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Explore top online business management courses

Team management and strategic decision-making are core to success in many business management roles. Study online with edX through flexible courses and programs from top universities.

Key takeaways

  • Build leadership, teamwork, and decision-making skills for business management careers across industries.
  • Compare management careers in a field with a median annual wage of $122,090, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
  • Choose short online courses and certificate programs or pursue an online degree path from recognized universities on edX.

Popular online business management courses

What is business management?

Business management is the study of how organizations coordinate people, processes, and decisions. It applies practices like planning, communication, budgeting, and project management to support organizational goals and guide day-to-day performance.

Why learn business management?

  • Strengthen leadership and decision-making: Studying business management can help you develop skills in cross-cultural communication, human resource management, budgeting, and strategic thinking that are useful in many professional settings.
  • Work across industries: Business management principles apply to roles in healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, operations, marketing, and other fields that depend on coordinated team and organizational performance.
  • Support long-term career growth: Learning business management strategies can help you move into management roles, oversee projects, or start your own business.

Browse online Business Management Certificates

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Careers you can pursue with a business management background

Business management can prepare you for roles across industries that span from healthcare and the public sector to marketing and entertainment. Below are examples of careers you may pursue, along with typical education requirements and median annual salaries from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Marketing manager

Marketing managers work with businesses and organizations to oversee marketing efforts and initiatives. Common tasks include project management, budgeting, brand management, and tracking metrics.

  • Required education: Bachelor's degree
  • Median annual salary (May 2024): $159,660

Why learn business management online with edX

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How to get started in business management

If you're considering a career in business management, here's one path you can take to get started.

1. Learn the essentials of business and management

If you already have a degree or professional experience, start with individual online courses or online certificate programs in areas such as human resources, operations, marketing management, or information systems management.

If you're newer to the field, an online bachelor's degree in business management may provide a broader foundation in finance, marketing, and business performance while giving you room to explore management in more depth with a major or through elective courses.

Featured courses


Explore business management programs

Compare business management programs on edX

When comparing business management programs, focus on the factors that shape your learning experience and long-term goals. Here are a few things to consider:

  • Concentrations: Look for a program that focuses on the specific aspects of business management you're interested in learning. Examples of concentrations include marketing, finance, human resources, data analytics, and leadership.
  • Higher education: If you're interested in earning a master's degree, you'll want to start with a bachelor's degree, as it's a prerequisite. Common choices for business graduate programs include master's in business administration (MBA), management, and human resources management.

Here are some of the different learning paths to consider taking on edX:

Individual courses
Typical duration
2-6 weeks
Cost range
Free access to course materials with certificate upgrade starting from $50
Best for
Learners exploring business management or building targeted skills quickly
Professional Certificates
Typical duration
2-10 months
Cost range
Starting at $500
Best for
Professionals who want structured upskilling for career growth or a career change
Executive Education
Typical duration
6-20+ weeks
Cost range
Starting at $1,500
Best for
Experienced professionals looking to deepen leadership and strategic decision-making skills
Bachelor's program
Typical duration
Up to 4 years (full-time)
Cost range
Starting at $10,000
Best for
Learners who need a broad undergraduate foundation in business and management
Master's program
Typical duration
12-36 months
Cost range
Starting at $10,000
Best for
Bachelor's degree holders ready to deepen expertise or prepare for advanced roles

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between business management and business administration?

While some areas of business administration and business management overlap, they often emphasize different aspects of how a business operates.

  • Business administration focuses on the broader functions of running a business, including defining organizational goals and strategy, as well as finance, marketing, and operations.
  • Business management focuses on leading people, coordinating resources, and overseeing day-to-day operations to help teams achieve organizational goals.
What jobs can you get with a business management degree?

Management occupations include roles such as marketing manager, medical and health services manager, entertainment and recreation manager, operations manager, or natural sciences manager, among others, depending on education and experience, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What are the key skills for business management?

Key skills for business management include organizing people and processes, communicating expectations clearly, monitoring budgets and schedules, solving problems with teams or clients, coordinating projects, and keeping day-to-day work on track. These skills can vary depending on the industry, team, and level of responsibility.

How long does it take to learn business management?

The time it takes to learn business management can take anywhere from a few weeks to several years, depending on the type of program you choose.

Individual courses on edX typically take 2 to 6 weeks, Professional Certificates 2 to 10 months, and Executive Education 6 to 20+ weeks. An online bachelor's degree on edX usually takes up to 4 years of full-time study, while many online master's programs, such as an MBA, can be completed in 1 to 2 years.