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 specialty, 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 2014, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, are listed below:
- Advertising, promotions and marketing managers work in advertising, promotions and marketing in an effort to generate interest in a product. Median annual salary as of May 2014: $96,720
- Compensation and benefits managers oversee the development and administration of retirement plans, health insurance and other employee perks. Median annual salary as of May 2014: $108,070
- Financial analysts evaluate and advise others about financial and investment decisions. Median annual salary as of 2014: $78,620
- Human resources managers hire, motivate, and retain personnel. Median annual salary as of 2014: $102,780
- Management analysts help companies refine their structures and processes. Median annual salary as of 2014: $80,880
- Purchasing managers comparison shop for inventory and services, and negotiate pricing. Median annual salary as of 2014:$106,090
- Computer systems analysts help to align IT resources with people and processes. Median annual salary as of 2014: $82,710
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 September 2014 that the majors most likely to get job offers included accounting, economics, computer science, engineering, and business administration.
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.
Sources
“Advertising, Promotions and Marketing Managers,” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, January 2014 http://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/advertising-promotions-and-marketing-managers
“11-2011 Advertising and Promotions Managers,” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2014, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes112011
“Computer systems analysts,” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, January 2014, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-systems-analysts
“15-1121 Computer Systems Analysts,” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2014, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes151121
“Purchasing managers,” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, January 2014, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/purchasing-managers-buyers-and-purchasing-agents
“11-3061 Purchasing Managers,” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2014, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes113061
“Management analysts,” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, January 2014 http://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/management-analysts
“13-1111 Management Analysts,” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2014, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes131111
“Human resources managers,” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, January 2014, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/human-resources-managers
“11-3121 Human Resources Managers,” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2014, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes113121
“Financial analysts,” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, January 2014, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/financial-analysts
“13-2051 Financial Analysts,” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2014, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes132051
“Compensation and benefits managers,” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, January 2014, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/compensation-and-benefits-managers
“11-3111 Compensation and Benefits Managers,” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2014, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes113111
The Class of 2014 Student Survey Report: National Association of Colleges and Employers, https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CCUQFjABahUKEwic8eDavu3GAhXSMIgKHZskBPY&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcareer.sa.ucsb.edu%2Ffiles%2Fdocs%2Fhandouts%2F2014-student-survey.pdf&ei=1-SuVdypGtLhoASbyZCwDw&usg=AFQjCNHUunxh0ApAS1X1A3S0-wV00lKSaQ&sig2=4abtq78RScgh70Zurpq3iQ&bvm=bv.98197061,d.cGU