Business Degree Types

If you are interested in pursuing a business degree, you can further refine your education to fit your career interests by choosing a more focused areas of business study. You can earn a business degree with a specialization in areas such as:
  • accounting
  • applied accounting and finance
  • business administration
  • economics
  • finance
  • health service management
  • hospitality management
  • human resources
  • information and communication systems
  • marketing and sales
  • operations management
  • public accounting
  • security management
  • small business management
  • technical communications.
 

Types of Business Degrees

Four degree types in business are available in business studies. Depending on the time you want to devote to study and the career you are interested in, you may choose:
  • an Associate degree in business
  • a Bachelor's degree in business
  • a Master's degree in business.
 
You can earn your business degree either online or at a degree program through a traditional campus.

Accounting

As business practices become more complex, the field of accounting continues to grow. While an Associate business degree can help you find an entry level accounting position, most accounting jobs require at least a bachelor's degree. A Bachelor's degree in accounting can help you qualify for many specialized accounting jobs including:
  • Government Accountants and Auditors: These accounting professionals work for the government or companies regulated by the government. They ensure that income and spending are legal by analyzing budgets, investigating questionable expenditures/incoming funds and managing staff. These government jobs exist on the local, state and federal levels.

  • Management Accountants: Also called private or corporate accountants, management accountants are responsible for reporting and analyzing their company's financial data. They also significant role in budgeting and strategic planning.

  • Public Accountants: In addition to a Bachelor's degree, CPA certification is also required to work as a public accountant. Public accountants can work for business, government, non-profit organizations or private clients. They provide services such as accounting, auditing and tax consultation.

    Public accountants also may work as forensic accountants, helping to detect fraud and embezzlement. Forensic accountants are often asked to appear as expert witnesses in court and may work closely with law enforcement personnel.
 

Marketing

A business degree can help you enter the fast-paced field of marketing. Marketing positions are available in:
  • advertising
  • brand management
  • international marketing
  • market research
  • retail management
  • sales management.
 
If you are fluent in a foreign language and have lived abroad, consider international marketing positions. Usually a Bachelor's degree or MBA is required for international marketing work.
 
Alternately, those with an associate's degree in business may be better suited for other types of marketing, such retail marketing.

Business Administration

Getting a degree in business administration can prepare you for a career in many different business areas. In some business programs, you can select an area of concentration within the general business administration degree. These areas of concentration may include:
  • accounting
  • business economics
  • entrepreneurship
  • finance
  • human resources management
  • marketing.
 

Economics

Economics students gain skills in communications, computer proficiency and critical thinking, all of which are in high demand. While an economics degree won't help you gain entry into accounting or information management, it is useful in all other business fields. Some possible areas of work for business graduates in economics include:
  • educator
  • commercial broker
  • government administrator
  • government economist
  • insurance risk manager
  • securities broker.
 
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