The Bachelor of Science in Business degree requires students to complete a minimum of 120 credits. Students must successfully complete:
- 59 requirements-for-the-major credits
- 41 prescribed course credits
- 15–18 additional course credits
- 0–3 supporting course and related area credits
- 18 option credits
- 45 general education credits
- 10 elective credits
The number of credits you will have to take will vary according to the courses you transfer into the business degree program. Once you are admitted into the degree program, an academic adviser will help you with remaining requirements.
Choose Your Option
Customize your path by choosing 18 required credits from one of the degree options:
Course List - Bachelor of Science in Business
The Bachelor of Science in Business program features a core of prescribed courses, general education requirements, and electives. Students will also select an option that emphasizes one set of skills. Options include accounting, entrepreneurship, financial services, health services, management and marketing, and an individualized option.
Required for the Major — 59 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 |
| Contemporary Skills for Business Professionals | BA 321 | Technological and interpersonal skills for the contemporary business professional, stressing collaborative learning, electronic inquiry and communications, critical thinking, and problem solving. Prerequisite: ACCTG 211 and ECON 102 or ECON 104 and ENGL 15 |
3 credits |
| Individual and Interpersonal Effectiveness for the Business Professional | BA 322 | Effectiveness of the business professional in team settings, especially the capacity to execute both technologically and cooperatively through group exercises. Prerequisite: ACCTG 211 and ECON 102 or ECON 104 and ENGL 15 |
3 credits |
| Preparation for Career Management | BA 420 | This course emphasizes effective career planning by closely examining oneself, the business world, communication styles and strategies. Prerequisite: BA 321 or BA 322 |
1 credit |
| Project Management | BA 421 | Introduction to Project Management covering all phases of a project in proposal development, planning, execution, and closing. Prerequisite: BA 321 or BA 322 |
3 credits |
| Strategic Business Planning | BA 422 | Study of strategic planning and implementation in multi-industry, multi-cultural, and multi-national settings with emphasis on sustaining competitive advantages. Prerequisite: BA 321, BA 322, BA 421, FIN 301, MGMT 301, MKTG 301, SCM 301 |
3 credits |
| Introductory Microeconomic Analysis and Policy | ECON 102 (GS) | Methods of economic analysis and their use; price determination; theory of the firm; distribution. | 3 credits |
| Introductory Macroeconomic Analysis and Policy | ECON 104 (GS) | National income measurement; aggregate economic models; money and income; policy problems. | 3 credits |
| Corporation Finance | FIN 301 | Nature of finance function; risk and return concepts; working capital; dividend policies; mergers; security markets; acquisition and management of corporate capital; analysis of operations, forecasting capital requirements; raising capital; and planning profits. Prerequisite: ENGL 15 or ENGL 30; ACCTG 211; ECON 102 or ECON 104; SCM 200 or STAT 200 |
3 credits |
| International Business Operations | IB 303 (IL) | A survey of the major aspects of international business environment and operations with an emphasis on the cultural dimension. Prerequisite: Fifth semester standing |
3 credits |
| Basic Management Concepts | MGMT 301 | Examination of fundamental principles and processes applicable to the study of management. Prerequisite: ENGL 15 or ENGL 30 and ECON 102 or ECON 104 and MATH 21 or higher or satisfactory score on the mathematics placement exam (i.e. minimum placement MATH 22) |
3 credits |
| Principles of Marketing | MKTG 301W | Focuses on customer behavior, product, channels of distribution, promotion, and pricing with emphasis on a culturally diverse environment. Prerequisite: ENGL 15 or ENGL 30 and ECON 102 or ECON 104 and MATH 21 or higher or satisfactory score on the mathematics placement exam (i.e. minimum placement MATH 22) |
3 credits |
| Introduction to Business Information Systems | MIS 204 | Introduction to the use of information systems in business organizations. | 3 credits |
| Supply Chain Management | SCM 301 | Supply chain management concepts, principles, and methodologies. Prerequisite: ACCTG 211 and ECON 102 and SCM 200 or STAT 200. Limited to students in baccalaureate status |
3 credits |
| Title | Abbreviation | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social, Legal, and Ethical Environment of Business | BA 243 | Explores the ethical, political, social, legal and regulatory, technological, and demographic diversity environment of business. | 4 credits |
| Internship in Business | BA 495A | Guided professional practicum in business consisting of 3 or 6 credits of supervised fieldwork in business. This internship is an opportunity to apply the theories and concepts taught throughout the program. With approval from the academic program coordinator, you can engage in an assignment at your workplace that goes beyond your regular job duties, or you could work on a special initiative with a local organization in your community. Whichever path you choose, this internship is an opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world business setting and demonstrate your willingness to go beyond your regular job responsibilities. Prerequisites: BA 321; BA 322; BA 420 and completion of 6 credits at the 300- or 400- level in student's option |
3 or 6 credits |
|
Techniques of Calculus I
Calculus with Analytic Geometry I |
MATH 110 (GQ) OR MATH 140 (GQ) |
Functions, graphs, derivatives, integrals, techniques of differentiation and integration, exponentials, improper integrals, applications.
Functions, limits; analytic geometry; derivatives, differentials, applications, integrals, applications. Prerequisites: MATH 22 and MATH 26 or MATH 26 and satisfactory performance on the mathematics placement examiniation or MATH 40 or MATH 41 or satisfactory performance on the mathematics placement examination |
4 credits |
| Elementary Statistics | STAT 200 (GQ) | Descriptive statistics, frequency distributions, probability, binomial and normal distributions, statistical inference, linear regression, and correlation. Prerequisites: Placement in MATH 21 or higher |
4 credits |
| Description |
|---|
| Select 6 credits of 200 to 400–level business courses from: ACCTG, BA, ECON, FIN, MGMT, MIS, MKTG, or SCM. A letter grade of C or higher is required for all ACCTG courses. You are encouraged to work with your adviser to identify the appropriate supporting courses. |
| Description | Credits |
|---|---|
| Arts – GA | 6 credits |
| Humanities – GH | 6 credits |
| Health and Wellness – GHW | 3 credits |
| Natural Sciences – GN | 9 credits |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences – GS | 6 credits |
| Writing and Speaking – GWS* | 9 credits |
| Quantification – GQ* | 6 credits |
| Integrative Studies | (6 credits)*** |
*A student enrolled in this course must receive a grade of C or better.
**12 credits are included in the requirements for the major.
***This requirement only applies to students starting in summer 2018 or later. Learn more about the Integrative Studies options and consult your academic adviser when choosing courses to fulfill these requirements.
Electives — 10 credits
Most of the courses in the bachelor of science in business degree are offered every semester. Please note: Among the above degree requirements, students should incorporate at least 3 credits in US cultures, 3 credits in international (IL) cultures, and 3 credits in writing across the curriculum courses. The above course list includes only courses offered by World Campus. An official degree audit or the recommended academic plan for this program may include additional course options and detailed requirements. All students are expected to complete at least 36 Penn State credits to earn this degree. Please consult an academic adviser for details.
Options — 18 credits
Select 18 credits in either Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Financial Services, Health Services, Management and Marketing, or Individualized options.
Accounting Option
| Title | Abbreviation | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Managerial Accounting: Economic Perspective | ACCTG 404 | Accounting techniques as planning, control, and motivating devices in business and other organizations; accounting data for decision making and performance evaluation. Prerequisite: ACCTG 211, STAT 200 or ECON 102 |
3 credits |
| Intermediate Financial Accounting I | ACCTG 471 | Theory and practice issues in income concepts and value measurement; GAAP; revenues, costs, assets, liabilities, and equities. Prerequisite: ACCTG 211 |
3 credits |
| Intermediate Financial Accounting II | ACCTG 472 | Off-balance-sheet financing; special issues in cost capitalization, liabililties, equities; matching; funds flow statements; statement analysis; inflation accounting. Prerequisite: ACCTG 471 |
3 credits |
| Title | Abbreviation | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auditing | ACCTG 403 | Financial, compliance, internal, and operational audits; standards and procedures; sampling; EDP auditing; professional issues; application of concepts through written responses. Prerequisite: ACCTG 471 |
3 credits |
| Principles of Taxation I | ACCTG 405 | Elements of tax policy and tax-planning concepts for personal and business decision making; with emphasis on taxation of individuals. Prerequisite: ACCTG 211; BA 301 or FIN 301 |
3 credits |
| Description | Credits |
|---|---|
| Select 0-3 credits from 400-level business courses from: ACCTG, BA, ECON, ENTR, FIN, HPA, IB, MGMT, MIS, MKTG, or SCM (Sem: 7-8) | 3 credits |
Entrepreneurship Option
| Title | Abbreviation | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Principles of Entrepreneurship | ENTR 300 | Overview of the fundamental principles and processes of entrepreneurship including idea generation and opportunity analysis. Prerequisite: ACCTG 211, ECON 102 |
3 credits |
| Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation | ENTR 320 | Explores the process for starting and growing a new venture including the development of a business plan. Prerequisite: ENTR 300 |
3 credits |
| Financing Entrepreneurial Ventures | ENTR 400 | Overview of alternative forms of financing including seed capital, valuing a company, going public, partnerships, and acquisitions. Prerequisite: BA 243 or BLAW 243; ENTR 320, FIN 301 |
3 credits |
| Title | Abbreviation | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Organizational Communication | CAS 352 | This course examines the function and structure of communication in both formal and informal situations. | 3 credits |
| Description | Credits |
|---|---|
| Select 6 to 9 credits of 400-level ENTR courses in consultation with your advisor. Some prerequisites may apply. | 6–9 credits |
Financial Services Option
| Title | Abbreviation | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investment and Portfolio Analysis | FIN 420 | Investment and risk, types of security investments, sources of investment information, the broker, the stock market, portfolio management. Prerequisite: FIN 301 |
3 credits |
| Title | Abbreviation | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Principles of Taxation I | ACCTG 405 | Elements of tax policy and tax-planning concepts for personal and business decision making; with emphasis on taxation of individuals. Prerequisite: ACCTG 211; BA 301 or FIN 301 |
3 credits |
| Description | Credits |
|---|---|
| Select 12 credits in 300 or 400-level (with at least 3 credits at the 400-level) from ACCTG, FIN (Sem: 5-8) | 12 credits |
Health Services Option
Note: 6 of the 18 credits in the Health Services Option must be at the 400-level.
| Title | Abbreviation | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Health Services Organization | HPA 101 | Examination of the social, political, historic, and scientific factors in the development and organization of health services. Prerequisite: fifth-semester standing or permission of instructor |
3 credits |
| Health Systems Management | HPA 332 | How health care institutions are organized and governed, the role of the management staff, and the management systems designed for their efficient and effective operation. Prerequisite: fifth-semester standing or permission of instructor |
3 credits |
| Title | Abbreviation | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Organizational Communication | CAS 352 | This course examines the function and structure of communication in both formal and informal situations. | 3 credits |
| Conflict Resolution and Negotiation | CAS 404 | Theories and strategies important for conceptualizing, developing, and managing conflict negotiation, mediation, and third-party intervention. Prerequisite: CAS 100 |
3 credits |
| Employment Compensation | LER 424 | Development and management of employee compensation systems. Prerequisite: LER 201 and sixth-semester standing |
3 credits |
| Work-Life Practices and Policies | LER 472 | Explore the causes and consequences of conflicts between work, family, and other life commitments, and how these may be resolved. Prerequisite: 3 credits of LER |
3 credits |
| Introduction to Industrial-Organizational Psychology | PSYCH 281 | Personnel selection, training, accident prevention, morale, and organizational behavior. Prerequisite: PSYCH 100 |
3 credits |
| Work Attitudes and Motivation | PSYCH 484 | Survey of theory and research with respect to attitudes, morale, and motivation of employees and management. Prerequisite: PSYCH 100; PSYCH 200 or STAT 200 or 6 credits of GQ |
3 credits |
| Leadership in Work Settings | PSYCH 485 | Review of research and application of behavior principles in the areas of management and supervision. Prerequisite: PSYCH 100; PSYCH 281 or 3 credits MGMT; fifth-semester standing or permission of instructor |
3 credits |
| Description | Credits |
|---|---|
| 300- or 400-level HPA courses (fifth-semester standing or permission of instructor) | 3–9 credits |
| ACCTG, BA, ECON, ENTR, FIN, HPA, IB, MGMT, MKTG, MIS, or SCM. Consult with your adviser; prerequisites may apply. | 0–6 credits |
Management and Marketing Option
Note: 3 of the 18 credits in the Management and Marketing Option must be 400-level Management (MGMT) and Marketing (MKTG). Please check with your adviser about their availability.
| Description | Credits |
|---|---|
| Select 0-6 credits from the following: BA 250(3), MKTG 220(3) or one of the following, CAS 352(3), CAS 404(3) (Sem: 5-8) | 0-6 credits |
| Description | Credits |
|
Students must meet the following requirements when choosing courses for the Supporting Courses and Related Areas section:
|
12-18 credits |
Individualized Option
The 18-credit plan must meet the following guidelines:
- Maximum number of 100-level coursework to be accepted in the option: None
- Maximum number of 200-level coursework to be accepted in the option: 6 credits
- Maximum number of transfer credits accepted into the option: No limit (transfer credit policies apply)
- Maximum coursework in disciplines other than the following: ACCTG, FIN, FINSV, ENTR, MGMT, MKTG, SCM, STAT, IB, ECON, HPA: 9 credits
- Maximum number of credits completed more than 5 years before enrollment the program: 6 credits
- Maximum number of independent study/special topics coursework: 3 credits, must be at the 400-level
- Minimum number of 400-level credits completed in business courses from the following: ACCTG, ENTR, FIN, FINSV, IB, MGMT, MKTG, SCM, HPA: 3 credits
Note: All prerequisites for courses must be met, which may increase the number of credits required to complete the degree.
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.