What Is a BBA Degree?

Businessman jots some notes on his notepad

Due to their versatility and range of potential career options, business programs have become a very popular major of choice at universities across the country. One program worth consideration is the BBA degree, which is also known as a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree. GCU offers on-campus and online BBA degree programs.

Here’s a quick look at the basics of the BBA degree, including the topics you can expect to study and the career possibilities you can pursue after graduation.

BBA Degree Overview

Business students who are earning a BBA degree focus on the fundamentals of business administration. Business administration professionals are responsible for the day-to-day operations of their department within the company. They must also ensure that their department’s objectives and operations are aligned with the organization’s overall mission, values and growth objectives.

The particular tasks of a business administrator vary and depend on each specific department. Here is a look at some possible departments that a business administration professional may be responsible for managing:

  • Accounting and Finance
  • Human Resources (HR)
  • Information Technology (IT)
  • Marketing and Sales
  • Production
  • Purchasing
  • Research and Development (R&D)

Clearly, a business degree can be quite versatile. It is possible for graduates to enter a wide range of professions with this academic qualification. Business administration professionals are generally responsible for supervising their staff members within the department, budgeting and reporting activities and coordinating activities with the heads of other departments.

What to Expect in a BBA Degree Program

You can expect to study a diverse spectrum of business-related topics during a BBA degree program. For example, it’s likely that you’ll take a close look at microeconomics and macroeconomics, as well as financial accounting, business statistics, productions management and organizational behavior.

Some of the specific topics you might study include:

  • The practices established in the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and the journey of the accounting cycle from transactions to financial statement preparation
  • The functions of individual and group behavior within an organization and how they affect organizational change, leadership, decision making and organizational design
  • The managerial concepts and strategies pertaining to operations management for service-oriented and manufacturing organizations
  • An overview of the global supply chain, including international trade, currency issues and cultural competencies

The BBA degree program will also look at ethical and legal issues pertaining to the business realm. Students should strive to develop a strong understanding of the role of ethics and values in decision making, keeping in mind the perspectives of various stakeholders.

In addition to developing core competencies in business, BBA degree students can expect to gain essential, transferrable skills that will put them in position for success in any role or industry. For example, leadership skills are typically emphasized in these programs. Students will study leadership styles and develop their own leadership skills.

BBA degree students will also develop their written and verbal communication skills, enabling them to become effective business administrators who function well within their organizations. Analytical reasoning is another important skill for BBA students to develop.

Career Possibilities for BBA Graduates

With a BBA degree, graduates will be in strong position to pursue opportunities in almost any industry and sector. For example, you might consider working at a for-profit corporation, an international conglomeration, a governmental agency or a nonprofit charity. All types of organizations need qualified administrators to run their departments and daily operations.

Here’s a quick look at some of the possibilities:

  • Sales Manager
  • General and Operations Manager
  • Production Manager
  • Human Resources Manager
  • Project Manager
  • Market Research Analyst

Many business related career fields are expected to experience a period of growth in the coming years. For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the economy to add 20,600 sales manager positions through 2028. This is a five percent rate of growth.1 The anticipated rate of growth for human resources managers through 2028 is seven percent.2

Positioning Yourself for Success After Graduation

The knowledge and skills you’ll gain during your studies can help you pursue your dream career. However, there are other steps you can take to position yourself for success after graduation. For instance, it’s a good idea to talk to your academic advisor or career placement counselor about internship opportunities. Completing an internship while you are a student allows you to build professional connections while gaining real-world experience.

You can also become an active member of your college campus. Look for extracurricular opportunities that are aligned with your career goals and your personal passions. Employers like to see that graduates have gone the extra mile to pursue activities outside the classroom.

Become a competitive job candidate with a business degree from Grand Canyon University. The Colangelo College of Business offers a wide variety of degree programs, including a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Students can take classes online or on campus while they develop the skills necessary to enter the workforce with confidence. Click on Request More Information at the top of your screen to begin your academic journey with GCU.

Retrieved from:

1 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/sales-managers.htm

2 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/human-resources-managers.htm

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.

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