Online Business Administration and Management Bachelor's Degree

An online bachelors in business administration degree is a four-year college program in business administration and business management. B.S., B.A., B.B.A., B.B.M., B.S.B.M., and B.A.B.A. degrees with concentrations in Accounting, Marketing, Human Resources, Finance, or Managerial Leadership teach you how to best run a successful business.

online bachelors in business administration

Choosing a Business Administration and Management Bachelors Degree Program:

There are many aspects of researching a bachelors in business administration and management degree program. This includes learning the different degree names and the difference between business administration and business management degrees. Also what is the difference between B.S., B.A., B.B.A., B.B.M., B.S.B.M., and B.A.B.A. degrees? Furthermore what are some common accreditations for business schools?

Different Names of Degrees

One of the first things you’ll notice when researching a bachelors in business administration and management is that many programs have different degree names. Though most are very similar in expectations and course requirements. However, there may be differences. That’s why you should research individual schools to find the perfect match for you. Some of the different degree names include the following:

  • Bachelor of Arts in Management
  • B.S. in Business Administration
  • B.S. in Business Management
  • B.A. in Business Administration – Management Specialization
  • Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration
  • B.S. in Management
  • B.A. in Business – Business Management
  • B.S. in Business Administration – Management
  • Management, Business Management, BBA
  • B.B.A. in Global Business Management

What Is a BBA vs a BS?

While a BBA helps students develop their general business skills, a BS helps students develop their analytical and mathematical business skills. Either set of skills can be applied to areas across business (such as finance, marketing, or human resources), and both types of degrees can help students learn how to manage and lead.

The Difference Between Business Management and Business Administration:

Even just by scanning the list above, you’ll see some programs offer business administration degrees and others business management degrees. There is a difference between the two, but it may be rather subtle.

For instance, a degree in management may focus more on teaching students the planning and organizing necessary in organizations. In contrast, a degree in business administration might provide a broader background and also might allow students to choose a specialization. This may allow students the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of business as a whole, and then potentially become experts in one specific area.

Difference between BBA, BA, BS, and BSBA:

Over the years, the number of bachelors degrees have changed. It used to be simply a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or a Bachelors of Arts (B.A.). Now, there are many different degree options, especially when pursuing a bachelors in business administration and management. While they are similar, it’s important to understand the differences so that you can choose the perfect school for you.

  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.): Typically, a B.S. degree means the coursework has more of a technical focus. Classes are usually offered in technical and scientific areas. This can also include business degrees and may focus on the technical aspects of business and organizations.
  • Bachelor of Arts (B.A.): In most online bachelors degree programs, a B.A. may be more well-rounded. This is because degree requirements may include more social science and liberal arts courses. This may provide students with a more balanced foundation.
  • Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.): This degree provides students with a broad knowledge of the functional aspects of a company, and normally includes general business courses and advanced courses for specific concentrations. Many programs and institutions incorporate training and practical experience with internships, industrial visits, and interactions with industry experts.
  • Bachelor of Business Management (B.B.M.): This is a variation of the Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.). But the B.B.M. may have a stronger emphasis on leadership and management skills. Also, general education classes may place more emphasis on humanities and social sciences.
  • Bachelor of Science in Business Management (B.S.B.M.): This is another variation of the B.B.A. The purpose is to provide students with complete understanding of the business world. It may be more mathematics and analytic intensive. This might include more general education mathematical requirements.
  • Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration (B.A.B.A.): The bachelor of arts in business administration degree is a variation on the B.A. Similarly, general education requirements may focus more on liberal arts. These courses may include history, sociology, and other subjects.

Accreditations for Business Schools

When choosing a university or institution to pursue your bachelors degree in business administration and management, it’s important to check on an individual schools’ accreditation. Even accreditations don’t guarantee quality. But they do provide more assurances for current and potential students. They indicate that a program is held to a certain standard of education. Also, it may help add validity and authority to your degree once you’ve graduated.

The most common accreditations for online business degree programs are:

  • Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
  • International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE)
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

The number of accrediting sources have exploded over recent years. Hence it is important for prospective students to research the individual accreditations to make sure they are legitimate and hold schools to a high standard.

Earning Your Online Bachelors in Business Administration Degree

So you understand all of the differences between the options available to you. Now it’s time to understand what you can expect while earning your online bachelors in business administration and management degree. This includes common courses and the skills you may acquire through group projects, case studies, individual work, and presentations.

Common Coursework for Business Administration and Management Students

The coursework may vary from program to program, or institution to institution. But some of the courses are common in most bachelors in business administration and management degree programs. These courses may include some of the following:

  • Human Resources Management: This course examines the procedures of developing, maintaining, and utilizing effective teams. Also, the principles of international human resources management are introduced to students.
  • Organizational Behavior: Students are taught the primary factors that influence behavior in organizations. There is an emphasis on leadership, group dynamics, and the roles environment and technology can play.
  • Principles of Management: This course examines the principles and fundamentals of management, planning, and decision making to provide students with an understanding of management in any organization.
  • Social Environment of Business: Through readings, case studies, and class discussions, students are taught how the relationships between business, government, and society can evolve over time and shape our world.
  • Principles of Finance: Students are introduced to corporate finance. Special attention is paid to risk and return, bond and equity markets, valuations, internal rate of return analysis, and project analysis.
  • Operations Management: This course focuses on the qualitative techniques commonly used in accounting, information systems, and business. The specifics may include probability theory and applications, decision theory, and linear programming.
  • Project Management: This course provides a foundation to the principles and techniques of planning, executing, and managing complex problems. This is measured through workflow analysis, quality control, and performance evaluation.
  • Managerial Leadership and Decision Making: Students are taught the major concepts of managerial leadership, with a focus on the functions and skills of mid and low-level managers.
  • Social Entrepreneurship: This course allows students to use entrepreneurial skills to create responses to social problems, to recognize opportunities, to explore innovative approaches, to manage risk, and also to build viable enterprises.
  • Principles of Accounting: During this crucial course in any online bachelors in business administration degree, several important concepts are studied, such as revenue recognition, present value, and long-term liabilities. Students are taught the construction of basic financial accounting statements. This includes balance sheets, cash flow statements, and income statements.

Possible Career Options After Earning Your Online Bachelors in Business Administration

Students who have earned their bachelors degree in business administration and management may have a wide range of professions to pursue. Some of the most common professions graduates who have earned their online bachelors in business administration are Financial Managers[i], Sales Managers[ii], Human Resources Manager, [iii]Management Analysts [iv], or Accountant or Auditor. [v]

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects strong job growth for all of these professions for the years 2014 to 2024. This includes:

  • Financial Manager: Increase of 7%[vi]
  • Sales Manager: Increase of 11%[vii]
  • Human Resources Manager: Increase of 5%[viii]
  • Management Analyst: Increase of 9%[ix]
  • Accountant or Auditor: Increase of 14% [x]

Next Step to Earn Your Bachelors in Business Administration and Management Degree

Choosing a school to earn your online bachelors in business administration and management degree can be an exciting time. There is so much potential. And you can feel how a bachelors degree can enhance your career. That’s why it’s important to perform research on individual schools, their programs, and even their faculty so that you can find the perfect match.

Click on any of our sponsored listings on this page to learn more about the school and their programs. When you find one (or a few!) that you like, you can contact them directly to request more information about an online bachelors in business administration degree.


[i] bls.gov/ooh/management/financial-managers.htm#tab-4 [ii] bls.gov/ooh/management/sales-managers.htm#tab-4 [iii] bls.gov/ooh/management/human-resources-managers.htm#tab-4 [iv] bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/management-analysts.htm#tab-4 [v] bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/accountants-and-auditors.htm#tab-4 [vi] bls.gov/ooh/management/financial-managers.htm#tab-6 [vii] bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/accountants-and-auditors.htm#tab-6 [viii] bls.gov/ooh/management/sales-managers.htm#tab-6 [ix] bls.gov/ooh/management/human-resources-managers.htm#tab-6 [x] bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/management-analysts.htm#tab-6