Business and MBA Degrees
What is an online business degree or MBA?
Receiving a degree in business can open a path to a career in many fields. Whether you are looking to get an online MBA, management degree, or business analytics degree, you can find affordable online programs from top universities offered on Coursera.
A business degree can guide you toward a range of careers within the world of business, and can also prepare you for a career in adjacent fields. Of all bachelor’s and master’s degrees conferred in the 2017-18 academic year, the greatest number were conferred in business, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. A 2018 survey found that a majority of business school graduates felt that their graduate degrees advanced their careers at a faster rate than their peers. These alumni have also found jobs in a range of industries, including products and services, technology, and finance and accounting.
A Masters of Business Administration (MBA) is a graduate-level business management degree with a focus on leadership and managerial skills. By earning this degree, you can equip yourself with the skills and knowledge to accelerate your career in business environments, transition to new industries, or even launch your own businesses. An MBA degree program isn’t one-size-fits-all. Consider your lifestyle, career goals, and current employment situation to decide which program is right for you. (Learn more about common types of MBA degrees).
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Why get a business degree or MBA?
As you pursue your online business degree, you can learn a wide variety of business fundamentals, including economics, marketing, finance, strategy, organizational behavior, and accounting. Outside the core curriculum, you can typically customize your experience through concentrations or specializations, elective classes, and experiential learning opportunities with actual companies. This can help you develop the leadership skills necessary to run a business—and these skills transfer to many career paths.
Earn your degree from a top university.
Earn your business degree from leading universities around the globe without having to relocate or commute. You can change your entire career trajectory from your couch, all at your own pace.
Build job-ready business skills.
Gain a competitive edge in the workforce by developing your business and management skills, like strategy and operations, Microsoft Excel, digital marketing, project management, data analysis, blockchain, corporate accounting, and more.
Enhance your resume.
Choosing a major or specialization that aligns with your career goals can make it easier to achieve them. If you want to go into a data-heavy industry, a business analytics specialization may help show employers that your skill set matches their needs.
Level up your career.
According to the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), 77 percent of graduates felt their program prepared them for leadership positions, and 67 percent felt they had gained opportunities for quicker career advancement.
What do business students have to say?
Current students and graduates from top universities on Coursera share their experiences earning an online business degree.
“Getting my MBA makes me feel empowered. I don't need to stop working, I don't need to stop being a mother, I don't need to stop having my life.”
— Patricia Ribiero Peña
Master of Business Administration
“It makes me happy to know that I have a broader skill set and that, soon, I’ll have a degree that helps me to take my management skills anywhere.”
— Cheyney Coles
Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences
“We’re being taught skills that are sought after in today’s world. We live in a digital age and everything is about marketing a brand, so I think it will really benefit me in finding a good job.”
— Zaiba Hafesji
Bachelor of Science in MarketingFind helpful articles related to business degrees
You can earn your business degree online at almost every stage: associate, bachelor’s, and master’s.
Learn more about common business majors and the associated career paths graduates may decide to pursue.
Learn how an MBA specialization can enhance your business education.
Taking the time to consider how well the typical MBA outcomes align with your personal and career goals can help you determine whether it's the right time to pursue the degree.
Types of business degrees
Business ranks among the most common fields of study across the associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree levels. A business degree program can be general, providing a cross-functional overview of the way a business runs, or they can focus on one particular area of business, such as finance or marketing. If you want to learn more about business in a formal academic setting, there is likely a degree program that would be appropriate for your current education level.
For many in-demand business fields, a bachelor’s degree is the typical entry-level education. You can expect to graduate from your program with the knowledge and skills you need to get started in your chosen field.
Across all master’s degree programs, business is the most common field of study. Both a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Master of Science (MS) degree can offer a comprehensive graduate-level business education, however an MBA will provide an interdepartmental look at how businesses run, while an MS will provide a nuanced understanding of one particular area of business.
While curricula vary from school to school, here's a look at some courses you might see in an online business degree program:
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Frequently asked questions
A bachelor's degree in business is an undergraduate program that involves studying marketing, finance, accounting, management, economics, and entrepreneurship, among other subjects. It’s a well-rounded degree that emphasizes skills such as critical thinking, communication, innovation, and leadership, all of which can lead to versatile careers across many industries. Learn more about whether a business degree is worth it.
A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a graduate program in business and management that emphasizes leadership and managerial skills. In an MBA program, you'll learn fundamentals such as finance, marketing, and organizational behavior, while building skills in communication, leadership, and strategic thinking, among other areas. Learn more about why getting an MBA can be a worthwhile endeavor.
On Coursera, you’ll find online business degrees at both the undergraduate and graduate level. To figure out which one might be best for you, it helps to first understand why you want to earn a degree and what you hope to get out of your education.
Beyond your larger goals, consider what you’ll learn and how you’ll learn it, as those factors can be important when it comes to determining the best program for you. Take time to review the various business degree options on Coursera, paying particular attention to the “Academics” and “Student experience” sections for more information.