Online Business Administration Certificate and Diploma Programs

Certificate programs in business administration are available either partly or completely online. Students learn basic business skills that they can use in the workplace or in pursuing a more advanced business degree.

Business Administration Certificate Program Overview

Online certificate programs in business administration are available in several structures and formats aimed at different types of students. Some are geared toward aspiring entrepreneurs of all educational levels who lack practical business training. Others are designed for students with bachelor's degrees in non-business fields who are seeking to become more competitive in applying for Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs.

Program Information and Requirements

Some online business administration certificate programs include courses that are only available on campus, and some require proctored exams. Schedules also vary; courses might run on a semester schedule or begin at any time. Basic computer literacy is necessary for online courses, along with access to a computer connected to the Internet.
Proficiency in using the Internet is also required. Students should know how to attach files to e-mail messages and to unzip and download files and necessary plug-ins. Some programs require Microsoft Windows.

List of Commonly Required Business Administration Courses

Courses focus on fundamental business concepts, including how to sell products and services, track expenses and supervise employees.

Business Accounting Course

Financial statements and the accounting cycle are introduced in this course. Students learn to accurately record assets and transactions and to use accounting records to guide business decisions.

Marketing Course

Courses in marketing address how to develop and sell products. Pricing, advertising design and determining target markets are also covered.

Management Course

This course discusses a variety of management-related topics. Leadership, effective communication, interpersonal skills and conflict resolution are all explored.

Statistics Course

Fundamentals of probability and statistics are introduced in this course. Students learn to analyze data using statistical methods, including regression, sampling distribution, testing hypotheses and estimating intervals.

Possible Careers for Graduates

Graduates with a certificate in business administration can start a small business using concepts they've learned. Others might find administrative assistant work with larger companies, and graduates who hold bachelor's degrees in addition to their certificates could find entry-level managerial positions. Office and administrative support managers earned a median annual salary of about $47,000 in May 2009; marketing managers earned more than $110,000, and human resource managers earned close to $97,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov).

Continuing Education

Upon completion of a business administration certificate program, students holding a bachelor's degree can apply to an MBA program. If the certificate is from a school that grants graduate-level credit, some courses might transfer to an MBA program. Several schools offer MBA programs completely online.