Source: Pixabay user stokpic.
The popularity of online degree programs has been growing steadily over the past few years. After the pandemic, that trend has skyrocketed with more students than ever before enrolling in online programs. One of the most popular programs for online students has consistently been a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA). With so many different areas of emphasis available to business students, it’s easy to see why.
If you’re wondering whether obtaining an online BBA degree is recognized, the short answer is yes. Several reputed universities across the United States offer online business degree programs. Some of these include the University of Illinois Chicago, California University of Management and Technology, Reinhardt University, Westcliff University, UTH Florida University, and Utica University. With big names such as these, you know your online degree will be recognized by any employer.
Here are 6 things you can expect from online business programs:
1. The coursework covers a broad range of topics
Most online business degree programs are between three and four years. These are intensive courses that include all the subjects you would study in a traditional classroom. You can expect to take classes covering foundational general education as well your choice of business specialization.
General education courses are meant to help business students broaden their horizons and become well-rounded individuals. They are also a great way to get a break from your major and try something new.
Accounting, Management, Human Resource Management, Marketing, Finance, Project Management, Entrepreneurship, Operations Management, Hospitality Management, and Technology Management are just some of many BBA specializations you can choose from.
2. There’s a lot of group work
This may sound strange since most online students will never really meet their classmates, let alone set foot in the same building as them. But any business degree requires a solid amount of group work. This makes sense, as most careers in business will require you to work with many colleagues to accomplish tasks and meet goals.
As part of your online business degree program, you will almost certainly have to complete a group project at some point during the class. This is regardless of whether you are taking an introduction to business technology or advanced marketing classes.
Participating in group projects, even in an online business school setting, offers significant benefits. For one, they often involve running a fabricated company or creating a marketing/ad campaign for a made-up product. You’ll have to use your creativity and resourcefulness as a team member to compete against other teams.
While working on team projects, you will be working alongside other students who are as driven to get good grades and beat out the competition. This is a great way to exchange ideas and learn new strategies.
3. The BBA program includes a fair amount of math and data analysis
Not expect math as party of your online BBA program? The fact is good business is always backed by good math. It’s including in all business degree programs, traditional as well as online.
It may seem that your preferred career path doesn’t require knowledge of mathematics or accounting. Even if that’s the case, you’ll still need to have a solid understanding of the concepts in order to be successful.
As a business student, you will be required to take finance, accounting, data analysis, and statistics classes. Math for business is different from other math classes you have taken. Brushing up on your math and statistics skills before you head into your first class isn’t a bad idea.
Because general mathematics, data analysis, accounting, and statistical analysis touch virtually every aspect of a business, having a broad understanding of these topics will help you to make decisions throughout your career in business.
4. Behavioral sciences classes are a mandatory part of the curriculum
Learning how people behave in different situations is incredibly important to being successful in business. What you learn in your behavioral sciences classes will be useful in everything from human relations to marketing. From judging how someone will react to a decision to analyzing market demographics, behavioral science can make or break an entire business.
Behavioral sciences classes may be taught by psychology professors or the material may be covered in marketing classes.
5. Expect to have lots of competition
Whether you are a student on campus or online, you can expect to be pitted against your classmates to complete various tasks. This not only prepares you for the real world but also helps you to learn from the mistakes of your team and others. Expect to compete in group projects as well as individually for internships or employment opportunities.
While your online business program may not have incredibly-competitive admissions standards, you should still be prepared to compete on the basis of your performance inside the classroom.
6. You’ll get ample hands-on experience
One of the best ways to learn is to actually get out there and do it. That’s why many degree programs will require you to get some real-world experience in the business world.
A reputable online business program will also be able to help you find and apply for these kinds of opportunities. That will look great on your resume after graduation. Employers much prefer actual experience over just having classroom-learned knowledge because being successful is all about applying that knowledge, not just having it.
If you’re already employed when you enroll, some schools will allow you to count your work experience. However, others may require you to complete an internship somewhere other than your current employer.
Be sure to plan for this when you’re making your course plans. You don’t want to scramble at the end of your degree track.
Is An Online Business Degree Program Right For You?
One of many advantages that an online BBA program offers is the removal of geographical limits. You can enroll in any university you want right across the country without having to actually travel to that campus. You can live at home and enroll in your choice of online business degree program.
Enrolling in an online business degree program also saves you a lot of money. The tuition fees are usually significantly lower and you don’t have to pay for all accommodation, food and all the other extras.
Need a loan to fund your online business degree program? Use College Raptor’s free Student Loan Finder to compare lenders and interest rates side by side!
