Online master's degree programs in business administration and leadership

One of the basic principles of business is that the most rewarding opportunities tend to attract the most competition. As you contemplate the future of your business career, you should consider what you can do to improve you competitive position in the job market.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 10.5 million people in America held master's degrees at the start of the 21st century. By 2009, this number rose to more than 15 million--an increase of about 45 percent in just nine years. If you want to keep pace, you might consider earning a master's degree as well.

Online master's degree programs in business administration and leadership, or in related areas such as organizational management, may represent an ideal career step for aspiring business professionals.

What to expect from online graduate degrees in business administration and leadership

You can benefit by studying about and attempting to replicate the experiences of top business leaders and organizations. When you pursue an online graduate degrees in organizational management, administration or leadership, you will examine the actual challenges that businesses have faced in the past. Through case studies, you can see how executives crafted solutions, marshaled resources and communicated their messages to meet those challenges.

Specifically, courses of study in online master's degree programs in business administration and leadership can teach you to handle the following types of management functions:

Accounting
Finance
Human resources
Business analysis
Distribution
Management
Tax strategy
Marketing

If you are currently a working professional, earning a master's of business administration online can have particular advantages. Distance education can give you the flexibility to take classes around time constraints and commitments. Earning a master's of business administration online can allow you to continue working your current job, while improving your educational credentials. When you complete your education, you should find that practical experience and an advanced degree can be a powerful combination in the business world.

Careers for graduates with master's degrees in business administration and leadership

An online master's degree program in business administration and leadership can help groom you for a management position in the business setting. Here are some examples of jobs you can pursue after earning a master's of business administration online, along with May 2009 data reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

Chief executive officers earned a mean annual wage of $167,280
General and operations managers earned a mean annual wage of $110,550
Administrative services managers earned a mean annual wage of $81,530
Human resource managers earned a mean annual wage of $105,510

To find out more about undergraduate degree programs that can help you advance in the business world, check out WorldWideLearn.com's Guide to College Majors. There you will find specific examples of educational programs in business, management and leadership.