Online Business Degrees in Business (General)

Online Business (General) Degree Programs

Once the Internet revolution began, modern business promised never to be the same again. Competition grew to global proportions as buyers and producers began connecting to one another from remote parts of the world. In today's business environment, securing a solid business degree or certificate can be critical for your long-term success. (cont)

Earn Your Business Degree Online

At the same time, it became easier than ever to gain access to new knowledge. Almost immediately, business degree and certificate programs online began to flourish. Online coursework allows you to complete courses at your own pace without the hassle of having to travel to a campus for classes. They are ideal for those with full-time jobs who are seeking career training to advance in their field.

Online universities offer associate's and bachelor's degrees in a number of general business areas, including management, economics and human resources. Coursework in these disciplines usually includes statistics, financial markets, accounting, e-commerce and business ethics as a foundation for general business knowledge. Some programs focus more on the hands-on dynamic of the business world and provide training in leadership and getting the most out of employees. Others are more technically oriented and teach quantitative analysis methods applicable to a variety of fields.

Find the Job that You Deserve

Business degrees are in high demand, and graduates of these programs may have an abundance of opportunities awaiting them. Some may go on to lucrative jobs in the financial industry, as market analysts or researchers at banks, venture capital firms or private equity companies. Others pursue careers in consulting, where they utilize their knowledge of business practices to optimize the operations of their client companies. There are also opportunities at traditional large businesses involved in manufacturing and marketing. A degree may help you gain an entry-level position, and the opportunity to work your way up the ladder. Some of those who earn business degrees even become independent entrepreneurs and realize their own vision of success in the business world.

Cashing in Your Hard-Earned Chips

Exact salary figures for the business world can be difficult to pin down because business is such a dynamic and widespread industry, although it is possible to find numbers for specific positions using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The median yearly salary for a market research analyst was $60,300, in 2007. The BLS reports that junior consultants, had a median salary of $46,100 per year, and more advanced positions can pay much more than that. Both of these positions require bachelor's degrees. Opportunities for those with associate's degrees usually do not pay as well as these initially, but the program is shorter, allowing you to go after jobs sooner. Keep in mind that for self-starters and entrepreneurs who gain essential career training and use their skills to exploit burgeoning markets, earning potential is great.

Online Business Degrees in E Commerce

Online E-Commerce Degree Programs

Did you know that over 400,000 people in the United States earn their living through eBay? Millions of people work for businesses that sell their products online, to consumers (known as "business to consumer," or B2C) as well as to other businesses (known as "business to business," or B2B). The success of these operations is due, in large part, to carefully crafted strategies and successful implementation of technologies that ease and encourage secure, efficient sales transactions online. (cont)

E-Commerce is Booming

The U.S. Department of Commerce estimates that $1.6 trillion of shipments, revenues and sales in the U.S. in 2003 were e-commerce activity, 94 percent of which was B2B (the other 6 percent, or $106 billion, was B2C). What's more, e-commerce grew 11 percent from 2002 to 2003. The U.S. Department of Commerce's definition of e-commerce encompasses goods and services sold online, via open networks like the Internet, or through closed, proprietary systems.

Earning an Online Degree in E-Commerce

If you've always wished you had earned that degree before you started working, now is your chance. Online business degrees make it possible for those in the workforce to go back to school without sacrificing their current jobs. You can take courses in e-commerce on your own time after work. Online universities offer a number of business degrees specializing in e-commerce, from associate's and bachelor's degrees to Master of Business Administration programs. With your new degree, you are likely to have a much better shot at the promotion or the new job you have always wanted.

Naturally, no educational program can guarantee a future salary or employment upon completion, but accredited degrees are typically required or preferred by employers hiring in this field. E-commerce and e-business degree and certificate programs typically combine traditional business disciplines, such as finance, accounting and project management, with specialized courses in electronic commerce, Web site development, electronic security and privacy, management of information systems (IS/CIS), database administration and accounting.

Getting What You Want from Your Degree

In today's world, almost every business has an Internet presence, and many make their goods or services available online. There are small e-commerce firms that specialize in designing Web sites and databases for businesses. Large Internet companies like Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft have divisions that specialize in e-commerce. Retail companies sometimes hire their own in-house e-commerce developers as well.

For computer systems analysts, who maintain and support the e-commerce infrastructure, the Bureau of Labor Statistics calculated that for 2007 the median yearly salary was $73,000 . The BLS reports that the median salary for database administrators ranged between $84,750 and 116,000 in 2007. Keep in mind that these positions often require an MBA degree. With a degree specializing in e-commerce, you may significantly boost your chances at getting one of these jobs and earning a higher salary. You might have a shot at making your living from eBay, and you won't even have to sell your prized childhood possessions to do it.

Online Business Degrees in Forensic Accounting

Online Forensic Accounting Degree Programs
Forensic accountants are the financial world's crime watchdogs. Using sophisticated technology and accounting and auditing procedures, they investigate white-collar crimes, help with the litigation of contract disputes and bankruptcies, and navigate complicated and possibly criminal transactions like money laundering. Additionally, forensic accounting professionals may be called upon to act as witnesses in legal proceedings. (cont)
Forensic Accounting Degrees and Career Training
While there is no specific education or certification requirement to set up shop as a forensic accountant, accounting degrees and appropriate certification certainly increase your credibility and marketability among employers. Ideally, a forensic accountant would possess:
A bachelor's degree with at least a minor in accounting and preferably a major in accounting or forensic accounting. A master's in accounting and/or licensure as a Certified Public Accountant is even better.
Certified Fraud Examiner or Certified Financial Forensic Accountant designation, obtained by taking and passing either the CFE or CFFA exam. Candidates for the CFE must have a bachelor's degree, two years of relevant experience, and the ability to pass a four-part exam. Related work experience may, in some cases, be substituted for the educational requirement.
Membership in the American College of Forensic Examiners or similar professional association.
Employment Growth in Forensic Accounting
The corporate accounting scandals of recent years have led to increasing scrutiny over corporations' financial reporting practices, and the establishment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. This federal regulation forces companies to strengthen their internal financial systems and reporting accuracy, making them rely more on accounting professionals. Therefore, opportunities for accountants in all specialties are projected to grow rapidly in the coming years.
In particular, work opportunities in forensic accounting will grow. Companies' increased focus on financial crimes such as embezzlement, bribery, and fraud will definitely increase the demand for forensic accounting professionals who have received specialized career training in how to address and report such issues. Most accounting firms maintain separate forensic accounting departments specializing in insurance claims, personal injury claims, fraud, royalty issues, etc. Forensic accountants are also in high demand on audit committees, insurance companies, banks, police forces, and other government bodies.
Additionally, as companies continue to increase their reliance on technology, there will be a greater demand for professionals trained in monitoring and investigating technological security. A 2008 survey of 1,400 chief financial officers found that of all the career training they'd received--including finance, accounting, sales, marketing, and the law--information technology surpassed all of these in importance in their day-to-day work. For those who wish to pursue forensic accounting, accounting degrees often provide excellent career training in the latest reporting software and security programs, which should provide an edge in an employment search.
A Forensic Accounting Career
While the Bureau of Labor Statistics currently doesn't track salary or employment statistics for the specific field of forensic accounting, its 2008-2009 Occupational Outlook Handbook reports that accountants in all specialties will experience faster than average growth over the next decade.

Online Masters Degree Psychology Hidden Traps Revealed

Online Masters Degree Psychology has come to stay especially from a financial point of view to the flexibility nature of the program. However, the campus based college or university programs are much more expensive than the online or distance learning assisted education system. You can save a lot of money because you don't need to travel to a different city or country to attend some classes. You don’t need to pay for an apartment to study masters degree psychology.You are free to study whenever you finds the time and desires. You can do your study from the comfort of your own home, at work or even on vacation with minimal effect on your daily activities or schedule. The information and lessons needed for your study can be accessed easily on the internet. Lots of people prefer to do their masters degree online because it allows them to work while still educating. Online masters degree psychology offer you the opportunity to work and at the same time study. You can do diploma, bachelors degree and doctorate degree psychology online. Other courses like accounting, management, history, paralegal studies, nursing, public health, health education, adult education, engineering, sociology, and law are available online too. Online masters degree criminal justice, online masters degree in education and online masters degree social work are some of the available opportunities you may enjoy on the net. It is good to study by way of distance learning but make sure you put into consideration whether the program you intend to study is accredited or not. There are many top and accredited universities or colleges like University of California, Oxford University, ITT Technical Institute, University of London external program, and etc where you can do your accredited masters program.In conclusion, before you do online masters degree psychology, make sure you research to know whether the school is accredited by the relevant authority and approved to run such courses. Don’t put your hard earned money in to unaccredited university or institution because if you do that you have yourself to blame. Qualifications obtained from accredited online Masters Degree College will give your credentials more recognition and job security.

Online Accounting Degree Programs

Few career fields today offer the kind of opportunities and job security that accounting does. In fact, in a 2008 survey of 500 finance and accounting professionals, a full 65 percent believe they have the same, if not better, job opportunities than they did the previous year. National statistics support these findings: the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of accountants and auditors will grow by 18 percent--faster than the average for all occupations--by 2016. If you're thinking of beginning, or continuing, your career training in accounting, now is a great time to do so. (cont)
Accounting Degrees Are in Demand
Recent corporate scandals involving high-profile accounting firms have spurred the demand for accountants and auditors. This is because accounting and reporting guidelines have become stricter in the U.S. in order to head off further scandal; the federal government passed the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) of 2002. This act requires public companies to strengthen internal financial controls and to ensure the accuracy of their reporting. Such legislation, of course, has greatly increased the demand for ethical, knowledgeable, and well-trained accountants.
Other factors contributing to the demand for those with accounting degrees include the increasing globalization of companies in recent years, forcing them to comply with International Financial Reporting Standards, as well as an aging baby boomer population, which will leave many vacancies as retirements continue to increase.
Accounting Degrees and Certifications
In the United States, there are three main classes of certified accountants: Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), and Certified Management Accountant (CMA). CPAs provide a wide range of services to the public, including auditing, accounting, litigation, tax planning, and financial advisory services. CIAs work in an auditing capacity for employers, while CMAs generally work for companies but might also serve the public in a more limited way than CPAs.
Although requirements vary from state to state, becoming a CPA requires the completion of a college or university bachelor's accounting degree. An accounting degree typically includes 150 credit hours of coursework, and specific courses, usually in financial accounting, managerial accounting, taxation, and auditing. According to the BLS, opportunities will be best for those whose career training includes either a master's degree or certification or licensure. Any accountant whose work involves filing reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is required to be a CPA.
A Lucrative Career Begins with the Right Career Training
According to the BLS, accountants and auditors earned a median annual salary of $54,630 in May 2006. The highest concentration of accountants and auditors work in accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, or payroll service firms. And a 2006 National Association of Colleges and Employers salary survey found that employment candidates with bachelor's degrees in accounting received an average starting offer of $46,718 per year.
Of course, no educational program can guarantee a future salary or employment upon completion, but accounting degrees and licensure certainly increase your opportunities for employment and advancement.