Online college education has become increasingly popular since the start of the digital age, and even more so because of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many accredited postsecondary institutions provide core business classes online that allow you to get real-world experience. If you’re a student wanting to pursue a career in business, you need to know what online college business courses are worth your time and money.
This article discusses online college business courses for credit to help you accomplish your professional goals. As well, we highlight five of the best free online college business classes. If online college business courses interest you, keep reading to find out more.
Why Should I Take an Online Business Course for Credit?
Taking an online course for college credit gives students advanced learning opportunities regarding business functions and helps them save money on annual tuition fees. Also, online education courses provide distance learners and local students alike with college education credits via partner programs.
If you want to pursue an advanced degree in business, online learning provides core courses that are essential in business college education. Even further and aside from credits, there are benefits like procuring technical skills and gaining hands-on experience in a business environment. The affordable business courses listed below are primarily self-taught programs that allow you to study at your convenience.
Top 10 Online Business Courses for Credit
| Course Title | Provider | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer Behavior and Analysis | Curtin University | $199 |
| Digital Branding and Engagement | Curtin University | Free($99 for certificate) |
| Financial Reporting I | Indiana University | Free ($499 for certificate) |
| Becoming an Effective Leader | University of Queensland | $99 |
| Design Thinking Fundamentals | Rochester Institute of Technology | Free ($299 for certificate) |
| Project Management Life Cycle | Rochester Institute of Technology | Free ($299 for certificate) |
| Accounting I | StraighterLine | $59 |
| Business Ethics | StraighterLine | $59 |
| Business Law | StraighterLine | $59 |
| Business Statistics | StraighterLine | $59 |
Best Online College Business Classes and Courses: Explained
1. Buyer Behavior and Analysis
Consumer behavior is important in making effective marketing strategies. This includes analyzing how customers buy and use the product and coming up with a business strategy to target their needs. In this course, you will learn the concept of social and psychological variables. You can complete the course in 46 weeks as part of the business programs at Curtin University.
2. Digital Branding and Engagement
This course will teach you how to engage your brand with people using digital technology. This is self-paced and all online classes can be completed in four weeks. This is part of the Marketing in a Digital World program, one of Curtin University’s programs in business. You must complete each course in said program to get the MicroMasters Credential.
3. Financial Reporting I
Financial Reporting I provides an introduction to accounting courses with a focus on financial reporting and standards of accounting. This course will enhance your practical skills in creating financial reports and financial statements. These topics are important to a financial analyst and other careers in corporate finance. The course lasts for 12 weeks and is part of the accounting courses at Indiana University.
4. Becoming an Effective Leader
This is a self-paced course that will help students build a strong leadership foundation. You will learn how to obtain and develop leadership skills that are important in every organization. This course includes case studies, interviews, videos, and activities where you can learn about leadership. This is a part of the Business Leadership program of the University of Queensland.
5. Design Thinking Fundamentals
This is an online program that allows online students to enhance their problem-solving, creativity, and design thinking skills. You will learn how to assess a situation or a problem, create an effective solution, and implement your ideas which involve the design thinking process. This self-paced course is part of the MicroMasters program at the Rochester Institute of Technology and is designed to last for six weeks.
6. Project Management Life Cycle
Online students will learn important strategies and tools for managing huge business projects. You will gain experience and knowledge in operations management. It will also give you the opportunity to experience working in a business environment. You must complete the RIT Project Management MicroMasters program and pass the capstone project to get a MicroMasters Credential.
7. Accounting I
Online students will learn about financial accounting in business operations as well as the generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). This accounting degree course includes essential accounting topics such as financial statements, accounting cycles, assets, liabilities, and information systems used in accounting. There are graded exams that you must pass to be qualified for the transferable college credits.
8. Business Ethics
This is an introductory course on business ethics. Online students will learn decision-making, business morality, marketing ethics, and global ethics. This is a self-paced course that also includes a free etextbook. Eligible students for transferable college credits must pass the final proctored exam.
9. Business Law
This course will enable you a deep understanding of the legal environment of business. You will learn constitutional law, ethics, intellectual property, tort law, contracts, and other legal aspects of a business. The tuition is only $59, which includes a free etextbook.
10. Business Statistics
In this online course, you will learn business statistics and probability. It includes statistical analysis and descriptive statistics, as well as linear regression, model building, correlation analysis, and model diagnosis. Throughout the course, you must complete and pass graded quizzes and exams. You will be qualified for the transfer credit once you pass the final online proctored exam.
Top 5 Free Online College Business Courses
- Business Management | OHSC. This course by Oxford Home Study Center (OHSC) includes human resource management, strategic management for business, marketing, and performance management. This is a great start for students who want to pursue a bachelor of business administration program or any other core business courses.
- Principles of Marketing | Modern States. In this course, you will learn the principles of marketing management and other topics about business markets such as strategic planning and marketing institutions. This course covers topics that will help business administration and marketing students prepare for the CLEP exam.
- Financial Management in Organizations | University System of Maryland. If you want to pursue a career in managerial finance or any other financial management job, consider this free online course to learn about financial investments, capital investment analysis, capital asset pricing model (CAPM), and other financial management subjects. This is a self-paced course that you can finish in eight weeks.
- Financial Accounting Basics | Alison. This course will teach you managerial accounting subjects such as creating financial reports and the importance of financial statements in building business decisions. This course will take up to three hours to complete and is accredited by the CPD.
- Business Analysis Basics | Simplilearn. This course teaches students the introduction of business analytics. It is a self-paced course that includes two hours of video tutorials about analytics for business decisions. Business analytics offers a wide variety of job opportunities for business analyst graduates.
Online Business College Courses Worth It?
Yes, online degrees for business are one of the most convenient and practical methods of reaching your career goals. These are the best options for working students who want to pursue a career in the corporate world. Online learners who are self-motivated get an excellent experience and learning opportunity on these courses that offer flexibility, accessibility, and affordability.
Online College Business Courses FAQ
The business programs include a bachelor of science in business administration, a degree in business management, a bachelor of arts in business administration, a degree in finance, a bachelor of accountancy, and a degree in marketing.
Some of the opportunities on the job market for business graduates are financial managers, management analysts, real estate agents, sales managers, marketing consultants, business managers, and accountants. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the job growth for business and financial jobs is expected to grow by eight percent between 2020 and 2030.
The annual salary of a finance manager in the United States is $128,038 based on salary reports on Glassdoor. Careers in business never run out of job opportunities. Some of the biggest companies that pay a high salary to financial managers are Microsoft, Amazon, Cisco Systems, Google, Ford Motor Company, and Intel Corporation.
The typical admission requirements for incoming first-year students of an online business management degree program are official transcripts, capstone projects, academic achievement, and professional experience. Some may have additional requirements so you must review the admission process carefully.
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