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Online Business Degrees

A business degree is one of the more useful and diverse degrees available. Of course that is subjective but it covers such a wide variety of topics that business degrees can appeal to many different types of people. There are some core courses that usually remain the same no matter the major or specialization that a student selects in business as they are required to function in any role in the business industry. Those “core” business courses might be; introduction to accounting, business ethics, basic business software, and introduction to finance. Depending upon the area of specialization chosen (major) then a business major might go on to advanced accounting or advanced statistics or computer software and database management.

Online Degrees in Business

The level of degree in business a student pursues should be determined by their field of interest and ultimate career plans, and available time to devote to education.  Each level has varying requirements in terms of time and courses required as well as the potential earnings of the graduate. Most generally the higher the education the higher the salary will be in the business world.

  • Online Certifications in business are available at almost all levels including child development, and advanced certifications for administrators. These are normally shorter programs lasting from six weeks to one year depending upon the certifications sought.
  • Online Associates degrees in business are generally two-year courses available to the student who wants a business career and to hit the ground running in terms of employment. Some associate degrees can transfer for credit toward a bachelor degree.
  • Online bachelor degrees in business as a rule cover four years of coursework with varying specializations in business.
  • Online master degrees in business are generally about two years long and require a bachelor degree to begin and explore advanced areas of business and management.
  • Online doctorate degrees in business require a master degree and last around 3 to 5 years and are required for college level teaching, and good for research and scholarly endeavors in the business field..

Online Business Degree Careers and Salary Information

One of the first careers that people think of when a business degree is mentioned is probably a accountant. An accounting degree is fairly broad and allows for many areas of specialization through certification or by continuing education.
On average accountants make around $57,020 per year with a bachelor degree. Those with a certification as a CPA earn more.  Those with higher degrees earn even more.

Accountants employed by the federal government in supervisory or managerial positions reported earnings on average of $78,665 per year.

Business Administration is another broad and excellent choice in the business field. This degree can permit a graduate tremendous choices in careers on average a graduate with an online business administration degree reports a salary of $60,000 per year.

Online Business Programs

Here are a few of the potential major areas of study for the student pursuing an online business degree. Some areas are available at all levels of degrees and certifications and others are graduate courses of study that require an undergraduate degree for entry into the program of study.

  • Online Acquisitions & Contract Management degrees are perfect for the student who loves to make a deal, negotiate a contract and come out on top for his company. These graduates are highly sought after and very well compensated with around $44,000 a year being entry level in this field.
  • Online Advertising degrees are for the student whose interests lie in promotion and sales. It’s not the door to door sales one might believe but a mixture of media and ways of promoting brand names or products and using many traditional or technology based media. The average salary for an advertising or marketing manager is around $98,720 per year.
  • Online Applied Management degrees are for the person whose main goal in business is that of executive or managerial positions. Depending on the level of the degree in online applied management a graduate can expect to enter the field making an average of $80,000 per year.
  • Online Business Administration degrees are the all-rounders of business degrees. They contain components of almost every discipline and can enable a graduate to enter the workforce well equipped for many positions or continue their education with a strong business background to build on. The average graduate with a business administration degree in a management position might expect to earn around $66,000 on average across all educational levels.
  • Online Communications degrees are important in business because “the pen is mightier than the sword” is the motto of all communication degree graduates. An online degree in communication will focus not only on business communication but persuasive communication and marketing as well.  On average a graduate who works in advertising might earn around $77,000 per year.
  • Online Customer Service degrees are incredibly useful in service oriented or retail organizations. The customer is what makes them money and keeping the customer happy and training and overseeing the sales force is an important means of staying profitable. A customer service manager can earn between $56,000 and $80,000 per year.
  • Online Diplomacy/International Relations degrees may take a student into many careers, that of a diplomat, a foreign journalist, a marketing manager, a banker dealing in overseas investments and properties. All of these require a firm foundation in cultural understanding as well as business. A foreign journalist might earn on average $88,600 dollars per year.
  • Online E-Commerce degrees are the wave of the future as the internet spreads and more and more people do their shopping and research before shopping online. Never have so many businesses begun online and even established businesses are eager to make their presence known to the global community. You can even begin your own online business with this degree and can expect after several years to make between $65,000 and $125,000 yearly if you are successful.
  • Online Economics degrees will allow the student to learn about macro and micro economics with statistics and sociology, buying behavior, group trends and even statistics. This can be extremely useful to companies in predicting consumer trends and adjusting marketing and production to match them.  The average annual salary of all economists was reported to be $77,010 yearly.
  • Online Entrepreneurship degrees if you are a self starter and business minded and like the idea of being your own boss then an online entrepreneurship degree may be the right choice for you. Small businesses provide around 75% of all new jobs in the U.S. and with the internet so readily available more and more people are trying their hand. With all the competition for consumer dollars an edge is needed and an online degree in entrepreneurship can provide that edge. The successful entrepreneur after several years might make as much as $65,000 to $125,000 a year. Startup entrepreneurs may make only $25,000 to $50,000 per year if successful.
  • Online Finance degrees give a broad education foundation into the world of business and finance as well as good managerial grounding. These degrees can be the doorway to a world of opportunities. The average financial advisor makes around $66,120 per year.
  • Online Facilities Management degrees qualify students to take full charge of a company’s most valuable asset, their real property and facilities. This includes space planning, ground maintenance, building safety and all aspects of maintaining the facility and repair supervision. Though not a hands on job the facility manager will normally be supervising others as they perform work around the buildings or real estate. The average earnings of a Facilities manager are reported to be around $77,040 per year.
  • Online Financial Planning degrees might be right up your alley if you enjoy telling others how to spend or to save their money. This is a branch of finance where the professional advises individuals and companies on investments. The average financial planner makes around $77,040 per year.
  • Online Forensic Accounting degrees are for the accounting major who enjoys detective work. They deal mainly with white collar crime and are the industry’s watch dogs against fraud and other crimes. The average online accounting degree graduate makes around $57,000 per year.
  • Online Home Inspection degree graduates are a vital part of any home construction project in that they inspect the buildings to ensure they meet state and local construction codes. When a house is sold a home inspector is called in order to verify the structural integrity of the building. Construction and building inspectors make on average $48,330 a year.
  • Online Human Resources degrees are for the person with strong people skills as most of this profession entails dealing with, hiring, recruiting, and sometimes assisting employees. Employees are the most vital supply any business has and recruitment and retention is a high priority. The average human resource manager makes around $48,330 per year.
  • Online Insurance & Risk Management degrees can take the successful graduates down many career paths from that of a insurance sales agent to that of an insurance actuary (the one who sets the rates). The average yearly earnings of an actuary were reported to be around $82,800.
  • Online International Business degrees play a vital part in today’s global market. Once a business decides to expand overseas the rules may change in negotiations so the international business degree graduate is able to take this step with confidence due to their broad educational background in global marketing, a second language, training in cultural issues in negotiations and many other courses. The average online international business degree graduate makes from $50,000 to $88,500 per year.
  • Online Labor Relations degrees are certainly for the business student who is a people person as their day to day jobs will be directly in contact with employees, company representatives and often in the role of a mediator or negotiator in labor disputes. The average employee relations specialist makes around $50,000 to $88,500 to year.
  • Online Leadership degrees are for the person with management, supervisory, or executive aspirations in the field of business. A good company manager and a CEO share the some of the same characteristics they have firm business sense and education and the ability to lead and a vision. The online leadership degree programs are designed to further build on a leader’s innate skills. As an example of earnings, a general operations manager makes on average $103,780 a year.
  • Online Management & Leadership degree teach superior management skills in business along with the leadership tools a manager needs to have people follow his lead and even to change direction when necessary. Earning possibilities are high in this field and the average chief executive corporation officer makes $151,370 a year.
  • Online Marketing degrees are important in the field of business. Getting a message across, establishing or keeping a brand name in the forefront of the public’s mind is critical in sales. Marketing is a diverse field that draws the creative student with an interest in the business world. The average marketer’s salary in the computer industry was $119,540 per year.
  • Online Marketing Management degrees prepare the graduate for one of the more responsible positions in business that of the marketing manager. This individual helps to develop campaigns for a company’s product, assembles a team to carry out the strategy and then studies this is often a creative individual with a strong business background. The typical marketing manager makes around $113,400 per year.
  • Online Nonprofit Management degrees prepare the graduate to enter the world of nonprofit businesses where budgets are often much tighter than in private industry and goals are usually altruistic. This doesn’t mean the successful graduate is not well paid for their good works. The average nonprofit top executives make $80,000 a year.
  • Online Office Administration degrees are for the secretary on her way up. The office administrator or manager does far more than type letters and make coffee. They are the ones in charge of evaluating and overseeing office staff, inventory and ordering of office supplies and in general keeping a smooth running office. The average administrative assistant makes around $40,700 per year.
  • Online Operations Management degrees prepare the graduate to plan direct and coordinate a company’s production ensuring it is a safe product and production standards are met. The average salary of industrial production managers was $77,670 per year.
  • Online Organizational Management degrees prepare the graduate for a role in managing a company’s valuable asset, their employees, they can become managers in human resource departments and in charge of overseeing employee satisfaction and at times intervening in disputes. The average salary for human resource managers was around $88,510 per year.
  • Online Organizational Psychology degrees allow the successful graduate to work as an organizational psychologist. These individuals attempt to foresee what situations might arise to cause conflict between members of a group or team and ensure the work environment minimizes these stressors. Organizational psychologists on the average earned $78,840 per year.
  • Online Project Management degrees in large scale production projects in industry someone has to be in charge and responsible for all aspects of project completion, supply delivery and any challenges that inevitably crop up when a large project is underway. That person would be the project manager. The average yearly earnings of a project manager in industry was reported to be near $70,000.
  • Online Public Administration degrees allow for the graduate to choose between a wide range of governmental and civic employment options. From city government mayor to top executive of nonprofit organizations, an online public administration degree fits right in. The average yearly earnings of city managers were reported to be around $92,799.
  • Online Public Relations degrees are good choice for students with a great deal of tact and the ability to communicate well. In business they are often the ones helping maintain and protect a company or product’s image. The average yearly earnings for a public relations specialist is reported to be $49,800
  • Online Real Estate degrees has become complex over the years. No more are the days of two people agreeing on a price and going to a notary to sell property and make it official. Now there are laws governing most aspects of real estate sales and the professional must know understand them. A real estate broker’s salary is reported to be $58,860 on average.
  • Online Retail & Sales degrees are good for persons who like dealing with the public, have strong communication skills and sometimes knowledge of a particular product.  First line or “floor’ supervisors in retail sales were reported to earn on average $34,470 per year.
  • Online Retail Management degrees are for the person with aspirations to become a retail sales manager. The more education the better in terms of management positions and the higher the position the better the salary usually is. Retail store managers were reported to earn on average $72,450 a year.
  • Online Safety and Quality Control degrees will permit a student to enter the workforce as an occupational safety and hazard worker who will ensure the production and plant environments meet all regulations as regards environment and safety. Many of these individuals work for the government but private companies employ them as well. The average occupation and safety specialist is reported to earn around $55,000 per year.
  • Online Sports & Entertainment Management degrees are a business management specialization where the student will enter the workforce with the skills to manage sports teams or athletes or performing artists. This is an opportunity for a student to combine a love of sports or the arts with the job of a business manager. Average salaries for general business managers were reported to be from $50,000 to $88,500 per year.
  • Online Supply Chain Management degrees prepare a graduate to assume responsibility for all aspect of a business’ supply chain. For manufacturing industries and service industries this is critical their goods or services can not be delivered if they do not have the supplies. The average salary for an operations manager with an online supply chain degree was reported to be $65,000-$70,000 per year.
  • Online Taxation degrees are a specialization of the accounting field and they can range from certificates in tax preparation to doctorates in tax accounting. The average salary for a graduate with an online taxation degree was reported to be $57,020 per year.
Select Online Business Degree Program

Online Colleges Offering Business Degrees

Accreditation  

University of Phoenix is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association. .

Accreditation  

Ashford University® is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, a commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Accreditation by the commission provides assurance to prospective students that Ashford University has been found to meet the commission's stated requirements and criteria. .

Accreditation  

The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Accreditation  

American InterContinental University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.

Accreditation  

The Art Institute Online is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Accreditation  

City University of Seattle (CityU) is incorporated in the state of Washington and is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Accreditation  

Colorado Technical University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Accreditation  

Bachelor's and Master's degrees: Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges.

Accreditation  

Westwood College is currently nationally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) or the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS).

Accreditation  

DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA).

Accreditation  

Regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Accreditation  

Worcester Polytechnic Institute is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc., a nongovernmental, nationally recognized organization whose affiliated institutions include elementary schools through collegiate institutions offering post-graduate instruction.

Accreditation  

Western Governors University is the only university to have received simultaneous accreditation by four regional accrediting commissions. Currently, WGU's "home" accrediting commission is the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, the same organization that accredits such leading institutions as the University of Washington, University of Oregon, University of Utah, Brigham Young University, and other public and private colleges. WGU is also nationally accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). The WGU Teachers College is the first and only online provider of teacher education to receive accreditation from the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

Accreditation  

Regis University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Accreditation  

Utica College Online is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.The Graduate Physical Therapy Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), American Physical Therapy Association.The Graduate Occupational Therapy Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

Accreditation  

Upper Iowa University is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission.

Accreditation  

Accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.

Accreditation  

University of Minnesota, Crookston Online is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission.

Accreditation  

University of Maryland, College Park is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

Accreditation  

University of Maryland University College/UMUC Online is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

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