What can you do with a business administration degree?

Getting a business degree with a concentration in business administration is designed to cover the foundations of several aspects of business. So, what can you do with a business administration degree?

What is a business administration degree?

Unlike a business management degree, which focuses more on the management of employees, projects, operations and processes, a business administration degree is one of the more technical business majors, focusing on the administrative and leadership skills necessary to develop and oversee an entire business, as opposed to managing a particular area of business. You can use this degree as a building block for a career in several industries.

If you’re interested in different aspects of business, are highly organized and recognize the value of a hands-on, well-rounded knowledge base rather than a single specialty, then a degree in business administration may be right for you.  

A business administration program prepares aspiring business professionals for the everyday administrative needs of a business. This includes:

• Finances and accounting
• Project management
• Human resources and personnel management
• General administration
• Marketing and market research
• Business information and technology

Soft skills you might learn include cross-department communication, problem-solving and critical thinking. 

You can pursue this degree at a traditional university, or you can pursue your degree online. Both have pros and cons. At a traditional university, you’ll enjoy social opportunities such as in-person instruction and networking. At an online school, you can benefit from a flexible schedule to help better manage school with work and life responsibilities.

With this degree, you can also pursue special interests, such as research and analysis, or cultivate a well-rounded approach to business administration. Advanced opportunities help prepare you to explore new ways to be challenged in this field. 

Once you’ve decided on how you’d like to pursue your degree in business administration, you can start researching schools that offer the program you seek. Review the entry requirements carefully, especially if pursuing an advanced degree like an MBA or DBA.

Bachelor of Science in Business (BSB) 

The foundation for most business professionals is a Bachelor of Science in Business (BSB) program.  It can prepare students for leadership roles in various industries. This degree program touches on many aspects of successfully leading people and processes.

A BSB program requires study in a core sequence of business courses that include accounting, economics and management. It may also include several critical general education courses that include things like health and wellness, English composition and environmental science.

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

A typical Master of Business Administration (MBA) program includes courses that teach finance, data analysis, business analytics, operations, and other areas of business administration. Online MBA programs can offer practical value to busy professionals. 

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

A Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program typically focuses on developing leadership theory and transforming businesses. Earning a DBA usually requires 54 credits and the completion of a dissertation .

Core courses for a DBA program might include leadership theory, research and design, critical thinking, marketing, and customer relations.

How long does it take to get a business administration degree?

Program length can vary. Bachelor’s degrees in business administration typically take four years or 120 credits. An MBA typically requires an additional 33 credits, depending on the requirements.

Eligible transfer credits  can help shorten the time it takes to obtain your degree as well as the courses you must take while completing your studies. You might also pursue certificates that align with employer-desired skills, such as analytics, project management and human resources.

An online MBA program often involves taking one course at a time, structured for individuals already balancing work and family life. Some online schools enable you to earn your MBA in as little as 16 months.

The versatile nature of a business administration degree means graduates can consider several management career paths  across various industries. If you’re unsure which industry or facet of business to go into, you might consider pursuing certificates or internships that align with your interests. These can act as an introduction to different business administration careers.

Below are a few examples of what you can do with a business administration degree. Remember: Some business roles require a BSB while others are only accessible to those with an MBA or a DBA. 

Business manager

Overview: Business managers  are typically responsible for overseeing a specific department or division within a company. They are often involved in strategic planning and goal-setting for their area of responsibility, and they work closely with employees to ensure goals are met. Duties may include managing budgets, implementing policies, coordinating operations and evaluating performance.

National salary range: Business managers have a similar salary range to general managers. As of May 2023, these professionals earned between $46,340 and $232,110 , with a median wage of $101,290, according to BLS. It largely depends on the type of company and the responsibilities a manager holds.

Education requirements: Many general managers have a combination of experience and education, especially when promoted from within. Most companies request that the manager have a bachelor’s degree that relates to their field.

Job outlook: BLS reports that the overall job outlook for management occupations is projected to grow faster  than the average for all occupations from 2022 to 2032. 

Salary ranges are not specific to students or graduates of University of Phoenix. Actual outcomes vary based on multiple factors, including prior work experience, geographic location and other factors specific to the individual. University of Phoenix does not guarantee employment, salary level or career advancement. BLS data is geographically based. Information for a specific state/city can be researched on the BLS website.

BLS Occupational Employment Projections, 2022-2032 is published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects BLS’ projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to University of Phoenix students or graduates.

Store manager

Overview: As a subset of sales managers, store managers  typically oversee the operations of a retail store. Store managers recruit staff, manage payroll, train sales team members and dictate the visual appearance of merchandise in the store.

National salary range: The salary range for sales managers can vary significantly based on the store’s location and size. As of May 2023, sales managers earned between $63,700 and $239,200 , with a median wage of $135,160, according to BLS.

Education requirements: Many companies do not require their store managers  to have a bachelor’s degree, although it can help. Business degrees — including the BSB — are a common option, although some companies are open to candidates having any bachelor’s degree.

Job outlook: Sales management roles — including store managers — are projected to increase by 4% between 2022 to 2032,  about as fast as all other occupations. That equates to roughly 43,200 openings each year over the next decade, according to BLS.

General manager (GM) and operational manager

Overview: General and operational managers  often have a diverse set of duties that may be difficult to classify. Their responsibilities can include creating policy, directing operations or planning for human resources or materials. General managers can work in different sectors, from offices and corporate settings to retail.

National salary range: As of May 2023, these professionals earned between $46,340 and $232,110 , with a median wage of $101,290, according to BLS.

Education requirements: Much like salaries, education requirements for GM roles vary . Some companies require their managers to have bachelor’s or master’s degrees in areas related to their field.

Like general managers, operational managers’ education levels can vary based on the organization they work for. Many organizations require top executives — including operational managers — to have MBAs.

Job outlook: BLS estimates a 4% increase in the number of general manager and operational manager jobs available from 2022 to 2032, or 147,300 positions.

Executive director and operations director

Overview: Executive directors are among the highest-paid individuals at a company, and for good reason. Executive directors manage operations at the highest level, ensuring the organization meets its shareholder and business responsibilities.

Operations directors sometimes fulfill many of the same obligations as executive directors. Their primary goal is to develop, improve and implement plans to meet their organizational goals. In some companies, this job might have the title of chief operations officer (COO).

National salary range: Chief executives and operations directors also have a wide salary range, owing to the differences between organizations. As of May 2023, top executives earned between $80,000 and $239,200 , with a median wage of $206,680, according to BLS.

Education requirements: Public sector executives may have bachelor’s degrees in areas like business administration, public administration, liberal arts or law. Top executives at large corporations typically have an MBA. Some high-performing executive directors and college presidents  go the extra mile and earn a DBA.

Job outlook: BLS reports that the overall employment for top executives is projected to grow by 3%  between 2022 and 2032. 

How to find a job in business administration

When looking for jobs that will suit your degree, you may want to search for the specific tasks you want to do instead of “business administration jobs.” Because “business administration” is such a broad term that covers a lot of possible careers, searching instead for the experience or role you’d like to have — such as “executive assistant” or “resource manager” — will likely result in the postings you are interested in.

Many schools also offer career services to their students at no extra charge. Such services can be a resource for learning how to write a resumé, gleaning interview tips and understanding how to apply for jobs. 

A business administration degree can help prepare for career opportunities across a spectrum of organizations and fields. University of Phoenix offers many business degrees and certificate programs , including these in business administration:

• Bachelor of Science in Business (BSB) 
• Master of Science in Business (MBA) 
• Competency-Based MBA 
• Health Administration MBA 
• Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) 

Need more information? Contact University of Phoenix .