Become a Leader in Business

A business administration degree provides the skills and knowledge needed to be successful in nearly any industry. Graduates can work in healthcare, technology, finance, government, and education. Most institutions offer undergraduate and graduate-level business degrees in various specializations, and some even extend to the doctoral level. Explore UMass Global’s full range of business programs.

A high-quality business degree should be structured to teach you the skills needed to be competitive in the workforce. Core concepts include financial reporting, ethical decision making, organizational communication, leadership and principles of management. Students can also align their program with their career goals by specializing in a certain area. Find a business program that fits your career goals.

Common courses in most bachelor’s-level programs include statistics, management, finance, accounting, organizational communications, operations management, leadership and professional ethics. You can often choose from a range of concentrations to specialize in. An MBA also has similar concepts but digs deeper into more advanced concepts within each field.

A traditional bachelor’s in business can take up to four years, and an MBA up to three.

With a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, you can explore diverse career paths. Some common career options include: 

• Business Analyst: Analyzing data, identifying trends, and making informed business recommendations
• Marketing Manager: Planning and executing marketing strategies to promote products or services
• Human Resources Manager: Overseeing employee recruitment, training, performance management, and organizational development
• Financial Analyst: Evaluating financial data, conducting investment research, and providing financial guidance
• Operations Manager: Optimizing processes, managing resources, and ensuring efficient business operations

Please note that these are just a few examples, and the possibilities are vast. The specific career path you choose may depend on your interests, specialization, and additional qualifications you may acquire. Discover more paths with our resource, "Different Types of Business Degrees and Career Paths."

A degree in international business combines fundamentals like leadership and accounting with foreign market concepts and financial dynamics. Students learn basic U.S. accounting rules as well as financial practices of other countries, multinational consolidations, foreign currency translation and international taxation principles.

An MBA can be beneficial in several ways. Earning one can help you achieve your long-term career goals, increase your earning potential, expand your professional network and even allow you to break into a new field.

Considered the gold standard in business, an MBA can help increase professional opportunities and even earning potential. Adding a specialization can help align curriculum with a certain career path. Example positions for MBA grads include financial analyst, risk solutions architect, health services manager, marketing director, benefits specialists and more. Explore your options by checking out our resource "MBA specializations and why you should consider pursuing one."

Some top career paths for MBA finance grads include senior financial analyst, financial manager, investment banker and chief financial officer just to name a few. Learn more about typical job duties for these positions and find out what to expect from this type of degree program by checking out our resource What to expect when earning an MBA in finance.

An MBA in finance provides students with the same foundational knowledge as a general MBA, covering topics like statistics, economics, leadership and marketing. But the finance emphasis also allows students to broaden their expertise in areas like stock market analysis, global economy, corporate finance and investment banking.

In addition to the core MBA courses in finance and economics, students interested in data analytics can expect to dig deeper into data visualization, modeling and business applications using industry leading Esri GIS software. Graduates of the UMass Global MBA in Business Intelligence and Data Analytics will be able to synthesize multiple data sources to evaluate business trends.

In data analytics degree programs, students gain valuable data analysis skills that are applicable in various industries. They learn how to manipulate and analyze large datasets, identify patterns and trends, and communicate their findings effectively. Additionally, they develop expertise in data visualization tools and programming languages such as Python and SQL, which are essential for data analysis. These skills not only make graduates highly marketable but also equip them with the ability to drive data-informed decision-making in organizations.

Yes, a master's in data analytics is worth it. With the increasing reliance on data-driven decision-making in organizations, professionals with advanced knowledge and skills in data analytics are in high demand. A master's degree in data analytics provides a deeper understanding of statistical analysis, machine learning, and data visualization techniques, making graduates well-equipped to tackle complex data challenges and drive innovation in their respective fields. Additionally, earning a master's degree can lead to higher earning potential and greater career advancement opportunities.

With a GIS degree, you can pursue various career paths in fields such as urban planning, environmental management, and geospatial analysis. Graduates often find employment as GIS analysts, cartographers, or remote sensing specialists, utilizing their skills to collect, analyze, and visualize geographic data. Additionally, GIS professionals play a crucial role in disaster management, helping organizations respond to and mitigate the impact of natural disasters through spatial analysis and mapping.

No, GIS does not require a lot of math. While a basic understanding of math concepts like geometry and algebra is helpful, the level of math required for GIS is typically not extensive. GIS software and tools have advanced to the point where complex calculations and analyses can be performed automatically, allowing users to focus more on interpreting and visualizing the data. However, having a strong analytical mindset and problem-solving skills can greatly benefit GIS professionals in their work.

To become a data scientist, a combination of education, experience, and skills is typically required. Many data scientists hold undergraduate and advanced degrees in fields such as computer science, statistics, or data analytics. In addition to formal education, gaining hands-on experience with data analysis and programming languages like Python and R is crucial. Some data scientists continue to invest in their education by obtaining certificates and attending bootcamps to further their knowledge. Continuous learning and staying updated with the latest tools and techniques in the field are essential for long-term success.

Different from a business degree with a leadership emphasis, the UMass Global Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership builds a strong foundation in leadership, management, and organizational dynamics. These qualities make the BA in Organizational Leadership a versatile degree that can fit into various industries. Some of these roles would be more accessible if the person added an MAOL, but these are possible career options.

• Human Resources: HR managers, talent acquisition specialists, organizational development consultants
• Management: Operations managers, project managers, general managers
• Nonprofit and Government: Program managers, development directors, executive directors
• Healthcare: Healthcare administrators, patient care coordinators, quality improvement managers
• Consulting: Organizational consultants, management consultants

A Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership and a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with a Leadership emphasis have distinct focuses, although they share some similarities in leadership education. Here are the key differences:

Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership

1. Focus — Primarily emphasizes leadership theories, practices, and strategies within various types of organizations, including nonprofits, governmental agencies, and businesses.
2. Curriculum — Includes courses in organizational behavior, change management, team dynamics, ethics, and communication. It often explores the human and cultural aspects of leadership.
3. Skills Developed — Leadership, communication, conflict resolution, team-building, and strategic thinking.
4. Career Paths — Suited for roles in human resources, training and development, non-profit management, public administration, and leadership positions across diverse organizations.

Bachelor of Business Administration with Leadership Emphasis

1. Focus — Concentrates on business fundamentals alongside leadership skills, blending general business knowledge with limited leadership-specific education.
2. Curriculum — Covers a broad range of business subjects such as finance, marketing, operations, and management, with additional courses focused on leadership and management skills.
3. Skills Developed — Business acumen, financial literacy, marketing strategies, operations management, as well as leadership and team management.
4. Career Paths — Prepares students for leadership roles within business contexts, such as management positions in corporate settings, entrepreneurship, and executive leadership.

Bottom Line

• A Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership is more specialized in leadership skills applicable across various organizational types.
• A Bachelor of Business Administration with a Leadership Emphasis provides a broader business education with a focus on leadership within the business context.

Choosing between the two depends on your career goals and whether you prefer a broader business foundation, or a more focused leadership skill set applicable in various organizational settings. At UMass Global, you can choose between a BA in Organizational Leadership, a BBA in Management & Organizational Leadership (in a self-paced, competency-based format), and a BBA in Organizational Leadership.

Organizational Leadership and Manager are related, yet they are also distinct concepts. The focus of each, while there is some overlap, are different. Here’s how.

Organizational Leadership is primarily about setting a vision, inspiring others, and guiding an organization or team towards achieving long-term goals. Organizational Leadership emphasizes motivation, influence, and the ability to drive change. Organizational Leadership will lead the necessary changes when organizations need to adapt and evolve. Those in these positions play a key role in setting strategic goals and help shape and maintain an organization’s culture and values.

Management is focused on day-to-day operations, ensuring the organization runs smoothly and efficiently. Management helps drive the organization forward toward the strategic goals set by leadership, but managers do this on a more granular level. Managers control resources, and handle planning and organizing to achieve short-term and long-term goals. You could think of managers as being responsible for the day-to-day workings of the organization as it strives to achieve the strategies set by leadership.

Students in the Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership address this question directly, as everyone who has come across a manager who is far from being a leader. Management degrees are focused on the granular day-to-day business environment, while Organizational Leadership considers bigger issues when leading people. Bottom line? The best managers have extensive training in leadership.

Organizational leadership degrees are available at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree levels. Many universities like UMass Global also offer emphasis or concentration options within specialized programs. Some even have a variety of certificate options and courses that can be used for professional development.

A Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership program equips students with a broad range of skills essential for effective leadership and management across various organizational contexts. Key skills developed in this program include:

• Leadership and Team Building — Understanding different leadership styles and techniques for motivating and guiding teams to achieve goals.
• Effective Communication — Mastering both verbal and written communication skills, including active listening, persuasive communication, and presenting ideas clearly.
• Strategic Planning and Decision Making — Learning to set long-term goals, develop strategic plans, and make informed decisions to guide organizations effectively.
• Conflict Resolution — Acquiring techniques to manage and resolve conflicts within teams or organizations constructively.
• Ethics and Social Responsibility — Understanding the importance of ethical decision-making and social responsibility in leadership roles.
• Organizational Behavior — Studying how individuals and groups act within organizations to improve management practices and enhance productivity.
• Change Management — Developing skills to effectively lead and manage change within an organization, ensuring smooth transitions and buy-in from stakeholders.
• Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving — Enhancing the ability to analyze complex problems, think critically, and develop innovative solutions.
• Cultural Competence — Gaining insights into managing and leading diverse teams, understanding cultural differences, and promoting inclusivity.

These skills prepare graduates to take on leadership roles in a wide variety of sectors, including business, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and educational institutions.

The great thing about a BAOL is that it is generally not industry-specific so students can apply their different backgrounds and look at how organizational leadership tools can be applied in any situation. The curriculum can include topics like marketing, HR, economics, ethics, team building, and finance.
 

An MAOL degree is great for those who want to learn about leadership styles while focusing on individual growths that contribute to organizational success. Example course topics include organizational research, democracy, and ethics, leading change, team development, and organizational dynamics.