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Bachelor of Science Business Administration

Online Business Management Degree

Adriana Grimes, B.S. Business Management grad

OVERVIEW

Online Business Degrees For Working Professionals


 

If you’re looking to advance your career in the world of business, earning an online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration—Management degree could be the perfect path for you. At WGU, we offer a flexible and convenient business management bachelor's program that’s designed to prepare you for a variety of leadership positions in the field, including:

  • Operations Manager
  • Human Resources Manager
  • Marketing Manager
  • Financial Analyst
  • Business Analyst
  • Project Manager
  • Sales Manager
  • Supply Chain Manager
  • Entrepreneur or Small Business Owner

Whether you’re looking to climb the corporate ladder or start your own business, this management program will equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed. Learn more about what business management is, what careers graduates can work towards, and how this degree can benefit you in your current position.

61% of graduates finish within 

19 Months*

WGU lets you move more quickly through material you already know and advance as soon as you're ready. The result: You may finish faster.

*WGU Internal Data

Tuition per six-month term is

$3,755

Tuition charged per term—rather than per credit—helps students control the ultimate cost of their business management degree. Finish faster, pay less!

Average salary increase

$14,491*

B.S. business management graduates report an impressive average salary increase after completing their degree at Western Governors University.

*WGU Internal Data

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COURSES

Business Management Courses

Program consists of 39 courses

At WGU, we design our curriculum to be timely, relevant, and practical—all to help you show that you know your stuff.

The online management degree program is composed of several industry-relevant courses. Some may be waived through transfer from your previous college experience. Courses are generally completed one at a time instead of simultaneously, and you’ll work with your Program Mentor to build a personalized Degree Plan that keeps you on track.

WGU courses are competency-based which means that once you demonstrate mastery in a specific area, you can move on. This allows you to use your existing knowledge to move through your degree program more quickly compared to a four-year program.

The Bachelor of Science Business Administration, Management program is an all-online degree program. You’ll complete program requirements independently, with instruction and support from WGU faculty. You’ll be expected to complete at least 12 competency units for each 6-month term. Each course is typically three or four units. There’s no limit on the number of units you can complete each term, so the more courses you complete, the quicker you can finish your program.

Program consists of: 39 courses

An unofficial estimated 14 courses are fulfilled by your associate degree leaving 27 courses.

Courses Fulfilled By Your Associate Degree

This is an unofficial estimate of your transfer credits. You may receive more or less credits depending upon the specific courses taken to complete your degree and other credits you may have.

Below are the anticipated courses that will be fulfilled based on your indication that you have earned an associate’s degree. During the enrollment process this information will be verified.

General Education
Business Core
Business Management
Human Resources
Marketing
Capstone
IT Fundamentals

39 Courses

Program consists of 39 courses

At WGU, we design our curriculum to be timely, relevant, and practical—all to help you show that you know your stuff.

Capstone Project

Special requirements for this program

At the end of your program, you will complete a capstone project that represents the culmination of all your hard work—a project that allows you to take what you’ve learned and apply it to a real-world situation, proposing a solution to an actual issue you face in your place of business. 

Skills For Your Résumé

As part of this program, you will develop a range of valuable skills that employers are looking for. 

  • Management: Provided guidance and direction to teams, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and objectives.
  • Operations: Managed policies and procedures in collaboration with supervising staff and human resources.
  • Sales: Connected the organization's mission to sales strategies and tactics, ensuring alignment with overarching goals and values to drive business success.
  • Problem Solving: Conducted research to identify solutions to organizational challenges, leveraging data and insights to inform strategic decision-making and problem-solving efforts.
  • Detail Oriented: Manipulated complex financial data with precision and accuracy, ensuring reliability in financial analyses.
  • Written Communication: Wrote to effectively communicate the analysis and quality of research to a target audience, translating complex findings into clear and understandable insights for stakeholders.

“My enrollment experience was seamless. The first moment I spoke to my Enrollment Counselor got me excited about WGU. They tell you what the different benefits are, the format and everything. They walk you through everything. If you want it, it's there. Getting enrolled and getting started is easy-peasy.”

—Dale Boolton
B.S. Business Management

WGU vs. Traditional Universities
Compare the Difference

Traditional Universities

 

TUITION STRUCTURE

Per credit hour

Flat rate per 6-month term

SUPPORT

Schedule and wait days or even weeks to meet with one of many counselors

Simply email or call to connect with your designated Program Mentor who supports you from day one

EXAMS

Scheduled time

Whenever you feel ready

SCHEDULE

Professor led lectures at a certain time and place

Courses available anytime, from anywhere

TIME TO FINISH

Approximately 4 years, minimal acceleration options

As quickly as you can master the material, typically less than 3 years

TRANSFER CREDITS

Few accepted, based on certain schools and specific courses

A generous transfer policy that is based on your specific situation

Traditional Universities

 

TUITION STRUCTURE

Per credit hour

TUITION STRUCTURE

Flat rate per 6-month term

SUPPORT

Schedule and wait days or even weeks to meet with one of many counselors

SUPPORT

Simply email or call to connect with your designated Program Mentor who supports you from day one

EXAMS

Scheduled time

EXAMS

Whenever you feel ready

SCHEDULE

Professor led lectures at a certain time and place

SCHEDULE

Courses available anytime, from anywhere

TIME TO FINISH

Approximately 4 years, minimal acceleration options

TIME TO FINISH

As quickly as you can master the material, typically less than 3 years

TRANSFER CREDITS

Few accepted, based on certain schools and specific courses

TRANSFER CREDITS

A generous transfer policy that is based on your specific situation

Why WGU?

Earning Potential

A management degree can dramatically impact your earning potential. After graduation WGU business management students report earning $14,621* more per year.

*WGU Internal Data

On Your Schedule

Competency-based education means you can move as quickly through your degree as you can master the material. You don't have to log in to classes at a certain time—you are truly in the driver's seat of your education

Entirely Online

The business management bachelor's degree at WGU is 100% online, which means it works wherever you are. You can do your coursework at night after working at your full-time job, on weekends, while you're traveling the world or on vacation—it's entirely up to you.

Accredited, Respected,
Recognized™

One important measure of a degree’s value is the reputation of the university where it was earned. When employers, industry leaders, and academic experts hold your alma mater in high esteem, you reap the benefits of that respect. WGU is a pioneer in reinventing higher education for the 21st century, and our quality has been recognized.

COST & TIME

Online Business Programs That are Affordable

By charging per six-month term rather than per credit—and empowering students to accelerate through material they know well or learn quickly—WGU helps students control the ultimate cost of their degrees. The faster you complete your program, the less you pay for your degree.

Tuition Calculator
Pay less by completing your program faster
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A College Degree Within Reach

There is help available to make paying for school possible for you:

The average student loan debt of WGU graduates in 2022 (among those who borrowed) was less than half* the national average.

Most WGU students qualify for financial aid, and WGU is approved for federal financial aid and U.S. veterans benefits. 

Many scholarship opportunities are available. Find out what you might be eligible for.

*WGU undergraduate students have approximately half the debt at graduation compared to the national average, according to the Institute for College Access and Success (2022).

FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE

A Different Way to Learn: Degree Programs Designed to Fit Your Life—and All the Demands on Your Time

Professional responsibilities. Family obligations. Personal commitments. At WGU, we understand schedules are tight and often unpredictable for adult students. That’s why we offer a flexible, personalized approach to how education should be. No rigid class schedules. Just a solid, career-focused teaching program that meshes with your current lifestyle. You'll be challenged. You'll work hard. But if you commit yourself and put in the hours needed, WGU makes it possible for you to earn a highly respected degree as a busy working adult.

"Attending WGU online was the perfect way for me to further my education. I could basically work at my own pace and use the knowledge I had already learned from working for so many years before attending. I love WGU and all the mentors who helped me succeed and earn my bachelor's degree in Business Management.”

—Debra Marshall
B.S. Business Management

CAREER OUTLOOK

Success in Management Starts With a College Degree in Business

Whether you aspire to work for a Fortune 500 organization, a government agency, a non-profit organization, or a fast-paced start-up, a degree in business management can be key to thriving in any setting. At WGU, our online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration—Management degree program was built with input from industry experts to give you the keys to success in a variety of industries, including:

  • Finance and Banking
  • Healthcare
  • Manufacturing
  • IT
  • Consulting
  • Nonprofit
  • Government

Return on Your Investment

On average, WGU graduates see an increase in income post-graduation

Average income increase from all degrees in annual salary vs. pre-enrollment salary. Source: 2023 Harris Poll Survey of 1,655 WGU graduates.

Survey was sent to a representative sample of WGU graduates from all colleges. Respondents received at least one WGU degree since 2017.

This program covers a wide range of career-relevant topics such as marketing, finance, human resources, operations, and strategy. You’ll learn how to analyze financial statements, create marketing plans, manage human resources effectively, and make strategic decisions that drive business success. Whether you want to earn a raise, a promotion, or pursue an entirely new future, our program can help you stand out from the competition and achieve your goals.

8%

All management occupations are expected to see 8% growth across industries by the year 2031, largely due to the creation of new businesses.

—U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Learn About All the Job Opportunities in Business Management

Our nearly 7,000 Bachelor of Science Business Management alumni have great jobs and satisfying careers.

Job Titles

  • Account executive
  • Marketing manager
  • Business or healthcare analyst
  • Project or program manager 

Diverse Industries

  • Private companies
  • Healthcare
  • Government and military
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Colleges, universities, and K–12 schools/districts 

Major Employers

  • Amazon
  • Microsoft
  • American Red Cross
  • FedEx
  • Kaiser Permanente
  • Self-employed 

WGU Grads Hold Positions With Top Employers

ADMISSIONS

Bachelor of Business Management Admission Requirements

Applicants to undergraduate School of Business programs must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent AND demonstrate program readiness through one of the following options below:

  • Option 1: Submit transcripts documenting completion of college-level coursework with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
  • Option 2: Possess a bachelors or associates degree (A.A or A.S. acceptable) from an accredited post-secondary institution.
  • Option 3: Submit high school transcripts for review with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.

NOTE: You do not need to take the ACT or SAT to be admitted to this program. Learn why we don't require these tests.

Get Your Enrollment Checklist

Download your step-by-step guide to enrollment.

Get Your Questions Answered

Talk to an WGU Enrollment Counselor.

Transfer Credits

Get Added Support and Flexibility as You Start Your Degree 
Take a course or two at your pace before committing to a full degree program. Strengthen your study habits, gain essential learning skills and, best of all, each completed course counts toward your degree requirements. 

Learn More about Pathways to Starting

MORE DETAILS

Certificates in Business Management


 

The Business Management degree program allows students to earn valuable credentials on their path to a degree, including the management, strategic thinking and innovation, and leadership certificates. These certificates allow you to demonstrate mastery and add credentials to your résumé before you even graduate with your degree.

Commonly Asked Questions About Our Online Business Management Bachelor's Degree

There are many career opportunities for graduates with a business management degree including:

  • Business analyst
  • Account manager
  • Project manager
  • Sales manager
  • Operations manager
  • Financial advisor
  • Director
  • C-level executive

Traditional bachelor's degrees take 4 years to complete. However, at online schools like WGU, you may be able to finish faster. The majority of WGU business management students finish their degree program more quickly than a traditional model.

Absolutely every industry needs business professionals who can help it run smoothly. With a degree in business management you'll be qualified to work in any industry or organization, from healthcare, to education, to IT, and more. 

  • Western Governors University
  • University of North Carolina
  • Indiana University
  • Temple University
  • Arizona State University
  • University of Florida
  • Auburn University
  • University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • Carnegie Mellon University
  • Arkansas State University

  • Western Governors University
  • University of North Carolina
  • Indiana University
  • Temple University
  • Arizona State University
  • University of Florida
  • Auburn University
  • University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • Carnegie Mellon University
  • Arkansas State University

  • Business analyst - $84,000
  • Account manager - $62,000
  • Project manager - $75,000
  • Sales manager - $99,000
  • Operations manager - $75,000
  • Financial advisor - $59,000
  • Director - $110,000
  • C-level executive - $278,000

Business management is a good major that offers a lot of career flexibility. It could prepare you for a career in many different fields including:

  • Marketing management
  • Operations management
  • Technology management
  • Human resources management
  • Project management

In a business management degree you will cover many subjects, including:

  • Accounting
  • Finance
  • Economics
  • Strategy
  • Operations
  • Communication
  • Leadership

Ready to Start Your WGU Journey?