Business administration degrees are offered in four formats: associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctorate. An associate's degree usually requires individuals to complete two years and 60 semester credits. Bachelor's degrees require four years and 120 semester hours for completion. Master's degrees vary between two- and three-year program formats and 30 to 60 semester credits. Doctoral business administration degrees may be earned as a doctorate in business administration or a Ph.D. in business administration; these programs vary based on the institution offering the degree.
Business administration programs include a variety of course work regarding various business topics and information. Subject matter often includes accounting, economics, finance, marketing, international business, management theory, business information systems and general business theory. Undergraduate business degrees present these courses as a basic overview of each topic, while graduate degrees delve into deeper business theory and establish new business principles.
Educational institutions often allow individuals to choose a specialization for the business administration degree that allows individuals to focus on specific business concepts or career fields. Common specializations include accounting, finance, economics, marketing, international business or management information systems. While a specialization often adds courses and semester hours to the degree, it allows individuals to learn about specific business concepts and can help prepare them for a future career.
Many professional certifications require individuals to have some form of formal education to meet certification's requirements. Professional certifications with formal degree requirements include the certified public accountant (CPA) license, certified financial manager (CFM), certified manager and professional of human resources, among others. The organizations offering certifications often require a business administration degree to ensure that individuals have the proper background and understanding of business concepts.
Individuals may decide to pursue informal education rather than a traditional college degree. Informal education includes business seminars, technical training events, Internet websites and researching information through the local chamber of commerce or Small Business Administration (SBA) office. These informal resources allow individuals to learn various business topics will still working a full-time job. These resources may also provide small business owners with detailed information regarding the local economic market.