Online Business Degrees

There's a reason business graduating classes are typically the largest when diplomas are handed out. A business degree is a practical choice because almost every organization uses business principles in its day-to-day operations. As such, business majors are highly sought after to play a variety of different roles in many industries.

Although the academic programs vary from university to university, there are a few basic paths to follow if you want to become a business major. Regardless of the specialization, all business degrees require an excellent understanding of math, with the most basic course being business calculus. Here are a few of the most popular types of business degrees:

Administration

If you want to pursue a degree that will give you a broad look at how businesses operate while still allowing you to specialize, then a degree in business administration may be your best fit. A business administration student studies a wide range of topics, including accounting, economics, marketing, organizational behavior, and information technology. A graduate with a bachelor's degree in administration can have many options in the job market. He or she can work as a business analyst, consultant, project manager, human resources manager, or in other positions of leadership within a company.

An associate and master's degree in business administration are also available. A Master's of Business Administration, or MBA, is one of the most popular post-graduate degrees. It provides further management and leadership training to students seeking higher-paying jobs. But that doesn't mean the curriculum is abstract. In fact, many MBA programs focus on fleshing out key subjects, such as finance, manufacturing, and business strategy.

Accounting

Do you have strong organizational skills? Do you also enjoy working with numbers? If so, accounting may be the degree for you. An accountant is an important member of an organization because he or she keeps track of the business' cash, property, debts, and more. As a result, this helps the business use its financial resources more efficiently. An accountant also helps the organization create legally required financial statements and reports.

An accounting student will be required to take numerous accounting classes en route to earning a degree in the field. In addition to those, students also typically take courses in micro and macroeconomics, and federal tax and business law. It's important to note that many employers require an accountant to have a master's degree in accounting as well as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) license. In fact, many master's degree programs prepare students to take the CPA exam.

Finance

Although accounting degrees deal with the math behind a business' capital, a finance education has a narrower focus. A finance professional analyzes data and then uses their findings to assist their company or clients in making financial decisions. Those with a degree in finance can find jobs as a financial analyst or advisor, investment banker, loan officer, credit analyst, or financial officer. But before that happens, finance students will need to take specialized courses, such as financial markets and institutions, analysis for financial management, and investments and portfolio management. A student pursuing a master's degree in finance will take more in-depth classes exploring financial management and financial markets.

Management

An individual with strong leadership and organizational skills who isn't afraid to take on big projects would be well served by a business management degree. There are many specializations available with this degree path, including operations, information systems, non-profit, hospitality, and sales management. The classes students must take for this degree will depend on the specific branch of management they're pursuing.

For example, someone specializing in hospitality management will take courses such as restaurant management to learn the ins and outs of customer relations, pricing, cost control and payroll, as well as courses in meetings and events management and tourism management. Alternatively, an operations management major will likely learn about the principles of management and organization, personnel and human resource management, and compensation administration.

But regardless of the focus, pursuing a master's degree in management will allow students to delve further into employment laws and how to manage people in the work place. These programs will vary slightly depending on the track the student takes, and some require a certain amount of work experience before being accepted into the program.

Marketing

If you're outgoing and have strong communication skills, marketing might be the choice for you. A marketing professional researches what customers want and need, and then finds the best way to tell them about his or her company's product or service. While pursuing a marketing degree, you'll learn how to communicate effectively, think and plan strategically, and understand the fundamentals of how a business operates.

The degree level you attain in marketing can affect your career opportunities. An associate degree in marketing would open the doors for a job in sales or retail management. A bachelor's degree, on the other hand, will give new graduates the opportunity to work in advertising, public relations, and market research. Most bachelor's degree programs include classes in sales, marketing strategy and planning, finance, organizational behavior, business law, and all of the other required basic business courses (including math). Master's and doctorate degrees in marketing are geared toward a higher level of education and can create opportunities for higher ranking and better paying jobs.

Entrepreneurship

An entrepreneur is the ultimate capitalist. Instead of working for someone else, he or she starts their own business and controls every function of it. As such, they have no salary, but instead make what their business makes. Many schools now offer a specialized bachelor's degree in entrepreneurship. Because an entrepreneur manages all aspects of their business, students may take classes that run the gamut on business topics, like finance, organizational behavior, marketing, operations management, and human resources classes. Students may also take an introduction to entrepreneurship course, as well as other classes that shed some light on how to start a new venture.

A master's degree is available as well, although it's usually a specific path in a master's in business administration (MBA) program. Unlike other degree programs, there aren't any set jobs out there for entrepreneurs. But if you have plans to start your own business one day, the valuable lessons you'll learn en route to getting a degree will surely prove useful when you take the first steps to becoming your own boss.