What is the Difference Between Business Administration and Business Management?

Are you considering a career in business but don’t know where to start? When it comes to business, there are several business degree specialization options you can study. From management to finance to marketing, the list goes on.

In your search, you may have heard of business administration and business management but may not know what each entails. Keep reading to learn about the similarities and differences between business administration and business management, as well as the degrees, courses, and skills required for both.

Comparing Business Management and Business Administration Degrees

When it comes to the business administration program and business management program, the two have a lot in common. They are both widely offered at colleges and universities and are popular major choices for students. While the terms are often used interchangeably, they are not exactly alike. The difference between them can be seen as subtle, but those majoring in both should be aware and understand how they differ. 

It leads to the question, “How does a business administration degree differ from a business management degree?”

What is Business Administration?

A business administration degree covers all the essential functions and mechanics of operating a business, from accounting and finance to marketing and human resources. With the guidance and hands-on experience from your professors in combination with a carefully designed curriculum, your degree in business administration will help you develop the necessary skills and knowledge. Additionally, finding a business administration program that includes training or internship opportunities can help you find success in today’s business world.

What is Business Management?

While a business administration degree provides a broad understanding of all business operations, a business management degree looks at the topic of management specifically. The decision-makers who play a considerable role, big or small, business managers are members of the team who organize, lead and oversee a company, big or small, and its people. These individuals ensure the nuts and bolts of a company are functioning correctly and efficiently and have the company’s success in their best interest. Business managers typically are the ones to set company goals, put a strategic plan in place, and often serve as the face of a company in public.

Wondering, “Is a business management degree worth it?” Read more at our linked blog.

Business Administration vs Business Management: Education

Business Administration Education

Whether in administration or management, today’s business professional typically has a bachelor’s degree, which requires four years of full-time study. A bachelor’s degree of business administration will prepare you for many roles in the business industry. Throughout your time in the business program, you will learn, analyze, and apply many business areas and build crucial skills. In most cases, when majoring in business administration, you can choose to study the field in its entirety or select a specific concentration or focus, depending on your interests. 

When pursuing a business administration degree, you can expect to take courses such as:

• Microeconomics
• Macroeconomics
• Business Statistics
• Business Law
• Business Policy and Strategy

As stated, students can also choose a specific concentration to focus their students on throughout their time in the program. Those concentrations include:

• Entrepreneurship
• Economics
• Finance
• Management
• Marketing

If you receive your bachelor’s degree and find yourself wanting to continue your education, you can earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Earning an MBA is a great route to take if you’re looking to become more competitive in the business field or find an advanced leadership position. An MBA is advantageous because it can boost your marketability as a candidate and increase your overall job opportunities. 

Business Management Education 

When pursuing a business management degree, you will take courses covering a broad set of principles and practices in marketing, management, finance, and more to prepare you best to lead a team and company to success. For instance, students in North Central College’s business management program can expect to take core courses in the School of Business and Entrepreneurship such as:

• Globalization and Society
• Financial Accounting 
• Managerial Accounting
• Business Law and Ethics
• Business and Economics Statistics
• Business Strategy
• Principles of Microeconomics
• Principles of Macroeconomics
• Corporate Finance
• Management and Organizational Behavior
• Principles of Marketing

Additionally, students will take courses unique to the program, which include:

• Logistics and Supply Chain Management
• Environmental Management
• Productions/Operations Management
• International Management

And one of the following:

• Leading in a Global World
• Entrepreneurship Experimentation
• Management Information Systems
• Data Analytics
• Human Resource Management
• Operations Research

North Central’s rich program curriculum fused and exceptional teaching will help you receive the most of your college experience and propel you forward in the workforce.