Got a great idea for a business? Counting down the minutes until you are finally in charge of your own company? Have you heard you have the mind of an entrepreneur? If you answered yes to any of those questions, you are likely considering pursuing a business degree.
Business degree programs help individuals further develop their skills, learn more about the industry, and promote professional development. With so many business degree options, however, many aspiring entrepreneurs ask themselves, “What should I major in if I want to start my own business?”
As a leading business school in Connecticut, University of Bridgeport agrees that one of the best majors for aspiring entrepreneurs is (typically) a Business Administration degree. While the best course of study will, of course, vary depending on your specific passion areas and goals, the Business Administration degree covers the fundamental business knowledge and skill sets you’ll need to get your business off the ground. Learn about the business administration path below, including how it supports students’ entrepreneurial goals, and the different types of business administration degrees available.
What is a Business Administration Degree?
While there are some success stories of entrepreneurs who did not earn a college degree, they are few and far between. A business degree ensures candidates are prepared for the rigors and challenges of the business world beyond classroom walls.
More specifically, a Business Administration degree focuses on the day-to-day operations of businesses that prepare students to form, guide, and lead companies of all shapes and sizes.
Students gain essential skills in collaboration, communication, creativity, time management, critical thinking, and problem-solving through the following comprehensive courses in the humanities, mathematics, and natural and social sciences:
- Business Policy and Strategy
- Business Management
- Principles of Accounting
- Business Law
- Statistics
Plus, many business administration programs allow students to further specialize through elective courses like accounting, economics, finance, international business, management and industrial relations, and marketing.
What Types of Business Administration Degrees Are There?
Business Administration degrees are versatile, challenging, and well-rounded, ensuring candidates can pursue various career paths, whether working for large corporations or running small start-ups.
University of Bridgeport offers many types of Business Administration degrees to accommodate each individual’s needs and interests.
1. Associate of Arts (AA) in Business Administration
This two-year undergraduate degree program prepares students to quickly enter business by combining traditional liberal arts coursework with a strong foundation in economics, accounting, management, and project planning.
Graduates of these types of programs go on to fill essential management and administrative roles, such as administrative assistants, sales managers, management analysts, and human resource coordinators. Or, they can bring their business ideas to fruition – equipped with foundational business knowledge – and start a company. However, further education may be needed, so aspiring entrepreneurs may consider the next level degree: a Bachelor’s.
2. Bachelor of Science (BS) in Business Administration
One of the most common and popular degrees, a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Business Administration, allows students to align their classes with their career goals and be more versatile job candidates by taking accounting, economics, and international business courses.
Students can complete this degree in four years, or three years if they take summer classes. Upon completion, graduates are prepared to pursue positions as:
- Entrepreneurs
- Business consultants
- Financial analysts
- Market research analysts
3. Bachelor of Science (BS) in Business Administration Online
Much like the Bachelor’s in Business Administration, an online Business Administration degree provides a broad application of business knowledge in the abovementioned courses and topics to develop practical and personal skills necessary to succeed in the business world.
However, this online-accelerated program is designed for adult learners looking to fulfill their personal and professional goals. This one hundred and twenty credit hour program offers courses online for optimal flexibility, including:
- Forty-two credits of core curriculum
- Twenty-four credits in online Business Administration courses
- Thirty-three credits in general electives
This all-encompassing business degree prepares graduates to work in accounting, computer information systems, finance, healthcare management, business management, and marketing industries, all while providing them with the essential skills and knowledge needed to start their own business.
Wondering which Business Administration degree is right for you? Learn more about UB’s Ernest C. Trefz School of Business and discover which of our programs best suits your needs!
How Do Business Administration Degrees Benefit Entrepreneurs?
Starting and ensuring a successful business takes more than a good idea, motivation, and hard work. Entrepreneurs also need various hard and soft skills to understand the ins and outs and the highs and lows of running a business.
For this reason, many aspiring entrepreneurs major in Business Administration, where they not only gain this solid knowledge and foundation but also learn from faculties made up of expert executive leaders, lawyers, entrepreneurs, and finance officers.
Additionally, students can start networking with their peers, faculty, and recruiters in business programs and through internship programs with companies like Fidelity Investments, Prudential Financial, Merril Lynch Pierce, Deloitte & Touche LLP, and more.
Lastly, choosing a great business school, like University of Bridgeport, located near New York City, Boston, Hartford, New London, and other prominent cities, means students can access various businesses, internships, networking opportunities, and positions.
If you are passionate about starting your own business and a career as an entrepreneur, start your journey by majoring in our versatile, all-encompassing Business Administration degree. Together, we can ensure you have the skills and knowledge to take on today’s fast-paced business world confidently.
Financial aid is available for all of our degree programs and applications on a rolling basis. Contact us today to learn more!