Are you considering getting a degree in business technology? You may have heard that business technology courses and information technology courses are the same.
The truth is, business technology courses are designed for people who either possess prior IT knowledge or are already in the IT field and looking are to advance to management positions.
If one of these descriptions sounds like you, earning credentials in business technology is a solid move for furthering your career.
Students who pursue this degree will gain the technical knowledge required to lead an IT department or oversee large-scale internal computer networks. Now that the online learning community is larger than ever, there are countless online programs offering courses in business technology.
It may be overwhelming to pick from such a large and diverse variety of online learning programs, which is why we’ve put together a list of what we believe are the 10 best online business technology courses being offered this year.
How We Chose Our Ratings
We’re no stranger to reviewing online education courses and programs, so we know that our ratings would mean nothing without the reviews and testimonials from former and current students of each course.
Accuracy and honesty are highly important to us, which is why we’ve also done our homework on what each program has to offer and how relevant the coursework is to the goals of a typical business technology student.
Each course rating is scored on a scale of one to five stars, with five being the highest.
2019's 10 Best Online Business Technology Courses
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Databases are essentially the core component of business and information technology. Behind every website, telecommunications system, video game and most other software systems, there is a database hosting vital information.
The best part about taking database classes online is the idea of students working with a data bank at their fingertips at all times, which is highly likely to help them master such a complex subject.
The reason this course is so high on our list is due to its exceptional usefulness according to an overwhelming number of business technology graduates claiming that taking a database class helped them significantly in their careers.
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Most systems architecture courses cover the development and design of system architecture and hardware/software organization within the entire process of systems engineering.
In the world of business technology, knowledge of systems architecture is essential for being an effective member or manager of an IT department.
This course is a tough one to complete according to many graduates who provided us with reviews of systems architecture classes around the country, but many have also said that it provided them with a wealth of useful IT knowledge.
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This course closes out the top three on our list, and with good reason: Network administration is one of the most important aspects of business technology.
In today’s world, every business requires a virtual network of some kind to function efficiently. Students who wish to become network server administrators, either by working for themselves or a business, can benefit greatly from taking this course.
Once again, the fact that this course is available as part of many online business technology programs is a huge advantage for people who want to learn aspects of this growing field without being tied to a brick-and-mortar classroom.
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Students can earn a degree in business information systems at many colleges, but if your online business technology program of choice contains this course, you’re in good hands.
BIS entails learning how to plan, develop and operate the systems that make organizations run more efficiently while facilitating business strategy development.
The information contained in an online BIS course can provide students with a competitive advantage in the IT job market once they graduate from their chosen program.
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Because many people in the business technology field often plan on using their certifications to become successful within the hospitality industry, IT courses with an emphasis on the hospitality industry’s technology are now offered in most online business technology programs.
Businesses that utilize reservation systems, inventory trackers and point-of-sale systems need to have someone behind the scenes who knows how to run it all, which is what makes this course an incredibly useful addition to those who want to keep their options open upon completion of a business technology program.
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Taking at least one course in accounting or accounting technology is highly valuable for the average business technology student.
The goal of these courses is to educate students on accounting concepts relating to business, industry, government or public accounting, all of which are viable career options for someone taking courses within a business technology program.
Some students can get by academically and move on to successful careers without taking accounting courses, which is why this course is a bit lower on our list.
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This course is designed to introduce students to Microsoft Office®, otherwise known as the most popular productivity software in the world.
The Office® suite features four applications: Word®, PowerPoint®, Excel® and Outlook®. Although many students getting into business technology are likely familiar with these applications, taking a refresher course on the features and functionality of the Office® suite can help remind students of how vital Microsoft is for everyday computer users.
Being well-versed in Microsoft Office® is an asset for those who will be teaching less tech-savvy people how to operate or troubleshoot their software.
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Anyone who has worked in an IT department knows how important spreadsheets are. In fact, spreadsheets can be vital to almost every functional business.
Those who could use a refresher on just one of Microsoft Office® suite’s popular applications would find this course useful. Depending on the needs of individual students, a computer applications course would likely suffice, but naturally, some students are more familiar with certain aspects of Office® software than others.
However, those who already have a solid knowledge base of Excel® and the rest of Microsoft Office® would be better off enrolling in the course in the seventh spot on our list.
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Similar to the course above, a PowerPoint® course could be useful depending on the computer application skill level of the student. This software is often used for business presentations and specialized documentation.
However, PowerPoint® can be essential to day-to-day aspects of business technology, but the software can easily be learned as part of a course that covers all of the Office® suites.
Some students argue that most business technology students could get by without taking a PowerPoint® course at all.
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Although this course is offered as part of many online business technology programs, basic computer skills classes are designed for students with little to no computer knowledge who want to challenge themselves and advance in their careers, regardless of the career type.
In today’s world, people are all but required to know computer basics to be productive members of a team. The reason this course is last on our list, however, is because of the skill level required to enroll compared to the rigorousness of a typical business technology program.
If students interested in business technology are already comfortable with computers, this course is generally not needed.
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Buyer's Guide
When shopping for online business technology courses, it is important to select a program that includes the entire 10 courses above as a minimum offering. If your chosen online program does not contain at least seven of the 10 courses, we recommend that you consider shopping elsewhere. If the program you choose has at least five of the above courses available, you may want to consider the following criteria when making a final selection on a business technology program:
Program Success Rate: The success rate of a typical business technology program should be easy to find. Program success rates are usually posted on the program’s webpage. Otherwise, you should be able to find it with a quick Google search. Success rates of 85 percent or higher are generally your best bet, but programs with success rates of at least 70 percent are also worth consideration when factoring in things like cost and any previously acquired knowledge of business technology. The success rate of an online program is also usually tied to the program’s reputation, so look to see what other students are saying about the program as well.
Professor Ratings: Although this review is about remote online coursework, professors still have the power to make or break a business technology student’s experience. At the end of the day, online professors are just regular teachers across a computer screen, and all professors have varying teaching styles and personality traits. Some teaching styles work better for students than others, but the overall effectiveness of specific professors can be found through websites like ratemyprofessors.com and ratemyteachers.com. It is important to note, however, that ratings on these sites should be taken with a grain of salt as there is no way of knowing if the reviewer was simply a lazy student who is bitter about a bad grade.
Out-of-Pocket Costs: Some online business technology courses and programs are more expensive than others. School expenses can be offset with scholarships and student loans but consider your out-of-pocket costs before jumping headfirst into a decision. In most cases, the most expensive courses and programs are run by private institutions, so it’s important to decide how much a private education means to you and if it’s worth paying more for the program. Out-of-pocket costs also include expenses for textbooks and other coursework materials, so be sure to factor those costs in when choosing a program.
Your Computer’s Capabilities: When considering enrolling in an online education program, having a reliable computer with high-speed internet connection is one of the most essential aspects for educational success. If you don’t have internet access at home, you could always go to a public location with available Wi-Fi, but it would be extremely difficult to complete any online course without a computer of your own. If you can afford it, try to get a laptop or desktop computer with at least 128GB of solid state drive memory for fast startup, premium performance and optimal storage capability. You will also need at least one USB drive to back up all your work in case of a computer emergency.
Your Discipline Levels: Your self-discipline is a factor you will need to be completely honest with yourself about. Much like working from home, taking online courses requires a great deal of focus, independence and discipline. Are you the type of person who tends to shirk responsibility when no one is keeping tabs on you? If so, you may want to reconsider enrolling in an online course unless you’re willing to make a real effort to utilize resources that would help make you a more effective online learner.
If you have tried, are currently enrolled in or completed any of our picks for the best online business technology courses within the last two years, please share your thoughts and experiences with us. We greatly appreciate receiving additional comments and feedback on our top course picks as it helps us maintain accuracy and consistency for future reviews. The field of business technology can be a challenge for people with all levels of IT and business knowledge, but our Best of Guide is designed to help you select courses and programs that will provide you with an equal amount of challenge and potential success.
Featured Image: Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
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