Studying Strategic Planning: Degrees at a Glance
A strategic plan is a set of guidelines, goals and objectives which serves to direct an organization into the future. The purpose of a strategic plan is to help the organization understand its mission and to excel in its operations. As an academic field, these programs are also referred to as strategic management programs.
In a degree or certificate program in strategic planning you'll study how to define, articulate and reach the objectives and goals of an organization. Graduates of these programs go on to pursue business careers in leadership positions, such as strategic planning executives, analysts or consultants.
| Bachelor's | Certificate | |
|---|---|---|
| Who is this degree for? | Individuals interested in entry-level business careers | Working professionals or college graduates interested in pursuing strategic planning management careers |
| Common Career Paths (with approximate mean or median annual salary) | - Human resources specialist ($59,000)* - Purchasing agent ($61,000)* | - Strategic planning analyst ($48,000)** - Strategic planning manager ($116,000 This salary is more common for people with several years of experience.)** |
| Time to Completion | 4 years full time | 1-2 years full time |
| Common Graduation Requirements | Programs may require internship and/or capstone project as degree requirement | 5-6 graduate level courses |
| Prerequisites | High school diploma | Most programs require you to have a bachelor's degree in business or a related field |
| Online Availability | No | Yes |
Source: *Salary.com (2012 stats, median annual salaries), **U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2011 stats, mean annual salaries).
