Online Business Administration Degrees: A Guide to Your Options and How to Choose
An online degree program in business administration gives you a structured way to build knowledge in accounting, finance, marketing, and management while keeping up with work and family. Options range from a 60-credit associate degree to a 36-credit Master of Business Administration (MBA).
Choosing comes down to where you are starting, which area of business you want to study in depth, and how a program runs week to week. Keep reading to see how the University of Arkansas Grantham structures its online business programs at each level.
Key Takeaways
- Business degrees stack: an associate degree can lead into a bachelor's degree, and a bachelor's degree is the entry point for a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
- A concentration lets you study one area, such as human resource management, or marketing in more depth.
- Compare accreditation, transfer credit policy, cost per credit hour, course structure, and student support before you apply.
- UA Grantham offers business administration programs at the associate, bachelor's, and master's levels, all delivered 100% online in 8-week terms.
What Is an Online Business Administration Degree?
An online business administration degree is a college program that teaches how organizations plan, operate, and grow, delivered through online coursework. Most programs pair a business core with general education requirements. The business core usually spans accounting, finance, marketing, economics, business law, and management.
At UA Grantham, the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program core includes Financial Accounting, Business Communication, Business Law I, Organizational Behavior, Data Analytics, International Management, and Strategic Management. General education courses such as Macroeconomics and Strategies for Decision Making, which focuses on critical thinking and argument analysis, round out the degree.
What Types of Online Business Administration Degrees Are There?
Online business administration degrees come in three main levels: associate, bachelor's, and master's. Each level adds depth, credit hours, and room to specialize. Here is how UA Grantham's options compare.
| Degree | Total Credits | Time to Complete* | Cost per Credit |
| Associate of Arts in Business Administration and Management | 60 | 24 months | $305 |
| Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) | 120 | 38 months | $305 |
| Master of Business Administration (MBA) | 36 | 1-2 years | $365 |
*Time to completion is contingent upon continuous enrollment and maintaining satisfactory academic progress. The cost per credit hour does not reflect an additional $50 resource fee.
Associate Degree
An associate degree builds a foundation in business basics. The Associate of Arts in Business Administration and Management pairs 24 program core credits with 36 general education credits. Core courses include Principles of Business Management, Foundations of Marketing, and Financial Accounting. It works best as a steppingstone into a bachelor's degree. For a side-by-side look, see Associate vs. Bachelor's in Business Administration.
Bachelor's Degree
A bachelor's degree adds advanced coursework and the chance to specialize. Some schools offer a BS in business administration or an online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA), while others offer a Bachelor of Business Administration. UA Grantham's Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) combines 36 general education credits, 66 program core credits, and an 18-credit concentration, for 120 total credit hours.
Master's Degree
A master's degree enhances leadership, analysis, and strategy skills for students who already hold a bachelor's degree. UA Grantham's 36-credit Master of Business Administration (MBA) comes in a traditional format and an Accelerated Master of Business Administration (MBA). Students can also choose an MBA with a concentration in Project Management. The accelerated format pairs two classes in each 8-week term, making a one-year finish possible.
Not sure which level fits your background? Request info to talk through your options with an admissions representative.
Choosing a Business Administration Concentration
A concentration focuses the final part of a bachelor's degree on one area of business. At UA Grantham, Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) students complete the same program core and then choose a concentration of six 3-credit courses. Current options include:
- Business Administration (BBA) General Management Concentration: labor relations, marketing analysis, quality management, and performance management.
- Business Administration (BBA) Human Resource Management Concentration: employment law, compensation, labor relations, and developing human resources.
- Business Administration (BBA) Logistics and Supply Chain Management Concentration: logistics, transportation, global logistics, and supply chain management.
- Business Administration (BBA) Marketing Concentration: web analytics, marketing communications, digital media, and public relations.
Every concentration shares the same core, so you still study finance, accounting, entrepreneurship, and project management.
How to Choose a Business Admin Degree Online
The right business admin degree online is accredited, accepts your prior credits, fits your budget, and runs on a schedule you can keep. Use these five checks to compare programs.
Accreditation
Confirm the school holds accreditation from an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. University of Arkansas Grantham is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), which is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency.
Transfer Credits
Prior college work can shorten your path to degree completion. UA Grantham accepts up to 75% of an undergraduate program in transfer credits.
Cost per Credit Hour and Financial Aid
Compare the cost per credit hour, not just the total price. UA Grantham's business programs run $305 per credit at the associate and bachelor's levels and $365 per credit for the Master of Business Administration (MBA), plus a $50 per credit hour resource fee, with a no-cost application. Eligible students can also apply for federal financial aid through the FAFSA.
Course Structure
Online does not always mean self-paced. UA Grantham courses run in 8-week terms with weekly assignment due dates, and new terms start every month.
Student Support
Look for academic advising and tutoring built into the program. UA Grantham students work with a dedicated Student Advisor from orientation to graduation. Degree-seeking students also get four hours of tutoring each month at no cost.
Take the Next Step Toward Your Business Administration Degree
Start with the degree that matches where you are today, then pick the concentration or Master of Business Administration (MBA) track that fits your goals. Request info to ask questions, or apply now at no cost to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Earn a Business Admin Degree Online?
Yes. Accredited universities offer a business admin degree online at the associate, bachelor's, and master's levels. At University of Arkansas Grantham, every business administration program is delivered 100% online in 8-week terms with weekly deadlines.
Is a BA or BS Better for Business Administration?
Neither is better across the board. A BA in business typically adds more humanities coursework, while a BS or BSBA usually leans more quantitative. UA Grantham's Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) centers on a broad business core plus a concentration.
How Long Is a Bachelor's Degree in Business?
A bachelor's degree in business typically requires 120 credit hours, or about four years of full-time study. UA Grantham lists 38 months to complete its Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), contingent on continuous enrollment and satisfactory academic progress. Transfer credits can shorten that timeline.
Do You Need the SAT or ACT to Apply to an Online Business Degree?
Requirements vary by school. UA Grantham does not require standardized tests, and there is no application fee. You can apply now at no cost and choose from monthly start dates.
What Is the Next Step After Completing a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)?
A common next step is a Master of Business Administration (MBA). UA Grantham's Master of Business Administration (MBA) covers management, finance, organizational behavior, and quantitative analysis, and every track ends with a real-world capstone project.
What Are the Benefits of Earning a Business Administration Degree Online?
An online format removes the commute, so you can keep working while you study. At UA Grantham, monthly starts and 8-week terms add structure, and degree-seeking students receive a laptop at no additional cost after classes begin.