subject: What To Expect From A Bachelors Program In Business Administration [print this page] More and more young people and working adults are recognizing the value of higher education. But with thousands of new students enrolling in business degree programs, its clear that some of them dont know quite what to expect. Prospective students would do well to anticipate the workload, costs, and course content so that they can prepare themselves for the rigorous but rewarding journey of a college education.
Many students underestimate the time and effort required to successfully complete a business administration degree. Business degree programs can be very intensive, especially for students who have not been in a classroom for several years. Most professors and universities recommend that students spend two to three hours studying for every hour they spend in class in a week. That study time will be spent reading, reviewing notes, preparing for exams or writing papers. Of course, some students will be quicker studies than others, but all students should expect to spend a lot of their free time focused on academics. Students in accelerated business administration degree programs may only need to attend class once a week, but classes are much faster paced. This means that even though those students spend less time in the classroom, they will probably need to spend more time studying independently each week. Conversely, full time students in traditional programs will need to juggle work from several different classes at the same time. Of course, no matter what a students schedule looks like, attending class is likely to be the most vital key to success.
Understand the Costs Involved
Some students enter business degree programs without adequate financial preparation. Although financial aid is available at most major universities, students may not anticipate all the costs associated with returning to school. For students who commute to campus, extra gasoline expenses car really add up over the course of the semester. All students are likely to face substantial textbook costs. Some textbooks in business programs can cost over $200 each. Additionally, some programs require students purchase a particular kind of computer or special software for that computer. All of these expenses can be covered by financial aid, but only if students expect the costs and build them into their budgets. Doing some research in advance can save students a serious financial headache down the road.
Be Prepared for the Workload
Finally, students working towards a business administration degree should be prepared for their coursework. Every university has its own curriculum, but all business programs share some common elements. Students should definitely be prepared to take at least one course in business statistics. These courses can be challenging for students without much background in math, but they generally require only a basic grasp of high school algebra to complete successfully. Similarly, most universities require students take several writing-intensive courses to prepare for real world business communication. Students who are out of practice in writing may find these courses challenging, so it pays to brush up on basic grammar and composition skills. Students should also remember that if they are struggling, they have resources to turn to. Many business degrees have writing and math tutoring services, and professors almost always keep office hours for discussing problems with students.
Returning to school to achieve a business degree can be challenging, but it can also be a very wise economic investment. Prospective students should make sure to do their homework before even beginning a program, however, to make sure theyre getting the best possible bang for their buck.
