
- Northwest Commission on Colleges & Universities
- Southern Association of Colleges & Schools
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Doing so will guarantee that the credits you earned can be transferred should you decide to attend another school at a later date.
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Online Undergraduate Business Degree Programs
Online undergraduate business degree programs generally require 50 -120 credit hours depending on which type you chose (Associate’s or Bachelor’s).
Associate’s degrees typically take 2 years, while Bachelor’s degrees take 4 years but can often be completed faster through accelerated programs and/or course waivers from prior learning experience/courses taken at other accredited schools/institutions.
Common classes in online undergraduate business degree programs include:
- Introduction to Accounting & Finance
- Introduction to Managerial Accounting
- Principles of Marketing; Management Theory & Practice
- Business Law & Ethics; Economics Principles & Practices
- Human Resources Management Principles & Practices
- International Business Principles & Practices
- Quantitative Methods for Business Decisions Making
- Strategies for Global Business Success and more (depending on which concentration you chose).
Some schools also offer additional courses such as Financial Statement Analysis & Valuation as well as Leadership Skills Development.
Online Bachelor Degree Programs
Those looking for higher-level education or seeking advancement in their current field/career path may choose to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related field (e.g., economics).
These degrees usually require 120+ credits depending on which type you chose (Bachelor’s in Science [BS] versus Bachelor’s in Arts [BA]) with common classes including:
- Advanced Economics Theory & Policy Applications
- Advanced Financial Reporting Analysis & Valuation Techniques I-IV
- Advanced International Business Law Studies I-III (if applicable)
- Corporate Governance Strategies I-VII (if applicable)
- Strategies for Global Market Growth I-VI (if applicable)
- Applied Research Methods I-VII (if applicable)
- Decision Science Applications I-VIII(if applicable)
As well as various other courses depending on which concentration you chose within a particular school/program such as Entrepreneurial Management Studies I-VIII(if applicable).
Which Colleges Offer Online Degrees?
Many schools offer online degrees ranging from associate’s all the way up through doctorates across virtually every subject imaginable including business administration.
Here are some examples:
- American InterContinental University offers bachelor’s degrees in Accounting Information Systems, Human Resource Management and Leadership among many others.
- Kaplan University provides students with an array of options, such as Master’s Degrees in Project Management and MBA concentrations like Technology Innovation Management and Strategic Human Resource Management just to name two out of its ever-growing selection offerings with numerous others available.
- Capella University (MBA concentrations like International Business Administration)
- Liberty University (Doctorate Degrees like Executive Leadership) among countless others from various regions across the United States provides prospective students more choices than ever before when selecting which college has the perfect fit for them!
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An online college business degree from any of the schools above can arm you with the skills and knowledge to enter or advance in this versatile field. A business degree from a respected, accredited school like the one mentioned above is also affordable and flexible enough to work around your busy schedule. Could an online business degree be the next step in your career?