Those who are looking into starting their own online businesses might be intrigued by earning a business degree, which provides a solid entrepreneurship or small business management emphasis. Degree choices range from associate’s degrees to bachelor’s degrees with a focus on entrepreneurship and small business management. Online degree programs have rapidly become more accepted than their offline counterparts. Many employers believe that employees are more productive when they are given flexible access to the workplace. As well, online programs generally provide more flexibility in the workforce since you are able to study at your own pace and from the comfort of your home.
Online doctoral programs may be able to help students earn their graduate degrees in less time than the usual two years or four-year coursework. Online doctoral programs are also suitable for learners who have already earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration or other related fields. Some online schools will require students to have taken and passed the core curriculum in business administration before coming to an admissions decision. This requirement is usually waived for students taking the examination that qualifies them for the program. Some other core curriculum courses that may be required include accounting, statistics, computer science, economics, business law, communication, humanities and other similar classes.
Online Bachelor’s degree level programs are particularly well suited to business students who already have some working experience in their field. An example of a good bachelor’s degree level choice for business students to take is the MBA degree, which typically takes 2 years to complete. Students of this degree typically learn business leadership skills that they can apply to their career in corporate positions. An online business degree level program may be suitable for students who wish to take additional classes relevant to business leadership or management such as accounting or statistics.
Online doctoral degrees are another option for business students who would like to earn a graduate-level degree without having to enroll in a regular college. Online doctoral degrees typically take longer to complete than bachelor’s degree programs. However, some doctoral programs are now available entirely online, taking less time than their traditional counterparts. These programs require original papers, a dissertation and three to four months of supervised experience in an area of your choice. In most cases, online doctoral degrees do not require prerequisite courses such as English Composition or other general academic courses.
Master’s degrees and doctorates are the next levels of professional development. Master’s degrees normally take two to three years of full-time study, and typically focus on areas of study outside of business. Some examples of advanced degrees include the PhD, which is a doctorate for professionals in the sciences. A doctorate degree typically focuses on a specific area of study such as psychology or sociology. Many doctors also pursue graduate degrees in mathematics and statistics to supplement their research work.
Coursework may vary depending on the specific field. Students learn about accounting, communication, economics, global management, health care, marketing, psychology, human resource management, sociology and statistics. The average length of undergraduate certificate programs takes two years, while some can take as long as four years. Most certificate programs incorporate coursework in business leadership, diversity, statistics and financial management. The majority of courses take place on-campus at participating universities or colleges.
Professional master’s degrees are offered by many accredited universities and colleges. Students who earn an MBA degree typically learn about business leadership, business administration, global management, statistics, marketing and human resource management. Some master’s degrees include specialized study in accounting, business law and business analysis. Students can earn a master’s in any of these fields through accredited universities or colleges. Some of the more common business topics taught in bachelor’s and MBA degree programs include: Accounting, Business Strategy and Organization, Business Process Improvement, Consumer Psychology, Economics and Accounting, Information Systems, Marketing and Entrepreneurship.
Online business programs require a variety of credits. For students taking a fast-paced course, two or more years of college coursework is recommended. In case students are taking a standard or accelerated course, they must complete all coursework in their first two years of study, but must take additional study after that. Students will have to pass a licensing exam upon graduation from an accredited university or college.
