OVERVIEW
Online Business Degrees For Working Professionals
If you’re looking to advance your career in the world of business, earning an online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration—Management degree could be the perfect path for you. At WGU, we offer a flexible and convenient business management bachelor's program that’s designed to prepare you for a variety of leadership positions in the field, including:
- Operations Manager
- Human Resources Manager
- Marketing Manager
- Financial Analyst
- Business Analyst
- Project Manager
- Sales Manager
- Supply Chain Manager
- Entrepreneur or Small Business Owner
Whether you’re looking to climb the corporate ladder or start your own business, this management program will equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed. Learn more about what business management is, what careers graduates can work towards, and how this degree can benefit you in your current position.
61% of graduates finish within
19 Months*
WGU lets you move more quickly through material you already know and advance as soon as you're ready. The result: You may finish faster.
*WGU Internal Data
Tuition per six-month term is
$3,755
Tuition charged per term—rather than per credit—helps students control the ultimate cost of their business management degree. Finish faster, pay less!
Average salary increase
$14,491*
B.S. business management graduates report an impressive average salary increase after completing their degree at Western Governors University.
*WGU Internal Data
COURSES
Business Management Courses
Program consists of 39 courses
At WGU, we design our curriculum to be timely, relevant, and practical—all to help you show that you know your stuff.
The online management degree program is composed of several industry-relevant courses. Some may be waived through transfer from your previous college experience. Courses are generally completed one at a time instead of simultaneously, and you’ll work with your Program Mentor to build a personalized Degree Plan that keeps you on track.
WGU courses are competency-based which means that once you demonstrate mastery in a specific area, you can move on. This allows you to use your existing knowledge to move through your degree program more quickly compared to a four-year program.
The Bachelor of Science Business Administration, Management program is an all-online degree program. You’ll complete program requirements independently, with instruction and support from WGU faculty. You’ll be expected to complete at least 12 competency units for each 6-month term. Each course is typically three or four units. There’s no limit on the number of units you can complete each term, so the more courses you complete, the quicker you can finish your program.
An unofficial estimated 14 courses are fulfilled by your associate degree leaving 27 courses.
This is an unofficial estimate of your transfer credits. You may receive more or less credits depending upon the specific courses taken to complete your degree and other credits you may have.
Below are the anticipated courses that will be fulfilled based on your indication that you have earned an associate’s degree. During the enrollment process this information will be verified.
39 Courses
Program consists of 39 courses
At WGU, we design our curriculum to be timely, relevant, and practical—all to help you show that you know your stuff.
Capstone Project
Special requirements for this program
At the end of your program, you will complete a capstone project that represents the culmination of all your hard work—a project that allows you to take what you’ve learned and apply it to a real-world situation, proposing a solution to an actual issue you face in your place of business.
Skills For Your Résumé
As part of this program, you will develop a range of valuable skills that employers are looking for.
- Management: Provided guidance and direction to teams, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and objectives.
- Operations: Managed policies and procedures in collaboration with supervising staff and human resources.
- Sales: Connected the organization's mission to sales strategies and tactics, ensuring alignment with overarching goals and values to drive business success.
- Problem Solving: Conducted research to identify solutions to organizational challenges, leveraging data and insights to inform strategic decision-making and problem-solving efforts.
- Detail Oriented: Manipulated complex financial data with precision and accuracy, ensuring reliability in financial analyses.
- Written Communication: Wrote to effectively communicate the analysis and quality of research to a target audience, translating complex findings into clear and understandable insights for stakeholders.
“My enrollment experience was seamless. The first moment I spoke to my Enrollment Counselor got me excited about WGU. They tell you what the different benefits are, the format and everything. They walk you through everything. If you want it, it's there. Getting enrolled and getting started is easy-peasy.”
—Dale Boolton
B.S. Business Management
WGU vs. Traditional Universities
Compare the Difference
Traditional Universities
TUITION STRUCTURE
Per credit hour
Flat rate per 6-month term
SUPPORT
Schedule and wait days or even weeks to meet with one of many counselors
Simply email or call to connect with your designated Program Mentor who supports you from day one
EXAMS
Scheduled time
Whenever you feel ready
SCHEDULE
Professor led lectures at a certain time and place
Courses available anytime, from anywhere
TIME TO FINISH
Approximately 4 years, minimal acceleration options
As quickly as you can master the material, typically less than 3 years
TRANSFER CREDITS
Few accepted, based on certain schools and specific courses
A generous transfer policy that is based on your specific situation
Traditional Universities
TUITION STRUCTURE
Per credit hour
TUITION STRUCTURE
Flat rate per 6-month term
SUPPORT
Schedule and wait days or even weeks to meet with one of many counselors
SUPPORT
Simply email or call to connect with your designated Program Mentor who supports you from day one
EXAMS
Scheduled time
EXAMS
Whenever you feel ready
SCHEDULE
Professor led lectures at a certain time and place
SCHEDULE
Courses available anytime, from anywhere
TIME TO FINISH
Approximately 4 years, minimal acceleration options
TIME TO FINISH
As quickly as you can master the material, typically less than 3 years
TRANSFER CREDITS
Few accepted, based on certain schools and specific courses
TRANSFER CREDITS
A generous transfer policy that is based on your specific situation
Why WGU?
Earning Potential
A management degree can dramatically impact your earning potential. After graduation WGU business management students report earning $14,621* more per year.
*WGU Internal Data
On Your Schedule
Competency-based education means you can move as quickly through your degree as you can master the material. You don't have to log in to classes at a certain time—you are truly in the driver's seat of your education
Entirely Online
The business management bachelor's degree at WGU is 100% online, which means it works wherever you are. You can do your coursework at night after working at your full-time job, on weekends, while you're traveling the world or on vacation—it's entirely up to you.
Accredited, Respected,
Recognized™
One important measure of a degree’s value is the reputation of the university where it was earned. When employers, industry leaders, and academic experts hold your alma mater in high esteem, you reap the benefits of that respect. WGU is a pioneer in reinventing higher education for the 21st century, and our quality has been recognized.
COST & TIME
Online Business Programs That are Affordable
By charging per six-month term rather than per credit—and empowering students to accelerate through material they know well or learn quickly—WGU helps students control the ultimate cost of their degrees. The faster you complete your program, the less you pay for your degree.
A College Degree Within Reach
There is help available to make paying for school possible for you:
The average student loan debt of WGU graduates in 2022 (among those who borrowed) was less than half* the national average.
Most WGU students qualify for financial aid, and WGU is approved for federal financial aid and U.S. veterans benefits.
Many scholarship opportunities are available. Find out what you might be eligible for.
*WGU undergraduate students have approximately half the debt at graduation compared to the national average, according to the Institute for College Access and Success (2022).
FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE
A Different Way to Learn: Degree Programs Designed to Fit Your Life—and All the Demands on Your Time
Professional responsibilities. Family obligations. Personal commitments. At WGU, we understand schedules are tight and often unpredictable for adult students. That’s why we offer a flexible, personalized approach to how education should be. No rigid class schedules. Just a solid, career-focused teaching program that meshes with your current lifestyle. You'll be challenged. You'll work hard. But if you commit yourself and put in the hours needed, WGU makes it possible for you to earn a highly respected degree as a busy working adult.
"Attending WGU online was the perfect way for me to further my education. I could basically work at my own pace and use the knowledge I had already learned from working for so many years before attending. I love WGU and all the mentors who helped me succeed and earn my bachelor's degree in Business Management.”
—Debra Marshall
B.S. Business Management
CAREER OUTLOOK
Success in Management Starts With a College Degree in Business
Whether you aspire to work for a Fortune 500 organization, a government agency, a non-profit organization, or a fast-paced start-up, a degree in business management can be key to thriving in any setting. At WGU, our online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration—Management degree program was built with input from industry experts to give you the keys to success in a variety of industries, including:
- Finance and Banking
- Healthcare
- Manufacturing
- IT
- Consulting
- Nonprofit
- Government
Return on Your Investment
On average, WGU graduates see an increase in income post-graduation
Average income increase from all degrees in annual salary vs. pre-enrollment salary. Source: 2023 Harris Poll Survey of 1,655 WGU graduates.
Survey was sent to a representative sample of WGU graduates from all colleges. Respondents received at least one WGU degree since 2017.
This program covers a wide range of career-relevant topics such as marketing, finance, human resources, operations, and strategy. You’ll learn how to analyze financial statements, create marketing plans, manage human resources effectively, and make strategic decisions that drive business success. Whether you want to earn a raise, a promotion, or pursue an entirely new future, our program can help you stand out from the competition and achieve your goals.
8%
All management occupations are expected to see 8% growth across industries by the year 2031, largely due to the creation of new businesses.
—U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Learn About All the Job Opportunities in Business Management
Our nearly 7,000 Bachelor of Science Business Management alumni have great jobs and satisfying careers.
Job Titles
- Account executive
- Marketing manager
- Business or healthcare analyst
- Project or program manager
Diverse Industries
- Private companies
- Healthcare
- Government and military
- Nonprofit organizations
- Colleges, universities, and K–12 schools/districts
Major Employers
- Amazon
- Microsoft
- American Red Cross
- FedEx
- Kaiser Permanente
- Self-employed
WGU Grads Hold Positions With Top Employers
ADMISSIONS
Bachelor of Business Management Admission Requirements
Applicants to undergraduate School of Business programs must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent AND demonstrate program readiness through one of the following options below:
- Option 1: Submit transcripts documenting completion of college-level coursework with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- Option 2: Possess a bachelors or associates degree (A.A or A.S. acceptable) from an accredited post-secondary institution.
- Option 3: Submit high school transcripts for review with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
NOTE: You do not need to take the ACT or SAT to be admitted to this program. Learn why we don't require these tests.
Get Your Enrollment Checklist
Download your step-by-step guide to enrollment.
Get Your Questions Answered
Talk to an WGU Enrollment Counselor.
Transfer Credits
MORE DETAILS
Certificates in Business Management
The Business Management degree program allows students to earn valuable credentials on their path to a degree, including the management, strategic thinking and innovation, and leadership certificates. These certificates allow you to demonstrate mastery and add credentials to your résumé before you even graduate with your degree.
Commonly Asked Questions About Our Online Business Management Bachelor's Degree
Ready to Start Your WGU Journey?