An undergraduate business program educates students on the fundamentals they need in order to become business leaders and successful careerists, regardless of the specific career grads find themselves in. The curriculum, which often includes online business courses, focuses on the essential critical thinking skills, decision-making techniques, and innovative problem-solving needed to prepare students for a diverse, and sometimes amorphous, marketplace. Business degrees can prepare undergrads for entry-level positions in a staggering amount of fields, and can also spur career growth for professionals already working in business. Typical programs are quite broad, offering a range of specialized concentrations.
The business degree is the most popular degree conferred on undergraduates in the U.S., according to a study by the National Center for Education Statistics. This is arguably due to the versatility of the skill set its students acquire. Those able to evaluate data, extrapolate information, and correctly interpret the results are sought by employers in just about any industry. Business school grads are also well-versed in internal policy development and implementation, resource and staff management, professional development practices, and an awareness of the socio-ethical impacts of modern business.
Employers seek business school graduates for entry-level jobs because of the breadth the degree provides. In order to narrow the extremely wide spectrum of business knowledge, most undergraduate programs require students to specialize. Coursework targeted to areas of interest such as marketing, finance, information systems or economics helps hone the skill set of an aspiring business professional.
A typical four-year business program concentrates on current theory, trends, technology and ethical practices. Typical business degree students spend their freshman and sophomore years studying general education requirements, along with introductory classes in statistics, accounting and economics.