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Capella University
225 South Sixth Street
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402
www.capella.edu
Offers online bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees in business and management.

Colorado Tech Online
4435 North Chestnut Street
Suite E
Colorado Springs, CO 80907
1-800-416-8904
www.ctuonline.edu
Offers online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in business administration and management.

Walden University
650 S. Exeter St.
Baltimore, MD 21202
www.waldenu.edu
Offers online bachelor’s, MBA and Ph.D. degrees in business management and administration.

University of Phoenix
3157 E. Elwood St.
Phoenix, AZ 85034
866.766.0766
www.phoenix.edu
Offers online bachelor’s degree and MBA degree programs in business.

Kaplan University
888 7th Avenue
New York, NY 10106
212-492-5800
www.kaplan.edu
Offers online associate degree, bachelor degree and certificate programs in business.

Top Undergraduate Business Schools

Wharton-University of Pennsylvania
The Office of Undergraduate Admissions
University of Pennsylvania
1 College Hall
3730 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104.6376
1.215.898.7507

Office of MBA Admissions and Financial Aid
The Wharton School
University of Pennsylvania
420 Jon M. Searchsman Hall
3730 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104.6340

Wharton Doctoral Programs
University of Pennsylvania
1150 Steinberg Hall-Dietrich Hall
3620 Locust Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19104.6302
www.wharton.upenn.edu
Well known for teaching methods that are considered to be innovative as well as for offering a wide variety of undergraduate level academic programs, Wharton is the home of the largest business faculty in the country.

McCombs-University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin
P.O. Box 7337
Austin, TX 78713-7337
Phone: (512) 471-5893
Fax: (512) 471-0853
www.mccombs.utexas.edu
McCombs has developed a strong reputation for a well-rounded curriculum as well as excellent faculty. McCombs also offers a wide range of internship programs and student organizations.

Haas-University of California at Berkeley
Haas School of Business
545 Student Services #1900
2220 Piedmont Avenue
University of California at Berkeley
Berkeley, CA 94720-1900
www.haas.berkeley.edu
The Haas School of Business offers degrees with a perspective that focuses on general management. This unique program is carefully interwoven with the liberal arts program, providing students with an opportunity to gain an in-depth look into business management.

Sloan-Massachusetts Institute of Technology
50 Memorial Drive
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142
United States
Tel: 617-253-2659
http://mitsloan.mit.edu/
The core of the program offered at Sloan is research. The curriculum here is designed to prepare students for jobs that are technology based and strong in managerial decision making.

Ross-University of Michigan
Stephen M. Ross School of Business
University of Michigan
Office of Admissions
701 Tappan Street, Room D2260
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
http://www.bus.umich.edu
The Stephen M. Ross School of Business is well known for providing a curriculum that prepares students to enter a host of different management positions. The school is also well known for offering excellent resources, including career development programs and an outstanding library.

After you have narrowed down the type of degree that you wish to pursue, the next step is to determine whether an online or campus based program is the right option for your situation and needs. Both options offer advantages as well as disadvantages, so it is important to carefully weigh both.

First, let’s take a look at online colleges.

Advantages of Online Business Schools

An online school offers the opportunity to gain an education within a method that is much more flexible than campus-based colleges. Studying within an online college environment typically involves online tutorials, web casts and online tests. The great benefit to this option is that if you do not quite understand the material the first time, you have the ability to go back over it quite easily until you are sure that you have mastered it. Students are able to take control of the pace at which they study. In addition, there is also the opportunity to pursue a degree while working full-time, while traveling as well as while caring for a family. Just a few of the reasons that many people choose an online school are family commitments, geographic isolation and disability.

Online schools can also be quite cost-effective for students, which can be a tremendous benefit for students who are also working and/or who live some distance from a regular campus-based school. Not only will students find that many online schools offer lower fees than many campus based schools, but there is also the opportunity to save transportation costs as well.

Advantages of Campus-Based Schools

Campus-based colleges also offer advantages that should not be overlooked. These traditional programs are widely recognized for their ability to offer excellent socialization opportunities as well as the opportunity to learn within a group. They are quite structured and are excellent for students who feel they are not able to function well in a setting that requires individual discipline. An instructor is almost always on-site to physically assist with any problems that may be encountered. This type of program also offers excellent networking opportunities, which can be a big advantage within the field of business.

The type of degree that you decide to earn will depend upon your interests as well as your goals and qualifications. There exists a wide array of different individual course options. It is important to consider that a large number of business degree programs will emphasize one specific function such as communications, e-commerce or management. There are also business degree options that are broader in nature.

Associate’s Degrees in Business

An associate degree in business is the ideal option for an individual who has not yet decided to commit themselves fully to a bachelor’s degree in business or business administration. Students are provided with a solid foundation for further coursework in the field of business through an associate’s degree in business. This degree does provide the opportunity to enhance future career options as well as provide the opportunity for credits to be applied to a bachelor’s degree in business, if you decide to pursue such a degree in the future.

Depending on the program, an associate’s degree in business can typically be completed within about two years. Both campus-based colleges as well as online colleges offer associate’s degrees in business.

Bachelor’s Degrees in Business

Generally, most entry-level business careers require a bachelor’s degree in business or business administration as a minimum requirement. Students with a bachelor’s of business administration, or BBA, will receive the preparation they need to pursue a wide array of different entry-level positions in fields such as financial services, accounting, personnel resources, economics and sales and marketing.

Students who are already employed in such fields and who wish to advance their careers or those who would like to change from a different career to one of these fields may find that an online business administration degree could be the right choice. These types of programs are specifically designed for working adults. There are even some colleges that will award college credit toward your degree based on work experience or previous coursework.

Generally, a bachelor’s in business degree will require most students, who attend full-time, about four years to complete the degree. Some students who are able to take a heavier course load may be able to complete their degrees within a slightly shorter time-frame, while other students may find that it takes five years or even longer, depending on their individual schedules.

Master’s Degrees in Business

There are several different master’s degrees in business as well as business administration which are available to students in different areas of specialization. These degrees offer the opportunity to greatly enhance one’s career; providing opportunity for advancement as well as increased earning potential. A Master’s of Business Administration or MBA program is a popular choice. This program does often entail admission requirements that are more rigid than other types of master’s level business degrees. This is particularly true for business schools that are considered to be high-profile. Keep in mind that a MBA is not a universal requirement for advancing your career, but when an employer requires a broader range of knowledge, this type of degree may be preferred.

Most MBA programs require a bachelor’s degree as an entrance requirement along with business experience that is proven. One of the advantages to many such programs is that they are self-directed. This gives you the opportunity to select the types of courses that you feel would benefit you and your future goals the most. Many MBA programs are designed especially for working professionals who are seeking to advance their careers into upper management levels.

MBA programs vary in length. Students who are able to attend full-time may be able to complete their program in just one year. Students who are also working and/or have families may find that it takes two years or longer to complete the program.

Doctorate Degrees in Business

The highest degree level that can be achieved in this field is the Doctor of Business Administration. Through this type of degree program you gain the chance to choose the courses as well as the electives that will customize your research within a specific topic. More and more Doctor of Business Administration degrees are being offered online; although, it is important to point out that a large number of programs typically do involve residencies. Such residencies, though brief, provide a chance for students to confer with professors as well as interact with other doctoral students. Through the completion of a Doctor of Business Administration degree, students are usually able to achieve advanced leadership positions, consult or teach within their specific field.

The amount of time that is required to complete a doctorate in business will largely depend upon the schedule and needs of the students. Many students pursuing this type of advanced degree also work and have families. As a result, they are often not able to attend full-time. At a minimum, it typically takes about two years to complete this program.

Certificate Programs in Business

An undergraduate certificate is a good option when you wish to enhance your career or your education. Many working professionals choose this option when they feel the need to gain additional expertise within a particular area. These programs are self-contained and are typically short in duration. A certificate program can typically be completed with as few as 16 semester hours of credit. Certificate programs are commonly offered in fields such as accounting, e-commerce and marketing, just to name a few.