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Education and Further Education as Business Administrator

Definition, Explanation

Tips, Checklist

Definition, Explanation

A business administrator is a successful graduate of a business economics education. Today, there are business administrators working in almost every sector. The education complies with the regulations of Berufsbildungsgesetz, BBiG (Professional Education Act). The requirements for a further education as a business administrator are a completed apprenticeship and several years of professional practise. No Abitur, no advanced technical college entrance qualification, no studies are required.

A further education as a business administrator can be obtained from public as well as from private educational institutions. Also e-learning courses are possible. The examination, however, is always conducted by the local IHK (CCI) or a chamber of trade, and is recognized valid throughout Germany. For being examined, an education is not obligatorily required. The business administration title is equivalent to a master examination in handicraft professions.

The education is stronly oriented towards occupational practise and conveys both general business economic and sector-specific knowledge.

Based on a successful business administrator examination, one can be further educated as a Certified Business Administrator by the IHK (CCI) or HWK (chamber of trade).

The costs of a business administrator further education are, depending on the sector, between 1,500 and 6,000 Euros. Help in financing is provided by certain education funds respective education credits. Often, even the current employer takes over a share of the costs. In part-time, the further education takes from 12 to 18 months, and in full-time about 6 months. For the full-time education, the current job must be paused.

Besides professional career, a business administration degree can lead to self-employment. At least, the title contributes to securing one's current position. Not rarely, the employer increases the salary of the employee having accomplished the degree. Business administrators work in the middle management of the respective sectors. Their tasks are mainly planning, organizing, mercantile and production-supervising activities, also in distribution and consulting.

Possible specializations of a business administrator are various. Examples are:

• Automobiles
• Administration specialization
• Trading
• Hotel and restaurant industry
• Technical management
• Leasing
• Publishing
• Construction
• Eldercare and nursing care
• Real estate
• Insurance
• Judiciary
• Event management
• Traffic
• Facility management
• Advertisement and Communication
• Tourism
• Tax
• Accountancy/Controlling
• Media
• Marketing
• Online Marketing
• Industrial accountancy
• Fitness
• Finance
• Organization and leadership
• Health and social matters
• Service
• Bank services and operations

Tips, Checklist

• Think whether you might prefer a further education as a business administrator over an economic study programme
• Since there are different business administrators for virtually every sector, you should choose respective education according to the sector you are working in

Last update: 09/18/2009