Management Bachelor’s Degree Online
Is a Management Degree for You?
Management bachelor's degrees are associated with careers in supervisory, management, and executive positions. Management degree programs prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and concepts needed to excel in the professional world. This includes helping students to develop strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills. Management programs also train students in how to work well on a team. The courses in management degree programs are designed to teach students the importance of forming and implementing successful and effective policies and procedures for businesses. Management professionals are essential to the success of any business or organization, so the employment outlook of management careers should continue to grow over the next several years.
Advice for Earning Your Management Degree Online
Because management plays such an essential role in the professional world, individuals with bachelor's degrees in management are regarded highly by potential employers. Employers recognize and appreciate the value of a management bachelor's degree because it fosters quick thinking, problem solving, and strong interpersonal skills. Luckily, you can earn your management degree online. However, prospective students should research their schools' accreditation to make sure that the programs are being held to a strict educational standard. Employers tend to prefer employees who have graduated from accredited institutions.
Required Courses
Students entering a degree program in management should expect to take classes that focus on group work and team problem solving. Some example classes include accounting, economics, human resource management, operations management, statistics, finance, marketing, organizational behavior, strategy, sociology, fundamentals of human communication, group communication, ethics, and logic. Students may also be required to fulfill a practical experience requirement, such as an internship. Internships place students directly in the professional world so that they can gain firsthand experience in management.
Common Career Paths
Some careers in management include (but are not limited to):
- Office Manager
Office managers provide support to their staff to encourage efficient and effective work. They plan and implement policies and strategies for the smooth functioning of an office or department. Office managers also ensure that company-wide policies are maintained. They allocate work assignments with deadlines, ensuring that assignments are completed on time, and oversee other employees and their performances. While specific requirements will likely vary based on the company, many employers require that office managers have a bachelor's degree in management or a closely-related discipline, such as business administration.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of office managers is expected to grow about as average as other jobs. There is a lot of competition for these positions. The best job opportunities will therefore be given to those who have educational and job related experience. Office managers can be employed in a number of fields including accounting, marketing, advertising, IT, healthcare, sales, and almost any other industry. While the salary of an office manager varies greatly, the BLS reported that the average annual wage of an office manager was $45,790 in 2008.
- Management Analyst
Management analysts determine new ways to improve the structure, efficiency, profits, and overall success of a business or organization. As the business world continues to evolve and become more complex, management analysts are needed to help businesses remain pertinent and competitive. Management analysts often work on a contractual basis and are hired to evaluate companies and propose changes. Many businesses hire management analysts when they experience rapid growth or downsizing in staff because it can be beneficial to have outside expert help assess the company during the transition. While specific degree and hiring requirements will vary by company, many employers require that their employees have at least a bachelor's degree in business administration, management, or a closely related discipline to be eligible for hire.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment of management analysts is expected to grow by 24% over the next several years, which is much faster than the average occupation. Keen competition is expected for management analyst positions, so those with degrees and experience in the field should have the best job prospects. The BLS reported that the median annual salary for management analysts in 2008 was $73,570.
- Operations Manager
Operations managers are responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating the operations of companies and organizations. The job duties and responsibilities of operations managers include creating and implementing policies and procedures, managing the daily operations of the business or organization, and implementing the use of materials and human resources, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Operations managers are needed in a number of industries and companies. Job duties will occasionally overlap with those of CEOs. Many employers require that operations managers have at least a bachelor's degree in business administration, liberal arts, management, or a closely related field. Some employers may even require operations managers to possess a graduate degree in the field.
The best job opportunities will likely be available to those that have the most educational and work related experience in the field. While the salaries of operations managers will vary between employers, the median annual wage was $91,570 in 2008, according to the BLS.
