Typical Business Education Degree Requirements
An online Associate degree in Business Education is a two-year degree that most students complete in three years or less. The degree typically consists of 60 to 65 credit hours of coursework divided between business education, teaching, and general education. Students can get this degree from a community college a four-year college or university, or from an online school, college, or university.
Find Your Online Business Education Program
A Bachelor’s of Science in Business Education program is a four-year degree that is the essential degree for opening a broad range of opportunities in the field of business education. The degree typically requires 120 to 125 semester hours of coursework. In the teaching occupations, there are usually requirements for student teaching or other supervised practical experience.
The Master’s Degree in Business Education is the level of education needed to qualify as an expert, participate in college-level instruction, and undertake leadership roles. The degree requires one or two years of study and many education programs require a dissertation or capstone project. A bachelor of science in business or a degree in a related field or other education programs is a prerequisite educational qualification.
Typical Business Education Certifications Needed
States require teachers in public schools to have a state-approved certification. The certification requires a bachelor’s from an accredited institution or attendance and graduation from a state-approved teacher preparation, course of study. Teachers must also pass a state-sponsored exam to test competence. The typical certification requirements are a bachelor’s in education, a period of student teaching, a criminal background check, and a passing score on the state teacher examination.
The teaching exams include a general knowledge testing and a general teaching competence assessment. In many states, the teacher must request specific certification in a type of teaching such as special education, Birth through age three, middle grades, secondary, or other classifications.
Academic Standards for a Business Education Degree
The business education curriculum must prepare knowledgeable graduates with a broad understanding of business. The below-listed subjects and course options are elements of a consensus on national standards for business education in the US.
- Accounting, Business Law, Communications
- Economics, Personal Finance Economics, and Personal Finance
- Entrepreneurship
- Information Technology
- International Business, Management, and Marketing
Exam/Experience Needed for a Business Education Degree
The prerequisites for taking a four-year degree in education or a business education program begin with completion of a high school level education. This can be by diploma or GED. Most schools use some type of admission criteria and use standardized test scores to help rate applicants. The standard tests include the undergraduate SAT, ACT, and the GRE for graduate study programs.
The schools typically establish personal fitness for the program by clearing the academic record for compliance with codes of conduct, school rules, and regulations.
Important Questions to Ask (FAQ)
How long does it take to earn a Business Education bachelor's degree online?
Students can earn a bachelor’s degree in four years or less with full-time attendance. Some schools offer a bachelor’s degree earned entirely online. In the case of business education, those that seek teaching credentials must perform student teaching and supervised practice at an affiliated institution or on-campus. Because many students maintain jobs or businesses while studying for the online bachelor’s degree, they will likely take longer than four years to complete the curriculum.
The trend across all degrees and types of institutions is towards a five to six-year range for a bachelor’s degree. If you attend part-time it can take even longer, but students that attend part-time online can accelerate their education programs with summer sessions and adding extra education courses when their schedules permit.
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How much does an online Business Education bachelor’s degree cost?
The costs of a four-year degree can vary depending on whether the school is public or private. If private, then the estimated range varies with in-state versus out-of-state rates. A general guideline and estimated set of ranges are as follows.
- Public school’s in-state four-year total is about $88,000
- Public school’s out of state four-year total is about $140,000
- Private school’s four-year total is about $190,000
A four-year degree from a brick-and-mortar school is often costlier than a degree from an online school. A recent estimate for the cost of a four-year bachelor's from an online school was set in the range of $45,000.
Does the school have the major(s) you’re considering?
Many schools offer business courses, and they offer education coursework. Students that want to specialize in business education must be sure that the school actually offers the specialization for a major in business education. A major is a field in which a student focus develops into a specialization. A minor is a second field that will have fewer courses than a full-blown major. In most schools, the student must commit to a major and this choice determines the requirements for graduation. The school assigns special faculty to the major coursework so that the student can get the maximum benefit of specialization.
Business education requires a thorough background in the basics of business with room for concentrations in one or more areas. The major requires training in teaching and communications. Business educators must be able to effectively equip students to enter a modern and technology-driven business environment.
If you’re uncertain whether or not you should major in business or education, you should contact your states teacher licensing board and ask if they have any specific requirements. You may be able to major education, with a minor in business. Or you might be able to major in business and then complete a teacher training program. Or, you might end up having to double major in business and education, finishing with two degrees. It all depends on the specifics of what your state requires.
How many students graduate “on time,” in four years?
Student graduation rates have an important impact on the learning experience. The costs of an education degree depends primarily on annual tuition, fees, and living costs. When students extend beyond the planned or on-time graduation dates, the costs are significant. Each additional year of education at a four-year institution adds about 25% to the costs of a four-year degree.
Public schools have a 35% on-time graduation rate with about 65% completion at the six-year point. A clear majority graduate within 150% of the on-time rate. Private schools enjoy a 53% on-time graduation rate. That figure rises to 68% at the six-year mark.
What kind of accreditation does the program hold? How is it regarded in the field?
Program accreditation is a powerful endorsement of the quality of education in any program. Business education can be housed within an Education Department or a Business department. Both business programs and education programs have highly respected programmatic accreditation agencies. These Department of Education-authorized organizations provide an assurance that the specialized business and education coursework meet the high standards for quality education.
For an Education major, you should look for accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Teach Preparation (CAEP). For business majors, you should look for program accreditation from The Accreditation Council for Collegiate Business Schools (ACCBS).
Professional Business Education Organizations
NBEA
National Business Education Association
The National Business Education Association (NBEA) is a national membership organization that serves groups and individuals engaged in disseminating information about business. The NBEA represents educators, administrators, researchers, and other participating groups. It forms a bridge between the private and public sectors on subjects concerning the role of business education. The NBEA promotes the recognition of business educators and their valuable competencies. Business education works for everyone and business education competencies play an important role for everyone in today’s fast-changing business and work environments. Students can take advantage of the educational resources and up to date professional information. The NBEA conferences and conventions are excellent venues and opportunities for networking.
AACSB
The Association for the Advancement of Colleges of Business Education
The Association for the Advancement of Colleges of Business Education is the leading accreditation agency for business education. This international organization provides a widely accepted symbol of quality business education. Membership in this organization can promote professional development including participation in research and accreditation task force studies. Students can use AACSB resources when selecting business schools and programs. During and after graduation, students can benefit from information and educational resources at AACSB.
NEA
National Education Association
National Education Association has more than 3 million members and chapters in every state. The NEA has a dynamic communications platform using print and digital media to inform members and develop cohesive action plans. Educators will find helpful educational resources for teacher development and teaching. NEA has a broader reach than business education as it embraces all forms and levels of public education. Students in business education will benefit from exposure to the issues confronting educators in general and the educational resources at the NEA.
AFT
American Federation of Teachers
This advocacy organization deals with public policy on education, and it includes but is not limited to business education at all levels of instruction. AFT promotes the teaching profession and greater recognition and rewards for teachers at all levels and in all disciplines. Students that wish to promote active engagement in public policy will benefit from membership and participation in the AFT.
NABTE
The National Association for Business Teacher Education
This organization is the institutional division of the NBEA. The NABTE promotes business teacher education. NABTE provides industry leadership and member services. The members include individuals and organizations engaged in teaching business education at various levels of education and business. NABTE restricts membership to institutions having curriculums that have the approval of their state education agency. The NABTE focuses on improving undergraduate and graduate business teaching programs and developing high standards for teacher certification. Students can benefit from information and resources at NABTE for their leadership in certification and college education for business teachers and business education professionals.