What type of bachelors degree is business administration

Home » Business Administration » Degrees

What Degrees Are Available in Business Administration?

What type of bachelors degree is business administration
What type of bachelors degree is business administration

There are three core degree paths in business administration: associate, bachelor's, and master's. Each provides a different level of education and takes a different amount of time to complete. The degree you choose determines the business administration roles available to you and can significantly influence your salary.

Associate Degree

An entry-level business degree for people who want to enter the field quickly. It takes two years to complete and can qualify you for roles such as human resources assistant or marketing associate.

Bachelor's Degree

A bachelor's in business administration is a foundational degree that can give you the education you need for managerial or administrative roles. Most roles in business administration will look for at least a bachelor's degree from candidates. A bachelor's will take four years to complete if you study full time.

"A degree in business administration is probably the most universal degree you could ever earn," says Ralph Griffith, BA, MBA, DBA, an associate professor of entrepreneurship at Lenoir-Rhyne University. It's also a versatile degree that can open the door to many business careers.

Which Degree Is Right for You?

The right degree for you depends on your personal circumstances, goals, and other factors. For instance, it's important to consider things like timing, finances, and goals.

How Soon Do You Want to Jump Into the Job Market?

As a rule, the higher the degree you're pursuing is, the longer it will take to complete your education. That means it's faster to earn an associate degree than a bachelor's or master's.

What Can You Afford?

Advanced degrees are a bigger financial commitment. Since they take more time, you'll spend more money earning them.

What Are Your Career Aspirations?

The career you imagine for yourself could dictate the education you'll need. For instance, if you want to work as a marketing manager, a bachelor's degree might be a great fit. If your goal is a leadership or executive role, you'll need to earn an MBA.

How Much Do You Want to Earn?

As a rule, earning an advanced degree means a higher salary. You might pay more to earn a bachelor's degree, but it's likely you'll have a wider choice of jobs and a higher salary when you graduate.

Keep in mind that you don't have to decide right away. You can always start with an associate or bachelor's degree and then go back to school later. Your experience in the workforce might even be beneficial in future classes.

Can I Earn a Business Administration Degree Online?

What type of bachelors degree is business administration

No matter the business administration degree path you choose, online options are available. Online programs are an increasingly popular option because of the flexibility they offer. They could be the only option for working students, parents of young children, people who live in remote areas or far from schools that offer programs that fit their needs, or anyone else who needs an option beyond traditional campus learning.

Online programs are an increasingly popular option because of the flexibility they provide, and they're available for all business administration degrees.

Students in online programs receive the same education as students in traditional on-campus programs. They are able to attend class by listening to recorded lectures and reviewing learning materials at their convenience. Online students can use teleconferencing to talk with professors, get help from a tutor, or study with fellow students.

Why Is Accreditation Important?

What should you look for in a program? "Number one, I would look for an accredited program," says Griffith. "Accreditation means that schools have been vetted, and they are legitimate schools with great histories and programs and lots of alumni."

This applies to online or on-campus business administration programs. Accreditation matters because:

  • Accreditation means your program has met the standards needed to deliver quality education and set you up for success.
  • You won't be able to transfer the credits you earn to another school later if your program isn't accredited. This could make it difficult to transfer schools or to earn an advanced degree in the future.
  • You won't be able to apply for federal financial aid unless you attend an accredited program. You can't receive loans, grants, or other aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) if you attend a program that is not accredited.
  • Many professional certifications require education from accredited schools and programs. Without an accredited education, you won't be able to earn these career-boosting credentials.
  • Employers might look for candidates who have degrees from accredited programs. You could have trouble getting hired without an accredited degree.

Accrediting Agencies

The following organizations accredit business administration programs and list the programs on their websites.

AACSB: The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business is a global nonprofit that grants national accreditation to undergraduate and graduate business administration programs. Only 30% of U.S. business schools have AACSB accreditation, widely regarded as the highest level of accreditation for business schools.

ACBSP: The Accreditation Council for Collegiate Business Schools and Programs accredits smaller private and public schools that offer associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral-level business degrees that focus on teaching.

CHEA: The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) is an umbrella group for 3,000 degree-granting colleges and universities. It recognizes 60 school and program-specific accrediting groups, including the AACSB and ACBSP.

DEAC: The Distance Education Accrediting Commission grants accreditation to online programs that are at least 2 years old.


What type of bachelors degree is business administration

With professional insight from:

Ralph Griffith

Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship, Lenoir-Rhyne University

Is Business Administration a BA or BS?

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree (BS-BA), same as the BBA degree, prepares students for a future career in the business world.

What is a Bachelor's degree in business administration called?

The Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) is one of the most marketable and in-demand undergraduate degrees. Nearly every form of employment is related to a business organization, and understanding the field of business can be beneficial to your career.

What field does business administration fall under?

The position may also be known as “business management.” It is a broad field that covers the management of an organization's accounting, finance, marketing, human resources and daily activities. Business administrators plan long-term strategies and projects to accomplish the company's vision.

What are the 3 types of BBA?

So, BBA majors can be divided into, General, Technical, and Professional. In the 'General' part of BBA, you have subjects like entrepreneurship, international business, and management.