A career in retail & sales might fit the person who enjoys interacting with people, who has strong communication and interpersonal skills and who has knowledge or a desire to learn about a particular product. This job is at the lowest levels about directly assisting customers in finding what they need. Often in upscale stores the salesperson will work on a commission basis. Retail sales positions usually require a high school diploma for entry. However in order to advance their career into the higher paid retail managerial positions, employees will opt for higher education degrees in retail sales management. The difference in earnings can be well worth the time invested in an education. For the person who loves to shop the store buyer position often goes to the person with an education and experience with the product.

All Colleges offering Business Degree in Retail & Sales

Online Retail & Sales Degree Educational Options

Online Bachelors degree in Retail & Sales is a 4 year program with emphasis on advanced either management, or a specialization such as fashion sales. A strong business background as well as communication courses are usually included in managerial retail & sales degree programs. Some online retail & sales degree programs will be in the business administration discipline while others might focus on marketing and sales. A student can usually pick the bachelor degree program that fits their career goals.

Career Considerations for Retail & Sales Degrees

One of the primary job requirements for a professional is Retail & Sales is the ability to communicate well. From the store clerk to the sales manager all will be interacting with customers on a regular basis and a people loving communicator will do well in this field.

Retail & Sales Career Salary Information

Entry level positions in retail and sales are generally that of a sales person. This position has no educational requirements but the opportunities for advancement are most often severely limited. The retail & sales professional who aspires to the more lucrative and challenging roles of supervisors, store managers or purchasing agents generally will seek a degree. Education in this career field makes a marked difference in earnings.

A sales person in retail and sales was reported to earn around $20,150 per year including commissions and bonuses.
A in store supervisor was reported to earn on average $34,470 per year.
Purchasing managers were reported to earn around $81,570 per year on average.

Education and career focus appear to the main factors in these salary differences in retail & sales. The proper educational focus can turn a low paying job into a career that has great financial benefits as well as being personally rewarding.

Job Growth and Outlook for Retail & Sales Degrees

The job growth for retail salespersons is expected to be around 12% through 2016. Skilled salespersons are in demand and that will continue to grow.
The job growth outlook for the retail and sales management professional is expected to be around average at 7% through 2016.
It is predicted that purchasing managers will see little or no job growth through 2016.

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Online Colleges Offering Retail & Sales Degrees

University of Phoenix - Online Campus

Accreditation

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

Capella University

Accreditation

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

American InterContinental University Online

Accreditation

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

City University

Accreditation

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

Colorado Technical University Online

Accreditation

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

Saint Leo University

Accreditation

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

Westwood College Online

Accreditation

Westwood College is currently nationally accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Devry University

Accreditation

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

Strayer University

Accreditation

Regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

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.

Western Governors University

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). WGU is the first online university to receive NCATE accreditation for its degree programs that lead to teacher licensure from the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). WGU’s Health Informatics program is now accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). WGU’s Nursing programs are CCNE accredited.

Regis University

Accreditation

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

Utica College Online

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).

Upper Iowa University

Accreditation

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

Virginia College Online

Accreditation

Accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.

University of Minnesota, Crookston online

Accreditation

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

University of Maryland, College Park

Accreditation

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

University of Maryland University College UMUC Online

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.