A Brief History of the E-Commerce Major
The birth of business education occurred in 1881 when the University of Pennsylvania founded the first collegiate business school, Wharton School. Purposed to prepare men to be leaders within business and government, this school provided an education based in finance and economy. Still, business schools didn’t gain popularity until after World War II when the country began to experience significant industrial growth. As the world of business grew and became more complex, these types of schools began offering majors that focused on business specializations to meet the demand for experts within these niches.
The history of ecommerce is brief indeed, as it essentially began in 1998 when businesses began to utilize ecommerce Web sites to generate business. A few years later in 2000, there was significant growth in the number of brick-and-mortar businesses that began conducting business-to-business transactions online. During this time powerhouse ecommerce brands like eBay and Amazon also began to experience major increases in profit and it become clear that this method of business was here to stay. It was also during this time that the academic world began offering e-commerce majors and concentrations in order to educate business students in the industry’s latest innovation.
Delving Into the E-Commerce Major
With the vast expansion of opportunities for business online, the field of e-commerce is becoming one of the most popular areas for students with an interest in both business and technology to pursue. Practically every large company is now offering potential customers the choice between coming into their stores and shopping from home or the office and the potential for growth in this area is outstanding. With an e-commerce major, students will prepare themselves not only for the current world of online marketing, advertising and sales, but will learn the necessary skills to be able to adapt to future changes in electronic commerce.
A degree in e-commerce will include all of the general requirements for a business degree with courses in management, finance, economics, and communication. In addition, students will receive an in depth training in computers and information systems. Since the internet will be the main focus for e-commerce, students will also take classes in online security systems as well as options for running businesses online. A major in e-commerce will provide a broad look at business with a more intense focus on the use of technology to accomplish the tasks that traditionally have been done without the aid of the internet. Courses in online advertising and marketing will be synthesized with courses in online accounting practices to enable degree holders to run an entire company online.
Degree Levels:
Bachelor’s
Those who decide to earn a bachelor’s degree in e-commerce will receive an education that integrates the study of business practices with internet technologies. Students will learn about conducting business over electronic systems and components like electronic transactions, Internet marketing, electronic data interchange, and electronic markets. Common courses include e-business strategy, management of e-commerce, strategic Internet marketing, Web media and the Internet, virtual enterprise, Web design principles, and computer applications for telecommunications. These types of programs generally take about four years to complete and require students to earn around 120 credits. A bachelor’s degree in e-commerce will also prepare students for graduate degrees including master’s degrees in e-commerce and MBA programs with an e-commerce concentration.
Master’s
Those interested in a graduate education in business information systems can earn a master’s Degree in areas like e-commerce technology, global e-commerce, e-commerce management, and e-business, or an MBA with an e-commerce related concentration. A master’s degree program within e-commerce incorporates the study of e-commerce technologies with those of electronic business functions and Web applications. These types of programs require students to complete at least 30 credit hours and can take up to three years to complete. An MBA with a concentration in e-commerce will consist of advanced courses in core business subjects with the option to take several elective courses within e-commerce. Generally, MBA students are required to complete anywhere from 48 to 60 credit hours, which can take from one to three years to complete depending on program format.
Doctorate
Those interested in business research or education can pursue a Ph.D. in business administration with a specialization in e-commerce. This degree goes a step further than a master’s degree and consists of advanced coursework and research studies. It is designed for those who wish to pursue an academic career or apply their knowledge in technological or business research. Doctoral students conduct research related to business practices in electronic commerce, which typically leads to a dissertation or journal publication. These types of programs may also require students to complete a residency, doctoral study project, or thesis. A Ph.D. can take from three to four years to complete and require students to complete a minimum of 84 credit hours of graduate coursework.
Supplementing Your E-Commerce Major
As advancing technologies change the traditional methods of business, e-commerce is being recognized less as an area of specialization and more as an essential component. A business discipline within itself, e-commerce specializations are beginning to evolve making it possible for majors to concentrate their studies on their area of interest. While some e-commerce programs may offer specializations as a formal concentration, while others may just offer elective courses pertaining to them. Those who wish to pursue a career within a specific niche of e-commerce can become experts within specializations like e-commerce technology, e-commerce marketing, e-commerce Web design, e-commerce systems, and e-commerce development.
Additionally, students can build their knowledge base and further define career objectives through choosing a related minor. Common minors for those majoring in e-commerce include consumer sciences, social sciences, humanities, economics, information technology, or communications. Minors can also be chosen depending on the kind of organization or industry a student is interested doing e-commerce within. Those who are interested in working for a retail store or apparel manufacturer may want to consider minoring in fashion merchandizing, consumer services, or consumer economics. One who desires to use their creative skills and work on the marketing side of e-commerce may enjoy minoring in Web design, visual communications, advertising, or graphic design. Then of course there are always business-related minors, which are always beneficial in the field of e-commerce, such as management, finance, sales, entrepreneurship, or marketing.
Learn More About the E-Commerce Major
The E-Commerce Major in the Job Market
The sky is the limit in terms of job prospects and expected salaries for those with an education in e-commerce. Whether working for an existing business or starting your own, jobs in the field of e-commerce are expanding and increasing in value. That being said, the market is also highly competitive, with more and more businesses looking to the internet to expand their reach. As a result, receiving a balanced education in business and taking advanced courses is always a good idea. As in any entrepreneurial venture, it is impossible to establish a salary range for those with a degree in e-commerce, but entry level e-commerce programmers can expect to start at about $60,000 with average e-commerce marketing directors earn around $100,000 with experience.
Earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree in e-commerce can qualify one for positions as e-commerce specialists, e-commerce analysts, e-commerce managers, and e-commerce marketers. These types of professionals oversee the use an organization’s e-business functions and related technology related to Internet operations, electronic transactions, Web design, product promotions, and sales. According to PayScale, the annual salary of an Internet marketing specialist ranges from $34,113 to $50,128, that of an e-commerce product manager from $56,577 to 106,117, and IT consultants within e-commerce make $76,227. Many e-commerce professions fall within the computer systems design and related services industry which is expected to experience significant growth within the next decade, about 45 percent by 2018 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Due to the growing use of e-commerce in business, professionals who specialize in e-commerce will find opportunities within this industry in Web marketing and sales. Additionally, if you are planning on using the internet to help start a new business or expand an existing business, this is a great degree for you to obtain. The job prospects for people with a background in e-commerce are numerous and will provide the skill set to make yourself a valuable commodity to any business in today’s competitive job market.Those interested in learning more about e-commerce majors and the types of careers that they lead to should check out the following resources. The E-commerce Times is a great place for majors to go if they want to read about the latest business news, stay up-to-date on industry trends, and obtain information on the career outlook in electronic business.
Careers I Can Get with This Degree:
- Director of Product Management
- e-Commerce Developer
- e-Commerce Project Manager
- e-Commerce Specialist
