Best Online Associate Degrees in Business Administration

An online associate degree program in business administration is a great fit for students who want to pursue a shorter degree program that will allow them to enter the job sphere more quickly than a traditional bachelor's program. An online program may also offer some flexibility to students who need it by eliminating the need to commute to campus or the ability to complete coursework on their own time. Students desiring to work in sales, customer service, or marketing, will benefit from the specific education provided by an associate degree in business administration or a similar field. No prior secondary education is required to pursue an associate degree, so an online associate degree is ideal for both those who have recently graduated high school or earned their GED as well as those who have been in the workforce for any number of years.

Application, Admissions, and Enrollment for Online Business Administration Associate Degree Programs

The steps needed to complete the application process for an online associate degree program in business administration start with completing an online application of enrollment. Depending on the school, students might need to speak with an admissions advisor who will guide the applicant through each step of the process. During the completion of the application, students will need to hold a high school diploma or GED and typically will need to submit SAT scores and official copies high school transcripts. Incoming students might be set up with a financial advisor who can help them apply for financial aid through FAFSA or other venues, if applicable. Once accepted to a program, students can enroll in courses and will have access to a variety of helpful resources, such as a career service advisor who can help them determine goals and career objectives. Online programs require access to a computer with a reliable internet connection.

Online business administration associate degree programs are designed to take about two years to complete with a full time coursework load. However, there are also accelerated programs available which allow students to graduate in as quickly as 14 to 18 months. Programs are usually self-paced, and if a student works full time or has other commitments preventing a full time school schedule, another year or more may be required to complete a program. Courses usually fall into different categories such as major courses, general education courses, and electives; certain major courses might require completion of general education courses as a prerequisite.

There are a number of factors that will determine the cost of an online business administration associate degree, including whether a school is public or private and whether a student lives in the same state as the school they plan to attend. While many online programs cost about the same as their on-campus counterparts, some schools do offer reduced tuition for online degree programs. Most schools report costs based on the amount per course credit. For example, courses can cost between $104 and $617 per credit. If these fees are multiplied by the 60 credits that are required for a typical program, then the annual cost could range from $6,240 to $37,020.

Like other associate degree programs, an online business administration associate degree program requires general courses, such as composition, communication, humanities, or social sciences, followed by core and elective courses. General courses allow students to acquire skills in critical thinking and teamwork, which are extremely important to possess when entering employment after graduation. Common coursework for an online associate degree in business includes the following:

• Principles of Business Management: basic concepts are taught that deal with business management such as leadership, decision-making, motivation, and human resource management. More in-depth analysis will take place by introducing students to the techniques used in managing a business.
• Basic Accounting: this course instructs the student about the fundamentals of finance. Basic principles about how to report and manage finances are also taught.
• Business Communication: this course is designed to improve communication skills that are required in business interactions. Students will learn how to apply these skills in different business environments and cultures.

After completing an online business administration associate degree program, graduates can pursue two options: gain additional education by enrolling in a bachelor's-level degree program or apply for employment in the field. With an associate degree in business administration or similar, graduates will be qualified for many professions, including administrative service manager, administrative coordinator, or business office manager or specialist.

Additional career options also exist for graduates in healthcare and technology, if they have taken the necessary coursework (such as healthcare management, health policy, and healthcare systems courses) within their associate degree program. These courses prepare students for jobs as medical secretaries or administrative assistants. People in these types of positions work for health care facilities and manage the staff as well as patients' medical records.

Begin a Career as a Sales Manager

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a career as a sales manager typically requires a bachelor's degree in business. However, lower levels of education, such as an associate degree or high school diploma, are sometimes accepted. A sales manager oversees the sales teams of an organization, creates training programs and implements strategies for improving the organization's customer service and products. Acquiring new customers is also a major part of this job, along with analyzing sales data in terms of profits.

A sales manager position may be stressful due to the various job duties, and travel is sometimes required to attend local or national offices. Sales managers typically work full time and may be required to work after hours or on weekends. Wholesale trade is the largest employer for this position followed by retail trade. One to five years of experience is usually required to be employed as a sales manager along with courses taken in business-related topics. As per the BLS, the median salary for a sales manager was $132,290 as of May 2020. The position has a job outlook that is estimated to increase by 4% for the period from 2019 to 2029, largely due to a continued increase in online shopping.

Begin a Career as a Food Service Manager

Obtaining an online associate degree in business can also prepare graduates for a career as a food service manager. Food service managers oversee the management of an entire restaurant or other food establishment. This includes hiring and managing the employees, overseeing the quality of the food products, working to resolve customers' complaints, managing supplies and payroll budgets, and ensuring that all employees follow health and safety guidelines.

Some food service manager positions only require a high school diploma and at least a few years of food industry experience, but additional education, including an associate degree from a community college or four-year university, is common and sometimes preferred. Important qualities that a food service manager possesses are clear communication, leadership, and problem-solving. Restaurants are the largest employers of this profession followed by self-employment. Food service managers typically work full time and often more than 40 hours per week. According to the BLS, the median annual salary for this profession was $56,590 in May 2020 with an estimated increase in jobs of 1% for 2019 through 2029.

Accreditation for a school ensures that its programs are met with high standards. For school programs in business administration, one accrediting organization is called the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), which ensures that programs, curricula, and faculty meet certain criteria. It is important that students attend schools with this accreditation because it can help secure career opportunities and financial aid; for example, certain employers may only hire graduates from accredited schools, while financial aid may only be given to those attending them.

After completing an associate degree program in business, students can pursue a bachelor's degree by transferring their credits; this typically reduces the bachelor's program completion time to about two years. Common bachelor's degrees that can be pursued after an associate program include those in accounting, finance, marketing, human resources, healthcare administration, and hospitality management.

After pursuing a bachelor's degree in business, graduates will have more career choices available to them, as well as a potentially higher salary. Thus, if a student wants to enroll in a bachelor's program after completing an associate program, it's necessary to determine whether that school will accept the credits earned during the associate degree. Typically, all credits may be transferred, but not all credits can be transferred towards a specific program, so it's important to choose a school that will accept transfer of as many of your associate degree credits as possible. This is determined by the school's admissions office and is set by the school's accreditation.

Other business degree options besides an associate in business administration include a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA), a Master's of Business Administration (MBA), and a Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA). There are also a variety of certificate programs in related subjects. Compared to a BBA program, a BSBA program will require courses in ethics and math including economics and statistics. An MBA program provides students with preparation in management and advanced-level business courses including leadership, project management, and international business. High-paying international business jobs might be attainable after completion of an MBA. A DBA program prepares students for high-level corporate positions, such as an executive director, or within academia as a professor at a university or college. These are all sustainable degree programs in business.

Online Bachelor's Programs in Business Administration

A Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) are the two most common business-related degrees offered at the bachelor's level. Both of these degree programs require students to take 120 credits and are designed to be completed within four years. Within BBA and BSBA programs, students can choose from a number of majors related to business, including accounting, marketing, finance, entrepreneurship, human resources, and management. The major difference between the two programs is that the BSBA is more focused on math-related and analytical content while the BBA places a greater emphasis on liberal arts in the coursework. There is also the possibility to double major as a business student by pursuing two of the aforementioned majors. Students graduating with a bachelor's degree in a business-related field might be interested in pursuing a career as a business analyst.

Online Master's Programs in Business Administration

An online Master of Business Administration (MBA) program takes as little as one year to complete and educates students about various topics relating to finance and leadership. During their enrollment, it is recommended that the student also complete an internship to obtain practical experience in the field. Within this degree program, students can follow a certain concentration such as accounting, business intelligence, entrepreneurship, finance, healthcare management, human resources, leadership, and marketing.

Online Doctoral Programs in Business

An online Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) prepares students for a career in advanced level business or leadership positions. A DBA can also lead to a career in academia as a business professor. During the program, students focus on such topics as international business, and multinational finance and marketing. Programs usually take about three years to complete and consist of a mix of courses and research dedicated to forming and defending a thesis for a dissertation. At the start program, students should carefully consider which topics to choose for their research project or dissertation as a huge portion of the program will focus on that.

Online Certificate Programs in Business Administration

An online certificate program in business administration prepares students for the business world in a fast-track program that can take as little as one year. As long as the school's program is accredited, the credits earned from a certificate program can be transferred towards an associate or bachelor's degree program. Students will learn about accounting, marketing, finance, and leadership as well as how to implement relevant skills at an organization or business. Such a certificate program in business can also prepare students with managerial skills, business strategies, and effectiveness in making financial decisions.

There are many types of scholarships and aid available for students pursuing online associate degrees in business administration. The first one to apply to is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which must be submitted once a year in order to qualify for annual aid. In order to be eligible for this type of aid, you must be a U.S. citizen, currently enrolled in a degree program, maintaining a certain GPA, and able to show proof of needing financial aid.

Other scholarship programs that are available for those pursuing an associate degree in business administration include:

• Jeffrey L. Esser Career Development Scholarship: the award for this scholarship ranges between $5,000 and $15,000 for students enrolled in an associate or bachelor's degree program in public administration, accounting, finance, or business administration. The student must be a US citizen with plans to work for the state or local government in finance. A letter of recommendation is required with at least three years of employment by the state or local government.
• Clubs of America Scholarship Award for Career Success: this scholarship awards $1,000 to college students who possess a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students must write an essay with an optional submission of a video. The deadline to apply is August 31, and the announcement of the awards occurs in September.