You can earn your business degree online at almost every stage: associate, bachelor’s, and master’s.
One popular degree option is business. The majority of the 2 million bachelor's degrees awarded in the US in the 2019–2020 academic year were in business . Similarly, the most popular subject to study for a master's degree is still business .
There are a number of possible advantages to earning your degree online, including the ability to keep working, the ability to relocate, the possibility of more scheduling flexibility, and possibly even lower programme expenses. To help you choose if an online business programme is the right option for your education, we'll go over the several kinds of online business degrees that are available as well as what to expect from them in this post.
Types of business degrees you can earn online
Nearly all levels of business degrees, including associate's, bachelor's, and master's, are offered online. Even while you can obtain a terminal degree in business, like a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) or PhD in Business, there aren't many of these advanced courses offered online. We'll concentrate on the three more popular online business degrees you can get with that in mind.
Associate degree
Earning an online Associate of Science (AS) in Business Administration will enable you to transition into a bachelor's degree programme or seek entry-level business careers.
Ordinary coursework
It is necessary to complete your general education requirements at the associate level before focusing on or specialising in business administration. To obtain an associate degree, you normally need to complete 60 credits, of which 12 credits must be applied towards your concentration or area of interest.
You should anticipate taking foundational courses in your business emphasis on:
- Business principles
- Promotion
- Accounting
- Personnel
- Enterprise technology
Degree cost + time commitment
Completing an associate degree requires two years of full-time study. According to College Board, the average annual cost of tuition and fees for an on-campus university was $3,800 in 2021. However, US News states that the entire cost of an internet purchase can vary from $6,000 to $26,000.
If you need a break before pursuing a bachelor's degree or want to have an academic degree to put on your resume in addition to the subject knowledge you'll learn from your business classes, an online associate's degree in business may be an excellent choice.
Bachelor’s degree
Online business administration degrees are available in both Bachelor of Science (BS) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) formats. Students can choose to focus on or major in any of a number of related business areas, including accounting, finance, marketing, human resources, and business studies.
You can start a business master's programme or pursue a number of entry-level employment with your bachelor's degree; however, it's important to note that many MBA applicants take some time to get work experience before going back to school.
Master’s degree
Although you can obtain a Master of Science (MS) in business online, the Master of Business Administration (MBA) is often the most sought-after master's degree in business. Many online MBA programmes offer access to the same instructors, courses, and resources as traditional MBA programmes. One such programme is the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's iMBA.
Benefits of studying business online
Since earning a degree in person has historically been the most common way to obtain a bachelor's or master's degree, recruiters still tend to favour in-person degrees over online ones, but this perception is beginning to change as more and more schools and universities offer online programmes. According to a 2018 survey, 71% of companies reported having hired a candidate with an online degree.
Additional advantages of online learning include the following:
Start using what you've learned immediately: If you intend to work while obtaining your degree, you can start using what you've learned right away. You can practice in a way that could inform and even enrich your education, as opposed to waiting to put what you've learned in your classroom into practice until you graduate.
Develop critical abilities specific to online learning: Whether online or in-person, completing your degree helps you build crucial employment abilities. However, certain abilities like self-discipline, time management, and independent work can be sharpened with the aid of online learning.
Finding the best online business degree for you
It's crucial to think about your motivations for wanting to get an online business degree before deciding on the kind you want to pursue. What goals do you have for your business degree? How may enrolling in an online programme advance your professional objectives?
Annual employment reports are released by many programmes, providing information on the industries and businesses that have recruited previous graduates, the proportion of graduates who were offered full-time jobs, and the kinds of jobs that graduates go on to complete. Examine the most recent employment reports for each programme you are thinking about applying to, and determine how closely the results match your goals.
Here are some additional factors to consider as you compare online business degree programs:
focus plus coursework
Which area of business are you interested in studying, and what kind of coursework will help you reach your objectives? Look at the concentrations offered by online business degree programs, the necessary coursework you would need to finish, and the approximate deadlines you would need to meet when conducting your study. Verify that such limitations line up with your available resources and overarching career objectives.
Interaction
No matter how sociable you want to be in your prospective degree program, it's important to find out about the teaching style and networking options available to you. These can include networking with alumni, expert speakers who might be hired for webinars, seminars, or other extracurricular activities, as well as your fellow students. There is more to education than just what you study in a course. The opportunity to grow and develop your network may also be a significant component.
assistance for careers
A lot of online schools and universities provide career services that are comparable to those provided by on-campus institutions. When you graduate from your program and look for new possibilities to put your education to use, these kinds of tools can be beneficial. A lot of schools offer professional placement data so that potential students can see what previous.
Investigate more
Getting a business degree online can give you more specialized subject knowledge for your portfolio and a valuable credential for your résumé. Look through the many concentrations of online business degrees offered by Coursera at the bachelor's and master's levels to find an affordable choice that works for you.
Where can you find scholarships for international students?
University scholarships: These are awarded by the institution in accordance with financial need, extracurricular activity participation, or good grades. Each university has its own list of scholarships it offers, and each will establish its own requirements for applicants to scholarships.
Merit-based or academic scholarships: These are awarded to students with strong academic records and a high GPA who excel in certain subjects or on final exams.
Scholarships based on performance: These are awarded to youngsters who want to attend a university and excel in sports, the arts, or music.
External scholarships: These originate from non-university based organizations including higher education associations, businesses, or charities. Typically, applications to them are made independently of forms used for admission to universities.
Government scholarships: For overseas students hoping to apply to study in their nation, the majority of governments offer a variety of scholarships that will cover tuition costs and travel costs (including airfare). Numerous will also be directed towards pupils belonging to particular nations or areas.
Scholarships depending on a student's nation or region: These might come from a variety of sources, such as colleges themselves, governmental organizations, corporations, or nonprofits.