How to Get an Online Associate’s Degree in Management

Are you a go-getter that loves to set rules, get paid big bucks for your work, and tell everyone else what to do? Being in a management position will allow you to do all of this. If you are looking to eventually get into a career like this, then pursuing an associate’s degree in management would be a great start.

With the rising number of small businesses these days, having basic management skills will be useful, regardless of what you end up doing as a career in the long run. For example, everyone could use great communication and leadership skills. You will develop these skills among many others while earning your degree.

With an associate’s management degree, you will be ready to tackle all sorts of different positions in the business world. For example, you can explore entry-level management positions in industries including but not limited to a business office environment, retail sales, restaurants and travel, manufacturing, and so many more.

On the associate’s level, you will get a basic understanding of the fundamentals of management. After finishing this degree, you can choose to pursue a four-year degree in a related field, where you may pick a specialization and learn topics in depth. Job prospects tend to be better the higher the degree you have.

The associate’s degree 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.

If you are busy but looking to go to school while still attending to your personal obligations, pursuing an associate’s degree in management online could be a great option. Distance learning can work really well for those who are motivated and independent learners. It is important 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. By pursuing your degree online, you would be able to log into the classroom portal from anywhere and anytime to complete required coursework and exams. Students can easily communicate with other students and their professors via chat platforms and email.

Common Associate’s in Management Curriculum

Enrolling in the management associate’s degree program will give you the opportunity to explore all different topics related to management on a fundamental level. Some classes you might take include but are not limited to:

  • Marketing
  • Economics
  • Decision-making
  • Starting & owning a business
  • Business administration
  • Office management
  • Financial management

Classes will vary depending on the school you enroll in, but this should give you a rough idea of what you can expect. In addition to classroom material, you will also develop important skills such as:

  • Managing teams
  • Managing financial resources
  • Creating a marketing plan
  • Hiring promising new employees
  • Being an effective communicator
  • Measuring and improving productivity

In addition to management related courses, you may also be required to take some electives and general education classes before graduating. These classes will help you develop a well-rounded foundation of knowledge that will be useful in understanding real-life situations and succeeding in your job in the future. Many of these general education course requirements can be waived if you took AP classes and passed their respective exams in high school. If this sounds like it might be you, we recommend checking with your college counselor to see which classes you might not have to retake.

The associate’s degree in management is a very well-rounded degree and you can be assured that you will learn everything you need to know about managing people and business, on a rudimentary level. Should you find passion in one specific area within management, you can pick a specialty/major at a four-year college to gain extra knowledge and credentials in that given field.

Associate’s in Management Careers

With the job market being so competitive, many students nowadays are not stopping at the associate’s level. Pursuing higher education gives candidates better chances at landing their dream job. Employers are much more likely to hire those who have more education and knowledge.

However, if you prefer to jump right into the workforce after receiving your associate’s, you definitely can. You can land an entry-level job and work your way up over the years with experience. The salary for the different jobs you could get will vary depending on location and work experience. For example, a retail manager might make around $42,000 a year. An entry-level office manager, on the other hand, will make closer to $41,000 a year. An administrative services manager generally makes around $60,000 a year.

With a bachelor’s degree in management, you can strive for higher level management positions or even make your own business and become the CEO. CEO’s can make six or even seven figure incomes depending on the success of the company. As you can see, the pay scale is very broad. The more education you have, the more choices you’ll have after graduating when it comes to jobs.

If being an entrepreneur is your goal, starting with an associate’s degree in management is a smart choice. Owning your own business can be really risky, but you’ll get a better idea of what to do and what not to do in school. This knowledge can come in really handy when you work for yourself and have nobody else to rely on. Being your own boss may sound like a lot of fun, but it also requires a lot of hard work and dedication!