Business Administration is a vast field that branches out into many other disciplines including management, marketing, finance, analytics, healthcare, engineering, technology, operations, and many others. Some of the top-tier universities in the US that offer degrees in this subject include Harvard, UCLA, UC Berkeley, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Texas A&M University and so many others. These universities offer the following degrees in business,
- Bachelor of Business Administration-BBA
- Master of Business Administration-MBA
- Doctor of Business Administration-DBA or,
- D. in Business Administration
Many well-renowned institutions offer joint master/doctoral degrees in business. These degrees combine business with several other fields such as engineering, technology, healthcare, public policy, law, and more.
What Is Business Administration?
Business Administration is the study of all aspects relating to the management of business operations such as accounting, finance, project management, marketing, management information systems, supply chain management, and so on. A degree in this field provides you with the knowledge and skillset which is essential to tackle the modern business world.
What Can You Do with a Business Administration Degree?
With a degree in Business Management from an accredited and well-reputed institution, you may get employed in any of the well-paid positions mentioned below. Many of these jobs require at least a bachelor’s/master’s degree with field experience of a few years. The salary data of the following careers was reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Top Executives-Chief Executives
Chief Executives oversee everything in their organization. They determine and implement all policies in their company. They set organizational goals by keeping in mind the guidelines provided to them by their board of directors. They also head the operational activities with the help of the executives and staff managers.
| Annual Median Salary, 2019 | $184,460 | |
| Job Outlook, 2018-2028 | 6% (Top Executives) | |
| Annual Mean Salary, 2019 | $193,850 | |
| State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019 | California | 31,730 |
| State with the Highest Salary, 2019 | South Dakota | $256,110 |
Top Executives-General and Operations Managers
General and Operations Managers head the planning and coordination of all operations in their organizations. They devise and implement policies, oversee routine operations, and plan utilization of human resources, etc. However, their duties are too diverse to be classified in any particular area of management or administration.
| Annual Median Salary, 2019 | $100,780 | |
| Job Outlook, 2018-2028 | 6% (Top Executives) | |
| Annual Mean Salary, 2019 | $123,030 | |
| State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019 | California | 259,550 |
| State with the Highest Salary, 2019 | New Jersey | $164,090 |
Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers-Marketing Managers
Marketing Managers devise and implement marketing policies. They use the data collected against their market competitors or target customers and use it to head marketing campaigns for the promotion of products or services. They also devise pricing strategies of products, goods, or services to maximize profits.
| Annual Median Salary, 2019 | $136,850 | |
| Job Outlook, 2018-2028 | 8% (Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers) | |
| Annual Mean Salary, 2019 | $149,200 | |
| State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019 | California | 40,900 |
| State with the Highest Salary, 2019 | New York | $186,350 |
What to Expect from a Business Administration Degree?
The curriculum of each degree level varies in terms of courses and difficulty. The courses in a BBA curriculum may overlap with that of an MBA degree but the content of MBA courses would be far more advanced. For example, the curriculum of the MBA degree offered by UCLA has courses like,
- Business Law
- International Business Law
- Management Accounting
- International Taxation
- Entrepreneurship & Venture Initiation, etc.
For details on the curriculum of a degree, please visit the official website of the desired university.
How to Choose a Business Administration Degree?
When it comes to choosing a degree, the most important feature to look for is the accreditation of your desired degree. Business degrees are typically accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Other important things to consider include,
- Affordability and duration of the chosen degree
- Teaching & research acumen of the faculty
- The relevance of the curriculum to your desired career
- Ranking of the institution
- Requirements for admission and graduation, etc.
Each degree has different requirements for graduation. For instance, the Bachelor of Business Administration-BBA offered by the University of California Berkeley requires its students to complete 122 credit hours in 3 to 3.5 years to graduate. Whereas, the students of the MBA degree offered by Texas A&M University must complete 36 credit hours in 2 years to graduate.
Business Administration Degree Admission Requirements
The requirements for admission to a bachelor’s degree would be different than those of a master’s or a doctoral degree. These requirements also vary by institution. For example, if you are interested in applying for the Master of Business Administration program offered by the Harvard Business School, you will need to complete an online application and submit an application processing fee. Moreover, the application must include;
- Transcripts from previous institutions
- 2 letters of recommendations
- CV/Resume
- An essay
- Official GRE/GMAT Test scores
- Scores of IELTS/TOFEL (for international students)
For specific details on a degree, please check out the official website of your desired university.