B.S. in Business Administration: What It Is and How It Can Advance Your Career
A B.S. in Business Administration is an undergraduate program that builds broad competencies for students. It is one of the most common undergraduate majors, as it keeps many career paths open for students. This contrasts with a more specific major that may limit a student’s career options before they have had a chance to explore other aspects of business. A B.S. in Business Administration degree is offered by many universities, including National Louis University, in the Undergraduate College.
What Is a B.S. in Business Administration?
Upon completion of the degree, the student will have gained a deep understanding of business and the practical skills necessary to analyze data, conduct financial analysis, develop marketing campaigns, manage human resources and operations, and complete project management tasks. In addition, the student will have gained leadership skills. Most Business Administration degrees require 120 to 128 hours of coursework. The majority of hours are made up of Business core and General Education courses. Some universities offer the opportunity to add a minor or concentration to a student’s major, providing in-depth study in a specific area, such as Marketing, Management, or Human Resources.
National Louis University offers a B.S. in Business Administration degree as part of the Undergraduate College. This business program is specialized and accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE). The program requires 180 quarter hours to complete the degree. Of these, 60 quarter hours are in General Education and 65 quarter hours are in the major core. There are also opportunities for minors and concentrations.
Why Pursue a B.S. in Business Administration?
Business Administration is a great choice for people looking for a degree that offers multiple career paths. Students can earn a degree that allows them to become a manager, marketer, financial analyst, Human Resources Specialist, or even an Entrepreneur. Many students seeking a degree in business are unsure which specific business function they would like to pursue, and Business Administration allows them to explore many different areas of the field.
For adult learners and transfer students in particular, business administration programs are offered with greater flexibility. Many business programs evaluate prior college work, relevant work experience, and, in some instances, life experience, thereby reducing the time it takes to complete a degree for students who are not starting from scratch.
Additionally, there is the cost of the degree to consider. The tuition for a Business Administration program can vary depending on the program type and the institution offering it. Public in-state tuition at a community college or at a state university would be on the lower end of the cost spectrum, while private universities would be on the higher end. In general, the cost of the program should be compared with the expected starting salary for the student’s chosen career to make an informed decision. In addition to the program's cost, the student would have to consider its flexibility. Would the program be offered in the evenings, online, or in a hybrid format? The needs of the working adult student with family responsibilities would have to be met by the program.
Key Questions About the B.S. in Business Administration
How long does the degree take to complete?
Typically, a student takes 4 years to complete their degree. However, many students who enter this degree as transfer students or degree completers can finish in less time, depending on the credits they have earned from prior college coursework and relevant work experience.
Why does accreditation matter for a business degree?
International specialized business accreditation for programs of business study would indicate that the program has had the curriculum, faculty and program outcomes for students, in the business program evaluated against recognized quality criteria by a quality assurance agency such as the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE), the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), or the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). IACBE Accreditation Standards can be found on the IACBE website iacbe.org.
Can I choose a specialization?
In many programs, you can write a minor into your degree as well as your major. This means that, instead of just studying Business Administration (for example), you can also study Marketing, Human Resource Management, or another business-related subject. Many of the minor subjects are offered as concentrations within the major, in addition to the core curriculum.
Will I get credit for prior college coursework or experience?
The amount of prior credit a given business program awards, as well as what types of prior learning experience it considers for awarding credit, can vary greatly by given program. Ask the institution of interest for a detailed evaluation of how the prior education, relevant work experience, and life experience of adult students with degrees can be applied for credit awarding to accelerate their program completion.
What if I've been out of school for years?
Many Business Programs are especially designed for students whose prior education has been interrupted by other commitments, such as work, family, or other activities, that have taken priority. We make special arrangements to recognize their prior coursework, work experience, life experience, and/or training for credit toward their Business degree. Additionally, many such programs are offered on a part-time basis in the day, evening, and online formats, so that degree-seeking students can complete their studies while continuing to work at their current jobs.
What's the difference between this degree and an MBA?
In contrast, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree is a graduate degree designed for students who have already earned a Bachelor’s degree and are looking to further their studies to gain management and leadership skills. Many students earn their undergraduate degree in Business first, then return to school for their MBA several years later, drawing on the experience they have gained in the workforce.
What the Curriculum Typically Covers
Most programs with business core curricula (such as those listed above for NLU’s BSBA program) have similar components. While specific course requirements will vary by school, in general, students in BSBA programs complete courses similar to those listed above.
- Financial and managerial accounting — reading and using financial statements to make business decisions
- Business statistics and data analysis — interpreting data to guide strategy and operations
- Principles of Marketing (Market Research, Branding, and Promotional Strategy)
- Management and organizational behavior — leading people and teams effectively
- Business finance — budgeting, financial planning, and investment basics
- Operations and project management — coordinating resources, timelines, and processes
- Business Law and Ethics: Businesses operate in a legal and ethical environment. The student learns about legal issues that affect businesses, ethical issues, and how to make sound business decisions.
- A capstone or applied business project — integrating coursework into a business plan or case analysis.
These are considered to be the General Education Requirements for the Business student. These are written and oral communication, quantitative reasoning, and, finally, the study of the Humanities and Social Sciences. These requirements enable the student to demonstrate, through their coursework, the ability to write a persuasive proposal, interpret a market report, and perform other tasks.
Career Outcomes
Business and financial occupations are expected to experience solid employment growth, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In addition to being prepared to consider a wide range of entry-level positions within business, a student graduating with a B.S. in Business Administration is prepared to meet the needs of early-career employees in several areas, including accounting, finance, marketing, management, and operations. There are several positions that a student graduating with a B.S. in Business Administration may consider, including roles in financial and professional services, as well as in other industries and occupations. Detailed information on employment projections, wages, and business and financial occupations can be found on the following pages: the Occupational Outlook Handbook (Business and Financial Occupations section) and the Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates for Financial Activities.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook, Business and Financial Occupations section.
Common early-career business roles include business development, marketing, human resources, financial analysis, sales and account management, business and financial planning, and many other related roles. These jobs can also lead to higher-paying management jobs as you get more work experience in each of these fields. Business students can also start their own businesses. Many Business graduates use their knowledge of accounting, finance, marketing, and business operations to start their own small businesses.
A Business Administration degree holder can easily transition to work in healthcare, non-profit, government, school, and even small-business environments. This is because, apart from normal business settings, such as large corporations that require a Business Administration graduate, degree holders in this field are highly sought after by other organizations and establishments. Also, for those looking to go back to school, a B.S. in Business Administration is a great prerequisite for graduate business programs such as MBA programs and specialized Master’s degrees, e.g., a Master of Health Services Administration (MHSA) or a Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA).
A B.S. in Business Administration graduate can expect varying results in terms of their career goals and salaries. For example, outcomes may differ by industry, geographic location, and specific jobs within organizations. Even the value of having completed an internship or holding part-time employment while completing their degree can greatly impact the graduate's ability to secure full-time work after graduation. Students who complete internships and hold part-time jobs are generally better off than those who wait until after graduation to gain hands-on experience.
B.S. in Business Administration at National Louis University
National Louis University offers a B.S. in Business Administration through its Undergraduate College. The degree program requires 180 quarter hours of credit, with 60 of those hours provided through general education courses and 65 major core hours. There are also several minors and concentrations offered within the major, including an International Business concentration. The program is also designed to grant prior learning assessment for prior college work, work experience, and life experience.
