Business Degrees and Courses
With the employment prospects for those with a business degree of some type looking so strong according to the US Department of Labor, business is a great field to get into. The question then becomes what area to specialize in and what type of degree to obtain.
There are at least 12 different areas of specialty in business, and the available degrees range from a 2-year associate’s degree to a doctorate degree, which obtaining can take an average of 8 years from start to finish.
With so many options available, it can be difficult to decide where to focus and what specific area in business is the best fit. Business degrees can be obtained while attending classes on campus or in an online environment from many major institutions, so there is a great deal of flexibility available in pursuing a business degree.
When I looked into this further to find out what my options are; I found out some great information that really helped me narrow down my choices.
Business Administration Degrees and Courses
Business Administration is the art of knowing how to lead and run either an entire business entity or any single aspect of it. Most commonly, an MBA (Master of Business Administration) degree is associated with this field, but an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree, and even a doctorate may be obtained. Common coursework in obtaining a business administration degree include financial accounting, economics, marketing and sales, and human resource management.
Accounting Degrees and Courses
An accounting degree can be applied to many jobs in the business world, including working in bookkeeping, accounting, taxes, financial analyzing, and financial operations management. Any degree can be obtained in this field of study, and certificate programs are available, as well. What area you want to go into, and what level you want to reach will be the deciding factor for which degree you pursue. In this field, ongoing education is a must. The most basic classes you would need to take in this program could include those pertaining to spreadsheets, data entry, preparing financial reports, working with ledgers, using various accounting software, taxes, and auditing.
Entrepreneurship Degrees and Courses
An entrepreneur is, in the simplest of terms, someone who starts a business. While it is not necessary to have a degree to be an entrepreneur, it can be especially advantageous. Topics covered in these programs are frequently recruiting, business ethics, business plan writing, marketing and sales, and human resource management. Certificate programs are available, as are bachelor and master’s degree programs that combine the entrepreneurship aspect with another field of study such as business administration.
Finance Degrees and Courses
With a degree in finance, you can work in many fields such as business, real estate, underwriting, and investing. Expect to take classes pertaining to investments, international finance, and financial management. Most of the jobs in this field will require a bachelor’s degree and some type of licensing. Many of these positions will also require ongoing education in order to keep skills and knowledge up-to-date. Master’s degrees and doctorates are also available.
International Business Degrees and Courses
Doing business in an international market can be tricky with so many things to consider such as currency exchange, international trade laws, and customs regulations. With technology making access to international markets easier, the need for those who understand international business is clear. Generally courses in international business would cover areas such as international law, marketing, economics, sales, joint ventures, and international customs. A bachelor’s degree in international business is most common, but graduate degrees are available as well.
Management Degrees and Courses
Degrees ranging from an associate’s to a doctorate are all available in this field of study. A few jobs you could qualify for with a management degree include jobs in publishing, as a CEO, and as a senior-level administrator. Coursework would cover topics such as project management and current business practices. What career path you are choosing will determine what level of degree you should seek.
Project Management Degrees and Courses
With so many career fields open to those with a project management degree, determining your area of specialty is crucial when you work on obtaining your degree. Engineering, information technology, and human resources are just three of the options available. Course work will include that of the area of specialty along with classes such as risk analysis, time management, and project development. Certificate and all degree programs are available.
Master of Public Administration
A public administrator is someone who works in a field that serves the public such as city government, the non-profit sector, and healthcare organizations. If you are seeking a master’s degree in public administration, you will be required to choose your area of focus from among those areas. The public administrator may be responsible for managing finances and writing grant proposals, among other duties. Coursework will be specific to the sector, but will teach students to combine theory with practice.
MBA in e-Business
With the boom in online businesses, an MBA in e-business can be a great tool for entrepreneurs and non-entrepreneurs alike. Coursework would focus on the global aspect of e-business, as well as basic business principles. The standard marketing and sales, accounting and finance, and project management classes are to be expected, in addition to classes in e-commerce technology, programming, and general internet studies.
MBA in Information Technology
Information Technology involves research, development, security, and increasing productivity via the usage of technology. General areas of study would include computer programming, network administration, and computer systems. For the master’s degree, you will be adding to your knowledge with classes in business, and gaining more-in depth knowledge of the skills you already have learned.
MBA in Marketing
Marketing and Advertising are commonly confused. Marketing studies what the public wants, and finds a way to bring the seller and buyer together. Advertising is devoted to creating the message that will influence buyers. An MBA in marketing builds upon the knowledge and skills already developed while obtaining a bachelor’s degree, and adds to it the knowledge and skill level needed to go in management. The knowledge and skills that are being built upon are those in marketing research, wholesale distribution, advertising, retail merchandising, management, and promotional strategy.
MBA in Project Management
MBA in Project Management degrees in project management will open doors to upper level management positions. Skills learned to this point would include planning and scheduling, risk analysis, and project development. The MBA degree coursework adds to this more in-depth leadership and management skills and knowledge.
