• Finance: Every business on the planet has a need for some kind of financial professional, when taking out a bank loan, making insurance claims, and filing taxes. Financial professionals in small businesses perform many of the same tasks as an accountant and ensure that a business is meeting its financial needs. 
• Human Resources: A human resources professional helps manage a business' employees, from the hiring and training processes to payroll and scheduling. Human resources professionals must be available and good at working with others and must develop knowledge of the inner workings of the business for which they work. 

• Associate Degree: 2 years to complete
• Bachelor's Degree: 4 years to complete
• Master's Degree: 2-3 years to complete

In the past few decades, it has become more and more important to small business owners to hire professionals who have formal education. While small businesses in smaller towns may still have opportunities for those with only a high school diploma, it is becoming increasingly rare. At the very least, employers will look for associate degrees in management or another business-related field. Those with bachelor's degrees will have the best opportunities and may be trusted with more responsibility when it comes to developing a direction for the company. 

There are no states in which being a certified manager is a legal requirement to work with small businesses. However, in a tense job market, having completed a certification course and exam like the one offered by the Association of Professional Office Management can give an applicant a strong edge over other applicants. Certification courses train potential managers in computer skills, personnel management, and workplace safety.

• Types of Small Business Ownership: Learn about the different forms that small businesses can take. Corporations vs. partnerships is one lesson offered here. 
• Marketing: This class stresses this particular techniques of marketing required of small businesses. Co-ops, condos, gov't regulations, and building protocol factor in here. 
• Technology: Every small business owner should be a master of wielding a computer for success and profit. Glean tips on using the Web and computer software to your advantage. 
• Family Businesses: If you're looking to go into business with family, look for this class in a program's syllabus. Estate planning and the stresses of family on business are lessons here.
• Financing Small Businesses: The Fair Housing act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and other government laws can work to your advantage when starting your small business. Learn about these and other government support here.

This is really dependent upon the type of degree that you would eventually like to earn. Though bachelor's programs may not demand that you be physically present in order to complete particular tasks, master's-level offerings typically ask for a few on-site training components of their students.

• Entrepreneurship: Small business owners are very likely to consider themselves entrepreneurs as well. They can locate degree programs that specialize in running a small business in order to shore up their skills.
• E-business: This discipline describes those business transactions that take place through a network connected through computers. Many small businesses thrive on e-business, making knowledge in the subject basically essential to thrive.
• Nonprofit Management: Many small businesses also qualify as nonprofits -- companies that provide a larger benefit for communities either near or far. This degree program will emphasize customer service and public relations alongside business acumen.