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What You’ll Learn in a Management Degree Program

Organizations across industries need leaders who can manage people, processes and changes effectively. Professionals with management expertise are well-positioned to guide companies through complex challenges while helping them remain competitive.

Graduates of the online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in Management program at Youngstown State University (YSU) learn how to lead teams, analyze operations and implement effective organizational change management strategies. This undergraduate degree offers opportunities to develop technical and soft skills that enable students to take on leadership roles across business, nonprofit and public sectors.

What Is a Management Degree?

A management degree builds leadership capabilities while providing foundational knowledge of business operations and strategy. Management programs prepare students to supervise teams, coordinate resources and implement organizational strategy across diverse business environments. Coursework blends business fundamentals with leadership theory and practical application, teaching students to analyze challenges and develop solutions that drive organizational effectiveness.

At the undergraduate level, a BSBA in management provides comprehensive preparation for supervisory and management roles. The degree develops both technical business skills and interpersonal competencies essential for coordinating people and processes. Students learn to apply data analytics, understand financial principles, manage workplace relationships and lead organizational initiatives. This foundation enables graduates to enter management career paths or advance from operational roles into leadership positions.

Ideal candidates include students beginning their business careers, working professionals seeking formal management credentials and career changers looking to transition into business leadership roles. The curriculum’s emphasis on team dynamics, organizational behavior and change management appeals to those who want to guide teams through workplace challenges and contribute to organizational growth. The degree also provides flexibility for students with prior college experience, as many programs accept transfer credits that can accelerate degree completion.

What Will You Learn in a Management BSBA Program?

BSBA in management curricula combine foundational business education with specialized management training. Students develop leadership capabilities while building expertise in organizational behavior, team dynamics and strategic decision-making that prepares them for supervisory and management roles.

The curriculum emphasizes both technical proficiency and interpersonal skills. Students master essential business software, including Excel, Tableau, Google Analytics, HubSpot and Hootsuite, through program courses. These technical competencies enable graduates to analyze data, visualize business information and communicate insights effectively in modern organizational settings.

Coursework in managing individuals and organizations covers motivation, perception, decision-making and human resource processes, including selection, organizational development and employee relations. Students explore workplace diversity management and labor relations, learning to navigate complex employee-management dynamics while practicing ethically responsible behaviors. Leadership theory and practice receive focused attention through courses examining leadership’s impact on organizational performance and individual behavior.

The program also develops strategic thinking through courses in operations management, business analytics and international business principles. Students learn to analyze business processes, manage resources efficiently and understand global business environments. A capstone strategic management course integrates concepts from across disciplines, preparing graduates to address complex organizational challenges. Financial literacy, including personal financial planning and business finance fundamentals, rounds out the curriculum to ensure graduates understand the financial implications of management decisions.

What Careers Can You Pursue With a Management BSBA?

Graduates of a BSBA in management online program often step into leadership roles that draw on both strategic insight and people-centered decision-making. Popular outcomes for graduates with a management BSBA include positions such as human resources manager and project coordinator.

General and Operations Managers

General managers oversee entire operations within organizations or specific departments, directing activities across multiple functional areas. These professionals develop business strategies, manage budgets, supervise department heads and ensure that all business functions work together to achieve organizational objectives.

Operations managers supervise daily business activities, coordinate resources and ensure that organizations run efficiently. These professionals oversee workflows, manage teams and implement strategies to improve productivity and quality across industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, retail and professional services.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that general and operations managers earned a median annual salary of $102,950 in May 2024. Employment for top executives, which includes general and operations managers, is projected to grow by 4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 331,000 job openings each year on average.

Human Resources Manager

Human resources managers plan, coordinate and oversee an organization’s administrative functions related to employee recruitment, training, compensation and relations. These professionals develop HR strategies, ensure compliance with employment regulations, and create workplace policies that support both organizational goals and employee wellbeing.

According to BLS, human resources managers earned a median annual wage of $140,030 in May 2024. Employment is projected to grow by 5% from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations, with about 17,900 openings projected each year.

Project Coordinator

Project coordinators organize the numerous parts of projects and ensure they run smoothly. These professionals coordinate budgets, schedules and team members, tracking progress and managing documentation to help projects meet their goals. Project coordinators work across industries from construction and IT to healthcare and consulting.

BLS reports that project management specialists, including project coordinators, earned a median annual wage of $100,750 in May 2024. Employment is projected to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations, with about 78,200 openings projected each year.

Inside YSU’s Online BSBA in Management Program

Youngstown State University’s online BSBA in Management program prepares students for leadership roles across business, nonprofit and public sectors. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), ensuring it meets rigorous standards for business education.

Students complete 120 credit hours through seven-week accelerated courses, with the flexibility to transfer up to 90 credits from prior college work. The curriculum builds practical skills in key management software, preparing graduates to analyze data and communicate effectively in modern business environments.

The program’s management core focuses on leading individuals and teams, workplace diversity, employee relations and leadership theory. Students customize their education by selecting upper-level management electives and choosing between an internship or career-planning course. Upon completion, graduates earn both a BSBA degree and a leadership certificate.

Prepare to Lead With an Online Management BSBA Degree

Earning a management bachelor’s degree online equips professionals with leadership, problem-solving and organizational change management skills that translate across industries. Graduates are ready to analyze operations, manage people and adapt strategies to meet the ever-changing conditions of business and people management.

YSU’s program offers a versatile and career-focused option for aspiring leaders who want to take the next step in their professional journeys. With accelerated seven-week courses, technology skill development, and up to 90 transfer credits accepted, the program provides flexibility for working adults.

Learn more about YSU’s online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Management program.

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