Earning a degree in business administration opens graduates up to career opportunities in every industry. All organizations need business administration professionals to oversee operations and keep an eye on the bottom line while developing strategies to make operations more efficient and effective.
A business administration degree is a smart first step toward launching many careers. For those interested in advancing their education, it’s important to know the difference between typical undergraduate and graduate degree options, such as online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Business Administration programs and online Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs.
Florida Institute of Technology offers both types of online degree programs — including many specialization options. The following is a look at similarities and differences between the two business education paths.
What Do Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and MBA Degree Programs Have in Common?
Both bachelor of arts in business administration and MBA programs attract students who want to learn about core business topics. Coursework typically covers subjects such as accounting, finance, micro- and macro-economics, marketing, and management:
- Finance: The planning and directing of an organization’s financial transactions and investments.
- Accounting: The recording and reporting of an organization’s financial transitions.
- Economics: Concepts such as microeconomics, being how decisions of individuals impact the market, and macroeconomics, being how the overall economy operates and the systems that drive it.
- Marketing: The different methods and multiple channels used to reach the target audience and raise brand awareness of a business, promote interest in specific products or services, and generate sales.
- Management: The area of business that incorporates various departmental functions of an organization, supervisory responsibilities and leadership practices to optimize operations for long-term success.
Another area focused on in both bachelor’s and master’s programs is developing soft skills, those being skills that are critical to success at all career levels. These include numerous important traits such as good communication skills (which include good listening skills), time management, networking, creative thinking, interpersonal skills, problem-solving and the ability to collaborate well with teams. Unlike learning hard skills, it takes time and patience to learn soft skills, but it’s worth the effort.
What Is a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration? Degree Program Features
A business-oriented bachelor’s degree program focuses on preparing high school graduates and adults seeking continuing education for advancement and success in a wide variety of professions. This type of program also provides students with the opportunity to pursue graduate-level business studies.
According to the most recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), business is the most popular major for bachelor’s degree students in the U.S. At Florida Tech, core business classes in BA in Business Administration programs include the following:
- Business Research Skills and Applications
- Business Plan Research
- Organizational Behavior and Development
- Global Business Perspectives
- Introduction to Microeconomics
- Introduction to Macroeconomics
- Business Computer Skills
- Principles of Accounting 1 and 2
- Finance for Managers
- Principles of Marketing
- Statistics
- Applied Decision Methods for Business
- Strategic Management
Bachelor’s degree programs also include a well-rounded curriculum with courses in the liberal arts and humanities. At Florida Tech, students take courses in communications, humanities, physical life sciences and social behavioral sciences. Students also select elective courses to tailor studies to their specific interests and professional aspirations.
Specialization Options for Prospective BA in Business Administration Programs
Aspiring business administration students have a variety of online BA program options from Florida Tech. Examples of online program specializations include:
- BA in Business Administration – Accounting
- BA in Business Administration – Healthcare Management
- BA in Business Administration – Management
- BA in Business Administration – Marketing
Features of MBA Programs
MBA programs are designed for those who hold a bachelor’s degree and want to take the next step in their business career. While students learn about business fundamentals in these programs, the lion share of MBA coursework focuses on developing the advanced skills and expertise that prepare graduates for leadership positions.
Some students enter an MBA program directly after earning a bachelor’s degree. However, the program also attracts those who hold an undergraduate degree and already have work experience in the business world. MBA programs may or may not require an undergraduate degree in business for admission. Some programs allow students with non-business undergraduate majors to enroll while requiring additional foundational and prerequisite coursework. Core coursework in MBA programs generally covers subjects such as the following:
- Business development
- Managerial economics
- Managerial accounting
- Financial management
- Organizational behavior
- Marketing management
- Management information systems
- Strategic management
Similar to undergraduate programs, MBA programs often offer several specialization options. As with the general focus of these graduate programs, MBA specialization coursework emphasizes preparing graduates for high-level leadership positions, customized to support a student’s career goals
Choosing Between BA vs MBA Programs to Prepare for Success and Versatility in Business Careers
Both the BA in business administration and MBA programs provide excellent educational opportunities for those with an interest in working in the lucrative world of business. Depending on where a student is in their educational journey and career, either program may provide the business skills and knowledge needed for success.
For aspiring professionals who already have some level of postsecondary education but have not completed a bachelor’s degree, the online design of Florida Tech’s BA in Business Administration programs offers a convenient and flexible path toward degree completion. Students can transfer up to 90 credits from previous collegiate experience, accelerating the path toward advancing their education and business career.
Learn more about the online BA in Business Administration programs from Florida Tech.
