Business

What is a Business Degree?

According to dictionary.com business is "the purchase and sale of goods in an attempt to make a profit." A business degree provides students the skills and knowledge to succeed in different areas of small, medium, and large businesses. Students can specialize in finance, marketing products, and managing employees at companies. A business degree allows students to enter the workplace prepared to tackle the challenges of a free market economic system.  It is a degree which blends liberal arts education and hard science learning methods together. Depending on the major, students will be exposed to theoretical concepts using numbers and hands-on training where they create projects and presentations similar to those required in their future careers.

What Kinds of Majors are Available for a Business Degree?

A business degree can come in many different forms and teach different subjects. The disciplines studied under this degree include:


Business Degree Curriculum

The curriculums for business degrees are generally similar to each other. First, students take a number of general classes which teach the basics of the different disciplines/majors in the degree. After these courses, students choose their major and take courses that focus specifically on their chosen field. Some degrees and schools also require their students to complete an internship in their major to graduate.

What Levels of Education are Available for a Business Degree?

A business degree is usually offered in associate's degree, bachelor's degree and master's degree levels. The associate's degree in business takes about two years to complete. It generally does not go in-depth to a specific major but provides an overview regarding business. The bachelor's degree in business finishes where the associate's degree leaves off and allows the student to delve further into a major; it takes about two extra years to obtain a bachelor's degree from an associate's. A master's degree in business administration or MBA takes another two years to finish and allows the student to specialize even more in his or her chosen major. Some business programs are also available at the doctorate degree level, including quantitative finance and economics.

Skills Learned in a Business Degree Program

Students within this degree program will learn a variety of skills that can be put to use throughout a number of careers such as:

  • Ability to think analytically, critically, and independently when discussing or theorizing about relevant business issues
  • Communicate effectively whether through print or speech to deliver the message you seek to convey
  • Ability to reason through a problem and deduct a logical solution based on pertinent information
  • Understanding of the economy and the way in which it operates in regards to companies, consumers, and government
  • Understanding of financial markets and the instruments that trade within these markets
  • Understanding of consumer behavior and advertising techniques
Where Can I Get a Business Degree?

Business degrees are offered at a variety of locations. They can be earned at any university with an accredited business program. Those who do not want to attend a brick and mortar school can earn their business degrees online through various online universities.

Possible Careers for Business Degree Holders

The level of education defines the career path a business degree graduate will take. Those acquiring an associate's degree will have trouble finding entry-level positions in their field of choice, since most companies require a bachelor's degree. A bachelor's degree in business is the prerequisite for an entry-level position in the business field. This degree allows students to become accountants, investment bankers, advertising executives, and many other professions. Acquiring an MBA will lead graduates to even better positions, where they can sometimes start as managers or upper-level employees. With each subsequent increase in education, salary rises accordingly.


Learn More About Business Programs

Accounting and Related Services

Most often people entering a career in the accounting field will obtain a college degree in accounting, a degree in finance or a combined degree in accounting and finance. It all depends on the college or university program you choose. What you’ll typically gain from a college degree program is an understanding of accounting and finance concepts, theories, terminology, practices and principles.

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Business Administration, Management and Operations

Generally business administration programs require students to take a set group of general business courses. In addition, it is recommended that you choose a specialization in a specific area within the field of business such as accounting, marketing, information systems or another area and then study specific concepts, theories, terminology, practices and principles related to this focused area of business.

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Business Operations Support and Assistant Services

The Business Operations Support and Assistant Services degree is a program that prepares students to work as administrative assistants, secretaries and/or stenographers.

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Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other

A Business, Management, Marketing and Related Support Services degree is an educational program designed to prepare students for positions in management, technical support and applied research positions that are essential to the operation of both commercial and non-profit organizations and organizations that sell or purchase goods and services.

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Business/Commerce, General

The business and commerce program at most colleges and universities is the broadest umbrella business program available and provides you with a basic foundation in the field of business. However, most programs require you to choose a specialization in a specific field of business such as accounting, marketing or information systems.

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Business/Corporate Communications

Working toward a Business/Corporate Communications will provide students with a variety of different course that will offer challenges while also preparing them for the business world. Students will be exposed to several disciplines that include writing, public speaking, design and electronic media.

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Business/Managerial Economics

Managerial economics (sometimes known as business economics) programs are generally business-related programs at most colleges and universities. Therefore, you’ll be required to take many general business courses such as accounting, marketing and human resources in addition to specific economics courses that provide knowledge of economic concepts, theories, terminology, practices and principles.

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Construction Management

Construction management programs are a subset of business at most colleges and universities. That means you’ll likely find that to obtain a construction management degree you will be required to take some general business courses such as statistics, economics, business law and international business. In addition you will need construction-specific courses that provide the knowledge and the tools required to successfully manage construction projects.

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Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations

Small business is the backbone of this country. In fact, according to U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) small businesses make up more than 99 percent of all  businesses in the United States. So if you are considering enrolling in an entrepreneurship program, you’re in good company.

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Finance and Financial Management Services

Finance programs typically fall under business at most colleges and universities and, therefore,  you likely will be required to take many general business courses such as statistics, economics, business law and human resources. In addition you will need finance-specific courses that provide knowledge of financial concepts, theories, terminology, practices and principles.

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More Results:
University of Phoenix Online Business programs:
  • Accounting (Master's degree)
  • Accounting (Associate Degree)
  • Accounting and Business/Management (Master's degree)
  • Accounting and Business/Management (Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years)
  • Accounting and Business/Management (Bachelor's degree)
  • Accounting and Business/Management (Postbaccalaureate certificate)
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Strayer University Business programs:
  • Accounting Concentration (Bachelor's degree)
  • Accounting Concentration (Bachelor's degree)
  • Accounting Emphasis (Post-master's certificate)
  • Accounting Information Systems Concentration (Master's degree)
  • Accounting Information Systems Emphasis (Post-master's certificate)
  • Acquisition and Contract Management Concentration (Bachelor's degree)
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Kaplan University Online Business programs:
  • AAS in Accounting (Associate Degree)
  • AAS in Business Administration (Associate Degree)
  • AASBA - Banking Service (Bachelor's degree)
  • AASBA - Business (Bachelor's degree)
  • AASBA - Customer Service (Bachelor's degree)
  • AASBA - Event Planning (Bachelor's degree)
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  • Apparel and Accessories Marketing Operations (Bachelor's degree)
  • Hospitality Administration/Management, General (Bachelor's degree)
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Walden University Business programs:
  • Accounting and Business/Management (Doctor's degree)
  • Accounting and Business/Management (Master's degree)
  • Business Administration and Management, General (Bachelor's degree)
  • Business Administration and Management, General (Doctor's degree)
  • Business Administration and Management, General (Master's degree)
  • E-Commerce/Electronic Commerce (Master's degree)
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  • Business Administration and Management, General (Bachelor's degree)
  • Business Administration and Management, General (Master's degree)
  • Business Administration and Management, General (Associate Degree)
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Capella University Business programs:
  • Accounting (Bachelor's degree)
  • Accounting (Master's degree)
  • Business Administration and Management, General (Bachelor's degree)
  • Business Administration and Management, General (Postbaccalaureate certificate)
  • Business Administration and Management, General (Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years)
  • Business Administration and Management, General (Doctor's degree)
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  • Accounting (Bachelor's degree)
  • Accounting (Associate Degree)
  • Accounting and Business/Management (Master's degree)
  • Accounting and Finance (Bachelor's degree)
  • Accounting and Finance (Master's degree)
  • Business Administration and Management, General (Associate Degree)
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  • Fashion Merchandising (Bachelor's degree)
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  • Business Administration and Management, General (Associate Degree)
  • Business Administration and Management, General (Doctor's degree)
  • Business Administration and Management, General (Bachelor's degree)
  • Business Administration and Management, General (Master's degree)
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Empowered UCLA Extension Business programs:
  • Financial Planning (Postbaccalaureate certificate)
  • Human Resources Administration (Postbaccalaureate certificate)
  • IT Management (Postbaccalaureate certificate)
  • Marketing and New Media Fundamentals (Postbaccalaureate certificate)
  • Nonprofit Management (Postbaccalaureate certificate)
  • Project Management (Postbaccalaureate certificate)
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  • Accounting (Associate Degree)
  • Accounting (Bachelor's degree)
  • Accounting (Master's degree)
  • Accounting & Finance (Master's degree)
  • Business Administration (Associate Degree)
  • Business Administration (Bachelor's degree)
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Villanova University Online Business programs:
  • Business Analysis (Postbaccalaureate certificate)
  • Business Intelligence (Postbaccalaureate certificate)
  • Contract Management (Postbaccalaureate certificate)
  • Human Resource Management (Postbaccalaureate certificate)
  • IS Security (Postbaccalaureate certificate)
  • IT Service Management (Postbaccalaureate certificate)
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  • Business Administration and Management, General (Associate Degree)
  • Business Administration and Management, General (Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years)
  • Construction Management (Associate Degree)
  • Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General (Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years)
  • Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General (Associate Degree)
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