Business Degrees for Working Adults: 6 Things to Look For
The pursuit of a business degree is more than an academic achievement. It's a key to unlocking personal and professional aspirations. Perhaps you're a mid-level manager with hopes of taking over the corner office. Or maybe you're looking to reshape your career by broadening your skillset into an emerging field.
Regardless of your end goal, you know two things for sure: you need a program that you can fit around your busy life, and one that will provide immediate value in your current role.
Many working adults find online business degrees are the ideal option. But not all programs are created equal. Let this article serve as your guide to identifying quality business degrees for working adults.
6 essential factors working adults should evaluate in business programs
When faced with a sea of online business programs, it can be tricky to identify an ideal option that aligns with your needs. It helps to create a set of criteria to aid you in comparing your options and ultimately choose a winner.
For working professionals in particular, there are some key elements to keep in mind. Keep an eye out for the following:
1. Convenient and flexible learning options
Advancing your education shouldn't require sacrificing your personal or professional commitments. As a working professional, finding a program that you can flex around your schedule is paramount. Online business programs can provide this freedom– just be sure to find a program that offers 24/7 access to course content so you can learn wherever and whenever.
At Utica University, for example, students have round-the-clock access to recorded lectures and coursework. This convenience will allow you to earn your degree in a way that doesn’t interfere with your family, work, or personal priorities.
2. Streamlined paths to entry
As a busy professional, you likely don’t have the time or energy to jump through extra hoops when it comes to enrolling in a degree program. Make a point to seek out institutions that provide a clear and direct pathway to admission.
Utica University has worked to remove many barriers to entry to increase accessibility for students. One example is that students are not required to take any entrance exams (e.g., SAT, ACT, GMAT, GRE). We also offer multiple start dates annually for many of our online business programs, which means you don’t need to wait to start your education journey.
3. Career-relevant curriculum
Whether you're looking to advance your career or start a new one, you have a specific purpose for earning a degree. Finding a program that closely matches the current demands of your industry is crucial. You want to be sure you're gaining skills and experience that will be immediately applicable in the marketplace.
At Utica University, our curriculum is made up of innovative courses designed to meet the evolving demands of the field. Students also benefit from real-world learning experiences led by faculty who are industry experts. You can rest assured knowing your coursework can be directly applied to your current or future role.
4. Opportunities to personalize your program
Generally speaking, expect to take some core courses that are universal to all types of business degrees. But having the ability to cater your other courses to address the precise skills that are most relevant to your professional goals can be a significant advantage. Look for online business programs that offer multiple concentrations to further specialize your training.
Several of Utica University’s online business programs have specialization opportunities. For instance, MBA students can choose to focus their studies in business analytics, health care management, entrepreneurship, accounting, finance, and cybersecurity. Being able to customize your curriculum can put you on the fast track to reaching your career aspirations.
5. Comprehensive support services
You might assume that by enrolling in an online business program, you'll be left to navigate things on your own. But this isn't the case for all institutions. Take time to research the student support services provided for any program you're considering. Knowing you have access to these resources provides an extra level of confidence – whether you end up using them or not.
The Center for Student Success at Utica University is dedicated to ensuring all students get the assistance they need to succeed. Examples of support services include: success coaching, financial aid counseling, tutoring, career services, and more. You already have plenty to worry about as a busy professional. You can enjoy some peace of mind knowing these resources are available to you.
6. Affordable tuition and strong ROI
Last, but certainly not least, is the financial investment involved in earning a degree. Understanding the cost of a program and its return on investment (ROI) is crucial. This goes beyond merely assessing the tuition and fees; it involves evaluating the value the program is expected to provide.
Utica University is committed to making programs affordable and of substantial value. We took a stance by drastically lowering our tuition in 2016, making us the best private university price among all our peer institutions in the Northeast. Add in financial aid, scholarships, and grants and costs become even more manageable.
Utica University has also been named one of America’s best values in higher education by College Factual. This stems from a variety of factors, including our enriching educational experiences, expert faculty, affordable tuition, and student outcomes. Explore more about the value of a Utica degree.
Find your perfect fit
As you take the next steps toward advancing your education, don’t settle for just any program. The best business degrees for working adults will meet all the criteria listed above. Taking the time to do a thorough evaluation now can save you time, money, and stress later.
It’s no secret that Utica University checks all these boxes and more. If you’re interested in learning more about what we have to offer, explore our Online Business Programs.
