Best Online Business Programs
Top Programs
Online Bachelor Degree in Business
Online Master Degree in Business
According to a report by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, 86% of employers intended to hire graduates with a degree in business administration and management.
Online Business Degrees Concentrations
Management
Each concentration can help prepare you for multiple careers. This in itself exemplifies why business administration is a good major for many students.
Accounting
Accounting is the systematic recording, analyzing, and reporting of financial transactions. It involves assessing financial information to help organizations make informed decisions. Students learn about financial statements, auditing, taxation, and managerial accounting. The field demands precision, critical thinking, and ethical considerations. Accountants play a crucial role in ensuring the financial health and compliance of businesses.
Courses:
Financial Accounting: Covers principles and techniques for recording and reporting financial information used by external stakeholders.
Managerial Accounting: Focuses on using accounting information for internal decision-making and control.
Auditing: Teaches methods for assessing the accuracy and reliability of financial statements.
Taxation: Explores tax laws and regulations affecting individuals and businesses.
Careers:
Public Accountant: Works in auditing, taxation, or consulting for public accounting firms.
Corporate Accountant: Handles financial reporting, budgeting, and internal auditing within a company.
Forensic Accountant: Investigates financial discrepancies and fraud.
Tax Accountant: Specializes in tax planning and compliance for individuals or businesses.
Business Administration
Business Administration encompasses the management and organization of business operations. It covers various disciplines such as finance, marketing, human resources, and operations. Students gain a comprehensive understanding of how businesses operate and develop skills in leadership, strategy, and decision-making.
Courses:
Business Strategy: Explores how organizations create and sustain competitive advantage.
Financial Management: Focuses on managing financial resources and making investment decisions.
Organizational Behavior: Studies individual and group dynamics within organizations.
Marketing Management: Covers strategies for product development, pricing, promotion, and distribution.
Careers:
General Manager: Overseeing overall operations and setting strategic goals.
Marketing Manager: Developing and implementing marketing strategies.
Financial Analyst: Analyzing financial data to guide investment decisions.
Operations Manager: Ensuring efficient production and delivery of goods or services.
Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship involves the identification, creation, and management of new ventures. It’s about innovation, risk-taking, and turning ideas into viable businesses. Students explore how to develop business plans, secure funding, and navigate the challenges of launching and growing a startup. It encourages creativity, adaptability, and a willingness to embrace uncertainty.
Courses:
New Venture Creation: Covers ideation, feasibility analysis, and business plan development.
Entrepreneurial Finance: Focuses on funding sources and financial strategies for startups.
Innovation and Creativity: Explores methods to foster and harness creativity for business solutions.
Marketing for Entrepreneurs: Teaches marketing strategies tailored for startups.
Careers:
Founder/Entrepreneur: Starting and managing their own business venture.
Innovation Manager: Working within established companies to drive new ideas and initiatives.
Startup Consultant: Advising new entrepreneurs on business strategies and growth plans.
Social Entrepreneur: Creating businesses with a focus on addressing social or environmental issues.
Finance
Finance revolves around the management of money, assets, and investments. It covers areas like financial markets, analysis, and investment strategies. Students learn about valuation, risk assessment, and financial decision-making. Finance is crucial for individuals and organizations to make informed choices about investments, budgeting, and managing assets.
Courses:
Corporate Finance: Focuses on financial decisions within corporations, including capital budgeting and financing strategies.
Investment Analysis: Teaches methods for evaluating investment opportunities and portfolio management.
Financial Markets and Institutions: Explores how financial markets operate and the role of institutions within them.
Derivatives and Risk Management: Covers tools and techniques to manage financial risk.
Careers:
Financial Analyst: Analyzing financial data to guide investment decisions.
Investment Banker: Facilitating corporate transactions such as mergers, acquisitions, and IPOs.
Financial Planner: Assisting individuals in managing their investments and financial goals.
Risk Manager: Identifying and mitigating financial risks within organizations.
Human Resources
Human Resources (HR) involves managing the people within an organization. It encompasses recruitment, training, compensation, employee relations, and ensuring legal compliance. HR professionals focus on creating a positive work environment, fostering employee development, and aligning personnel strategies with business goals.
Courses:
Human Resource Management: Covers recruitment, training, performance evaluation, and employee relations.
Compensation and Benefits: Explores strategies for salary structuring, benefits packages, and incentive programs.
Employment Law: Studies legal frameworks governing employment and workplace practices.
Organizational Development: Focuses on enhancing organizational effectiveness and change management.
Careers:
HR Manager: Overseeing all aspects of HR within a company, including policy implementation and employee relations.
Recruitment Specialist: Finding and attracting top talent for organizations.
Training and Development Manager: Designing and implementing employee training programs.
Compensation Analyst: Analyzing and recommending competitive compensation packages.
International Business
International Business deals with commercial transactions that cross national borders. It involves understanding global markets, cultures, trade policies, and managing operations in diverse environments. Students learn about international marketing, finance, logistics, and the complexities of conducting business on a global scale.
Courses:
Global Marketing: Explores strategies for marketing products and services in different countries and cultures.
International Finance: Covers foreign exchange, international investment, and managing financial risks across borders.
Cross-Cultural Management: Focuses on understanding and navigating cultural differences in international business settings.
Global Supply Chain Management: Addresses managing the flow of goods and services across borders.
Careers:
International Marketing Manager: Developing and implementing marketing strategies for global markets.
Global Operations Manager: Overseeing operations across multiple countries.
International Trade Specialist: Facilitating trade relationships and navigating global trade regulations.
Global Supply Chain Analyst: Optimizing supply chain efficiency on a global scale.
Management
Management involves organizing and coordinating resources—be it people, finances, or materials—to achieve organizational goals effectively. It covers planning, leading, controlling, and organizing within an organization. Students learn about leadership styles, decision-making processes, and strategic management to drive efficiency and productivity.
Courses:
Strategic Management: Focuses on long-term planning, setting objectives, and implementing strategies to achieve organizational goals.
Organizational Behavior: Studies individual and group dynamics within organizations, addressing motivation, leadership, and teamwork.
Operations Management: Covers overseeing production processes, optimizing resources, and quality management.
Leadership Development: Explores theories and practices for effective leadership in diverse contexts.
Careers:
Operations Manager: Overseeing daily operations to ensure efficiency.
Management Consultant: Providing advice to improve organizational performance.
Human Resources Manager: Handling employee relations, hiring, and training within an organization.
Executive Director: Leading the overall direction and strategy of an organization.
Marketing
Marketing involves understanding customer needs and wants and creating strategies to fulfill them profitably. It encompasses market research, product development, pricing, promotion, and distribution. Students explore consumer behavior, branding, and digital marketing strategies to reach and engage target audiences.
Courses:
Consumer Behavior: Studies how individuals and groups select, purchase, use, and dispose of products and services.
Marketing Strategy: Focuses on developing comprehensive marketing plans aligned with business objectives.
Digital Marketing: Explores online marketing channels, such as social media, SEO, and content marketing.
Brand Management: Covers building and maintaining brand identity and equity.
Careers:
Marketing Manager: Developing and executing marketing strategies.
Market Research Analyst: Collecting and analyzing data to understand market trends and consumer preferences.
Advertising Manager: Creating and managing advertising campaigns.
Product Manager: Overseeing the development and marketing of specific products or product lines.
Project Management
Project Management is the discipline of initiating, planning, executing, controlling, and closing the work of a team to achieve specific goals and meet success criteria within a specified time. It involves coordinating resources, managing budgets, mitigating risks, and ensuring projects are delivered on time and within scope. Project managers are crucial for overseeing various aspects, including scheduling, resource allocation, and stakeholder communication.
Courses:
Project Planning and Scheduling: Focuses on creating project plans, setting timelines, and scheduling resources effectively.
Risk Management: Addresses identifying, assessing, and managing risks that may impact project outcomes.
Budgeting and Cost Management: Covers financial planning, estimating costs, and managing project budgets.
Stakeholder Management: Teaches strategies for effective communication and engagement with project stakeholders.
Careers:
Project Manager: Leading and managing projects from initiation to completion.
Program Manager: Overseeing multiple related projects to achieve strategic objectives.
Project Consultant: Providing expertise and guidance on project management practices.
Project Coordinator: Assisting in project planning and execution under the guidance of a project manager.
Supply Chain Management
Supply Chain Management involves the coordination and optimization of all activities related to sourcing, procurement, production, and logistics to ensure efficient movement of goods and services from suppliers to consumers. It encompasses planning, executing, monitoring, and controlling supply chain activities to enhance customer value and gain a competitive edge in the marketplace.
Courses:
Logistics and Distribution: Covers the movement and storage of goods from suppliers to consumers.
Inventory Management: Focuses on managing stock levels to ensure adequate supply without excessive inventory costs.
Supplier Relationship Management: Addresses strategies for building and maintaining strong relationships with suppliers.
Supply Chain Optimization: Teaches methods to streamline processes and enhance efficiency within the supply chain.
Careers:
Supply Chain Manager: Overseeing the entire supply chain process for an organization.
Logistics Analyst: Analyzing logistical data to improve supply chain efficiency.
Procurement Specialist: Managing the sourcing and purchasing of goods and services.
Operations Manager: Overseeing production and distribution processes within a company's supply chain.