Business management degree requirements

Last Updated on July 30, 2023

University courses in the fields of business and management are among the most popular worldwide, at both undergraduate and graduate levels of study. Business and management degrees range from broad and comprehensive to highly specialized programs, spanning subjects including accounting, finance, business administration, economics, marketing and management – each of which provides further opportunities for specialization.

At graduate level, the MBA, aimed at those who have already gained significant professional experience in a business and management role, remains a very popular option, and one that continues to promise high returns in terms of career progression. However, many other master’s degrees in business and management subjects are also growing in popularity, typically requiring a lower up-front investment and little to no professional experience, as well as the chance to gain a more specialized qualification.

Typically, this program is formatted to achieve a four-year bachelor’s degree with 120 semester hours to complete. A business management degree will give you a solid base foundation to prepare you for a wide array of job opportunities. In addition to the business courses, a BBA will teach you the skills needed in leadership, technology, and character building.

As Business management is such a versatile career, you should choose the path that best prepares you to achieve your career goals.

Associate Degree: Earning a two-year associate degree in business management can offer you opportunities to break into the world of business. While you are working your way through a company starting at the ground level, you may advance in the company by obtaining a bachelor’s degree.
Bachelor’s Degree: A four-year bachelor’s degree, such as a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management, is generally your best choice for many reasons as most employers are looking for positions requiring this four-degree at a minimum. Obtaining a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) will inevitably open doors to maximum career climbing potential.
Master’s Degree: For top-level positions, you will want to seek a Master’s degree. Employers seeking candidates for senior-level positions are looking for those with advanced degrees. Typically, this additional education requires an extra two years or more of schooling beyond the bachelor’s level. Achieving a master’s degree may become an option offered to you by your employer to seek that top position in the existing company you work for.
To obtain an online Bachelor of Business Management degree, for example, you will be expected to comply with the general education requirements mandated by your school. Most schools require classes in mathematics, such as college algebra, as well as calculus. Others include biology and chemistry, sociology, history, English composition, American government, and geology, to name a few. Core Business Management courses cover a wide array of business-related programs, such as in public relations, economics, marketing, finance, and accounting, of course. You can also expect to learn about business law and ethics.

If your online Business Management degree program allows, you may be interested in choosing a specialization, depending on your interests and career aspirations. Concentrations may include Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Entertainment Management, Economics, Healthcare Management, Sports Management, Travel & Tourism, Internet Marketing, or Agriculture Management, among others.

Business and management professionals work in diverse roles like management analyst, top executive, and sales manager. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), management analysts and top executives earn median annual salaries of more than twice the national average for all occupations, while sales managers make about triple the national average.

The fields of business and management offer many career pathways and entry points, welcoming people from diverse educational backgrounds. Aspiring professionals can increase their chances of success with preparation. This guide covers how to prepare for business and management careers, including business and management degree requirements and business and management job requirements. The business and management website also offers information for aspiring professionals.

High School Courses of Study
It’s never too early to plan for business and management education requirements. High school students can take classes in areas like math and science to prepare for business and management careers. Additionally, computer courses give students skills and knowledge in essential business software, programs, and applications. Communication courses also help aspiring business professionals hone professional written and verbal communication skills.

In addition to coursework, high school students can prepare for their future careers by joining student groups or organizations, participating in community work, or receiving relevant work experience.

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College Courses of Study
While business professionals from all education levels can find success, a college degree is the standard educational requirement for most business occupations, per the BLS. At the associate level, business and management courses tend to focus on foundational knowledge and skills in areas such as decision-making, reasoning, and teamwork.

During a bachelor’s program, students can focus on particular fields within business, such as accounting, marketing, or finance. These programs typically include practical assignments to help students contextualize their training, like capstone projects and internships. Courses vary by program and school, but the following list highlights some common courses found in college business and management programs.

Business Law
Business law courses provide foundational knowledge regarding legal business issues. Learners may study the legal implications of employment, sales, and contracts, along with cyberlaw and liabilities. A basic understanding of business law prepares learners to study more advanced topics in the discipline.

Introduction to Marketing
This course examines how consumers determine value and how organizations can create and provide that value. Students may learn how to conduct market research and use various marketing channels. While marketing training is fundamental for the entire business field, it is particularly helpful for aspiring sales and marketing professionals.

Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship courses examine how to create and manage a business. Learners study topics like branding, marketing strategies, and organizational analysis and sustainability. Students can apply content from the course to a variety of roles and responsibilities in the business field.

International Business
This course covers business operations in foreign countries and across borders. Students examine importing and exporting laws, logistics, financing, and global trade. As organizations become more globalized, international business training is increasingly relevant for aspiring business professionals.

Human Resources Management
This course teaches students how to approach human resources issues in an organization, like staffing, compensation, and benefits. Learners also study optimal training methods, organizational health and safety, and labor relations. Students gain leadership and teamwork skills that they can apply to a variety of business roles.

Graduate Degrees in Business and Management
Master of business administration (MBA) programs give students advanced knowledge and skills in areas like management, leadership, research, and analysis. Graduates can pursue leadership roles in business and management.

Requirements vary by school, but MBA applicants typically must hold a bachelor’s degree and submit GMAT or GRE scores, professional recommendations, and an admissions essay. Some programs also require business experience for admission. For more information on these programs, visit the MBA homepage.

Business professionals can also advance their careers with a Ph.D. or a doctor of business administration (DBA). A Ph.D. focuses more on research, preparing graduates for careers in academia, while a DBA emphasizes practice-oriented skills, preparing graduates for leadership roles in business.

While courses vary by program, the following list outlines common courses found in graduate business programs.

Managerial Finance
Many MBA programs feature managerial finance courses, which explore organizational finances and investments. Learners acquire skills in budgeting, capital management, and asset performance and evaluation. This training prepares students to contribute to the financial health of an organization.

Operations Management
Operations management courses teach students how to design, implement, and organize effective operations systems in an organization. The training involves various management philosophies and coordination tactics. Students learn how to understand and manage organizational operations in both service and manufacturing industries.

Organizational Behavior
In this course, learners study how individuals and groups can impact the systems and competencies of an organization. Students learn how to approach interpersonal issues with staff, suppliers, and consumers. They also explore how diversity in the workplace, personal challenges, and interpersonal relationships affect organizations.

Professional Certification
In addition to undergraduate and graduate degrees, business professionals can advance their careers through professional certifications. Business and management certifications demonstrate specialized knowledge and skills to potential employers, increasing candidates’ competitiveness in the job market.

Common business certifications include certified professional manager (CPM), project management professional (PMP), and certified business analysis professional (CBAP). Candidates for these certifications must meet certain business education and experience requirements. Students should research the certifications aligned with their intended career path.

What’s the Curriculum of a Business Management Bachelor’s Degree?

Colleges and universities that offer a bachelor’s degree program in business management typically require completion of slightly more than 120 credit hours. An undergraduate business management curriculum usually consists of general education requirements, core business courses and sometimes courses related to a concentration selected by the student. Continue reading to learn more about this degree.View Schools

General Education Requirements for Business Management Students

These required courses are generally in subjects like mathematics, science, English and the humanities. Every school has its own general education requirements, so if you’re a transfer student, you should check ahead to find out if your new school will accept general education credits from your previous institution. Here is a sample of the general education courses that might be required for a bachelor’s degree in business management:

  • College algebra and calculus
  • English composition
  • Psychology and sociology
  • History, geography and American government
  • Chemistry and biology

Important Facts About a Business Management Bachelor’s Degree

Possible CareersBusiness analyst, financial analyst, sales trainee, accountant, account manager, human resources manager, sales manager, marketing manager, sales representative
Continuing EducationMaster’s and doctoral degrees
Learning EnvironmentTraditional classroom and online options available
Key SkillsProficient oral and written communication, competitive attitude, strong problem solving and analytical ability, culturally sensitive, record keeping, delegating tasks, self-motivated
Median Salary (2019)$81,590 (Financial Analysts)
Job Outlook (2019-2029)5% (Financial Analysts)

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

Core Business Management Courses

Since a business management career may span many industries and job functions, students in this field learn a set of core skills that will be applicable across the board. The core courses of a bachelor’s degree program in business management provide a comprehensive education in finance, marketing, accounting and public relations concepts. In addition to courses in these areas, most programs also offer classes in the following subjects:

  • Statistical applications in business
  • Business ethics
  • Investments
  • Business and society
  • Economics

Concentrations Available in Business Management

Some schools allow students to select a concentration or emphasis within the business management bachelor’s program. Opting for a concentration can provide a focus for you as you look for a job, and it may also make you more attractive to recruiters. Courses satisfying a concentration are not usually taken until the junior or senior year. Here is a sample of some business management concentrations that are available:

  • Finance and international business
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Agriculture management
  • Marketing management
  • Music industry management
  • Internet marketing

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT OVERVIEW

Associate's In Business Administration: Need To Know | UoPeople

As a business manager, you are given the major responsibility of managing administrative tasks for a business. A company may expect you to assist with its marketing program. A company may also want you to perform a budget analysis in order to find out ways that the company can cut costs. You should have an astute understanding of accounting, marketing and administrative procedures that are required in order to run a business.

The competition for business management positions can be fierce. You should obtain a degree in business administration, accounting or marketing if you eventually want to obtain a business management position.

Salary

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the average salary of a business manager is about $77,000 a year. The position is expected to grow by at least 15 percent in the next ten years. Businesses will be facing increased demands as they try to adjust to online commerce. If you have a specialized knowledge of online sales, then you may find that you are easily able to find a position as a business manager. Companies will also be seeking individuals who have an accounting background and are able to cut down on the costs that a company faces.

Education Requirements

To become a business manager, it is essential to possess a four-year bachelor’s degree in administration, accounting, finance or marketing. If you have a special certification, such as a CPA license, then this can also be beneficial if you apply for a position as a business manager. Companies are now hiring individuals who can also assist with financial operations. You may need to do compliance work for a company to ensure that the company is adhering to the recently passed financial regulations. Companies are also looking for individuals who now possess a master’s degree in business or accounting. You should expect to obtain an MBA in management or accounting at some point in your career.

Skills Required

To excel as a business manager, it is essential that you have strong analytical abilities. You will need to foresee the demands that a company will face in the future. It is also important that you have an ability to work well with other people. You should be able to work with a variety of personalities. Employees will look to you for leadership and motivation. You should be able to inspire employees to excel in their work during high-pressure times for the business. You also may need to possess strong accounting skills if a business expects you to perform a budget analysis of its operations every month.

Responsibilities

Typically, the responsibilities of business managers involve overseeing operations, reviewing contracts and helping employees reach their top productivity levels. A business manager may also be called upon to supervise or train new employees. He or she may also need to assist with planning certain events for a company. A business manager plays an important role in the operation of a company, and it is essential that he or she can deal with heavy loads of stress.

What Are the Best Bachelor’s in Business Management Programs of 2020?

RankSchoolLocation
1University of FloridaGainesville, FL
2Florida International UniversityMiami, FL
3California State University – FullertonFullerton, CA
4San Diego State UniversitySan Diego, CA
5University of Illinois at SpringfieldSpringfield, IL
6University of Hawaii – West OahuKapolei, HI
7Florida Atlantic UniversityBoca Raton, FL
8Appalachian State UniversityBoone, NC
9Wesleyan CollegeMacon, GA
10LeTourneau UniversityLongview, TX

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