You’re headed back to school. Good for you! Sometimes just making the decision is the hardest part. Are you also planning to put that decision-making ability to good use once you graduate? Did you know the ability to make decisions is a key skill for managers?
Maybe a business management degree is a solid option for you. Business management is defined by Laws.com as “the act of organizing people to accomplish the desired goals and objectives of a business.” According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, growth in employment in management is projected to be 8% from 2016 to 2026, with growth for general and operations managers slightly higher at 9%. A Bachelor of Science in Management degree from the University of Phoenix can help prepare you to enter almost any industry as all businesses have some type of management.
People often think those who become managers are the people who are natural leaders. It’s true: some people are born with the personality traits that lead them into management roles. It’s also true that the skills to be a good manager can be learned. Being a successful manager in the business world requires both business skills – an understanding of business theories, systems and operations along with financial knowledge – and soft skills, “behaviors you display in different situations.” But what does that really mean? Aren’t those skills actually just personality traits you are born with? Are they learnable? Can you gain them from a business management degree?
Soft skills can be learned, and the business management program at University of Phoenix is designed not only to teach the hard skills necessary for success, but also to teach the soft skills necessary for a rapidly evolving business world. You will learn to be a leader in business. As you go through the program, you will gain self confidence; you will learn to communicate effectively, to think strategically. You will develop the ability to motivate and inspire, to build a team and encourage creativity, improve productivity, efficiency and communication in your organization.
The University of Phoenix offers four different programs for a Bachelor of Science in Management, each designed to help you develop the skills necessary to pursue a career in business management. Courses are designed to teach you to make and implement management decisions, to understand how to utilize and align resources, and to embrace workplace diversity and change.
1. Bachelor of Science in Management (BSM) with an Associate of Arts with a concentration in Business Fundamentals
This degree plan can be especially attractive to working adults. If you want the opportunity to advance your career now but you also want to earn a degree, you can do both – gain specialized skills and earn a bachelor’s degree. While you’re working toward a bachelor’s in Management, you will earn an Associate of Arts concentration in Business Fundamentals to gain the specialized business skills you can put to work now. From an understanding of business information systems, accounting and management theory to an understanding of how to utilize and align resources, you’ll be ready for management opportunities now and in the future.
2. Bachelor of Science in Business with a General Management Certificate
This degree plan is designed to prepare you to manage the big picture. If you want to coordinate business operations on all levels – across accounting, operations, marketing and sales, human resources and other key departments, then you’ll want courses that give you a strong foundation, from managing workplace change to facilitating employee development. You’ll be prepared to manage projects, products and brands. The certificate option allows you to take general management courses early on, providing an additional credential for workplace opportunities.
3. Bachelor of Science in Business with an Operations Management Certificate
If you are interested in helping businesses operate at a higher level, this degree plan will prepare you to better manage people, processes and systems. This program also features a certificate option, which allows you to take core courses at the beginning. In this degree program, you’ll learn about business fundamentals, from economics and finance to business law and ethics to organizational behavior.
4. Bachelor of Science in Business with a Project Management Certificate
If you want a degree plan that will prepare you specifically for project management, then this is it. In this program you will learn what it takes to successfully manage projects and processes, from conception to completion, by gaining skills necessary for designing costs and timelines, using project management software, and tracking and measuring progress. This degree also features a certificate option.
No matter which path you choose, you’ll be positioned to pursue the career goals you dream of. You’ll have instructors who are skilled professionals with solid credentials from both education and experience in their field. Did you know University of Phoenix’s current instructors include chief executive officers, chief financial officers and chief operating officers, to name a few? You’ll build a support system with your fellow classmates, and you’ll also have access to powerful networking tools through PhoenixLinkSM , our career services platform. When you earn a business management degree from University of Phoenix, you’ll have gained so much more.