For students interested in entering the world of business or sales, earning a college degree is a key milestone. Business degrees offer job flexibility, growth opportunities, and in many cases, a well-paying salary. Employment in business and financial positions is expected to grow by 5% between 2019 and 2029, which is faster than the national average for all occupations. This makes business school an advantageous prospect. Here are several types of business degrees for students interested in pursuing a professional career in this field.
Types of Undergraduate Business Degrees
Earning an undergraduate degree in business is a great way to propel yourself into the vibrant world of business. Below are four, popular types of business degrees that you can pursue at the undergraduate level.
Associate Degree in Business Administration
An associate degree in Business Administration is a two year program of study. Over the course of two years, students complete general education courses along with business-centric classes like accounting and computer concepts. This associate degree will provide you with the foundation of knowledge needed to begin a career in customer service or administration. You can expect to gain technical skills in business, professional communication skills, as well as an understanding of businesses’ role in the larger society.
Some typical courses found in this degree program are:
- Principles of Accounting
- Statistics
- Business Law
Common careers outcomes include:
- Administrative assistant
- Customer service associate
- Retail manager
- Executive assistant
- Sales consultant
Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration
The bachelor’s degree in Business Administration is a course of study that can be completed in the traditional four years, or in three years if a student takes summer classes. Students in this program can align their classes with their career goals. For example, students can elect courses in a myriad of academic disciplines – such as accounting, economics, and international business – in order to become an even more versatile job candidate upon completion of their program. At the University of Bridgeport, students may also simultaneously earn a teacher certification if they wish. Upon completion of a bachelor’s in Business Administration, students gain a mastery in business principles like finance, management, marketing, and more.
Some standard courses for this degree include:
- Business Planning
- Business Policy and Strategy
- Work Force Dynamics
Common career outcomes include:
- Business consultant
- Financial analyst
- Human resources (HR) specialist
- Sales manager
- Market research analyst
Bachelor’s Degree in Business Analytics and Intelligence
The Bachelor of Science in Business Analytics and Intelligence teaches students the set of skills they will need in order to use data analytics to solve business problems. Over the course of this four-year program, students complete general education classes as well as core classes in business intelligence, technology, and analytics. Upon completion of this program, students will be able to collect and analyze data in order to assist in organizational decision making.
Some required courses for this degree include:
- Managerial Finance
- Operations Management
- Business Policy and Strategy
Common career outcomes include:
- Management analyst
- Computer systems analyst
- Financial analyst
- Marketing research analyst
- Data scientist
Bachelor’s Degree in Sport Management
A bachelor’s in Sport Management prepares students for a career in athlete management, team branding, sports marketing, and sports event management. This unique program requires students to take general education classes as well as a wide variety of sports management courses, business courses, and electives. Students learn in a project-based environment and gain field experience that prepares them for a career in managing, overseeing, and directing athletic departments.
Some required courses for this type of business degree include:
- Sport Finance
- Sports Psychology
- Ethics in Sport Management
Common career outcomes include:
- Facilities manager
- Event coordinator
- Athletic director
- Marketing consultant
- Public relations manager
Types of Graduate Business Degrees
Though a bachelor’s degree in business can make job candidates attractive to employers, a master’s degree offers applicants a unique advantage in the marketplace.
Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA)
A master’s degree in Business Administration prepares students for a leadership role in the world of business. Depending on students’ undergraduate degree and on the program, MBA courses can be completed in as little as one year. In some programs, classes are offered in both 7 week and 15-week intervals, making the MBA program flexible and customizable to your needs. Students can also pursue a specialized MBA in a number of fields, such as those listed below.
Some specialization options include:
- Healthcare Management
- Management
- Human Resources Management
- Analytics Intelligence
- Accounting
- Finance
- Marketing
Some required courses for the MBA degree include:
- Organizational Behavior
- Marketing and Branding
- Advanced Financial Management and Policy
Common career outcomes include:
- Advertising executive
- Brand specialist
- Consultant
- Marketing analyst
- Marketing executive
Related Majors and Programs
Among the many different types of business degrees are other, related programs that support business operations. Here is a brief exploration of a few of these additional types of business-related programs.
Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting
Students interested in working in the financial sector as an auditor, financial advisor, fraud examiner, or staff accountant should pursue a bachelor’s degree in Accounting. This program prepares students to work with accounting systems, understand business data, and produce reports that are key to the process of making financial decisions. Students will take courses in accounting, computer concepts, business communications, managerial accounting, and more over the course of this eight-semester program.
Bachelor’s Degree in Finance
A bachelor’s degree in Finance prepares students for work in financial markets, law, financial management, and government service. Students in this program develop the analytical skills they need in order to interpret financial statements and assess the financial standing of the companies or governments they work for. The four-year program requires students to take courses in finance as well as general education, and electives.
Certificate in Project Management
Project management skills are prized in a wide variety of businesses. From healthcare to banking, project managers are always in demand. For undergraduate students who want to pursue a career in project management, or simply underline their project management skills, the Project Management Certificate program provides the prerequisite hours they’ll need to take the PMP exam. Courses included in the certificate program include Essentials of Project Management, Project Planning and Implementation, and Leadership in Project Management.
Business is consistently among the most popular majors for college students, and it’s no wonder why. Business degrees afford graduates with a wide variety of job prospects and a versatile skill set that can be applied to any setting or industry.
To learn more about University of Bridgeport’s business school, or about the types of business degrees offered, visit our website!