eBusiness Associate's and Bachelor's: Degrees at a Glance
If you enroll in an eBusiness degree program, you'll receive instruction in cutting-edge electronic business areas such as web content development, Internet advertising and marketing, search engine optimization principles and more. Employment opportunities that can result from these degree programs are broad, ranging from administrative assistant to CEO of your own company.
The associate's degree in eBusiness is ideal for those interested in entry-level jobs in this field, such as website development assistant or administrative assistant. The bachelor's degree program can lead to management roles or can be the educational pathway for those looking to run their own Internet-based companies.
| Associate's | Bachelor's | |
|---|---|---|
| Who is this degree for? | Individuals interested in entry-level positions in an eBusiness environment | Those seeking entrepreneurial or leadership roles within an eBusiness dynamic |
| Common Career Paths (with approximate mean annual salary) | - Administrative assistant ($48,000)* - Computer support specialist ($52,000)* | - Database administrator ($77,000)* - Computer and information systems manager ($126,000)* |
| Time to Completion | 2 years, full time | 4 years, full time |
| Common Graduation Requirements | Some programs may require an internship | Some programs may require an internship |
| Prerequisites | High school diploma or GED | - High school diploma or GED - Some programs require applicants to demonstrate basic computer familiarity |
| Online Availability | Yes | Yes |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2011 statistics)
Associate's Degree in eBusiness
Associate's degree programs in eBusiness allow you to study foundational business topics, such as marketing, project management and business law, while also receiving instruction in the science of Internet-based commerce. These programs often allow you to choose a particular concentration for your studies, such as eBusiness technology, software or security.
Many programs feature an internship as a degree requirement. These internships, generally lasting 1 or 2 semesters, will provide you with valuable professional experience as you work in an eBusiness setting for course credit.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- You can complete your degree and begin your career search after just 2 years of full-time study
- These programs can often be found at community colleges, which feature more affordable tuition rates that state colleges or universities
- Many programs allow you to concentrate on a specific element of eBusiness, such as web development or Internet security
Cons
- May not qualify you for as many career paths as a bachelor's degree
- This degree can lead to specific career paths, such as eBusiness security technician, that may require you to work irregular hours or be on call for emergencies
- In some cases, competing job candidates with more education might have an advantage over you
Courses and Requirements
In addition to your core eBusiness courses, you'll also enroll in general education courses, such as English composition, history, math or social science courses. Your program may also require an internship, in which you'll work in an actual eBusiness setting under direct supervision. Below are some sample course titles you're likely to encounter:
- Network defense and security
- Theories of management
- Web page design
- Software development
Online Degree Options
Associate's degree programs in eBusiness are available in an online format. You'll want to research your program of choice carefully. As long as the college offering the program is an accredited educational institution, there should be no difference in learning outcomes or vocational possibilities between distance-learning and campus-based programs. If you are planning on continuing your education in pursuit of a bachelor's degree, be certain that the distance-learning credits you're receiving are transferable to a 4-year institution.
Getting Ahead with This Degree
While you're still pursuing your eBusiness degree is a good time to think about how to stand out within your field of fellow job seekers. Most of these degree programs require you to choose a concentration for your studies. You may consider pursuing additional instruction in areas of eBusiness that lie outside your area of expertise. For instance, if you are pursuing an eBusiness degree with a concentration in Web security, consider choosing electives that will complement and expand your knowledge base. These electives could include subjects such as software development or website design. The more well-rounded the job applicant, the better his or her chances of landing the right job.
Alternate Degree Option
If you're interested in working with technology, but aren't as excited about the prospect of working in a management role, you may consider earning an associate degree in computer science or information technology. With this 2-year degree, and some industry experience, you can be qualified to work in entry-level information technology positions, such as computer programmer. According to the BLS, computer programmers were expected to see a 12% increase in employment from 2010-2020. As of May 2011, the BLS stated that computer programmers earned a mean annual salary of about $76,000.
Bachelor's Degree in eBusiness
In an eBusiness bachelor's degree program, you'll explore the traditional components of a business degree, while also mastering the new terrain of electronic commerce. You'll study accounting, organizational behavior and management styles along with Internet-based marketing and webpage development. By the time you're ready to graduate you should have a thorough understanding of the technology that drives eBusiness and how to apply this technology to achieve your organization's goals and objectives.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- After completing your degree program, you'll be well positioned to pursue an advanced degree in eBusiness or a related field
- Will prepare you for a broader range of careers than an associate's degree program
- Upon graduating you'll be eligible to pursue career paths, such as database administration, that are experiencing higher-than-average employment opportunities
Cons
- Some eBusiness career paths (including certain levels of database administration) require an advanced degree
- You'll probably be required to take courses or attend seminars so that you can stay on top of the evolving technology that drives eBusiness
- Because eBusiness is a relatively new phenomenon, it may not offer the same vocational stability found in other areas of the business world
Courses and Requirements
Along with your business courses, you'll take math courses (algebra and accounting), science courses (chemistry and biology) and English courses (composition and public speaking). In addition, many programs also feature humanities electives covering history and the social science. Listed below are course topics commonly found in this style of program.
- Electronic marketing
- Business law
- eBusiness ethics
- Entrepreneurial management
- Systems analysis
Online Degree Options
It is possible to pursue your bachelor's degree in eBusiness in a distance-learning environment. These online programs utilize a variety of electronic tools and learning aids, including electronic blackboards, message boards and chat rooms. You'll want to be certain that the online program you have in mind offers the same benefits and advantages that can be found in a campus-based program. These factors may include availability of internships, access to computer labs and the latest in eBusiness software and access to professors, tutors and fellow students.
Getting Ahead with This Degree
Vocations that are associated with the Internet and technology are some of the fastest growing career paths out there. This growth, in turn, attracts many bright and talented job seekers. When considering how to get ahead with your degree, you may want to think about joining a fraternal organization for business majors. Examples of these organizations include Delta Sigma Pi and Alpha Kappa Psi. Fraternal organizations offer benefits such as scholarships, training programs, professional development resources and networking opportunities. They may provide you with the difference you need to get ahead in a competitive industry.
Alternate Degree Option
If you're more interested in the business world and management opportunities than you are in working with information technology, you may consider earning a bachelor's degree in business management or business administration. These programs can commonly prepare you to work in management positions, even in executive positions with business organizations. In May 2011, the BLS reported that chief executives earned a mean annual salary of about $177,000. However, from 2010-2020, these professional were only expected to see a 5% increase in job growth, according to the BLS.
