Getting a business degree can transform your life. On one hand, it can open your career up by increasing your earnings and giving you opportunities to shift positions or advance. On the other, it creates a solid educational base, regardless of where you go career-wise. Considering the high demand for business degrees, many people are looking to online programs for their education. These programs teach business foundations, like accounting and finance, as well as more nuanced topics like management and communications.
Benefits of Getting a Business Degree
An online business degree opens up a lot of opportunities for you. The amount of choices available allows you to find something that fits your interest and abilities.
If you’re more of a numbers person, you can focus on account, finance, or economics. However, if you want a focus more on personnel, you can pursue marketing, management, or entrepreneurship.
With a business degree, you get an overarching view of the business world, all the while gaining experience in teamwork, critical thinking, and decision-making. You’ll finish your courses better equipped to get the best returns for your company or forge your own path by pursuing an entrepreneurial spirit.
Aside from that, an online business degree works with your life. Online education offers flexibility that a physical school can’t match. You can take your courses anywhere and aren’t limited by a location. Furthermore, online courses are less likely to interfere with your family or work obligations.
What Specific Degree Should You Obtain?
Before you start, you need to decide whether you want to get a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree.
A bachelor’s degree is a four-year degree that covers more general topics along with your specific focus. Master’s degrees require more student participation and offer more hands-on experience. Since a master’s degree is a higher level of education, it will typically require a bachelor’s degree to qualify.
Bachelor’s degrees are generally more accessible and are a minimum requirement for many careers. A master’s degree will allow you to specialize further and increase your value as an employee. This generally leads to better salaries and increased responsibilities.
You’ll need to choose the program that fits your goals. If you don’t already have a degree, start with a bachelor’s degree. If you have a degree already, getting a second degree could help you shift careers and change direction later in life.
3 Best Online Degree Programs
Choosing a quality program is essential, after all, you’re making an investment in your future. You want to make sure that investment works for you.
To help, here are three recommendations for the best online business programs.
1. Arizona State University
Arizona State University offers one of the most comprehensive business degrees through its W.P. Carey School of Business. The school’s direct admission process allows you to sign up immediately, instead of applying and waiting for a year or two to begin your education.
The W.P. Carey School of Business offers a 120-hour degree that pushes students to embrace their future lives. There is a wide array of programs that you can fully customize to suit your needs and interests.
At the W.P. Carey School of Business, you can major in:
- Business Administration;
- Accounting;
- Marketing;
- Communications, or;
- Financial Planning.
2. University of Florida
The University of Florida’s Warrington College of Business offers a variety of courses that create foundational knowledge while helping you achieve your personal and professional goals. The school balances introductory, core, and additional courses to tailor your educational experience to your interests.
Introductory courses cover topics like accounting and marketing, while core courses cover more specific subjects, such as business law or management. Additional courses offer greater specialization with topics in real estate, entrepreneurship, or professional development.
Degrees are available in:
- Accounting;
- Finance;
- Marketing;
- Economics;
- Real Estate, and;
- Supply Chain and Logistics.
3. Temple University
Temple University’s Fox School of Business offers an incredible education with a huge degree of flexibility. You can opt to take your classes during the fall or spring semesters in the traditional 15-week semester groupings or six-week accelerated sessions. These options allow you to set your own timeline based on what works with your work schedule.
Classes are based around lectures and assignments, arranged through a renowned staff and faculty.
Temple’s course structure is unique because of its WebEx conferencing technology that keeps students connected with each other for better communication. This allows them access to one-on-one resume and career guidance, as well as additional networking opportunities.
At the Fox School of Business, you can get degrees in:
- Business Administration;
- Economics;
- Marketing, and;
- Finance.
It’s Easy to Start Earning Your Degree!
With the growing trend of online degrees, it’s easier than ever to further your education and let your career take the next step. The increased rate of accessibility makes your education more affordable while getting you the same degree you’d receive in person.
Online degree programs offer convenience and flexibility that an on-campus education can’t match, even if you’re commuting and not living on campus. Plus, you have better control over the time you take to finish your degree. A four-year program can be completed in half the time if you exclusively take accelerated sessions.
Higher education can be life-changing. The sooner you enroll, the sooner you can embrace its benefits.