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Introduction

Learning outcomes.

After reading this chapter, you should be able to answer these questions:

• What is the human resource management process, and how are human resource needs determined?
• How do firms recruit applicants?
• How do firms select qualified applicants?
• What types of training and development do organizations offer their employees?
• How are performance appraisals used to evaluate employee performance?
• What are the types of compensation and methods for paying workers?
• What is a labor union and how is it organized, what is collective bargaining, and what are some of the key negotiation issues?
• How are grievances between management and labor resolved, and what tactics are used to force a contract settlement?
• What are the key laws and federal agencies affecting human resource management and labor relations?
• What trends and issues are affecting human resource management and labor relations?

Exploring Business Careers

Andrea herran, human resources consultant.

In college, Andrea Herran studied business administration and minored in psychology. Always interested in a business career, she initially took psychology simply because it was interesting. Little did she know how applicable that minor would become. As a human resources (HR) consultant, she often benefits from her psychology background. “Studying human behavior really gave me the background necessary to put myself in the position of others, to see things from their point of view, which has definitely been helpful in my career in human resources.”

Herran started out as an administrative assistant in the HR department of a hotel, and her career has run the gamut of human resources over the 25 years since she graduated from college. She has been an employment coordinator, focusing on employee recruitment and selection, and a personnel manager, where she learned the skills necessary to maintain and evaluate employees. As a training manager, she sharpened her talent for developing, coordinating, and even administering staff training. Eventually, she became the director of human resources for companies both in the United States and abroad. Indeed, beyond the United States, she has worked in Mexico, Argentina, and South Africa.

Andrea worked her way up in the corporate world, but entrepreneurship was more consistent with her desire for a fast-paced, changing environment, both in terms of what she does and who she works with, so she made the move to consulting. “Consulting allows me to draw upon all my human resources skills. I have opened five HR departments in my career, so I bring my full experience to bear on the challenges each company has.”

Today, Andrea’s passion is working with small businesses, entrepreneurs, managers, and owners as an advisor to “uncomplicate the people side of your business.” As the principal of Focus HR Consulting, she advises firms how to set up human resource programs and ensure legal compliance. She also provides leadership coaching and training and mentors employees. She has worked in several industries, including hospitality (hotels and restaurants), advertising, professional services, logistics, technology, and manufacturing.

When Andrea was hired by Aquion Water Treatment Products, she was tasked with updating the company’s HR policies and procedures. The company’s performance reviews were very task-oriented versus behavior-oriented. Instead of determining whether a task was completed, behavior-oriented reviews seek to evaluate not only whether the person completed the task but also how they did so, especially examining the interactions involved in the task. Is an employee punctual at returning consumer request calls? How do they relate to customers? As a manager, do they express thoughts clearly? “By evaluating specific behaviors, you create an environment with clearly set qualifications for advancement and opportunities for targeted employee development. Without this, the human aspect of human resources can be overlooked.”

Andrea has never looked back on her choice to become an entrepreneur, and she believes her varied employment history was a key to her success. “Anyone interested in this field should experience as many possibilities within human resources as possible. You leave school with the theory, but only through experience do you really get to see what the potential of such a career is.”

Sources: “About Us,” http://focushr.biz, accessed February 8, 2018; “Member Spotlight: Andrea Herran,” http://www.centerforguiltfreesuccess.com, accessed February 8, 2018; Insureon blog, “5 HR Pros Reveal the Secret to Hiring the Right Employees the First Time,” http://www.insureon.com, June 3, 2016.

This chapter looks at the role of human resources within an organization, from the general processes of developing and planning to the more specific tasks of employee evaluation and compensation.

Human resource management and labor relations involve acquisition, development, use, and maintenance of a human resource mix (people and positions) to achieve strategic organizational goals and objectives. Successful human resource management is based on a company’s ability to attract and hire the best employees, equip them with the knowledge and skills they need to excel, compensate them fairly, and motivate them to reach their full potential and perform at high levels. Today’s business environment presents numerous challenges to effectively managing employees:

• Technology continues to advance, which places great importance on knowledge workers, especially when demand outstrips the supply of high-talent individuals.
• Global business operations involve rapid data transfer and necessitate accelerated decision-making by executive and technical employees.
• The workforce is increasingly more diversified and multicultural, which places increased emphasis on communication and cultural understanding.
• Work, life, and family priorities are more difficult to balance as dual-worker families populate the labor force.
• Employment and labor laws continue to greatly influence employee recruitment and hiring, compensation decisions, and employee retention and turnover in both union and nonunion organizations.

Each day, human resource experts and front-line supervisors deal with these challenges while sharing responsibility for attracting and retaining skilled, motivated employees. Whether faced with a large or small human resources problem, supervisors need some understanding of difficult employee-relations issues, especially if there are legal implications.

In this chapter, you will learn about the elements of the human resource management process, including human resource planning and job analysis and design, employee recruitment and selection, training and development of employees, performance planning and evaluation, and compensation of the workforce. The chapter also describes labor unions and their representation of millions of American workers in construction, manufacturing, transportation, and service-based industries.

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What Can I Do with a Business Management Degree? Skills, Jobs, And Courses

Bachelor’s degrees in business management can prepare you for a successful career. Learn about the requirements for a business management major, career paths, jobs and more.

If you enjoy being in charge, a degree in business management can help you explore the knowledge and skills you need to be a leader in the workplace. Earning this degree can start an exciting and diverse career in almost any industry. Learn about the different types of business management degrees, career paths, and various certifications to enhance your resume.

What is business management?

Business management refers to the practice of managing the operations of a company. It involves coordinating and organizing general or specific business activities to help an organization succeed. To do this, business managers often apply strategic and financial planning for production and resource management to benefit the business. 

What is a business management degree?

A business management degree is an associate, bachelor's, master's , or doctorate degree with coursework that covers business management principles. This degree program tends to focus on the knowledge and skills you need to oversee an organization's resources, like information systems and human resources management . A business administration degree program typically concentrates on business functions like marketing and finance. With a business management degree, you may seek a management position in business, including business analyst , human resources manager, or operations manager .

Types of Business Management Degrees

One of the advantages of studying business management is how it applies to various organizations and industries, including profit and non-profit ones. However, the type of degree you earn can affect the jobs you'll have within an organization. Here is a closer look at how the different types of business management degrees can affect your career prospects.

Associate degree in business management

An associate degree is a two-year degree program with coursework designed to help you understand how businesses work. You may take courses like Accounting Principles, Business Law, Management Principles, and Marketing. This can prepare you for entry-level positions as an assistant, customer service specialist, or sales consultant.

Read more: What Is an Associate Degree in Business?

Bachelor's in business management

A bachelor's degree is a four-year program that can open additional career opportunities. The coursework is similar to an associate degree program, with classes in accounting, finance, law, and marketing. However, you can explore these and other management topics in-depth and have more time to devote to the practical components of the major. After graduation, you may pursue work as an accountant , human resources manager, or sales manager.

Master's degree in business management

Master's degree programs typically take one or two years to complete after you earn a bachelor's degree. A Master's in Business Management is an alternative to a Master of Business Administration (MBA). This degree can be helpful if you have work experience in a specific industry and want to learn more about management theories and practices. Many master’s business management programs offer a general management curriculum, but some schools provide specializations.

Read more: Master’s in Management vs. MBA: Which Is Better?

Doctorate in business management        

Doctorate programs in business management tend to be even more specialized than master's degree programs, and you'll notice they have names like PhD in Management or Doctor of Management. These degrees aren’t the same as a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), although they share overlapping topics. In a doctoral program, you can enhance your research skills and apply business theories to real-world situations.

Certifications in Business Management

You may choose to earn a certificate in business management in place of or to support a degree. Certifications show that you’ve completed the required business management courses which may help you get closer to your dream job. 

At some schools, the courses you take to earn a  certificate are the same as those you might take to earn a degree. You can typically complete a certificate program in less time than a degree, and some schools accept students who haven't earned a college degree.

Business management degree coursework 

The courses you take in a business management degree program are similar to what you would take in an MBA program. This include topics like accounting, business ethics, business law, leadership, and quantitative methods. Some of the courses you may take include the following:

Accounting for Business

Corporate Finance

Data Analysis and Business Analytics

Introduction to Business

Management and Organizational Behavior

Managing Change in a Changing Environment

Principles of Sustainability

Skills you can learn in a business management program

In addition to exploring business management, marketing, and accounting theories, you also have opportunities to develop skills in a business management program. You may use these technical and workplace skills in your career.

Adaptability

Customer service

Communication

Negotiation

Problem-solving

Time management 

How long does it take to earn a Business Management degree?         

A business degree typically takes two to six years to complete, depending on the type of degree and program you're pursuing. You can complete an associate degree at some schools in about two years. Bachelor's degree programs take about four years to complete if you’re a full-time student. A graduate degree, such as an MBA, could take two years or more.

Some business management degree programs include expedited options to complete the degree faster than on a traditional track. This can be a great option if you have time to devote to the coursework. However, if you have a full-time job while you go to school, you may need to attend school part-time, which extends the time it takes to complete the degree.

What can you do with a business management degree?

With a business management degree, you can work in various industries as an administrative assistant, sales consultant, human resources manager, and operations manager. The courses you take and the skills you develop can be transferred to many job opportunities, ranging from entry-level to managerial positions. They include those listed below:

Business Consultant: Examine procedures to identify areas for improvement and devise strategies to boost profits and performance.

Human resources : You’ll recruit, screen, hire, and train employees. These roles can also include ensuring the company complies with labor laws and processing payroll and benefits.

Marketing manager : Plan, execute, and evaluate marketing initiatives and advertising to raise brand awareness, create sales leads, and drive traffic to convert sales.

Operations manager : Supervise budgets, resources, people, systems, and more to ensure employees have the support they need to stay motivated and productive. 

Project manager : Oversee projects from start to finish, including setting goals, organizing resources, monitoring progress, and evaluating processes.

Business management career outlook and salaries 

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts jobs in management to grow by 9 percent between 2020 and 2030 [ 1 ]. Salaries for business management positions vary depending on your position, location, employer, and industry. Here are some business management roles and their annual average salary:

Administrative assistant: $68,014 [ US]

HR analyst: $81,596  [ US ]

Project manager: $92,671 [ US ]

Business manager: $82,212 [ US ]

*All salary data is sourced from Glassdoor as of July 2022

Ready to take the next step in your career?

The next step in your business management career depends on where you are in your career path. You can build leadership skills to use when running a business through specializations. On Coursera, consider the  Business Foundations Specialization from The Wharton School or a Professional Certificate like Google Project Management if you want to focus on project management. Or pursue a bachelor's or master's degree like the University of London's Bachelor of Business Management .

Related articles

10 In-Demand Jobs You Can Get with a Business Degree

Why Get an MBA? 6 Reasons to Consider an Advanced Business Degree

What Is an Associate Degree in Business?

6 Business Majors For Your Goals

Article Sources

1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. " Occupational Outlook Handbook: Management Occupations , https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/home.htm." Accessed June 30, 2022.

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Business Management-Chapter 1

9th - 12th grade.

28 questions

Introducing new   Paper mode

No student devices needed.   Know more

Management theory that identifies the most effective practices for organizing and managing a business:

administrative management

behavioral management

classical management

Person who completes all five management functions on a regular basis and has authority over other jobs and people

Evaluating results to determine if the company's objectives have been accomplished as planned:

controlling

The process of accomplishing the goals of an organization through the effective use of people and other resources:

A manger whose main job is to direct the work of employees:

A carefully developed overall approach to leading an organization:

management strategy

management science

Industrial Revolution

business competition

Analyzing information and making decisions about what needs to be done:

Executives are likely to spend most of their time:

Which of the following statements about the role of managers is true?

Managers are responsible for the success or failure of the company.

Managers make up the greatest percentage of employees in a business.

Managers are responsible for completing the day-to-day work of a business.

Managers spend most of their time planning for the future.

The first level of management in a company is typically:

supervisors

middle managers

work coaches

The management theory that is directed at organizational improvement through understanding employee motivation and behavior is:

quality management

Which of the following factors should be considered by a company when developing its management strategy?

the type and characteristics of the business

the type of work and the workers in the company

the business environment

all of these factors should be considered

When a manager gives guidance to employees to perform their tasks, he or she is said to be performing the task of ____________ .

When a manager measures how the business performs financially, he or she is said to be performing the task of __________ .

Interviewing applicants and training new employees are part of a manager's daily _____________ activities.

communicate

sensitivity

The process of deciding how best to use a business's resources to produce goods or provide services

entrepreneurs

The lowest level of management is

supervisory management

middle management

senior management

upper management

A manager decides how many and what kind of people a business needs to meet it's goals and then recruits, selects, and trains the right people in this role.

• 19. Multiple Choice Edit 30 seconds 1 pt The invention of machines that allowed for the faster processing of raw materials began the transformation of work and business and led to  the need for fewer managers  a change from classical management to quality management  the Industrial Revolution  the decline of labor movements 
• 20. Multiple Choice Edit 30 seconds 1 pt The management theory that is directed at organizational improvement through understanding employee motivation and behavior is  quality management  behavioral management  administrative management  classical management 
• 21. Multiple Choice Edit 30 seconds 1 pt Which age group is projected to increase in the work force by the greatest percentage between 2000 and 2050?  16-24 25-40 41-54 55 and over 
• 22. Multiple Choice Edit 30 seconds 1 pt Which of the following statements about the roles of managers is true?  They should avoid sharing most information with others in the organization  They avoid getting in the middle of conflicts between employees  They solve problems and take corrective action but also recognize and reward success  None of these statements are true 
• 23. Multiple Choice Edit 3 minutes 1 pt a top-level manager who spends almost all of his or her time on management functions and decisions that affect the entire company Management manager supervisor executive
• 24. Multiple Choice Edit 3 minutes 1 pt completes all of the management functions, but spends most of the time completing specialized work in one management function or is responsible for a specific part of the company's operations executives middle manager supervisor shift manager
• 25. Multiple Choice Edit 3 minutes 1 pt Studies the way work is organized and the procedures used to complete a job in order to increase worker productivity classical managment administrative management behavioral management quality managment
• 26. Multiple Choice Edit 3 minutes 1 pt directed at organizational improvement through understanding employee motivation and behavior classical management administrative management behavioral management quality managment
• 27. Multiple Choice Edit 3 minutes 1 pt a total commitment by everyone in an organization to improve the quality of procedures and products by reducing waste, errors, and defects classical management administrative management behavioral management quality managment
• 28. Multiple Choice Edit 3 minutes 1 pt a carefully developed overall approach to leading an organization Business Competition Technology Competition Management Strategy quality managment

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Bachelor of Science Business Administration

Online Business Management Degree

Adriana Grimes, B.S. Business Management grad

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 

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

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

B.S. business management graduates report an impressive average salary increase after completing their degree at Western Governors University.

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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.

Organizational Behavior and Leadership explores how to lead and manage effectively in diverse business environments. Students are asked to demonstrate the ability to apply organizational leadership theories and management strategies in a series of scenario-based problems.

Business Communication is a survey course of communication skills needed in the business environment. Course content includes writing messages, reports, and résumés and delivering oral presentations. The course emphasizes communication processes, writing skills, message types, and presentation of data. The development of these skills is integrated with the use of technology.

Values-Based Leadership guides students to learn by reflection, design, and scenario planning. Through a combination of theory, reflection, value alignment, and practice, the course helps students examine and understand values-based leadership and explore foundations in creating a culture of care. In this course, students are given the opportunity to identify and define their personal values through an assessment and reflection process. Students then evaluate business cases to practice mapping the influence of values on their own leadership. In this course, students also participate in scenario planning, where they can practice implementing their values in their daily routine (i.e., behaviors) and then in a leadership setting. The course illustrates how values-driven leadership is used in goal setting as well as problem-solving at an organizational level. There are no prerequisites for this course.

Business Ethics is designed to enable students to identify the ethical and socially responsible courses of action available through the exploration of various scenarios in business. Students will also learn to develop appropriate ethics guidelines for a business. This course has no prerequisites.

Operations and Supply Chain Management provides a streamlined introduction to how organizations efficiently produce goods and services, determine supply chain management strategies, and measure performance. Emphasis is placed on integrative topics essential for managers in all disciplines, such as supply chain management, product development, and capacity planning. This course will guide students in analyzing processes, managing quality for both services and products, and measuring performance while creating value along the supply chain in a global environment. Topics include forecasting, product and service design, process design and location analysis, capacity planning, management of quality and quality control, inventory management, scheduling, supply chain management, and performance measurement.

Business Management Tasks addresses important concepts needed to effectively manage a business. Topics include understanding the cost-quality relationship, using various types of graphical charts in operations management, managing innovation, and developing strategies for working with individuals and groups.

Quantitative Analysis for Business explores various decision-making models, including expected value models, linear programming models, and inventory models. This course helps student learn to analyze data by using a variety of analytic tools and techniques to make better business decisions. In addition, it covers developing project schedules using the Critical Path Method. Other topics include calculating and evaluating formulas, measures of uncertainty, crash costs, and visual representation of decision-making models using electronic spreadsheets and graphs. This course has no prerequisites.

Change Management provides an understanding of change and an overview of successfully managing change using various methods and tools. Emphasizing change theories and various best practices, this course covers how to recognize and implement change using an array of other effective strategies, including those related to innovation and leadership. Other topics include approaches to change, diagnosing and planning for change, implementing change, and sustaining change.

Project Management prepares you to manage projects from start to finish within any organization structure. The course represents a view into different project-management methods and delves into topics such as project profiling and phases, constraints, building the project team, scheduling, and risk. You will be able to grasp the full scope of projects you may work with on in the future, and apply proper management approaches to complete a project. The course features practice in each of the project phases as you learn how to strategically apply project-management tools and techniques to help organizations achieve their goals.

This introductory course provides students with an overview of the field of business and a basic understanding of how management, organizational structure, communication, and leadership styles affect the business environment. It also introduces them to some of the power skills that help make successful business professionals, including time management, problem solving, emotional intelligence and innovation; while also teaching them the importance of ethics. This course gives students an opportunity to begin to explore their own strengths and passions in relation to the field while also acclimating them to the online competency-based environment.

Principles of Management provides students with an introductory look at the discipline of management and its context within the business environment. Students of this course build on previously mastered competencies by taking a more in-depth look at management as a discipline and how it differs from leadership while further exploring the importance of communication within business. This course provides students with a business generalist overview in the areas of strategic planning, total quality, entrepreneurship, conflict and change, human resource management, diversity, and organizational structure.

Business Environment Applications 1 provides students with a generalist overview of the business environment and a deeper look at a number of topics that make up the non-discipline areas of business which are required for a business person to be successful within any business environment. The first part of the course focuses on knowledge about organizations and how people operate within organizations, including the areas of organizational theory, structure, and effectiveness. The course then looks at business from a legal perspective with an overview of the legal environment of business. The course will prepare the student to consider specific legal situations and to make legal and ethical decisions related to those situations.

Emotional and Cultural Intelligence focuses on key personal awareness skills that businesses request when hiring personnel. Key among those abilities is communication. Students will increase their skills in written, verbal, and nonverbal communication skills. The course then looks at three areas of personal awareness including emotional intelligence (EI), cultural awareness, and ethical self-awareness – building on previously acquired competencies and adding new ones. This course helps start students on a road of self-discovery, cultivating awareness to improve both as a business professional and personally.

Principles of Financial and Managerial Accounting provides students with an introduction to the discipline of accounting and its context within the business environment. In this course, students will learn to differentiate between financial, cost, and managerial accounting and where these accounting types fit into the business environment. This course will help students gain a fundamental knowledge of the budgeting process, how to analyze basic financial statements, and how to use spreadsheets to analyze data. This course provides students with a business generalist overview of the field of accounting and acts as a preview course for the accounting major.

This course covers an important part of being a business professional: the knowledge and skills used in building and implementing business strategy. The course helps students build on previously acquired competencies in the areas of management, innovative thinking, and risk management while introducing them to the concepts and theories underpinning business strategy as a general business perspective. The course will help students gain skills in analyzing different business environments and in using quantitative literacy and data analysis in business strategy development and implementation. This course helps to provide students with a generalist overview of the area of business strategy.

This course provides students with an introductory look at the discipline of finance and its context within the business environment. Students gain the knowledge to differentiate between personal and business finance and how they may overlap in a business environment. Students also gain a fundamental knowledge of financial forecasting and budgeting, statement analysis, and decision making. This course provides the student a business generalist overview of the field of finance and builds on previous acquired competencies related to using spreadsheets.

Principles of Economics provides students with the knowledge they need to be successful managers, including basic economic theories related to markets and how markets function. This course starts by defining economics, differentiating between microeconomics and macroeconomics, and explaining the fundamental economic principles of each. It then looks at microeconomics and how it is used to make business and public policy decisions, including the principles of supply, demand, and elasticity, market efficiency, cost of production, and different market structures. The course finishes by looking at macroeconomics and how it is used to make business and public policy decisions, including measurement of macroeconomic variables, aggregate supply and demand, the concepts of an open economy, and how trade policies influence domestic and international markets.

Concepts in Marketing, Sales, and Customer Contact introduces students to the discipline of marketing and its role within the strategic and operational environments of a business. This course covers fundamental knowledge in the area of marketing planning, including the marketing mix, while also describing basic concepts of brand management, digital marketing, customer relationship management, and personal selling and negotiating. All of this helps students identify the role of marketing within an organization. This course provides students with a business generalist overview of the field of marketing and an exploration of the marketing major.

Business Environment II: Logistics, Process, and Operations provides students with a generalist overview of the business environment as they explore themes of ethics, problem-solving, and innovative thinking. This course adds to the students’ business skills and knowledge in a number of professional areas. The first part of the course uncovers a series of business processes like project and risk management. The second part gives an introductory-level look at the specialized areas of operations management, supply chains, and logistics. The course finishes with models of change management and how to use them to overcome barriers in organizations.

Managing in a Global Business Environment provides students with a generalist overview of business from a global perspective, while also developing basic skills and knowledge to help them make strategic decisions, communicate, and develop personal relationships in a global environment. Business today is by its very nature a global environment, and individuals working in business will experience the global nature of business as they progress through their careers. This course builds on previously acquired competencies by providing an overview of U.S. federal laws in relation to doing business in a global environment.

This course ties together all the skills and knowledge covered in the business courses and allows the student to prove their mastery of the competencies by applying them in a simulated business environment. This course will help take the student's knowledge and skills from the theoretical to applicable.

Introduction to IT examines information technology as a discipline and the various roles and functions of the IT department as business support. Students are presented with various IT disciplines including systems and services, network and security, scripting and programming, data management, and business of IT, with a survey of technologies in every area and how they relate to each other and to the business.

This course teaches students to think like sociologists, or, in other words, to see and understand the hidden rules, or norms, by which people live, and how they free or restrain behavior. Students will learn about socializing institutions, such as schools and families, as well as workplace organizations and governments. Participants will also learn how people deviate from the rules by challenging norms and how such behavior may result in social change, either on a large scale or within small groups.

Applied Probability and Statistics is designed to help students develop competence in the fundamental concepts of basic statistics including: introductory algebra and graphing; descriptive statistics; regression and correlation; and probability. Statistical data and probability are often used in everyday life, science, business, information technology, and educational settings to make informed decisions about the validity of studies and the effect of data on decisions. This course discusses what constitutes sound research design and how to appropriately model phenomena using statistical data. Additionally, the content covers simple probability calculations, based on events that occur in the business and IT industries. No prerequisites are required for this course.

Applied Algebra is designed to help you develop competence in working with functions, the algebra of functions, and using some applied properties of functions. You will start learning about how we can apply different kinds of functions to relevant, real-life examples. From there, the algebra of several families of functions will be explored, including linear, polynomial, exponential, and logistic functions. You will also learn about relevant, applicable mathematical properties of each family of functions, including rate of change, concavity, maximizing/minimizing, and asymptotes. These properties will be used to solve problems related to your major and make sense of everyday living problems. Students should complete Applied Probability and Statistics or its equivalent prior to engaging in Applied Algebra.

In this course you will learn key critical thinking concepts and how to apply them in the analysis and evaluation of reasons and evidence. The course examines the basic components of an argument, the credibility of evidence sources, the impact of bias, and how to construct an argument that provides good support for a claim. The course consists of an introduction and four major sections. Each section includes learning opportunities through readings, videos, audio, and other relevant resources. Assessment activities with feedback also provide opportunities to check your learning, practice, and show how well you understand course content. Because the course is self-paced, you may move through the material as quickly or as slowly as you need to gain proficiency in the four competencies that will be covered in the final assessment. If you have no prior knowledge or experience, you can expect to spend 30-40 hours on the course content.

This is World History: Diverse Cultures and Global Connections. In this course, you will focus on three main topics—cultural and religious diversity; pandemics; and the relationship of empires and nation states—as well as the skills of identifying root causes, explaining causes and effects, and analyzing complex systems. This course consists of an introduction and four major sections. Each section includes learning opportunities through reading, images, videos, and other relevant resources. Assessment activities with feedback also provide opportunities to practice and check how well you understand the content. Because the course is self-paced, you may move through the material as quickly or as slowly as you need to, with the goal of demonstrating proficiency in the four competencies covered in the final assessment. If you have no prior knowledge of this material, you can expect to spend 30-40 hours on the course content.

Welcome to Composition: Successful Self-Expression! In this course, you will focus on four main topics: professional writing for a cross-cultural audience, narrowing research topics and questions, researching for content to support a topic, and referencing research sources. Each section includes learning opportunities through readings, videos, audio, and other relevant resources. Assessment activities with feedback also provide opportunities to check your learning, practice, and show how well you understand course content. Because the course is self-paced, you may move through the material as quickly or as slowly as you need to gain proficiency in the seven competencies that will be covered in the final assessment. If you have no prior knowledge or experience, you can expect to spend 30-40 hours on the course content. You will demonstrate competency through a performance assessment. There is no prerequisite for this course and there is no specific technical knowledge needed.

Welcome to Introduction to Communication: Connecting with Others! It may seem like common knowledge that communication skills are important, and that communicating with others is inescapable in our everyday lives. While this may appear simplistic, the study of communication is actually complex, dynamic, and multifaceted. Strong communication skills are invaluable to strengthening a multitude of aspects of life. Specifically, this course will focus on communication in the professional setting, and present material from multiple vantage points, including communicating with others in a variety of contexts, across situations, and with diverse populations. Upon completion, you will have a deeper understanding of both your own and others’ communication behaviors, and a toolbox of effective behaviors to enhance your experience in the workplace.

This course provides students with an overview of the basic principles and unifying ideas of the physical sciences: physics, chemistry, and earth sciences. Course materials focus on scientific reasoning and practical, everyday applications of physical science concepts to help students integrate conceptual knowledge with practical skills.

Ethics in Technology examines the ethical considerations of technology use in the 21st century and introduces students to a decision-making process informed by ethical frameworks. Students will study specific cases related to important topics such as surveillance, social media, hacking, data manipulation, plagiarism and piracy, artificial intelligence, responsible innovation, and the digital divide. This course has no prerequisites.

Health, Fitness, and Wellness focuses on the importance and foundations of good health and physical fitness—particularly for children and adolescents—addressing health, nutrition, fitness, and substance use and abuse.

Talent Acquisition focuses on building a highly skilled workforce that meets organizational staffing needs by using effective strategies and tactics for recruiting, selecting, and onboarding employees. The learner will develop competency in critical skills related to talent acquisition, such as workforce planning, developing strategic recruiting plans, and ensuring effective selection strategies. Talent acquisition is a top skill for HR professionals, and successful talent acquisition practices lend to individual, team, and organizational success.

This course provides an introduction to the management of human resources, which is the function within an organization that focuses on recruitment, management, and direction for the people who work in the organization. Students will be introduced to topics such as strategic workforce planning and talent acquisition; compensation and benefits; training and development; employee and labor relations; and occupational health, safety, and security.

Employment and Labor Law reviews the legal and regulatory framework surrounding employment, including recruitment, termination, and discrimination law. The course topics include employment-at-will, EEO, ADA, OSHA, and other laws affecting the workplace. Students will learn to analyze current trends and issues in employment law and apply this knowledge to manage risk in employment relationships effectively. Functions of Human Resources and Introduction to Human Resources are recommended prior to Employment and Labor Law.

Strategic Training and Development focuses on the development of human capital (i.e., growing talent) by applying effective learning theories and practices for training and developing employees. The course will help develop essential skills for improving and empowering organizations through high-caliber training and development processes.

This course develops competence in the design and implementation of total rewards approaches in an organization. The total rewards perspective integrates tangible rewards (e.g., salary, bonuses) with employee benefits (e.g., health insurance, retirement plan) and intangible rewards (e.g., location, work environment). This perspective allows learners to use all forms of rewards fairly and effectively to enable job satisfaction and organizational performance.

This course provides students with knowledge on the sales profession, customer relationship management, and sales management functions. Students gain insights into the sales process, the relationship between sales and marketing, and the responsibilities of sales management within both business-to-consumer (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B) selling environments.

For the Business Management Capstone Written Project students will integrate and synthesize competencies from across their degree program to demonstrate their ability to participate in and contribute value to their chosen professional field.  A comprehensive business plan is developed for a company that plans to sell a product or service in a local market, national market, or on the Internet. The business plan includes a market analysis, financial statements and analysis, and specific strategic actions relevant to the chosen company.

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

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

Scheduled time

Whenever you feel ready

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

Earning Potential

A management degree can dramatically impact your earning potential. After graduation WGU business management students report earning $14,621* more per year.

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
• Manufacturing

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.

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.

• Account executive
• Marketing manager
• Business or healthcare analyst
• Project or program manager 

Diverse Industries

• Private companies
• Government and military
• Nonprofit organizations
• Colleges, universities, and K–12 schools/districts 

Major Employers

• American Red Cross
• Kaiser Permanente
• Self-employed 

WGU Grads Hold Positions With Top Employers

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

Get added support and flexibility as you start your degree  take a course or two at your pace before committing to a full degree program. strengthen your study habits, gain essential learning skills and, best of all, each completed course counts toward your degree requirements. .

Learn More about Pathways to Starting

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

What jobs can i get with a business management degree.

There are many career opportunities for graduates with a business management degree including:

• Business analyst
• Account manager
• Project manager
• Sales manager
• Operations manager
• Financial advisor
• C-level executive

How long does it take to earn a bachelor's in business management?

Traditional bachelor's degrees take 4 years to complete. However, at online schools like WGU, you may be able to finish faster. The majority of WGU business management students finish their degree program more quickly than a traditional model.

Where can I work with a bachelor’s degree in business management?

Absolutely every industry needs business professionals who can help it run smoothly. With a degree in business management you'll be qualified to work in any industry or organization, from healthcare, to education, to IT, and more. 

What's the best online business school?

• Western Governors University
• University of North Carolina
• Indiana University
• Temple University
• Arizona State University
• University of Florida
• Auburn University
• University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• Carnegie Mellon University
• Arkansas State University

What is the best online college for business management?

How much can you make in a business management career.

• Business analyst - $84,000
• Account manager - $62,000
• Project manager - $75,000
• Sales manager - $99,000
• Operations manager - $75,000
• Financial advisor - $59,000
• Director - $110,000
• C-level executive - $278,000

Is business management a good major?

Busi ness management is a good major that offers a lot of career flexibility. It could prepare you for a career in many different fields including:

• Marketing management
• Operations management
• Technology management
• Human resources management
• Project management

What are business management subjects?

In a business management degree you will cover many subjects, including:

• Communication

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