The 2022 Guide to Online Bachelor of Business and Management Programs

Business managers may work in a wide variety of industries, wherever business teams unite to achieve results and grow revenue. People who are interested in pursuing business leadership positions or in managing people and operations may choose to pursue a major in business and management. This guide to online bachelor’s in business and management programs explains what to expect from the degree and how it may help you achieve your career goals.

What Is a Bachelor of Business and Management?

Someone majoring in business and management will likely learn about managing and supervising business operations and the employees who work for a business. While business administration may focus on daily technical operations for specific industries, business management covers a broad understanding of business fundamentals and more interpersonal topics, like conflict resolution and organizational leadership.

In a Bachelor of Business Management program, you might study topics like:

  • Organizational communication and behavior
  • Financial accounting
  • Marketing
  • Operations management
  • Project management
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Human resources

Graduates with a bachelor in business management degree may pursue management roles in a variety of niches, including marketing, finance and sales. You may also want to use a business management degree to evolve as a business leader throughout your career. Some business management majors aspire to achieve top executive roles. 

Can You Earn a Bachelor’s in Business and Management Online?

Yes, there are bachelor’s in business management programs online that enable you to attend a school of your choice without having to relocate to campus. Online college classes use technology tools like a webcam for teacher lectures and Zoom for group discussions. You can attend class, watch lessons and turn in assignments from wherever you are with an internet-connected device.

Some people may prefer the convenience of online bachelor’s in business management programs because they may be able to work while they attend school. Online programs can be a good fit for both traditional college students straight out of high school, as well as adult learners, working professionals and parents with family obligations.

Online Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Management, Accredited Programs

When you compare online bachelor’s degree in business management options, you may take note of accreditation status.

Accreditation is a process a school goes through to show it has met certain educational standards. According to the U.S. Department of Education, the goal of college accreditation is to ensure a college meets acceptable quality levels. Accreditation confirms the quality of a school’s education for prospective students and people who judge a degree from a particular school, like an employer.

You may be interested in accredited bachelor’s in business and management online programs if there’s a possibility you’ll attend a graduate program, like a master’s in business administration (MBA), in the future. Some graduate programs may require that an online bachelor’s in business and management degree comes from an accredited school.

Online Business Management Degree Transfer Credits

If you have previous college experience, you may be able to transfer college credits to an online bachelor’s degree program. Acceptable college credits may come from community college classes, an associate degree or college classes you took at another four-year school.

Transfer credit requirements vary by institution. It’s important that you research programs to see what their transfer credit policies entail if you are hoping to have previous courses counted.

Bachelor’s in Business Management Online Program Admissions Requirements 

Online bachelor’s degree admissions will vary depending on the program. In general, you may be required to provide transcripts from your most recent school, including any college program you’ve attended. If you haven’t received an associate degree, you’ll typically need to submit proof of a high school diploma or GED equivalent and relevant transcripts.

Other potential admissions requirements include:

  • A completed college application
  • A personal statement or essay
  • Resume or CV
  • Letter of recommendation from a teacher or work supervisor
  • SAT, ACT or standardized test scores

There may also be a fee associated with applying to an online program. Research what you need so you can save time when you apply.  

Bachelor of Business and Management Degree, No SAT Requirement

If you never took the SAT or ACT or you want to apply for a college program without having to submit your scores, there are no SAT required options for online bachelor’s in business and management degrees. These include accredited schools.

Schools that don’t have SAT requirements may look at other admissions materials, such as your most recent GPA or work experience, when considering admissions for the program.

Online Bachelor’s in Business and Management Program Curriculum

What can you expect from a business and management major? The following are some common core and elective classes you might take while you’re in the program.

  • Best practices in management: This course might cover varying areas of management, including people management, project management, budgeting and scheduling.
  • Business fundamentals: In a foundational business course, you may learn about business structure and how business managers affect organizations with leadership, strategy and conflict resolution.
  • Ethics: A business ethics class may cover best practices in business negotiations, marketing, sales and relationships.
  • Finance: A business finance course teaches students about business financial principles, including forecasting, budgeting, financial analysis and decision-making.
  • Operations management: A business operations course may cover topics like supply chains, logistics, change management and problem-solving.
  • Marketing and sales: Marketing and sales courses teach students about how to identify a target market, reach leads, build customer relationships and grow revenue through effective sales strategies.

Some business management programs may allow students to take electives in particular business areas, such as IT, accounting, human resources, project management, supply chains or marketing. If you’re interested in becoming a business manager in a specific area, look for a program that allows you to specialize.

Prerequisites for a Bachelor’s in Business and Management 

There are often few or no business degree prerequisites or requirements for an online program. Instead, look for admissions requirements like completion of high school classes, with proof of a high school transcript or GED. While you may be able to apply previous college credits as transfer credits so you can shorten your program, there typically are no college prerequisites required. 

Online Bachelor’s in Business and Management FAQ

A bachelor’s in business and management degree may lead to an enjoyable career with potential growth opportunities. The following frequently asked questions about these programs provide insights as you consider your options.

Is business management a good major?

Business management may be a good major for a variety of reasons, depending on your career goals. You may be wondering, is there a demand for bachelor’s in business and management degrees? Business management may be a great major for a variety of reasons depending on your career goals, and for people who want to move into leadership positions in their corporate jobs. Look at the curriculum to see if what you’ll learn aligns with your career aspirations.

What kind of jobs can you get with a business management degree?

There’s a variety of manager roles in all types of business industries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a business management degree can lead to roles like marketing manager, administrative services manager, facilities manager, advertising manager, promotions manager, benefits and compensation manager, information systems manager, sales manager, operations manager, business analyst, financial analyst and business account manager. The BLS reports employment in management jobs is expected to grow 9% between 2020 and 2030. That’s faster than average for all jobs.

How much can you make with a bachelor’s in business and management?

A bachelor’s in business and management salary will depend on a variety of factors, including where you live, what type of industry you work in, what business you specialize in, how many people you manage, your years of experience and more. For an idea of what you could earn as a business manager, according to the BLS, the 2021 median pay for promotions, advertising and marketing managers was $133,380 per year. The 2021 median pay for sales managers was $127,490 per year.

What’s the difference between an MBA and business management?

An MBA is a master’s in business administration degree, which is a graduate degree. Typically, a bachelor’s degree is a prerequisite to enter an MBA program, which teaches students advanced business theory and leadership courses that go beyond business fundamentals. MBA programs may allow students to specialize in a specific area of business, such as finance, leadership, analytics or supply chain.

Find the Best Bachelor’s in Business Management Online Program for You

If you’re interested in working in business and want to lead and manage people and/or operations, an online business management degree may help you on your journey. Consider your career goals and the types of jobs you’re interested in pursuing. Research degree programs to see how what you’ll learn will apply to your objectives.

Last updated April 2022