Many adults assume college is primarily for people starting their careers. But for working professionals, earning a degree is often less about beginning a new path and more about unlocking the next step in the one they’re already on.
Through Degree Forward’s partnership with Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), working adults can earn a Bachelor of Arts in Management while receiving personalized coaching and support from Degree Forward.
If you’ve built experience, earned the trust of your employer and developed valuable skills over the years, you may eventually reach a point where advancement becomes difficult without a degree.
That’s one reason many working adults pursue a business management degree.
Many professionals spend years developing expertise in their field. They know their industry, understand their organization and have proven themselves through experience.
Yet some discover that promotions, leadership opportunities or higher-level positions require a degree.
According to Dr. Raylynn Henry, Executive Director of Degree Forward, many students come to the program after realizing they’ve reached a career plateau.
“A lot of the people that we serve are actually working in an industry or in a career,” she said. “They are kind of stuck where they are instead of trying to move up.”
For these students, earning a degree isn’t about learning an entirely new profession. It’s about gaining the credential and leadership skills needed to continue growing.
Business management degrees are designed to help students build skills in:
These skills are valuable for professionals who want to supervise employees, lead projects or move into management positions.
If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “I’d like to have more responsibility,” or “I’d like to lead a team,” or even start or grow your own business, a business management degree may help prepare you for those opportunities.
One of the biggest advantages many adult learners bring to college is real-world experience.
Unlike traditional students who may be encountering business concepts for the first time, working adults often recognize situations they’ve already experienced on the job.
Henry shared the story of a Degree Forward student named Anthony, who had spent nearly 20 years with the same company and worked his way into a vice president role through experience and performance.
When another advancement opportunity arose, he discovered that not having a degree had become a barrier.
Because much of the coursework reflected responsibilities he was already handling professionally, he was able to move through the program quickly while applying his existing knowledge.
For many adult learners, education becomes less about theory and more about putting years of experience into context.
One reason business management remains one of the most popular degree paths is its versatility.
Nearly every organization needs professionals who can:
The same leadership, planning and organizational skills are also valuable for entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Whether you work in healthcare, education, manufacturing, nonprofit organizations or another field entirely, management skills are valuable in almost every workplace.
A business management degree can help strengthen those skills while creating additional career options in the future.
Not everyone pursuing a business management degree wants to become a CEO.
In fact, one of the biggest misconceptions about business management is that it’s only for executives.
According to Henry, management skills are valuable at every level of an organization.
You may use those skills to:
The ability to communicate effectively, solve problems and manage people can make a difference long before you reach the executive suite.
Many working adults are balancing careers, family responsibilities and other commitments.
That’s why flexibility matters.
Degree Forward’s project-based learning model allows students to demonstrate what they know through practical projects rather than traditional lectures and exams. Many students are able to apply what they’re learning directly to situations they encounter at work.
Combined with one-on-one coaching and support, the program is designed to help working adults pursue a degree without putting the rest of their lives on hold.
A business management degree could be a strong fit if you:
For many working adults, the goal isn’t to start over. It’s to build on the experience they’ve already earned and create new opportunities for the future.
Many working adults pursue business management degrees because they want to qualify for leadership and advancement opportunities within their organizations.
Business management is often a strong option for working adults because the skills apply across industries and can support long-term career growth.
No. Some students already have leadership experience, while others pursue the degree to prepare for future management opportunities.
Students often strengthen leadership, communication, project management, organizational and decision-making skills that can be applied in a wide range of professional settings.
Learn more:
How flexibility and support can help you earn your degree
Discover the power of project-based learning for degree completion
Find out how adults can manage career and family while earning their degree
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Start your degree completion journey with Degree Forward and discover a pathway designed to fit your life.