Why pursue a BBA?

A degree may open the door to a variety of opportunities and diverse career paths. The degree programs offered at AIU will not necessarily lead to the featured careers. This collection of articles is intended to help inform and guide you through the process of determining which level of degree and types of certifications align with your desired career path.

If you're pursuing higher education, deciding on a degree program to help achieve future goals is a significant decision. Furthermore, if you're interested in entering the business field, researching available Bachelor of Business Administration programs may be beneficial. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports that, as of 2017, business degrees were most popular among graduates at the bachelor's level.¹

So, how might a Bachelor of Business Administration degree impact your career path?

What is a BBA Degree?

A Bachelor of Business Administration degree is designed to introduce students to foundational concepts and practices in the modern business world and to help them prepare for the unique challenges of management and administration roles. Courses and learning experiences differ from program to program; however, a Bachelor of Business Administration program may cover business ethics, theories of management, economics, marketing and financial management. Various programs may also offer degree specializations that allow students to focus their studies in a particular field or area of business, such as marketing, finance and HR management.

A Bachelor of Business Administration May Help Graduates Highlight Their Skills for the Job Market

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers' Job Outlook 2017, 72.3% of employers surveyed said they planned to hire graduates with a business degree from the 2017 academic class. Of all major degrees included in the report, business degrees were second in demand only to engineering.¹

While a degree doesn't guarantee you a job in your field of study, it may be helpful when considering different programs and current employer demand.

Business Administration Degrees Can Be Useful When Changing Careers

At some point, you may find yourself looking for a career change. A Bachelor of Business Administration degree, which can be pursued through an online bachelor's program, may offer the flexibility you need to pursue a degree more reflective of your professional goals and strengths as you continue working to maintain your current salary and benefits.

Certain programs offer the option to put qualifying work experience to use in the form of prior learning credits. If you're considering a business degree to better position yourself to move forward, the opportunity to leverage existing skills and experience toward your degree can be valuable.

Additionally, the courses offered in a Bachelor of Business Administration program may help you hone your business skills to either pursue advancement opportunities in your current field or switch career fields.

The Bachelor of Business Administration is Versatile

One advantage to pursuing a business degree is that it’s designed to help graduates prepare for work in a variety of industries. Additionally, the fundamentals of a business degree program can translate to management and administration. Therefore, a Bachelor of Business Administration degree may be ideal if you want to move forward on your current path yet want the flexibility to change industries or careers if you decide to do so in the future.

Also, depending on the specializations offered within a particular business program, you may be able to tailor your experience to the knowledge areas and skills you need most. For instance, if you've spent time working in IT and realize you'd like to pursue a management position, a specialization in technology management may help you develop your current knowledge of IT systems and other business technology while creating a foundation for basic management and administrative responsibilities.

Make Sure to Check a Program's Accreditation Status

When looking into a Bachelor of Business Administration program, make sure the program is programmatically accredited by an institution such as the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) or a comparable accrediting agency. For example, the business programs at American InterContinental University are Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs accredited. ACBSP accreditation certifies that the program meets rigorous quality standards deemed necessary by the industry.

1. “Job Outlook: The Degrees and Majors Most in Demand.” National Association of Colleges and Employers. Retrieved from: http://www.naceweb.org/job-market/trends-and-predictions/job-outlook-the-degrees-and-majors-most-in-demand/ (Visited 10/11/18).

American InterContinental University cannot guarantee employment or salary. For important information about the educational debt, earnings, and completion rates of students who attended these programs, go to www.aiuniv.edu/disclosures.
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