Degree Overview: Bachelor’s Degree Program in Ecommerce
Majors Overview May 1, 2015Get information about bachelor’s degree programs in ecommerce and their education requirements, coursework, job and wage outlook, and continuing education choices.
Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Ecommerce
Schools may offer ecommerce bachelor’s-level programs as a specialization in business administration or information technology degree programs. Very few schools, if any, offer a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in ecommerce. Bachelor’s programs in ecommerce include courses in foundational business, multimedia, and information technology topic areas. Students learn how to use social media tools, in addition to web programming languages, explore online business models. Courses may be available in online formats in some programs.
Education Requirements
Admission criteria may vary by school, but typically require incoming students to hold a GED certificate or a high school diploma, in addition to passing an exam such as the SAT or ACT. Prior computer software experience and technical skills may prove useful.
Coursework
Multidisciplinary coursework in a bachelor’s program in information systems focuses on the workings of computer software and provides a general perspective of business models. Core coursework may include topic areas such as:
•Computer architecture
•Project management
•Marketing
•Operations management
•Computer algorithms
•Systems development
Job and Wage Outlook
Professionals in ecommerce support, develop and manage every aspect of the company’s online business presence, including maintenance, development, and marketing, aimed at selling goods or services. Professionals in ecommerce enjoy a positive outlook driven by a wide choice of career options and the growth of the ecommerce sector.
Over the 2012 – 2022 decade, a high demand is predicted for web developers and database administrators. Web developers are expected to see a 20% growth, and database administrators are expected to witness a 15% increase in jobs (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). In 2012, average hourly wage ranged from $14.70, which was earned by customer service workers, to $58.15, which was earned by managers in computer and information systems (BLS).
Continuing Education Choices
Professionals in ecommerce may seek continuing education aimed at advancing technical skills in areas such as database security or programming languages. These professionals can avail various certifications in those areas. Although schools offer relevant Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) programs in the field, few schools, if any, offer doctoral programs in this area. However, individuals with a specialization in business management may seek continuing education by earning a Ph.D.
