Earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in General Management
Majors Overview March 27, 2014Receive information about the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree program in General Management and its coursework, career choices, job and wage outlook, and continuing education choices.
B.S. Programs in General Management
Students enrolled in Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree programs in General Management are required to complete coursework with a focus on economics and business topics, in addition to human resource procedures and management principles. These are usually offered as 4-year programs, although some schools offer accelerated programs as well. Graduates from General Management degree programs may become adept at determining areas of specialization that they would want to pursue further. The program may emphasize skill development in the areas of effective problem solving, critical thinking and business communications. Participation in internships or some kind of work study is expected of students, which gives them the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills to a real-world setting.
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a GED certificate or high school diploma.
Coursework
Coursework may have a broad business orientation and may include marketing, economics, finance, and accounting. Additional coursework may focus on operational management and human resource responsibilities characteristics of most businesses. Courses may typically include topic areas such as:
•Supply chain management
•Entrepreneurship
•Small business management
•Public sector management
•Total quality management
•International management
•Managerial communications
•Operations management
•Organizational behavior
•Labor and management relations
Career Choices
Graduates may seek entry-level occupations in a variety of functional areas within a business setting, in addition to entry-level managerial positions. Graduates may choose from career options in various industries including public, private and non-profit businesses. They may opt for positions such as:
•Management trainee
•Store manager
•Sales associate
•Management analyst
Job and Wage Outlook
A job growth rate of 22% has been predicted for management analysts over the 2010-2020 decade, while, over the same period, administrative services managers could enjoy a job growth of 15% (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)). In May 2012, management analysts earned an average annual wage of $78,600, while administrative services managers took home $81,080.
Continuing Education Choices
Graduates from Bachelor of Science degree programs in General Management may continue education by earning an advanced degree related to management or business, such as Master of Science (M.S.) in Management or Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) with a concentration in Management. These programs can help professionals obtain higher-level employment while advancing their real-world skills. Schools also offer Ph.D. programs in Business Administration and Management that are suitable for those seeking academic and research careers.
