What are some things I need to know when heading for a business degree?

After earning a bachelor’s degree, some students choose to obtain a master’s degree in business administration, or MBA. An undergraduate major in an area of business can be good preparation for the MBA and may allow you to complete the program quickly. But any major can help you develop the skills you’ll need in business school. You just need to make sure you meet the requirements for the MBA programs you’re interested in. These requirements may include computer skills and calculus.

To get into an MBA program, you’ll need to pass the GMAT, a business-school admission test. Some business schools stress having work experience and will only consider applicants who have worked full- time.

Finance

Finance majors also interpret financial data. They often use their skills to help companies, nonprofits or individuals plan for the future. Whether they’re creating budgets or planning investments, those in finance need strong math skills.

Marketing

Having a good product doesn't guarantee a successful business. Marketing can make the difference between a company’s success or failure. Marketing professionals figure out things like the following:

How to price products
Where to sell goods
How to advertise and promote products

Business Management Degree Coursework
Hands-down the most useful business management degree is the four-year bachelor’s program. By pursuing a flexible online or hybrid option, you can progress through classes at your own pace, while still keeping your job and family commitments.
Already have some college under your belt? Many online schools offer bachelor’s degree completion programs aimed at working professionals. Check to see if your credits will transfer, and what documentation you’ll need to provide.
Depending on the school, the core coursework in a bachelor’s business management program will likely include some combination of the following:
Business Communication – From decoding verbal and nonverbal messages, to writing clear emails and blog posts, you’ll learn the elements of effective workplace communications in this intro-level course. Practice adapting messages to their intended audience, and consider how ethical and international issues affect business communications.
Principles of Accounting – Good managers are fluent in the language of numbers. In accounting classes, you’ll learn the tools to diagnose the financial health of any business, including balance sheets, income statements, retained earnings statements and cash flow statements. Even if you don’t want to become an accountant, this class will train you to think about numbers from a management perspective.
Business Law – What makes a contract legally binding? How does employment law affect day-to-day business operations? From labor disputes to landmark legal cases, learn how the U.S. legal system applies to the business world as you examine actual cases with your classmates.
Management Theory and Practice – Bridge the gap between theory and the real world as you practice applying management concepts to dilemmas drawn from real-life workplaces. Topics might include: dealing with competition; defining expectations of success; and the complex process of turning business goals into wins.
Business Ethics – How do ethics—the philosophy of deciding what’s right and what’s wrong—intersect with morality, law and social responsibility? Sink your teeth into thought-provoking business cases and untangle complicated issues with your classmates.
Principles of Marketing – There’s more to this field than you might think. From analyzing consumer behavior to choosing channels of promotion, an introductory marketing class will give you an understanding of the complicated business decisions that go into creating and implementing marketing strategies.
Human Resources Management – What goes into creating an effective workplace team? From recruitment to employee performance evaluations, you’ll learn about the many tasks involved in developing, nurturing and utilizing a high-performing team.
Organizational Behavior – One of the most complex animals on the planet, an organization is influenced by everything from leadership styles to technology, power and politics. Investigate topics such as conflict management, strategic planning and group dynamics through the lens of organizational behavior.
Managerial Economics – Managers need to think on their feet, often in uncertain circumstances. Learn how to apply economic thinking to a variety of business challenges, from discovering what customers want, to predicting demand for products. Practice using tools and techniques such as forecasting, cost estimation and demand analysis to make effective business decisions.
Management Information Systems – How can the right information system give business a competitive edge? Get an overview of current IT systems, hardware and software components, and e-business concepts. Learn how managers can harness technology for help in planning, controlling and decision-making.
Principles of Finance – Learn how businesses are managed financially and learn the skills to make savvy decisions about financing. Expect a thorough grounding in the U.S. monetary system, capital markets and budgeting techniques.
Business Management Degree Specializations
A business management degree is incredibly versatile, enabling you to pursue work in a vast range of industries. Once you’ve finished the basic coursework, it’s time to choose your specialty. Depending on your interests, you might pursue higher-level classes in:
Accounting
Construction
Cybersecurity
Data Management
Ecommerce
Emergency Management
Entrepreneurship
Finance
Healthcare
Hospitality
Human Resources
International Business
IT Management
Marketing
Organizational Leadership
Project Management
Public and Non-Profit Management
Public Relations
Real Estate Sales
Supply Chain Management
Public Relations