Courses

The objective of the associate degree in business administration is to provide people interested in management with enhanced communications and mathematical skills, socially relevant course work, and a choice of advanced courses in specific business specialties to develop well-rounded and application-oriented graduates.

For those wishing to continue their studies, the credits earned toward an associate degree may often be applied toward the requirements of a bachelor's degree at Penn State or other institutions.

Prescribed Courses (13 credits)

4

credits

Introduction to the role of accounting numbers in the process of managing a business and in investor decision-making.

Prerequisite
MATH 21 or a higher math course or a satisfactory score on the mathematics placement examination
3

credits

Introduction to speech communication: formal speaking, group discussion, analysis and evaluation of messages.
3

credits

Writing reports and other common forms of business communication.

Prerequisite
(ENGL 15 or ENGL 30) and fourth-semester standing

C or better
A student enrolled in this course must receive a grade of C or better.

GWS
The credits earned in this course may be applied toward the Writing/Speaking (GWS) requirement.
3

credits

Introduction to the use of information systems in business organizations.

Additional Courses (23–24 credits)

4

credits

Explores the ethical, political, social, legal and regulatory, technological, and demographic diversity environment of business.

Note
A student may not receive credit toward graduation for both BLAW 243 and BA 243.
3

credits

An intensive, rhetorically based experience in reading and writing that will prepare you both to understand the communications that surround you and to succeed in your own communication efforts.

Prerequisite
ENGL 4 or satisfactory performance on the English placement examination

C or better
A student enrolled in this course must receive a grade of C or better
- 3
  
  credits
  
  Methods of economic analysis and their use; price determination; theory of the firm; distribution.
- or:
  
  3
  
  credits
  
  National income measurement; aggregate economic models; money and income; policy problems.
- 3
  
  credits
  
  Quadratic equations; equation in quadratic form; word problems; graphing; algebraic fractions; negative and rational exponents; radicals.
  
  Prerequisite
  MATH 4 or satisfactory performance on the mathematics placement examination.
- or:
  3
  
  credits
  
  Relations, functions, graphs; polynomial, rational functions, graphs; word problems; nonlinear inequalities; inverse functions; exponential, logarithmic functions; conic sections; simultaneous equations.
  
  Prerequisite
  MATH 021 or satisfactory performance on the mathematics placement examination.
- or:
  4
  
  credits
  
  Functions, graphs, derivatives, integrals, techniques of differentiation and integration, exponentials, improper integrals, applications.
  
  Prerequisite
  MATH 022 or satisfactory performance on the mathematics placement examination
- 3
  
  credits
  
  Focuses on customer behavior, product, channels of distribution, promotion, and pricing with emphasis on a culturally diverse environment. Not available to students who have taken BA 303.
  
  Prerequisite
  ENGL 015 or ENGL 030; ECON 102 or ECON 104; MATH 021 or higher or satisfactory score on the mathematics placement examination.
  
  C or better
  A student enrolled in this course must receive a grade of C or better
- or:
  3
  
  credits
  
  Focuses on customer behavior, product, channels of distribution, promotion, and pricing with emphasis on a culturally diverse environment. Not available to students who have taken BA 303.
  
  Prerequisite
  (ENGL 015 or ENGL 030) and (ECON 102 or ECON 104) and (MATH 021 or higher or satisfactory score on the mathematics placement examination.)
  
  C or better
  A student enrolled in this course must receive a grade of C or better.
3

credits

Examination of fundamental principles and processes applicable to the study of management. Not available to students who have taken BA 304.

Prerequisite
(ENGL 15 or ENGL 30) and (ECON 102 or ECON 104) and (MATH 21 or higher or satisfactory score on the mathematics placement examination)

C or better
A student enrolled in this course must receive a grade of C or better.
4

credits

Descriptive Statistics, frequency distributions, probability and normal distributions, statistical inference, linear regression, and correlation.

Prerequisite
Placement into MATH 21 or higher.

C or better
A student enrolled in this course must receive a grade of C or better.

Supporting Courses and Related Areas (select 12–13 credits)

For the supporting courses and related areas requirement students can select 12–13 credits from the course ranges and specific courses listed in this section.

ACCTG 300 to 399
ECON 100 to 399
ENTR 100 to 399
FIN 100 to 399
HPA 100 to 399
LHR 100 to 399
MGMT 100 to 399
MKTG 100 to 399
MIS 100 to 399
RM 100 to 399
SCM 200 to 399

3

credits

A comprehensive view of the contemporary environment of business. This course provides a broad overview of the study of business and its environment, organization, operation, and interrelationships with government and society.
3

credits

Analysis of problems of the small firm, particularly for the student who wishes to venture into business.

Prerequisite
3 credits in economics
3

credits

Business organizations and the sociocultural environment; current issues; corporate responsibility; international and multinational business environments.

Prerequisite
ENGL 202D, MGMT 301

US;IL
This course can be used to satisfy the International Cultures (IL) or the United States Cultures (US) requirement.
3

credits

This course addresses that knowledge and skill deficit by walking students through the major concepts, theories, underlying research methods, and ethical dilemmas faced in small groups.
3

credits

Review and practice of various communication forms used in modern organizations.
3

credits

Examines the function and structure of communication in both formal and informal situations.
3

credits

Relations, functions, graphs; polynomial, rational functions, graphs; word problems; nonlinear inequalities; inverse functions; exponential, logarithmic functions; conic sections; simultaneous equations.

Prerequisite
MATH 021 or satisfactory performance on the mathematics placement examination.
4

credits

Functions, graphs, derivatives, integrals, techniques of differentiation and integration, exponentials, improper integrals, applications.

Prerequisite
MATH 022 or satisfactory performance on the mathematics placement examination
3

credits

A survey of the major aspects of international business environment and operations with an emphasis on the cultural dimension.

General Education Requirements

Some General Education requirements may be satisfied by courses required for the major. Students should work with an adviser to select courses.

Arts (GA): 3 credits
Humanities (GH): 3 credits
Natural Sciences (GN): 3 credits
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 3 credits
Writing and Speaking (GWS): 3 credits
Quantification (GQ): 3 credits
Any General Education course, including Integrative Studies (Inter-domain or Linked courses): 3 credits
United States Cultures (US), or International Cultures (IL) or combined designation (US; IL): 3 credits
May be satisfied by designated courses that also meet other degree or General Education requirements.
Writing Across the Curriculum (W, M, X, Y): 3 credits
May be satisfied by designated courses that also meet other degree or General Education requirements.

Course Availability

If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.

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