How to Become a Business Administrator in Wyoming

Online Associate Degree in Business Administration (AS or A.B.A.)

Associate degrees in business administration typically consist of 60 credit hours of coursework that takes full-time students approximately two years to complete. At this level, students usually have both general liberal arts and major-specific class requirements. In addition to basic math, composition, and sociology, those enrolled can expect to learn about various management principles and business-oriented theories. It’s important to realize that these programs typically provide an introduction to the field and higher education as a whole but may not be sufficient for obtaining many popular business and finance jobs.

This type of degree is optimal for those seeking entry-level employment as soon as possible with minimal financial investment. As associate programs are usually offered by community colleges that charge lower tuition rates than traditional academic institutions, it’s often possible to obtain the knowledge and skills needed for these positions without substantial student loans.

While opportunities vary, graduates may qualify for jobs in management and administration roles within private, public, and non-profit organizations. Other commonly available professions include management trainer, project assistance, office manager, sales representative, and technology specialist. Additionally, it may be possible to find work in other fields.

A popular alternative to applying for jobs right away, however, is pursuing further education. Associate degrees provide a strong academic foundation that can be extremely beneficial at higher levels. Graduates are often admitted to bachelor’s degree programs and, in many cases, may have previously earned credits applied towards new requirements. Most colleges and universities accept up to 60 or 90 transfer credits, which is the equivalent of two to three years of classes. As a result, those with associate degrees generally need only additional years of instruction before graduating with bachelor’s degrees.

Online Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration (BS or B.S.B.A.)

Bachelor’s degrees in business administration generally consist of 120 credit hours of coursework that takes full-time students approximately four years to complete. As with most undergraduate programs, they are also comprised of both general liberal arts and major-specific classes. While many requirements are similar to those at the associate-level, students can expect to gain a more expansive understanding of the field. Students typically learn about various business and management tools, as well as helpful concepts in finance and technology.

In addition to selecting business administration as a major, many four-year colleges and universities encourage students to designate concentrations in related subfields. Doing this often enhances learning opportunities, allowing those enrolled to explore particular areas of study more extensively and develop expertise that may make it easier to obtain desired employment. The most common concentrations for business administration majors are accounting, computer information systems, finance, and marketing.

This type of degree is generally considered the education standard for the field. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, most related occupations require candidates to have completed bachelor’s programs. Graduates often possess the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in business and finance positions across many different industries. They also tend to have more job opportunities and earn higher wages than those with less education. Some of the most common employment options include accountant, auditor, budget analyst, cost estimator, and human resource specialist, though a bachelor’s degree may also allow these workers to move into supervisory positions once they have gained some experience in their field.

Graduates may also benefit from enrolling in master’s degree programs, which can lead to even greater opportunities and pay potential. Applicants to graduate school must possess bachelor’s degrees, as well as meet minimum grade point average (GPA) and Graduate Examination Record (GRE) score requirements.

Online Master's Degree in Business Administration (MS or MBA)

Master’s degrees in business administration generally consist of around 60 credit hours of coursework that takes full-time students approximately two years to complete. This is the most popular graduate degree in the United States for business professionals who are looking to boost their resume or move into management.

Unlike undergraduate programs, MBAs do not require students to take general liberal arts classes. Instead, those enrolled focus their studies solely on topics related to business, finance, and leadership. While some subjects may be repeated, the content is generally considered in far greater depth. The result is a much greater understanding of functional business and organization operations.

This type of degree is ideal for those seeking professional opportunities in leadership and management. Earning one can drastically increase employment opportunities, salary potential, marketability, career mobility, and job security. Graduates are often selected for supervisory positions, with some of the most common employment opportunities including information technology manager, financial manager, industrial production manager, and management analyst.