Earning your online e-commerce degree can set you on a path toward a variety of career opportunities.
If you pride yourself on your technological prowess and are eager to learn business and marketing skills, then this bachelors degree may be in line with your interests and aspirations.
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Many graduates who obtain e-business degrees go on to become entrepreneurs, marketing managers, and research analysts.
Online E-Commerce Degrees
E-commerce refers to the purchase and distribution of goods via different electronic channels.
Enrolling in an online ecommerce degree can give you the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of conducting business online. These degree programs typically cover topics related to financial management, digital marketing techniques, and research and evaluation.
You’ll likely take courses on the following topics:
- Electronic commerce
- Accounting
- Systems analysis and design
- Implementing internet applications
- Database systems in business
Earning your business degree in e-commerce can give you the opportunity to learn how to plan, monitor, and sell a variety of products online.
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The interdisciplinary nature of this degree means that you’ll likely be able to combine courses from several fields, including technology, business, and marketing. Because there are growing opportunities to buy and sell products online, graduates with e-commerce degrees often have a variety of career options available to them.
Potential careers related to e-commerce include:
- Business consultant
- Database manager
- E-commerce management specialist
- Internet marketer
- User experience designer
In addition to the jobs listed above, many graduates choose to become entrepreneurs, often starting their own businesses online.
Some of the skills that you can learn throughout the course of your program include:
- Data analysis
- Writing
- E-commerce SEO
- Creativity
- Communication
These skill sets can help prepare you for roles in technology and marketing in an e-commerce setting, and they can also help you work toward leadership roles in the future.
E-Commerce Careers & Salaries
A continuous increase in sales from online shopping causes an accompanying upward trend in e-commerce job availability. Many e-commerce roles require a working understanding of effective sales and marketing techniques as well as foundational internet business practices and financial operations.
As reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are some common careers related to e-commerce, along with their median salaries:
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Marketing Managers | $135,030 |
| Sales Managers |
$127,490 |
| Advertising and Promotions Managers | $127,150 |
| Computer Systems Analysts |
$99,270 |
| Top Executives | $98,980 |
| Database Administrators and Architects | $98,860 |
| Computer Programmers | $93,000 |
| Web Developers and Digital Designers |
$77,200 |
| Business Operations Specialists | $74,670 |
| Market Research Analysts | $63,920 |
While obtaining an online degree in ecommerce can help you develop the tools you need to earn a competitive annual salary, it does not guarantee a specific income.
The positions that you’ll be qualified for and the salary you’ll earn will be dependent on your prior work experience, geographic location, personal aspirations, and other factors.
E-Commerce Bachelor Curriculum & Courses
Every e-commerce degree program will have an individual list of course offerings and requirements. No matter which college you choose, though, you will likely take some of the following courses:
- Business Programming: This course aims to provide a foundation in computer programming with a focus on using programming languages to address business problems.
- Internet Marketing: This course is an exploration of the most successful ways to conduct business online and aims to teach marketing and communication skills.
- Object-Oriented Modeling in Business: This class teaches how to construct information systems using object-oriented modeling.
- Database Systems: This course covers the fundamentals of different database systems, including data normalization, SQL, and indexing.
- Principles of Management: This class can help prepare you for managerial roles by covering topics like decision-making and analysis.
- Intro to E-Commerce: Serving as an introduction to e-commerce, this class delves into topics like business strategy, legal issues, and technological developments.
- Communications: This course explores the different roles of effective communication techniques in driving sales and reaching target audiences.
- Information Security: This class discusses the safety and security problems facing online businesses and delves into related ethical issues.
- Website Development: This class aims to teach the necessary programming and coding skills needed to create websites, such as HTML, CCS, and JavaScript.
- Market Research and Statistics: This course explores various market research techniques and how to use statistics to analyze findings.
These courses draw on marketing, business, and finance principles to help prepare you for the world of e-commerce. Researching the curriculum of prospective schools can increase your chances of attending a university that directly prepares you for your desired field or position.
How to Choose an Online E-Commerce Degree Program
As you choose an online e-commerce degree program, some of the factors that you’ll need to consider will be unique to you, but it can be helpful to also address some of these common issues before you apply:
- Cost. One of the first considerations for many aspiring college students is the overall cost of a program. Creating a budget prior to starting the application process can help ensure that you only apply to schools within your price range.
- Program format. Many schools offer their online courses in one of two ways: synchronous or asynchronous. In a synchronous course, you will attend live lectures, while an asynchronous course provides pre-recorded classes. The right format for you will depend on your individual learning style and preference.
- Graduation rate. A degree program’s graduation rate can say a lot about the experience. A high graduation rate generally means that students are happy with the program and are learning the necessary tools and skills of the field. You can often find this information listed online.
- Location. While most online colleges don’t have an in-person requirement, some do. It’s helpful to check whether you can meet any location requirements before you apply.
Understanding the ways in which each of these factors influences your college selection can aid you in your application process.
Bachelor of E-Commerce Admissions Requirements
Although admissions requirements do vary on occasion, here are some common requirements between colleges:
- SAT or ACT scores (if required)
- Official transcripts
- Personal essay
- Letters of recommendation
Many colleges require a small application fee along with the listed materials. Additionally, many schools have a minimum GPA requirement in place to ensure applicants are in good academic standing. As you gather your application materials, you can try to highlight your accomplishments both in and out of the classroom.
Accreditation
In order to earn accreditation, an educational program must go through a formal review that ensures it meets predefined standards of excellence. This review is carried out by a third-party agency. It verifies that an institution has the appropriate funds and resources to provide quality services for their students and faculty.
The accreditation status of your school can affect your eligibility to receive federal financial aid. Accreditation can also impact the type of professional roles you may qualify for post-graduation.
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Determining whether your schools of interest are regionally accredited is a critical step in the college selection process.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
For many students, attending college is only possible with the help of financial aid. There are several different ways to try and obtain financial help, including federal and state aid, scholarships, and tuition reimbursement programs.
The amount of federal financial aid you are eligible for is determined by several personal factors, including household income level and cost of attendance. You can find out how much aid you qualify for by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Scholarships and tuition reimbursement programs vary between schools and companies. Researching the available financial aid options for your specific college or place of work can provide you with the details you need to apply.
What Is an E-Commerce Degree?
An e-commerce degree program can help prepare you for managerial work within an online business.
Many companies have shifted toward conducting the majority of their sales online. As a result, there is a growing need for professionals who understand how to monitor network systems, manage databases, and provide technological security.
In addition to learning how to oversee databases and security, you can also learn how to develop and design the systems responsible for online business transactions.
Is E-Commerce a Major?
Yes, e-commerce is a major that schools can offer. An e-commerce degree program focuses on preparing students for success in creating, managing, and marketing online goods and services.
Some of the subjects covered as part of an ecommerce major include electronic marketing, web design, contracting, and information technology. If you are an individual with an interest in programming, technology, communications, or marketing, then this might be a strategic degree for you to earn.
Not only can you help a company with its retail endeavors, but you can also have the opportunity to develop creative solutions to problems.
What Can You Do with a Degree in E-Commerce?
While earning your degree in e-commerce does not guarantee a specific position or salary, it does have the potential to open up many lucrative career opportunities.
Many e-commerce graduates go on to managerial roles within the world of online business. Leadership roles include supply chain, digital marketing, and financial managers. Other professionals in the field accept positions as web designers and developers, IT technicians, or graphic designers.
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There is a continued expansion of online retailers and businesses. As a result, there are a variety of roles available to e-commerce graduates who have a firm understanding of marketing, sales, and technology tools.
How Long Does It Take to Get an E-Commerce Bachelor’s Degree Online?
If you follow a traditional, 16 week semester and attend school full-time, it generally takes 4 years to earn a bachelor’s degree in e-commerce.
If you decide to follow an 8 week semester and stay continuously enrolled year-round, you may finish in less time. If you are on a tight schedule, you could consider earning your degree part-time. While this option could take you longer to finish, it could also allow for more flexibility in your schedule.
Is an ECommerce Degree Worth It?
Yes, an ecommerce degree is worth it for many students. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists many of the careers related to e-commerce as experiencing faster than average job growth rates. This means that professional opportunities in the field are expected to continue expanding over the next ten years.
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Overall, business and financial occupations are expected to see 8% job growth over the next ten years (Bureau of Labor Statistics).
In addition, for many companies, online transactions make up a large part of their total sales. The wide range of businesses that utilize e-commerce sites means that you might have more opportunities to choose which kind of company you work for.
Universities Offering Online Bachelors in e-Commerce Degree Program
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
Bushnell University’s online BS in Business Administration program is often an excellent fit for students seeking to gain fundamental knowledge of ecommerce practices. It has four concentrations: General Business, Accounting, Management, and Marketing.
All courses are offered online, and the program can typically be completed in just 4 years.
Bushnell University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
The Bachelor’s in Business Administration program at Lynn University aims to provide a strong foundation for students aspiring to careers in ecommerce.
The program is fully online and can typically be completed in 4 years. It is designed to provide students with a core understanding of the principles of finance, accounting, marketing, and ecommerce fundamentals and trends.
Lynn University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Pennsylvania State University’s online Bachelor’s in Marketing program focuses on helping students understand and know how to respond to consumer behaviors in the marketplace.
This 4 year degree program requires the completion of 120 credits. It consists of theory courses that cover topics like business strategy and global marketing, as well as courses covering key marketing skills, like statistics and business writing.
The Pennsylvania State University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
The Bachelor of Business Administration program at Peru State College is a flexible, 4 year, online program. It is designed to provide students with a foundational understanding in a variety of business fields, including ecommerce.
The college also has a generous transfer policy, allowing new admits to transfer up to 90 qualifying credits from other institutions.
Peru State College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Alabama—Birmingham offers an online Bachelor’s in Marketing program. It is designed to help students transform their ambitions into the expertise necessary for successful careers in business in as little as 4 years.
The program covers sales techniques, marketing communications, ecommerce, and entrepreneurial thinking, making the curriculum applicable to a variety of fields and roles.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The Bachelor of Science in Ecommerce at the University of La Verne is offered through the Computer Science and Computer Engineering Department. The full degree can be completed entirely online, typically in 4 years. The principles of marketing, information technology, and programming are at the heart of the curriculum.
The University of La Verne is accredited by the Senior College Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
The University of Massachusetts—Dartmouth offers a Bachelor’s in Management Information Systems program that specializes in ecommerce and digital business. It is designed to be an excellent fit for students hoping to launch careers in online business.
The program consists of 120 credit hours, with courses such as System Analysis and Design and Social Media Marketing.
The University of Massachusetts – Dartmouth is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
The University of South Dakota’s online Bachelor’s in Business Administration program aims to help students develop a broad understanding of key business principles. It also provides students with opportunities to gain deeper knowledge in specific areas of interest, such as ecommerce, entrepreneurship, and marketing.
The program can be completed fully online, typically in about 4 years.
The University of South Dakota is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of the Southwest offers a Bachelor’s in Business Administration with an emphasis in Ecommerce. The program consists of a variety of courses designed to teach students the essentials of conducting business online.
This accredited program is offered 100% online, helping to ensure flexibility that allows students to complete their education at their own pace.
The University of the Southwest is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Toledo offers a 4 year, online Bachelor’s in Digital Marketing program. It is designed to equip students with the necessary knowledge to begin careers in this competitive and quickly growing field.
Students in the program are expected to learn communication and critical thinking skills alongside courses on web design, information technology, and marketing analytics.
The University of Toledo is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Getting Your E-Commerce Degree Online
If you have a passion for technology and an innovative approach to problem-solving and communication, then an e-commerce degree may be a good fit for you.
Earning your e-commerce degree either in-person or online can help you qualify for professional roles that have an impact on a company’s sales. Many graduates go on to pursue managerial jobs in digital marketing, finance, or web design.
Selecting the right online e-commerce degree program starts with lots of research and a desire to learn. You might also consider a business online degree program if you’re interested in a more flexible, convenient schedule.
If you’re ready to begin your educational journey, you can start exploring accredited universities with e-commerce majors today.
