How a Business Degree Built for Adults Accelerates Career Momentum

By: Marian University Partner | Published: January 24, 2026 | Categories: Education

Today’s leading business strategies require professionals to leverage the power of advanced technology and implement market research within their data-driven decision-making processes. As a result, people at all stages of their careers — and across all business sectors — need to continue investing in their education to fuel career growth.

Introduction: Rewriting the Path to Career Growth

With their ability to effectively balance online learning with professional and personal responsibilities, adult learners are redefining the modern college experience by learning at their own pace. Many professionals are returning to school to gain critical thinking skills that keep them competitive.

The Bachelor of Business Administration Online (BBA) at Marian University is a flexible, career-driven Master’s degree, and industry-focused program designed for working adults. Anchored by short-form online courses that can be completed within five to eight weeks and featuring 12 start dates throughout the year, it’s an accessible and versatile program that meets you where you are.

Here's how a business degree built for adults can accelerate your career momentum and open the door to new opportunities.

Why Adult Learners Are Choosing Online Business Degrees

For years, many believed there was only one specific pathway forward if you wanted to begin a career in business. You would graduate high school, attend college for a bachelor’s degree in business, specifically a Bachelor of Science degree in business, and then find an entry-level role. Modern learners, however, know that no two journeys are alike. Online business degree programs provide them with the flexibility they need to achieve their career goals on their own terms.

These are just a few reasons why more adult learners are enrolling in online BBA programs:

Flexibility That Fits Real Life

The BBA is an online business degree for adults that offers flexible scheduling for full-time professionals and parents, allowing people to further their education in business or a related field, such as corporate finance, regardless of where they live or what their schedule looks like. Within the curriculum, students will enjoy asynchronous learning opportunities, giving them the autonomy they need to complete work on their own terms. In addition, students with previous college experience may be able to apply transfer credits to this program, allowing them to accelerate their path to graduation.

Marian University's flexible online business administration program offers an accelerated pathway that allows students to finish faster without sacrificing quality. Thus, you’ll begin enjoying the return on your investment in data analysis skills, along with promising job growth prospects, as soon as possible.

Aligning Education with Career Goals

An online business administration degree for adults is a targeted investment in your education that translates directly into workplace advancement and effective business operations. Students may enroll in this program for a variety of reasons, with many working toward goals such as career changes, promotions, or the ability to pursue entrepreneurial endeavors.

The Marian University BBA online program integrates real-world business strategy and leadership principles into coursework, equipping students with the practical, technical, and leadership skills required to advance their careers. With an emphasis on honing business acumen, this industry-focused degree program prepares students for management-level opportunities across multiple sectors, including business analytics and marketing.

How Marian’s Online BBA Accelerates Career Momentum

There are many online BBA programs to choose from, but selecting the right school is critically important to your career trajectory and the various career opportunities it offers. Marian's accelerated BBA online degree offers a rigorous, career-driven curriculum designed to help you advance your education and develop essential management skills, all while keeping adult learners in mind and allowing working professionals to continue their careers without taking a break.

Applied Learning for Immediate Results

The School of Business at Marian University is committed to providing all students with relevant degree programs that are anchored by engaging, experiential coursework. In the Bachelor of Business Administration online program, students enjoy applied learning that yields immediate results. The courses are taught by faculty members with business expertise, and they include both asynchronous and synchronous coursework. Students enjoy project-based learning in which they can fine-tune their collaboration and communication skills. They also explore case studies to understand the real-world impact of leading business strategies and engage in simulations that help hone their decision-making skills.

Given that many students are working professionals, there is a unique overlap between the classroom and the office. Students recognize that choosing a business degree, which often includes coursework in related fields such as financial management, is often the first step in applying what they learn in their current roles, driving real workplace improvement and highlighting the power of business degree career advancement.

Faculty Mentorship and Industry Support

With courses taught by esteemed professionals and experienced business leaders, Marian University offers students a supportive and engaging learning environment. The online BBA program utilizes a faculty mentorship model, in which students are enrolled in small classes where they can get to know their peers and pursue mentorship opportunities with faculty members. At Marian University, we are proud of our Franciscan foundation, which emphasizes ethics and leadership. Our faculty members actively work to support all of our learners as they pursue their academic and career goals.

The Power of the Accelerated Online Format

Traditionally, undergraduate degree programs, specifically bachelor's degree programs in international business, take about four years to complete. However, online learning has redefined the educational experience, and there are now many streamlined options available. The accelerated BBA online program lets students build upon their existing academic and professional foundation to complete their degree quicker and fast-track their career growth.

Built for Working Professionals

The vast majority of bachelor's degree programs available today at business schools are designed for traditional students — those who have recently graduated from high school and are pursuing their education on a full-time basis. However, the accelerated BBA online degree for business programs is built differently. This online business degree for working professionals addresses the challenges that these students face, such as balancing their time or finding the motivation to complete their coursework amid other responsibilities.

Adult learners in an online BBA program will find that Marian University offers the support and resources they need to succeed in human resources management on an academic, professional, and personal level. From tutoring services and academic advising to peer community resources, we provide holistic support to all of our students.

Career Outcomes for Business Graduates

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), students who graduate with a business degree work in a variety of sectors, such as business management, accounting, marketing, business analytics, and finance. Nearly 55% of all business degree graduates are employed in positions that require a bachelor's degree, highlighting the power and relevance of an online BBA degree.

Whether you are interested in starting your own small business or want to pursue executive-level digital marketing opportunities, you will find that the Bachelor of Business Administration online program provides you with the knowledge, skills, and information systems experience required to achieve your career goals.

Versatility Across Industries

The potential for business degree career path advancement is virtually endless. Employers across many key industries value the online BBA degree, including those in management, marketing, finance, and operations. In addition to allowing you to pursue new opportunities after graduation, this degree supports long-term career growth, as many employers require candidates to have a bachelor's degree to be promoted to higher-level positions, and understanding financial statements can further enhance your qualifications.

Taking the Next Step

The idea of change can be daunting, particularly when you’re balancing a full-time job in business alongside personal obligations. However, by enrolling in a flexible online business administration program, focused on healthcare administration and management, you will find that you can invest in yourself without sacrifice. With more employers looking to hire strategic, forward-thinking leaders, now is the best time to consider joining an online BBA degree program and taking your career to the next level.

Your Future in Business Leadership Starts Here

The Marian University BBA online program was built with adult learners in mind, giving them the ability to succeed in the classroom without pausing their careers in information technology. Offering a supportive learning environment and flexible pathways, Marian University is the ideal choice for anyone looking to pursue a business education degree for career advancement.

Ready to take the next step? Apply to Marian University's Bachelor of Business Administration Online today.