Atlanta, the capital city of Georgia, is one of the largest metropolitan areas within the United States. It is classified as a ‘global’ or ‘world’ city, a term used in relation to those cities that play an influential role in the dynamics of the global economic system. Atlanta’s diverse economy is the eighth largest in the country and the seventeenth largest in the world. In addition to being a hub of business activities, Atlanta has also become a center of higher learning, especially business studies, in the region.
Atlanta has eighteen recognized business schools that offer a total of eighty-two business degrees and certifications. Atlanta is also home to many corporate operations, including a number of Fortune 500 and 1000 companies, which provide a large number of jobs in the business sector.
Types of Business Programs in Atlanta
The business schools in Atlanta offer various business degree and non-degree based programs. These include business certificates, as well as associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees in business. A business certificate is available at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and may be undertaken by those with no prior business education or by those wishing to gain a specialization. Associate degrees take two years to complete; bachelor’s degrees take four years; master’s degrees typically take two years, but may take longer depending on whether the student is specializing in a particular field; and doctoral programs typically last four to seven years.
Courses
Traditional business majors cover general business courses that are intended to give you a basic understanding of all the essential components of business. Additionally, students may choose to undertake a business degree with a particular specialization, which would focus on a particular aspect of business, such as accounting.
A degree in business covers a broad range of subjects including:
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Finance
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Accounting
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Economics
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Management
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Ethics
Learning Outcomes
A degree in business adopts a multidisciplinary approach. Core principles from a number of subjects are drawn on to provide students with the foundational knowledge required to understand the elements of business management and administration. Students are also taught key skills such as analytical thinking, innovation, initiative, and problem solving. These skills, coupled with the necessary business knowledge, may equip students with a sound understanding of how to effectively work in today’s dynamic economies.
Admissions
Admission requirements vary depending on the type of degree being sought. In order to be admitted into an undergraduate program in business, students are required to provide:
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SAT/ACT scores
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Personal statement
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High school diploma or GED
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Letters of recommendation
For those applying for a master’s degree, the requirements are:
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Undergraduate transcripts
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Current resume
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GMAT or GRE scores
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Two professional recommendations
Those who wish to pursue a doctoral program (or a PhD), must have successfully completed either a bachelor’s or a master’s degree (some programs may only consider applicants with a master’s degree) and are also required to provide:
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All relevant transcripts
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GMAT or GRE scores
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Three recommendations (one must be from an academic source)
Career Outlook
After attaining a bachelor’s degree in business, there are a number of options that may be pursued. In order to strengthen your career prospects and further your business related training, you may choose to purse an MBA. Alternatively, you may choose to take additional courses to gain a specific knowledge in a related field such as accounting, finance, or management. Here is a list of some of the other career options which may be pursued after a bachelor’s degree in business:
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Marketing
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Business Management
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Advertising
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Retail
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Human Resources
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Hospitality
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Business Consultancy
According to the 2014 data published by O*NET OnLine, the median annual salary for market research analysts in Georgia was $57,100. The median annual pay for financial analysts was $72,300. For those interested in pursuing a career as financial analyst, O*NET OnLine predicts a 21% positive change in the availability of jobs between the years 2012-2022. Similarly, it is predicted that there will be a 38% positive increase in job openings for market research analysts and marketing specialists in Georgia from 2012-2022.