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 60 credits earned toward an associate degree may often be applied toward the requirements of a bachelor's degree at Penn State or at other institutions.
The 60 credits for the Associate of Science in Business Administration are as follows:
- Requirements for the Major (48–50 credits)*
- Prescribed Courses (13 credits)
- Additional Courses (23–24 credits)
- Supporting Courses and Related Areas (Choose 12–13 credits)
- General Education courses (21 credits)*
*Note: 9 of the General Education credits are also included in the Requirements for the Major.
Course List - Associate in Science in Business Administration
Requirements for the major — 48–50 credits
| Title | Abbreviation | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial and Managerial Accounting for Decision Making | ACCTG 211 | Introduction to the role of accounting numbers in the process of managing a business and in investor decision making. Prerequisite: MATH 21 or 1.5 units of high school algebra |
4 credits |
| Effective Speech | CAS 100 | Introduction to speech communication: formal speaking, group discussion, analysis and evaluation of messages. | 3 credits |
| Effective Writing: Business Writing | ENGL 202D | Writing reports and other common forms of business communication. Prerequisite: ENGL 15 or ENGL 30; fourth-semester standing |
3 credits |
| Introduction to Business Information Systems | MIS 204 | Introduction to the use of information systems in business organizations. | 3 credits |
| Title | Abbreviation | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social, Legal, and Ethical Environment of Business | B A 243 | Explores the ethical, political, social, legal and regulatory, technological, and demographic diversity environment of business. | 4 credits |
| Rhetoric and Composition | ENGL 15 | Instruction and practice in writing expository prose that shows sensitivity to audience and purpose. Prerequisite: ENGL 4 or satisfactory performance on the English proficiency examination |
3 credits |
| Introductory Microeconomic Analysis or Introductory Macroeconomic Analysis |
ECON 102 or ECON 104 |
Methods of economic analysis and their use; price determination; theory of the firm; distribution. or National income measurement; aggregate economic models; money and income; policy problems. |
3 credits or 3 credits |
| College Algebra I or College Algebra II or Techniques of Calculus I |
MATH 21 or MATH 22 or MATH 110 |
Quadratic equations; equations 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 Relations, functions, graphs; polynomial, rational functions, graphs; word problems; nonlinear inequalities; inverse functions; exponential, logarithmic functions; conic sections; simultaneous equations. Prerequisite: MATH 21 or satisfactory performance on the mathematics placement examination or Functions, graphs, derivatives, integrals, techniques of differentiation and integration, exponentials, improper integrals, applications. Prerequisite: MATH 22 or satisfactory performance on the mathematics placement examination |
3 credits or 3 credits or 4 credits |
| Principles of Marketing | MKTG 301 or 301W | 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 B A 303. Prerequisite: ENGL 15 or ENGL 30 & ECON 102 or ECON 104 & MATH 21 or higher or satisfactory score on the mathematics placement exam (i.e. minimum placement MATH 22) |
3 credits |
| Basic Management Concepts | MGMT 301 | Examination of fundamental principles and processes applicable to the study of management. Not available to students who have taken B A 304. Prerequisite: ENGL 15 or ENGL 30 & ECON 102 or ECON 104 & MATH 21 or higher or satisfactory score on the mathematics placement exam (i.e. minimum placement MATH 22) |
3 credits |
| Elementary Statistics | STAT 200 | Descriptive statistics, frequency distributions, probability, binomial and normal distributions, statistical inference, linear regression, and correlation. Placement in to MATH 21 or higher |
4 credits |
| Description | Abbreviation | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Choose from departmental approved course list | BA 100(3); BA 250(3); BA 364(3); CAS 250(3) or CAS 252(3); CAS 352(3); MATH 22 GQ(3); MATH 110 GQ(4); ACCTG 300 to 399(3); ECON 100 to ECON 399(3); ENTR 100 to 399(3); FIN 100 to 399(3); HPA 100 to 399(3); IB 303 IL(3); LER 100 to 399(3); MGMT 100 to 399(3); MKTG 100 to 399(3); MIS 100 to 399(3); RM 100 to 399(3); or SCM 200 to 399(3) (Sem: 1-4) | 3–4 credits each |
| Description | Credits |
|---|---|
| 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* |
| 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.
** These credits are included in the Requirements for the Major as CAS 100, ENGL 202D, and MATH 21.
Note: 15 of these 21 credits are included in requirements for the major
Course Availability
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