Online Business Degrees and Certificate Programs

Yes, you can absolutely earn a business degree online.

Whether you choose a traditional classroom setting or an online one, all business degree programs have certain requirements and a number of required hours. Regardless of your particular interests, a business program can equip you with new skills and help you advance your career.

Attending an online business degree program has unique advantages—especially if you already have a career. You won’t have to commute to a campus. You won’t have to quit your job. And you can attend class whenever it’s most convenient for you—from late night hours to the early morning. This flexibility in itself is one of the main reasons why people opt for online learning, not to mention the money you’ll save.

Many programs in our School of Business and Information Technology have received programmatic accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), meaning that they meet the standards set for teaching excellence and continuous quality improvement.

Our business school curriculum equips you with the ideal blend of soft and hard skills. At Purdue Global, we combine theory and practice so that students benefit not only in the short term with immediate career application, but also in the long term with continued success. We emphasize a hands-on approach so that you can apply what you learn in the real world.

In our curriculum, you’ll study the fundamentals of business (e.g., decision-making, managing human capital, strategy, process, logistics and technology) and learn professional strategies (e.g., developing skills in networking, negotiation, leadership, professionalism, teamwork, personal branding, coaching and mentoring). Our courses are designed and taught by professors with firsthand knowledge in their areas of expertise–so you’ll always be learning from experts in your field.

Furthermore, you’ll become competitive in the global job market, learning how to cultivate relationships across cultures and how to make an impact in emerging markets around the world.

Our School of Business and Information Technology also offers opportunities to network and interact with fellow students and faculty members through special events and course activities. We offer a variety of clubs and honors societies, including prestigious groups such as Ambassadors and Leaders, Golden Key, International Honour Society, and the Business and Management Student Association.

Purdue Global does not guarantee employment placement or career advancement. Actual outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience and opportunities for employment.

See Notes and Conditions for important information.

Business is a vast field with many subject areas. When considering a program, it can help to review your goals with yourself and the potential outcomes of a particular degree. Are you looking to enter into the field of business? Do you already have a career and are looking to make a shift? Are you aiming for a leadership role? Once you can define for yourself where your objectives lie, you’ll be able to more easily choose the field that’s right for you.

The different levels of business degrees offered by Purdue Global include the following:

• Associate: An associate degree qualifies you for entry-level jobs and typically takes two years to complete. We offer associate degrees in accounting and business administration.
• Bachelor’s: A bachelor's degree is designed to provide you with a more well-rounded education. It sets you up with practical skills for the job market and gets you on a career path. We offer bachelor’s degrees in accounting, business administration, finance, and organizational management.
• Master’s: A master's degree can help you advance your career. We offer master’s degrees in accounting, business administration, finance, and management and leadership.
• Certificates: Certificates are shorter-term credentials that will often transfer in for master's degree credits. Certificate programs offered by Purdue Global include accounting graduate, human resources graduate, human resources postbaccalaureate, and project management graduate.

See Notes and Conditions for important information.

Many of Purdue Global’s online business degrees are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Accredited online business school programs must pass a rigorous qualification process. In particular, ACBSP’s standards align with the Baldrige National Quality Program, a performance award program that sets high standards for and recognizes excellence in various types of educational programs.

• Associate of Applied Science in Accounting
• Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration
• Bachelor of Science in Accounting
• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
• Bachelor of Science in Finance
• Master of Business Administration
• Master of Science in Accounting
• Master of Science in Finance
• Master of Science in Management and Leadership

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) has acknowledged that the following programs with human resources concentrations align with the SHRM HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates: Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Management and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. SHRM is the world’s largest association devoted to human resource management. The Society serves the needs of HR professionals and advances the interests of the HR profession. Founded in 1948, SHRM has more than 250,000 members in over 140 countries and more than 575 affiliated chapters.

As an institution, Purdue Global is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Additionally, Purdue Global’s Master of Science in Finance with a concentration in financial planning is a CFP Board-Registered Program in financial planning education. That means the program meets specific criteria for educating individuals who wish to fulfill the education component for obtaining CFP^® certification. Individuals who meet CFP Board’s education requirement are eligible to sit for the CFP^® Certification Examination.* Successful completion of the education and examination components completes two of the core prerequisites to obtain CFP^® certification.

CFP^® Certification: Purdue Global does not certify individuals to use CFP^®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^TM, and marks. CFP certification is granted solely by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. to individuals who, in addition to completing an educational requirement, have met its ethics, experience, and examination requirements.

CFP^® Exam: Certain finance positions may require further certification and/or licensing by individual states. This program was not designed to meet any specific state’s requirements for licensure or certification, and Purdue Global makes no representations or warranties as to whether the degree or any individual courses meet such requirements. Refer to the University Catalog for additional information.

The length of time it takes to complete your business degree depends on the type of degree you’re studying for and your previous experience. Many students enroll at Purdue Global with a range of prior learning credits and experiences. Our student body includes everyone from professionals looking to advance their careers to career-changers who are new to the business field. To make things easy, we provide a graduation date calculator to help you determine your expected graduation date based on your unique situation.

Depending on the degree, average completion times vary from student to student—but here are some sample degree completion time estimates (based on full time study):

• MBA: 2.5 years
• MS in Accounting: 1.5 years
• MS in Management: 2 years
• MS in Finance: 2 years
• Undergraduate business programs take an average of 4 years.

For weekly time commitments, we estimate Purdue Global students should plan for the following:

• For students enrolled in 10-week terms: ~15–18 hours per week, per course
• For students enrolled in 12-week terms: ~20–25 hours per week, per course

(These estimates include time spent in the online classroom in addition to offline study. Advanced courses may require additional time.)

We offer various ways to shorten your path to a business degree. For example, you can gain entry into a shortened version of Purdue Global's MBA by earning a minimum course grade in select bachelor's degree courses. That means you can complete both your bachelor's degree and master's degree in less time—and at a lower cost than completing both programs separately. Additionally, we offer two competency-based business degree programs: ExcelTrack™ Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and an ExcelTrack™ MBA program.

And, if you’re looking to get a head start on your master’s degree, our certificate programs could be an excellent option for you. They’re shorter in length and can help you make an immediate impact on your career. For example, you can earn your project management certificate or HR Certificate (graduate and postbaccalaureate) in just 8 months of full-time study. Qualified credits can apply toward certain Purdue Global master's degree programs.

See Notes and Conditions for important information.

Business is a growing field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in business and financial operations occupations are expected to grow as fast as the average for all occupations between 2021 and 2031.

There are many reasons students decide to earn a business degree. A business degree can help equip you with in-demand, practical skills that make you stand out in the job market—wherever your interests lie—including critical thinking, communication, leadership, management, ethics and organization. Additionally, a business degree will help you gain qualifications for jobs in a variety of growing fields as you learn directly from experienced working professionals.

Graduates receive a well-rounded education that’s valuable in a variety of industries: finance, marketing, public relations, advertising, insurance, human resources and accounting.

Here are some careers you may qualify for, depending on your program:

• Accountants: Accountants are responsible for compiling and examining financial records, and their employment is expected to grow 6 percent from 2021 to 2031.
• Financial Analysts: Financial analysts help both organizations and individuals make informed decisions about expending money to gain profit. Employment is expected to grow 9 percent from 2021 to 2031.
• Human Resource Specialists: Human resource specialists are in charge of the hiring process and also place newly hired workers in jobs. They may also handle training, benefits, and compensation. Employment is expected to grow 8 percent from 2021 to 2031.
• Sales Manager: Sales managers are in charge of the sales teams at various organizations, and their employment is expected to grow 5 percent from 2021 to 2031.
• Management Analyst: Management analysts work to improve the efficiency of company operations, and their employment is expected to grow 11 percent from 2021 to 2031.

See Notes and Conditions for important information.

If you’ve been out of school for a bit, you might have some questions about going to class online. Our programs were built to be tailored to you, with direct support available whenever you need it. Whether by connecting with faculty or engaging with other students, you’ll never be alone in your studies.

Purdue Global is dedicated to providing the best online platform for effective learning. There are two major components to online learning with us:

Live Seminars

These are the interactive, real-time portion of your education, led by a faculty member.

Online Classroom

This is where you complete your work and take quizzes and tests. You can also connect with peers and faculty in this space. You’ll find all the resources and tools you need, including your course syllabus, grading rubrics, checkpoint activities, the classroom discussion board, assignment drop box and reading materials.

Purdue Global also offers plenty of academic support for round-the-clock assistance:

• Tutors for writing, math, science, technology, and business
• The ability to submit a paper or ask a question about writing, math, science and business
• Time management help
• Plagiarism information
• Webinars
• Numerous writing workshops on topics such as professional writing, grammar and mechanics, thesis development and citations