What Is Business Administration?

Posted on January 9th, 2025 in Blog, Business

What Is Business Administration?

All businesses, from small startups to multinational corporations, need effective leaders — professionals who can organize and manage the companies’ operations and resources to achieve efficiency and drive growth, a practice commonly referred to as business administration.

The vital nature of these professionals is reflected in projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) that show robust employment growth for just about every kind of management and administrative position over the next decade, stretching across virtually every industry and commercial enterprise.

Preparing for a career in this field typically entails earning a business degree, often in business administration. Business degree programs not only teach students the technical and operational aspects of running a business but also help them develop crucial interpersonal and leadership skills.

Understanding precisely what business administration is and the career paths an undergraduate or graduate degree in business administration may lead to can help prospective students decide if the field is right for them.

What Does Business Administration Entail?

Business administration is a broad field that comprises all aspects of business operations, including human resources, marketing, finance, technology, and project management, among many others. The positions that fall under the umbrella of business administration encompass countless roles and responsibilities, from department head positions all the way up to those of chief executives, including CEOs.

The responsibilities of administrative professionals vary depending on the nature of their role, their industry, and the particular needs of their organization. However, there are some general duties associated with business administrators, including:

Hiring, training, and managing staff
Overseeing a department or division (sometimes more than one)
Setting goals, procedures, and policies
Directing financial activities, including budgeting
Analyzing and interpreting key performance indicators, including sales figures and financial statements
Developing strategies to improve processes and performance
Collaborating with other department heads and executives

Being a successful business administrator requires more than having technical expertise and problem-solving skills. These professionals also need to be effective leaders, able to motivate and inspire others in their organization, particularly those who work for them.

Ethics is a critical aspect of business administration as well. Prioritizing ethical business practices not only can help boost an organization’s reputation among consumers but also can have a positive impact on its employees’ satisfaction.

What Does It Take to Go Into Business Administration?

Starting a career in business administration generally requires pursuing a business education, with a bachelor’s degree serving as the minimum prerequisite for many roles.

Although other degree programs, such as finance and marketing degree programs, also can prepare students for a business career, a business administration degree program provides the most comprehensive education, as it teaches students about various aspects of running a business and helps them hone the skills they can apply to any of a wide range of roles.

Because business administration often involves managing entire departments and personnel, some positions may require a combination of education and experience.

The more elevated the role, the more education it may require. Executive roles, for example, often require a master’s degree, typically a Master of Business Administration (MBA). And overall interest in hiring master’s-educated employees is growing.

A recent CareerBuilder survey showed that roughly a third of employers have raised their educational requirements over the last several years, and now hire workers with master’s degrees for roles that primarily had been held by those with undergraduate degrees.

Requirements for Business Administration Programs

The requirements for applying to a business administration degree program can vary by institution as well as the type of program. General requirements for a bachelor’s in business administration often include:

Completion of an online admission application
Submission of official transcripts from all schools attended
A minimum high school GPA of 2.5

In some cases, applicants may have to submit writing samples or personal references, or interview with admissions staff.

To apply to an MBA program, students need to have earned an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university. Many institutions also require MBA applicants to have a certain minimum GPA and write a personal letter explaining why they wish to enroll in the program.

Benefits of Earning a Business Administration Degree

Pursuing a business administration education can have numerous benefits, such as equipping students with the skills and resources that can help them land a job and enjoy continued career advancement long after they graduate.

Broad Skill Set

Business administration programs cover a wide range of business functions and subjects, including accounting, finance, human resources, marketing, legal and ethical issues, business analytics, and operational management. Leadership development is also a core part of a business administration curriculum.

The aim of these programs is to develop competent generalists with valuable interpersonal and critical-thinking skills who can excel in various business sectors.

Some programs offer concentrations in core business administration functions or certain industries, such as human resources or healthcare, allowing students to tailor their course of study to their specific career goals.

Career Versatility

Because of its broad-based curriculum, a business administration degree is one of the most versatile business degrees. Graduates can apply the skills they hone in a business administration program to a multitude of roles across diverse industries, which can be highly beneficial in a competitive, shifting job market.

Career Advancement

MBA programs are designed to prepare students for leadership roles, with an emphasis on management training, business strategy, organizational behavior, innovation, and ethics. In a recent survey by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), 77% of graduate business program alumni said their education prepared them for leadership positions and 67% reported that it fostered their career advancement.

Professional Network Development

Forging relationships with fellow students, alumni, and faculty, as well as other business professionals, is a central benefit of pursuing a business administration education. By facilitating these connections, business administration programs help students build out their professional network, which can yield both short-term (i.e., getting a job) and long-term (i.e., career advancement) benefits. Networking with their peers can also help students and alumni gain new knowledge about their industry or profession.

What Can You Do With a Business Administration Degree?

One of the primary benefits of earning a business administration degree — and the main reason most people pursue a business administration education — is that it can have a positive impact on graduates’ professional prospects, qualifying them for various roles and expanding their career advancement opportunities.

Many business administration professions are expected to experience substantial job growth in the coming years, creating hundreds of thousands of job opportunities for new graduates.

Career options for students with a business administration degree include the following:

Financial managers oversee an organization’s financial health. They prepare and review financial reports, direct investment activities, analyze data, and help guide the organization toward achieving its long-term financial goals.
- Employment outlook (BLS): 17% growth between 2023 and 2033 (138,300 new jobs)

Marketing managers estimate demand for a product or service, identify target markets, and develop strategies to attract and retain customers. They work closely with other department heads and staff in public relations, sales, and product development.
- Employment outlook: 8% growth between 2023 and 2033 (31,700 new jobs)

Medical and health services managers hold various positions in healthcare facilities of all types. They plan, oversee, and direct the administrative functions for an entire facility or for a specific unit or department. Like other business administrators, they’re responsible for preparing budgets and managing financial reporting, recruiting and supervising staff, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations.
- Employment outlook: 29% growth between 2023 and 2033 (160,600 new jobs)
Human resources managers direct the recruitment, interviewing, and hiring of new staff. They oversee employee relations and act as liaisons between staff and management. They’re also responsible for administering employee-related services, like payroll and training.
- Employment outlook: 6% growth between 2023 and 2033 (13,500 new jobs)
Computer and information systems managers help develop the technology policies and goals of an organization. They determine an organization’s technological needs and make recommendations to executives. They also oversee the implementation and maintenance of the organization’s technological assets, including computer hardware and software.
- Employment outlook: 17% growth between 2023 and 2033 (106,900 new jobs)

Become an Impactful Business Leader

The work of business administration professionals is essential to the success of organizations across industries. They help ensure efficient operations and drive sustainable growth in their organizations. Their expertise and leadership spur innovation, motivate workers, and help businesses navigate complex challenges in a competitive market.

If you’re looking to break into the field or advance your career in business, the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Business Administration program or the Master of Business Administration program at Warner Pacific University can help you get there.

Designed for working adults, these programs offer an accelerated pathway to a degree, allowing students from all backgrounds to pursue an education without putting their careers on hold. The BA in Business Administration program is offered through WPU Online or in person on WPU’s campus in Portland, Oregon, while the MBA program is available in an online or a hybrid (one night per week online or in person) format.

United under WPU’s Christ-centered mission, our programs provide students with a holistic understanding of business operations and emphasize crucial interpersonal and management skills to produce well-rounded, ethical business leaders.

Learn how WPU can prepare you for a successful business career.

Sources:
CareerBuilder, “Not Enough Educated Workers — Why This Matters to You”
Graduate Management Admission Council, “Alumni Perspectives on the Value of Graduate Management Education”
Indeed, “How to Become a Business Administrator (With Tips and Steps)”
Indeed, “What Is Business Administration?”
Investopedia, “Business Administration Degree vs. Finance Degree”
Investopedia, “What Is a Master of Business Administration (MBA)?”
Investopedia, “Why Are Business Ethics Important? A Guide”
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business and Financial Occupations
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Computer and Information Systems Managers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Financial Managers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Human Resources Managers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Management Occupations
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Medical and Health Services Managers

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