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The Different Types of Bachelor of Business Administration Degrees

Written by James Mielke
Published on February 1, 2023 · Updated on March 23, 2023

The Different Types of Bachelor of Business Administration Degrees

Written by James Mielke
Published on February 1, 2023 · Updated on March 23, 2023

Earning a bachelor’s in business administration (BBA) degree supplies students with foundational and practical knowledge that applies to seemingly endless career options. As a result, it’s no surprise that business degrees rank as one of the most popular academic paths for undergraduates. This popularity makes sense considering that the median salary for business and financial occupations exceeds $70,000 annually.

For the business-minded student, a BBA degree is more than just a static curriculum of foundational courses—most programs provide learners with the opportunity to select a focused specialization mirroring their career goals. 

In the following guide, we highlight those specializations and explore what these academic concentrations have to offer. Continue reading as we explore popular business degree concentrations and see what they can do for you.

What to Know About BBA Degrees

Students enrolling in a BBA program often boast strong analytical skills and are usually comfortable completing math-heavy coursework. Students complete 120 credits before graduation through a curriculum encompassing general education, business, and elective classes, whether online or on-campus. While requirements vary between specific programs, BBA students typically complete between 40-60 credits of business-related courses.

While online BBA degrees utilize the same curriculum as on-campus programs, distance learners can take advantage of flexible digital delivery, completing academic requirements at their own pace. Online options are often a convenient fit for working students needing to balance personal, professional, and academic obligations.

Continue reading to review some of the most popular business degree specializations.

Types of BBA Degrees

This popular concentration offers students a strong business foundation while underscoring how management principles play in a real-world context. Students explore current marketing and operations management practices while grappling with topics like personnel selections, performance evaluation, and brand management.
A marketing concentration examines fundamental marketing principles while supplying business students with the skills needed to plan, execute, and evaluate marketing strategies. Standard marketing classes include public relations, consumer behavior, advertising and promotion management, and marketing campaigns and strategic planning.
For individuals planning on starting their own business, an entrepreneurship track offers students the practical tools they need to create, manage, and lead future businesses. Standard entrepreneurship classes include topics like risk management, team leadership, and contracts and procurement.
Often leading to lucrative HR positions, a human resource management specialization takes an industry-focused approach to topics spanning from conflict resolution to human asset management. Standard coursework includes classes like employment and labor law; personnel and organization policy; and employee recruitment and selection.
A business degree specializing in operations management introduces students to the complex world of manufacturing and supply chains while negotiating personnel and labor relations. In addition to core business classes, degree-seekers tackle courses like industrial labor relations, cost control management, and strategic manufacturing policy.
Future management leaders may find a comfortable home with a BBA in project management. Confronted in the classroom with real-world project management issues, students learn to lead groups while developing project plans that consider risk, personnel, and cost. Standard classes include team leadership, managing project risks, and project cost and time management.
Supply chain management students are introduced to the complexities of a product’s life-cycle from manufacturing to its distribution. Standard classes include manufacturing planning and control, distribution institutions and logistics, and logistics and transportation. Degree-seekers also consider elements like international trade, labor laws, and environmental issues.
For students interested in a global perspective, an international business concentration introduces global financial markets, international trade, and international marketing. In addition to understanding contemporary issues in global business, degree-seekers also explore how to manage an operation that stretches across political borders. 
Number-crunching students should feel at home in a BBA degree with a finance focus. Covering specialized topics spanning from investments to international finance, this concentration introduces the ways finance and accounting assist in solving complex business problems. Alongside core business courses, students tackle classes like budgeting, financial analysis, and asset and debt management.
Preparing students for a long list of healthcare-related careers, graduates take on jobs in healthcare information management, billing operations, and health insurance. These BBA students learn to manage non-medical healthcare professionals while creatively addressing ethical, legal, and financial issues. Alongside foundational business classes, degree-seekers complete courses like global aspects of healthcare, healthcare accounting, and global aspects of healthcare.

Which BBA Specializations Has the Highest Salary?

Salaries for BBA graduates can vary significantly. Factors like experience, where you work, and the specific company all influence how much you earn. Even though there’s no hard-and-fast path toward topping out your earning potential, particular careers in the business world tend to pay more than others.

As a general rule, management roles tend to pay the most. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, marketing managers, financial managers, sales managers, and human resources managers top the list. While most of these professional roles require several years of experience, the typical education required is a bachelor’s degree.

For recent graduates not armed with the requisite experience, common entry-level roles include market research analyst, financial analyst, and human resources specialist. Financial analysts earn the most of these three, but all three boast a median salary exceeding $60,000 per year.

Should I Earn My BBA Online?

Online degrees have become increasingly popular academic options, especially for working students. These flexible and affordable options often utilize an online platform that allows students to complete class requirements at their own pace. Many of the best online programs utilize online discussions, group projects, and live lectures to mimic the on-campus experience.

And while an online program may seem like a practical choice, some students tend to thrive within the traditional on-campus experience. For the student who performs best when held accountable by classmates and instructors, a self-guided, online degree might not be a good fit. When in doubt, reach out to admission counselors and inquire if online learning is right for you. 

Whether students choose to enroll online or on-campus, they can expect to complete the same classes, meet the same requirements, and ultimately earn the same degree. 

Types of BBAs FAQ

  • How Many Types of BBA Specializations Exist?
    • From accounting and finance to project management and healthcare administration, students have access to BBA specializations that meet their academic and professional interests. Students often have the chance to investigate various business topics before selecting a concentration.
  • What BBA Concentration Is the Best?
    • The best BBA concentration is the one that fits the particular academic need and professional goals of a student. The BBA student interested in leadership roles could enroll in management classes. At the same time, a degree-seeker planning on starting a business might consider an entrepreneurship specialization. 
  • Is a Bachelor’s in Business Administration a Good Major?
    • Earning a BBA degree is a practical way to enter various careers. BBA graduates leave college armed with readily applicable skills in topics like accounting, economics, and leadership. Whether they’re interested in non-profits, for-profits, or public service, business skills translate seamlessly to any sector of the economy.
  • Is a BBA Degree Challenging?
    • For a student inclined towards the arts and humanities, a BBA degree could be challenging. That said, for the driven student interested in the business world, any academic rigor is just part of the academic process. Additionally, the best schools provide ample resources to ensure that students perform their best, even when facing challenging material.
  • How Long Does it Take to Earn a BBA Degree?
    • The vast majority of schools structure their BBA programs to fit a four-year timeline. That said, students transferring with ample credits can often complete their degree in considerably less time. Additionally, less than half of students complete their degree in four years or fewer.

 

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