How Long Does It Take to Get a Business Degree?How Long Does It Take to Get a Business Degree?How Long Does It Take to Get a Business Degree?

Pursuing a business degree never goes out of style. A business degree is consistently a popular option for students because it can act as a key to unlocking the door to a wealth of enticing career opportunities spread over a vast number of industries. While this potential reward is the prime mover for diving into a business program, one big question remains: How long does it take to get a business degree? To get an adequate answer, another question must be asked: What business degree are you pursuing?

If students are looking to complete a bachelor’s degree in business administration, they can typically expect to enroll in a four-year program. This time may be truncated to two years if a student is coming in from another collegiate program with transferable credits.

In order to complete a bachelor’s in business administration program in two years, transfer students typically must have either an associate degree or a minimum of 60 transferable credits. Students who hope to apply transfer credits to a program should confirm that their credits are eligible.

Because the field of business administration is so broad, a typical bachelor’s degree in business administration curriculum touches upon several fields that tend to fall under the business umbrella. It is common for enrolled students to take core courses relating to finance, marketing, economics, management, and operations. Typical courses may include business communications, financial accounting, and principles of management. Some curricula require the completion of courses devoted to more intimate studies of foundational business-related fields, such as finance and law. These curricula are also usually rounded out by a few general or business-related elective courses.

Some students may choose to pursue a bachelor’s degree in a specific business-related field, such as accounting, finance, or marketing. In these cases, students can expect to have the program’s curriculum slanted toward courses designed to provide a deep understanding of the specific field of interest. The length of time it takes to earn a business-related degree with a narrower focus is typically the same length associated with earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration: four years for an incoming freshman, and two years for a transfer student with transferable credits.

But what about graduate programs? How long does it take to get a business degree then? A master of business administration (MBA) typically requires an additional two years of study. Some MBA programs make it possible to earn the degree in as little as one year, especially when the MBA follows a bachelor’s degree in business administration. An MBA program may involve taking specialized courses associated with a specific concentration of the business field, such as accounting or human resources management, although a concentration may only be offered as part of a two-year program. In some cases, these concentrations can prepare enrollees to earn the certifications required for certain advanced positions.

Ambitious students can also pursue a doctor of business administration (DBA). This terminal degree typically takes three to six years to complete beyond the completion of an MBA, depending on whether students are enrolled full time or part time. A DBA curriculum usually involves courses devoted to analytics and essential management subjects, along with specialized courses based on the student’s concentration.

Having a business degree is usually an essential component to professional success in the business field. While it is possible to land entry-level jobs with only a high school diploma, most high-paying professions that fall under the business umbrella require at least a bachelor’s degree. The positions within these professions may offer rewards beyond a good paycheck, as they may focus on a specific element of business that is of special interest to a prospective student.

Completing an advanced degree curriculum may be an attractive option to some because it can help prepare students to pursue business careers at a management level in a diverse number of industries. An advanced degree could also potentially translate to a substantial boost in pay. For example, according to a 2017 survey conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council, the projected median starting salary for recent MBA graduates is $110,000. By comparison, the GMAC survey indicates that the projected median starting salary for recent graduates of a bachelor’s program is $60,000.

Regardless of what type of business degree students pursue, a reputable business program, such as the one Maryville University offers, can help guide students down the road to professional success in business. These programs are designed to provide students with a firm foundation of business acumen that can serve them well in an array of business-related professional pursuits.

If you’re considering earning a business degree, learn more about how Maryville University’s online business degree programs, including an online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and online Master of Business Administration, can help you prepare for a range of rewarding career opportunities in business.

Sources:

The Balance

Maryville University, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

Maryville University, Master of Business Administration

Business Administration Information

Bureau of Labor Statistics

Graduate Management Admission Council