How to Get an Online Associate’s Degree in Business Administration

With the growth of entrepreneurship in this day and age, there is no doubt that the business world can be a very lucrative field to get into. Employers are willing to pay top-dollar for candidates who can inspire a team and increase productivity, which in turn, means there is a high demand for managers in every company.

Starting out with pursuing an associate’s degree in business administration can open many doors for you. Whether you plan on diving right into taking on an entry-level role or continuing your education to earn your bachelor’s degree in a related field, there are promising options left and right. Coming out with an associate’s degree alone you can make a pretty decent salary, but with a bachelor’s degree in the field, you can expect to earn much more, perhaps in the six figures.


Managers are paid well in most companies because they hold great responsibilities of making sure the team is working fluidly. They work to motivate and inspire people so that they continue to work productively, and they also work hard to handle inter-office relationships. Managers also stay on top of projects and deadlines, and are essentially the go-to people that employees look to. Without managers, successful companies would not be where they are today.

Employers are constantly looking for managers with not only the necessary skill set to complete the tasks at hand, but also a solid educational foundation and work experience. They want to know that you can work with many different types of people, and also have the the technical skills and knowledge to get things done.

An associate’s degree in business administration typically takes two years of full-time study to complete. However, if you choose to earn your credential online, you may be able to complete it earlier. Depending on how many classes you can take per quarter/semester, you may be able to finish a lot quicker.

Pursuing an associate’s degree in business administration online is a great choice for students who have busy schedules and need the flexibility for school. It gives students the chance to learn while attending to their personal obligations. If you are a motivated and independent learner, distance learning can work very well for you. It is essential to make sure that the college you choose is accredited so that the credits you earn can be easily transferred to a four-year college should you decide to continue your education. By virtually attending classes online, you will have access to all course materials and participate in class discussions just like you would normally in a traditional classroom setting. The main difference is that you would be doing all of this on your own time and interacting with your professors and peers via email or a designated classroom platform.

Common Associate’s in Business Administration Curriculum

Strongly considering business as your course of study? You might be wondering what kind of classes you will have to take. The associate’s degree program in business administration offers a wide array of interesting coursework for students to explore. Some major courses include:

  • Financial Accounting
  • Managerial Accounting
  • Business Law
  • Microeconomics
  • Macroeconomics
  • Introduction to Information Technology
  • Statistics
  • Introduction to Marketing
  • Human Resource Management
  • Principles of Management
  • Human Relations in Administration
  • E-commerce
  • Retail Management

Of course, every school will also offer different variations of classes for students to take, but you will be equipped with a solid foundation that will enable you to get an entry-level management position, or allow you to keep going to earn your bachelor’s degree in business.

In addition to business-related courses, students will also have general education requirements and electives to complete, which will vary from college to college. These classes are usually not directly business related, but will help you develop a well-rounded foundation of knowledge that will be useful in helping you understand real-life situations and succeed in whatever career you choose to be in. For example, students may have an introductory course in math, science, history, language, and fine arts, to name a few. A total of 60 credits are required to complete this degree.

Associate’s in Business Administration Careers

When it comes to careers in business administration, you have an almost unlimited array of choices. All businesses have employees that need a management team, which means you could be filling roles in retail stores, software companies, the hospitality industry, travel and tourism, and pretty much any other type of business environment.

If you have always dreamt of working for yourself and starting your own business, getting a business administration associate’s degree is the perfect first step toward realizing that goal! With the work dynamics changing everyday, more and more people are going their own routes to create a business that means something to them. By creating your own start-up, you could enjoy the luxury of not only working from home in your pajamas, but also potentially traveling the world! The best part? You would also eventually be providing jobs for others to help sustain your business, and therefore, promoting job creation and giving others the opportunity to contribute to a growing business.

Entrepreneurship and the field of business administration is growing steadily over the years. If you are looking for a career that is flexible and rewarding, going for an associate’s degree in business administration would be a smart choice. With the diversity that the program offers in terms of coursework, you can be assured that you won’t get bored learning new things everyday.