There is no underestimating the power of business, or a business degree. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), eight of the top 10 most sought-after bachelor’s degrees today fall into the “business” bucket. The most valued majors by employers in 2018 are finance, accounting, business administration, and business management.
Due to its versatility and popularity amongst employers, many prospective college students will consider earning a business management degree. A business management degree is designed to prepare students for managerial and supervisory roles within an organization – General Manager, Marketing Manager, Human Resources Manager, Office Manager, Assistant Manager, and Project Manager are some of the many titles you can take on. Because it is typically offered at the bachelor’s level, a business management degree generally takes about four years to complete, if you are just starting out.
But just as there is not only one path to success, there is not just one pathway to a successful business career. Rather, there are multiple roads you can take towards success in the professional world. Today, employers place great value on the skills gained in a business degree program, and not necessarily the business degree itself – critical thinking, effective communication, problem solving, analytical skills, and leadership capabilities are just some of the many in-demand skills today. The good news is, you can acquire these through several different business degree pathways.
If for any reason the traditional, four-year business management path does not feel right for you, rest assured that there are other options available. Below, we outline just a few of the many business management degree alternatives available at Goodwin College.
Business Administration Degree (Certificate, Associate, & Bachelor’s Levels)
Business management and business administration are two popular majors that often get confused. Both business degrees cover core topics such as marketing, accounting, ethics, and general knowledge of how businesses work. The difference is, a business administration degree is usually more specialized. A business administration program will teach you how to run a business, rather than just oversee one.
Business administration programs can be completed in several different formats and at different educational levels, depending on your needs. For example, at Goodwin College, you can choose from a Bachelor’s degree or an Associate degree in Business Administration. Each degree program teaches important subjects such as business law and ethics, human resource management, customer relations, marketing, accounting, business planning and development, and effective leadership.
Within the business administration school at Goodwin College, there are also comprehensive, specialized certificate programs available to students looking for an alternative business education:
- Bookkeeping Certificate, for those interested in finance
- Human Resources Management Certificate
- Human Resources Talent Development Certificate
- Medical Office Management Certificate
- Non-Profit Management Certificate
- Property Management & Acquisition Certificate
- Entrepreneurship Concentration
Business administration is a flexible, comprehensive degree choice that can get someone into the field in just a matter of months. Goodwin’s business administration programs are also offered at an accelerated pace, unlike many business management programs out there, and can be completed in half the time of a standard program. A great option for those looking to get into the workforce fast!
Management & Leadership Degree (Bachelor’s)
While running a business is a great feat, you may be looking for a more management-driven career path. You may picture yourself as the change-maker within an organization, or the esteemed leader behind a remarkable team of employees. If you desire to become a successful manager or leader in the business arena, a Management and Leadership degree may just be for you.
The Management and Leadership training program at Goodwin College is a great alternative to your traditional business management degree, particularly due to its level of flexibility. This is not the typical bachelor’s degree in business. And more than likely, you are not the typical, traditional student. You may have other obligations, such as a job or a family, that require a more accommodating degree option. The Management and Leadership degree at Goodwin is offered online, and at an accelerated pace, for this very reason. You will have the option to complete classes entirely online, or in a hybrid on-campus, online format. Campus classes can be taken in the evenings and on weekends, as well.
If you are unsure which industry you want to manage in, but are looking for a major that can give you a versatile and valuable skillset for any business – whether that be in government, corporate, retail, non-profit, for-profit, manufacturing, armed forces, law enforcement, education – a Management and Leadership degree is a great choice. The coursework covered here goes beyond business management, in that it prepares students to become true leaders in any organization, teaching vital skills such as mentoring, employee development, collaboration, communication, analytics, multicultural perspectives, ethical problem solving, performance management, and more.
Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership (MSOL)
For those who want to climb up the career ladder and exceed the traditional business management degree, you might consider an MSOL degree – that is, Master’s in Organizational Leadership. Now, don’t be afraid of the word “master’s” here. The MSOL program at Goodwin College is one of the most flexible master business degrees available, as it is offered entirely online and can be completed part-time, in as few as 20 months.
An MSOL degree can position you for growth as a manager and leader in any business. This program will help you hone skills in critical thinking, ethical management, future-thinking, risk-calculation, business planning, collaboration, decision-making and change-making – skills that are at the top of employers’ wish lists when hiring new managers to take the lead.
In addition to the above three, non-traditional business management degrees, you might also consider a specialized business-related major, such as marketing, accounting, economics, or finance. Some schools also offer industry-specific management degrees, such as Healthcare Management and Manufacturing Management. Ultimately, the business world is your oyster and your path to finding success will be uniquely your own. Choose a business degree program that will allow you to make this path your own; a degree that aligns with your own schedule, goals, and needs.
For more information about the flexible business programs available at Goodwin College, please do not hesitate to call 800-889-3282. You may also visit us online to learn more.
Goodwin University is a nonprofit institution of higher education and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), formerly known as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Goodwin University was founded in 1999, with the goal of serving a diverse student population with career-focused degree programs that lead to strong employment outcomes.