Business Degrees and Programs

According to a 2011 report from Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce, the two most popular degree majors for undergraduates are both in business--business management and administration ranked first with 8 percent of students, followed by general business with 5 percent.

According to a 2011 report from Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce, the two most popular degree majors for undergraduates are both in business--business management and administration ranked first with 8 percent of students, followed by general business with 5 percent.

The popularity of these degrees is no doubt due in part to their versatility. From small business entrepreneurs to human resources managers at large corporations, the business world offers opportunities for students with diverse academic backgrounds.

After some rough years during the recession, a recent survey of corporate recruiters from the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC) found that more employers were hiring in 2011 and that they were planning to hire more employees than in previous years. According to the survey, hot business industries in the U.S. include finance, accounting, health care, pharmaceuticals, consulting and technology.

Business degrees

Major areas of study within business include finance, human resources, management, entrepreneurship and information technology management, among others. Business degree programs range from short, targeted certificates that offer specific skills for working professionals to two-year master's degree programs.

Online business programs are ideal for working professionals who are looking to upgrade their resume to advance into management or gain skills in a targeted area. While an associate degree may be sufficient for entry-level positions such as human resources associate or accounting clerk, many business positions, including those in management, require a bachelor's or master's degree.

According to the College Board, "Business students today can expect a balanced and broad-based education that focuses on a lot more than business-related courses." Teamwork, critical thinking and communication skills are key to success in the business world and so business courses might include everything from English to sociology to computer science to algebra, the College Board reports.