Online bachelor degree programs in business management

According to Lee Iacocca, former chairman of Chrysler Corporation, "Management is nothing more than motivating other people." That may be true at very senior levels, but lesser mortals--and those still climbing the corporate ladder--need other skills as well. That's why there are online bachelor degree programs in business management.

Bachelor degree programs in business management: Breaking it down

Should you choose a bachelor's degree in business management, business administration, business leadership or just plain business? The determining factor will likely be where you want to take your career. The good news is that all business degree programs have a similar core.


Some of the most common, core courses you will find in both campus and online bachelor's degree programs in business management, or any other speciality, include the following:

• Accounting
• Business communications
• Business law
• Macro and microeconomics
• Business ethics and social responsibility
• Finance
• Group and organizational dynamics
• Human resources
• Information systems in business
• Management theory and practice
• Business marketing
• Strategy development

Business management degree career opportunities and salaries

One of the best things about campus and online bachelor's degree programs in business management is that they provide you with valuable skills that are applicable across many professions and industries. The flexibility a business management degree provides could be a significant advantage when looking for a job in a struggling economy. It also means that you don't have to have decide on a particular career path before you begin your studies.

While flexibility and a strong understanding of business could land you at Google, where employees create their own job titles, some typical professional opportunities for business management graduates and their median annual salaries as of May 2009 (Bureau of Labor Statistics) are listed below:

• Account managers work in advertising, PR, sales and financial services, coordinating all aspects of business associated with client relationships: $97,670.
• Compensation and benefits managers oversee the development and administration of retirement plans, health insurance and other employee perks: $95,230.
• Financial analysts evaluate and advise others about financial and investment decisions: $85,240.
• Human resources managers hire, motivate, and retain personnel: $105,510.
• Management analysts help companies refine their structures and processes: $84,650.
• Marketing managers oversee product and service development, marketing and pricing: $120,070.
• Purchasing managers comparison shop for inventory and services, and negotiate pricing: $96,910.
• Systems analysts help to align IT resources with people and processes: $80,430.

Most of these salaries and opportunities are acquired with an undergraduate degree and several years of work experience. For even greater earning potential and upward mobility, some business school graduates also pursue a Master's of Business Administration (MBA).

Prospects for those leaving college with business management degrees are generally good. The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) said in October 2010 that 45.4 percent of those pursuing business degrees had job offers before they graduated.

If you're interested in finding out more about business management degrees, explore the colleges listed below and request more information from the ones that interest you. You can also do learn more about business degrees, in general, at WorldWideLearn's Guide to College Majors in Business.

• Degrees by Level