How long does it take to earn a general management degree?

Like most bachelor of business administration degrees, it will typically take you around four years to complete a general management program.

Do you have to take a lot of math classes as a management major?

Business degrees usually require courses in economics and accounting. Most programs also offer tutoring services and office hours with your professors to help with any challenging coursework.

What is the difference between a general management and a general business degree?

A business degree focuses on an organization's daily operations like building budgets, developing strategic plans, and facilitating business deals. A management degree teaches decision-making processes, personnel management, and leadership within an organization.

What is a general manager?

By: Nancy Finney, Edited by: Gabriela Perez Jordan

Published: April 1, 2025

A general manager oversees a portion of a company or an entire company's operations. These operations might include personnel, revenue, and expenses. Read ahead to learn more about what a general manager does and the steps you can take to pursue a career in management.

Find the right general management program for you

Management programs are often part of a bachelor of business administration program. Enrolling in an accredited university with a bachelor's degree in management can prepare you for a career in management. Still, you'll want to consider the amount of time it takes to complete the degree, as well as the program's faculty and areas of expertise.

What is a general management degree, and why is it important?

An undergraduate management degree prepares students for careers overseeing and leading people in different organizations and industries. Management majors have careers in supply chain management, logistics, marketing, sales, and even technology fields like computer or data science.

During their studies, management majors cultivate their leadership and coaching skills and obtain foundational knowledge in many business disciplines, including finance, accounting, operations, and economics.

This broad degree provides transferrable skills that can prepare you for many career paths within small or large businesses. A bachelor's program can also prepare you for a master of business administration program.

What are the benefits of a general management degree?

Some of the major benefits of a general management degree include:

Versatility: Management is essential in almost any company, large or small, and at every level of the organization. A management degree can prepare you to manage people in various roles and industries.
Greater earning potential: Managers are senior leaders with extensive experience. Because of this, these professionals tend to earn higher-than-average salaries.
Specializations within the degree: Most management degrees provide an opportunity to specialize or concentrate your studies in areas like sales, marketing, communication, international business, and hospitality and tourism.

Should I get a general management degree?

Enrolling in a business management degree program can prepare you to work in a variety of industries including industrial companies, nonprofits, restaurants, hotels, scientific research institutes, and even in retail or politics.

These programs can help you build skills in people management, leadership, and interpersonal communication, all of which are highly transferable.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, general managers earned a median annual salary of $101,280 in 2023. Exact salaries vary based on industry, experience, and location.

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