If you already have an associate's degree from another accredited institution, our online advanced start program may help you earn a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in as little as two years.*

Careers in management are available in nearly every industry, offering diverse opportunities for job applicants with the right knowledge, skills, and credentials. In 2008, of the 11 bachelor’s degrees in highest demand, 5 were in business.† If you are ready to advance your career in management, earning a business management degree online at Kaplan University may prepare you with knowledge and skills to increase your income potential and marketability.

 Program Highlights 

The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program focuses on helping you develop the knowledge and skills required to become an effective, efficient manager. Through our comprehensive online curriculum you will have the opportunity to:

  • Focus on developing critical thinking and communication skills and acquiring the technical competencies required to become an effective business leader
  • Gain a detailed understanding of business functions including human resources, marketing, operations, finance, and accounting
  • Examine group behavior and study to develop team-building and decision-making skills
  • Complete a capstone course in which you will demonstrate your ability to apply the concepts learned online to real-world business management scenarios

Career Focus Areas for the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

Career focus areas are groupings of courses designed to prepare you with specialized knowledge and skills in a chosen field. Career focus areas allow you to personalize your education by focusing your elective choices on an area of study that best fits your desired career path. For example, if you are interested in pursuing a career as a financial analyst, the associated career focus area offers courses in economics and finance that provide specialized knowledge directly related to assessing a company’s financial performance.‡ Career focus areas include:

  • Accelerated MBA Option
  • Business Process Analyst
  • Criminal Justice
  • Entrepreneur
  • Financial Analyst
  • Human Resources
  • Information Assurance
  • Management
  • Management of Information Systems
  • Marketing
  • Operations Manager
  • Prelaw
  • Project Management
  • Project Management Analyst
  • Purchasing Specialist
  • Retail Manager
  • Risk Management Analyst
  • Sales Manager
  • Web/E-commerce Manager

Fast Track Your MBA

Students enrolled in Kaplan University’s Bachelor of Science in Business Administration can choose to complete the accelerated MBA option. Designed for high-potential undergraduate students interested in fast tracking their master’s degree, the accelerated MBA option is a grouping of eight undergraduate courses that you complete as part of your bachelor’s degree. If you successfully complete these courses with a minimum course grade, and have applied and been accepted to the Kaplan University Master of Business Administration program, you will have five of the graduate core courses waived and be allowed entry into a shortened version of the MBA program. Qualification for the accelerated MBA option is subject to eligibility requirements. Please contact an Admissions Advisor for more information.

 Curriculum for the Advanced Start Bachelor of Science in Business Administration 

    Courses Credits
    Total Prior Degree Credits* 90
    Courses Credits
    Accounting for Nonaccounting Majors OR
    Accounting I
    Introduction to Management
    Finance
    Courses Credits
    Arts and Humanities Elective 6
    Physical Science Elective 6
    Social Science Elective 6
    Courses Credits
    Managerial Accounting for Business Professionals 6
    Organizational Behavior 6
    Ethics and the Legal Environment OR
    Business Law 6
    Operations Management OR
    Business Process Analysis 6
    Managerial Economics OR
    Corporate Finance 6
    Bachelors Capstone in Management 6
    Choose one
    Marketing Research 6
    Marketing Management 6
    Marketing Elective 6
    Courses Credits
    Open Electives 24
    Total Program Requirements 90

 Prepare for Information Technology Certification  

Development of new technologies is creating faster than average growth in employment of computer and information systems managers.§ Kaplan University’s School of Business and Management has been validated by the Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS) as meeting the National Training Standard for the following certificates:#

- Information Systems Security (INFOSEC) Professionals, NSTISSI-4011
- Senior Systems Managers, CNSSI-4012

 What Are the Career Opportunities? 

Whether you are preparing for entry-level management positions or want to advance your current career, a bachelor's degree in business administration may help you qualify for management opportunities in a variety of fields, including marketing, finance, human resources, and accounting.‡ Completing the curriculum requirements for a career focus area may further enhance your value to prospective employers. Successful completion of this online program also provides you with the academic foundation required to further your education beyond the baccalaureate level.**

For more information, chat live or call an Admissions Advisor at 866.527.5268 (Toll Free).

Tuition and Fees

Cost per credit hour$353.00
Total program requirements90

Total cost of tuition$31,770.00


This program requires a $100 technology fee per term. Effective July 1, 2009, a minimum deposit of $70 is required at the time of enrollment and will be credited toward your tuition when you begin classes. The advanced start option assumes you have completed an associate's degree and requires a minimum of 180 quarter credit hours, including 90 from your requisite associate’s degree.* Additional courses and tuition costs and fees may be required to meet the prerequisites for the advanced start program. Refer to the University Catalog for transfer of credit policy. We encourage you to explore the availability of financial aid and scholarships. For more information, chat live or call an Admissions Advisor at 866.527.5268 (Toll Free).

Kaplan University offers tuition discounts to active-duty military servicemembers and veterans. Call 866.583.4412 to speak to a military Admissions Advisor.


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*Refer to the University Catalog for our Transfer of Credit policy.
†National Association of Colleges and Employers, Job Outlook 2008, “The top bachelor’s degrees in demand.”
‡Kaplan University's programs are designed to prepare graduates to pursue employment in their field of study, or in related fields. However, the University does not guarantee that graduates will be placed in any particular job or employed at all.
§Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Computer and Information Systems Managers, http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos258.htm (accessed May 2008).
#Although the program is designed to prepare students for various certification and licensing examinations, the University cannot guarantee students will pass the exams.
**While many of Kaplan University's degree programs are designed to prepare graduates to pursue continued graduate- or doctorate-level education, the University cannot guarantee that students will be granted admission to any graduate or doctoral programs.