Best Online Degrees in Business

Getting Started with an Online Associate in Business

An associate degree in business (typically called an associate degree in business administration) is a basic, entry-level business degree option. This online degree in business prepares you for employment in administration and management positions in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. An associate business degree online also offers you the ability to complete foundational coursework at a more affordable cost before transferring to a four-year school to earn a bachelor’s degree. Typically the curriculum combines major-specific coursework with liberal arts/general education courses in English, mathematics, the humanities, and the natural and social sciences. Business courses include principles of business economics, finance, human resource management, and project management. 

Business associate degree programs are designed to be completed with 18 months to two years of full-time study. They’re most often available through local community colleges, but you’ll also find business degrees available through schools that are 100% online. Local community college programs may include some courses online as well. 

For more information, be sure to visit our online associate degree in business webpage.

Earning Your Bachelor’s Degree in Business Online

The bachelor’s degree is the most popular degree choice for students looking to enter the business profession. In fact, bachelor’s degrees in business are among the most marketable of all undergraduate degrees. Business administration is the most common bachelor’s in business major. Other business-related majors include accounting, finance, management, marketing, and business economics. Like associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees in business combine business-related courses with coursework in the liberal arts and sciences. A bachelor’s in business prepares you for entry-level administration and management jobs as well as graduate-level business programs. 

Bachelor’s degrees in business are typically presented in the traditional four-year, full-time format—although you may be able to complete your program in as little as three years by taking courses during the summer. Online business degrees at the bachelor’s level are quite common and, in fact, among the most popular online degrees. They’re available from dozens of quality public and private colleges and universities, many of which offer their programs 100% online.

Visit our online bachelor’s degree in business page to learn more about this degree.

Advancing with an Online Master’s in Business

Continuing the trend, business master’s degrees are among the most common of all master’s programs offered, with the MBA the single most popular graduate degree of any type. Master’s degrees in business are also popular online, with dozens of 100% online programs available. The reason for their popularity is simple: Master’s degrees in business are practically a requirement if you’re seeking to advance into a senior (and sometimes even mid-level) administration or management position, particularly with larger businesses and corporations. 

Both online and on-campus business master’s programs are offered in a variety of majors, concentrations, and formats (full-time, part-time, self-paced). Programs typically take one to two years. Popular options include business management, accounting, finance, marketing, healthcare management, and human resource management.

Online Doctorates in Business: The Ultimate Degree

With MBAs becoming the standard for higher level business careers, it’s no surprise that more and more students are moving up to earn doctorates in business. You’ll find two basic types of doctoral degrees in the business field: the doctor of business administration (DBA) and the PhD in business. The PhD in business is academic-focused and prepares graduates for careers in advanced research and faculty positions in postsecondary education. Business PhD programs typically require three to five years to complete depending on the student’s chosen study pace. The DBA is based on applied research and is geared toward students seeking top-tier positions in the operation of companies. Most DBA programs are part-time and designed for you to complete in as few as three years. Fully online and partially online master’s degrees in business are readily available for both doctorate types.

Find out more about business doctorates by visiting our PhD in business degree and doctor of business administration pages.

Online Undergraduate Certificates in Business

Undergraduate certificates in business provide expanded or specialized knowledge to students who are pursuing an undergraduate business degree online or in person or have completed their degree. Common specializations include business administration, business management, accounting, marketing, data analytics, and human resource management. Some schools offer these certificates to anyone with a bachelor’s (or higher) degree, regardless of major; others offer their undergrad certificates to business majors only. Completion times for undergraduate business certificate programs vary from several months to a year or more depending mostly on your specialization and study pace.

Online Graduate Certificates in Business

Graduate certificates in business serve two primary purposes. First, they provide current business master’s students and graduates the chance to expand their knowledge, add value to their degrees, and enhance their resumes. Second, they offer prospective grad students the opportunity to start earning credits toward their business master’s before starting their programs. Like their undergrad counterparts, business graduate certificates are most commonly offered in specialized areas of the business field, including human resources management, supply chain management, strategic leadership, taxation, marketing analytics, and innovation and entrepreneurship. You’ll also find a few general business certificates that provide knowledge and skills in core business practices and strategies.

Professional Certificates and Bootcamps in Business

In addition to traditional undergraduate and graduate business certificates, a large and growing number of alternative online business education credentials and programs cater to your specific needs and interests. These programs are most often presented in the form of professional certificate and business “bootcamp” programs lasting anywhere from a few days to several weeks (most are self-paced). They’re offered primarily by massive open online course providers, with many developed in collaboration with top colleges and universities. In some cases you may be able to use these courses to earn credits toward your business bachelor’s or master’s degree program. Program costs vary widely, from free to several thousand dollars. The vast majority are affordable.

Examples of online professional certificate programs include these from Coursera, edX, and Cornell University. Examples of online business bootcamps include these from Udemy and MIT.

AACSB Insights for Students

Excellent clearinghouse site from the AACSB, with dozens of articles offering information and advice to business students. Examples of articles include 11 Tips for Acing Your MBA Admission Interview, Tips for Effective Online Learning, and Making the Most of Your MBA Journey.

Are Online Courses for You?

Interactive questionnaire offered by Minnesota State’s Career Wise website to help you decide if studying online is right for you. You’ll answer ten multiple-choice questions to receive feedback and recommendations. 

Expert Tips on Making a Business School Application Stand Out

Deciding to earn a business degree is one thing. Getting accepted into the online business degree program you want is another. Business school admission is often competitive, especially when it comes to the best graduate schools. This article from the Financial Times offers lots of useful advice from actual business school directors on how to make the best impression.

Five Signs a Business Management Degree is For You

This brief but useful article from Western Governor’s University offers an excellent overview of the skills and personality traits that indicate if you’re likely to be a good fit for an online bachelor’s degree in business. Includes a description of what an online business management degree is like and what you can expect to learn.

HBS Business Insights

The blog of the Harvard Business School’s online division is chock full of great articles to help you before, during, and after your business school experience. Article examples include Considering Earning an MBA? 5 Tips to Help You Prepare, Should You Go to Business School? 6 Benefits of Strong Business Skills, and 6 Expert Study Tips From Past Students.

Quiz: What Business Degree Should I Get?

If you’re uncertain about exactly which area of business you should study, this interactive quiz from Herzing University may help. Choose options and you’ll get a recommendation for a particular business major or concentration.