Got a head for business? Looking for a new career path? There are a number of education programs available in the field of business administration! Business administration degrees can help set you up for a new career in a wide variety of businesses, industries, and management levels. Nearly any organization at all could likely benefit from someone who has an understanding of the fundamentals of business.

If you’re worried that you might be biting off more than you can chew, fear not! In this article, we take a look at some of the most common business degrees and what you need to complete them.

Degree Types

From certificates and diplomas to graduate degrees, you can complete an education program in business administration at nearly any level! Many certificate and diploma programs can be completed in as little as a few months. Business administration associate degree programs can take approximately two years, bachelor degrees about four years, and master of business administration programs between two and four years. Completion times depend on your chosen program, availability of individual courses, and whether you’re enrolled full-time. In most cases, the completion of more advanced degree programs is tied to more advanced business administration job opportunities and to higher compensation.

Business Administration

Business administration programs educate students on the running and maintaining of a business, including economics, marketing, accounting, and management. With a business administration major, you can get the education to be prepared for jobs as administrators, supervisors, managers, and executives. You may choose to work in public, private, or non-profit sectors.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows administrative services managers (who typically have at least bachelor’s degree) had a median annual salary of about $90,000 in 2016.

Business Office Administration

Business office administration programs help their students learn the basic ins and outs of office administration, from accounting to communication and human resources to marketing. Graduates of such programs can be prepared to find jobs as administrative assistants and file clerks, and in data entry, customer service, and human resources.

The BLS shows administrative assistants and secretaries had a median annual salary of about $37,000 in 2016.

Business Management and Marketing

Business management and marketing degrees have a specific emphasis on just what it says: management and marketing. These programs will have additional focus on marketing research (collecting and analyzing), advertising and sales, and business administration and management of an organization.

The BLS projects market research analysts and marketing specialists to have the most job growth among common business job sectors between 2014 and 2024, with an added 151,400 openings projected.

Pursuing a degree in business administration can be a big commitment, particularly if you’re going for your master’s degree. But it doesn’t have to be an overly ambitious undertaking: business administration programs come in all shapes and sizes, and can therefore be used to prepare you for jobs of all shapes and sizes! A background in business administration can be valuable since no matter the industry or the organization, someone will need to be prepared to run it.

Ready to find a business administration school near you? Take a look at the Imagine America Foundation directory of business administration schools, training scholarships [link to https://www.imagine-america.org/business-administration-school-training/] to find the right program for you!