How Long Does It Take to Earn a Business Degree Online?

If you're thinking about going back to school for business, one of the first questions you'll probably ask is how much time it will take to finish your degree. The answer depends on the degree level you choose, how many credits you may have to transfer and how many courses you take each semester.

At Herzing, we offer online business management degrees at the associate and bachelor's levels, plus an online Master of Business Administration (MBA). This guide breaks down the typical timeline for each one and explains how transfer credit can help you reach graduation sooner.

How Long Is an Online Business Degree? A Quick Comparison

Here's how our online business programs compare at a glance.

Average completion times reflect how long our students typically take to finish. Your own timeline may be shorter or longer depending on your transfer credit and enrollment status.

Online Associate Degree in Business Management: About 20 Months

Our Associate of Science in Business Management requires 60 semester credit hours. Students complete it in about 20 months on average. Courses are 100% online, with flexible scheduling that can fit around work and family.

The associate degree gives you a foundation in business principles, management practices and analytics, with an emphasis on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI). Coursework covers areas including:

• Accounting and finance
• Business communication and business law
• Principles of marketing
• Business ethics
• Project management
• Economics

An associate degree can be the right first step for you if you want to build job-ready business skills in a shorter program. Once you graduate, eligible credits from the associate degree may apply towards a bachelor’s degree, subject to the receiving program’s transferable credit and degree requirements.

Bachelor's Degree in Business Management: About 36 Months Online

A bachelor's degree is often described as a four-year commitment, but it doesn’t have to be. Our online Bachelor of Science in Business Management requires the same 120 semester credit hours you’ll find at other schools, but it only takes students an average of 36 months to finish, and eligible transfer credits may shorten that timeline further. Our term schedule includes a summer semester and fewer long breaks, helping students to maintain steady progress toward completion.

The curriculum emphasizes AI and emerging technologies, data-informed decision-making, change management and ethical, cultural and global awareness. You'll also complete a capstone project or internship, giving you a chance to apply what you've learned in a real business environment.

Earn Dual Credit Toward Your MBA

If you plan to continue on to an MBA, eligible bachelor's in business management students can replace up to 12 semester credit hours of core program requirements with approved graduate-level coursework. Those credits can then apply toward an MBA, so you'll begin your master's with part of the program already complete.

Online MBA: As Few as 12 Months

If you already hold a bachelor's degree, our online MBA lets you earn your master's in as few as 12 months. The program requires 33 semester credit hours and is available 100% online or in a hybrid format that combines online coursework with classes at our Atlanta campus.

A few details can make the MBA easier to fit into your schedule:

• No GMAT or GRE required. You'll need a completed bachelor's or graduate degree from an accredited college or university, plus an interview with an admissions advisor.
• Full-time or part-time enrollment. Choose the pace that works for you. Keep in mind that part-time enrollment will extend your timeline.
• Rolling admissions. Apply when you're ready, with no deadlines to work around.
• A capstone project or internship. Put your new skills to work on a real business challenge.

Want to focus on data-driven business decision making? We also offer an MBA in Business Analytics, which requires 36 semester credit hours.

How Transfer Credit Can Shorten Your Online Business Management Degree

Transfer credit is one of the biggest factors in how long your degree takes. The more approved credits you bring in, the fewer courses you'll need to complete with us.

You can transfer up to 90 approved credits into our bachelor's in business management , which could leave you with just 30 of the program's 120 credits to complete. Our associate degree accepts up to 45 approved transfer credits.

We evaluate transfer coursework based on factors such as accreditation and course equivalency. Credit may come from:

• Prior college coursework from accredited institutions
• Military training
• Nationally recognized exams, including AP exams
• On-the-job training or certifications that have been evaluated for college credit
• Our transfer student team can guide you through the process.

What Else Affects How Long Your Business Degree Takes?

Beyond degree level and transfer credit, a few other factors can shape your timeline:

• Enrollment status: Full-time students generally finish faster, while part-time study can make it easier to balance school with work.
• Breaks in enrollment: Stepping away for a semester or more will push back your graduation date.
• Your long-term plan: Moving from an associate degree to a bachelor's, or from a bachelor's to an MBA, lets you build on the credits and skills you've already earned.

Staying on track matters. Mapping out your plan with an advisor from day one can help you finish on the timeline you set. Explore our IACBE-accredited online business degree programs to find the level that fits your goals.¹ Or, if you’re ready to see how long it could take you to complete your degree, connect with an admissions advisor to request a transfer credit review.