The University of La Verne structures the online Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration program toward working adults seeking to advance in the business world.

Courses can be completed entirely online, with topics bridging business theories and industry practices with hands-on learning. The curriculum encourages students to cultivate critical thinking and interpersonal skills and examine ethics and cultural differences within the context of business.

Technology, best practices, and regulations all evolve, and staying ahead of these changes keeps business professionals competitive in the job market. Although experience has and always will play a key role in advancement, nearly all entry-level positions require a business degree. La Verne’s online BA in Business Administration becomes a springboard into these opportunities by:

• providing a solid understanding of how organizations are run at all levels;
• instilling a strong entrepreneurial mindset in students;
• emphasizing interpersonal, communication, decision-making, and problem-solving skills;
• offering an introduction to human resources, marketing, operations, finance, supply chain, and management concepts; and
• focusing on traditional and technological components of business operations.

Curriculum

The College of Business balances the diverse needs of its student body with the shifting employment demands of the business, public, and social sectors. The curriculum for the online BA in Business Administration reflects this relationship. To complete the degree, students must complete 12 semester hours of prerequisites, 32 semester hours of core courses, and eight (8) semester hours of electives, which may be fulfilled with one of four concentrations.

In the process, students must fulfill La Verne’s 44-unit residency requirement and complete the La Verne Experience requirement of University Community Engagement LVE 305 or other approved community engagement course. Depending upon the number of credits a student transfers over, the program may be completed in as little as 18 months.

All students working toward the online BA in Business Administration must complete RCS 110: College Writing A or an equivalent course with a “C-” or better. Students who do not transfer an equivalent class from previously completed college coursework must take this subject during their first semester at La Verne.

Concentrations

Online BA in Business Administration students looking to gain greater insight into a specialized area of the business world may want to consider adding a concentration to their major. Overlapping with the offerings for Bachelor of Science (BS) in Business Administration program, the four concentrations include:

• Business Finance: Coursework covers the essentials on securities, investments, portfolio building, management, banking, and international finance, with the goal of preparing students for corporate careers in financial, industrial, or banking industries.
• Marketing: Through courses like market research and consumer behavior, students learn the techniques and tools needed to identify and examine consumer segments and deliver specific, effective products, services, and messaging.
• Business Management: Topics in organizational theory, human resources, entrepreneurship, and international management mix a theoretical foundation with the real-world management skills needed to attract, nurture, and preserve personnel and accomplish objectives in a changing environment.
• Information Technology: Courses in systems analysis, database management, computer networking basics, and ecommerce prepare students for business-related careers in information systems and information technology, emphasizing how current technologies assist with trend analysis and influence decision making.
• International Business: Courses in marketing, economics, and management explore how international business practices and customs differ from those in the US.
• Human Resources Management: Classes focus on the management and training of human resources, including management of change and conflict, mediation, compensation and benefits, and training and development.

Review all of the required courses for each of the Business Administration concentrations.

Careers with a bachelor’s degree in business

According to figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, business and finance occupations are projected to experience 7 percent growth between 2018 and 2028—faster than for other fields. For candidates interested in entering or advancing in this field, a bachelor’s degree is required for nearly all entry-level positions. Along with a general understanding of business operations, you need to be well-versed in quantitative analysis, finance, and economics and have strong communication and critical-thinking skills.

With this skill set, online BA in Business Administration graduates are positioned for a variety of careers, including:

• budget or financial analyst
• claims adjuster
• financial examiner
• human resources manager
• insurance underwriter
• loan officer
• management analyst
• market research analyst
• financial advisor
• purchasing manager
• tax examiner
• training and program specialist

Career arcs for many business professionals may eventually involve earning a Master of Business Administration through the University of La Verne. Our online BA in Business Administration provides the knowledge and preparation necessary to succeed in an advanced degree program.