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Courses

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

Prescribed Courses (41 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, and 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, multicultural, 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
Additional Courses (15–18 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.

Prerequisites: MATH 22 or satisfactory performance on the mathematics placement examination

 

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 examination 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
Supporting Courses and Related Areas (0-3 credits)
Description
Select 0-3 credits from 400-level business courses from: ACCTG, BA, ECON, ENTR, FIN, FINSV, HPA, IB, MGMT, MIS, MKTG, RM, or SCM. A letter grade of C or higher is required. You are encouraged to work with your adviser to identify the appropriate supporting courses.
General Education (45 credits**)
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 U.S. 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

Prescribed Courses – Accounting Option (9 credits)
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, liabilities, equities; matching; funds flow statements; statement analysis; inflation accounting.

Prerequisite: ACCTG 471		 3 credits
Additional Courses – Accounting Option (6 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

 

Supporting Courses and Related Areas – Accounting Option (3 credits)
Description Credits
Select 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


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Entrepreneurship Option

Prescribed Courses – Entrepreneurship Option (9 credits)
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
Additional Courses – Entrepreneurship Option (0–3 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

 

Supporting Courses and Related Areas – Entrepreneurship Option (6–9 credits)
Description Credits
Select 6 to 9 credits of 400-level ENTR courses in consultation with your adviser. Some prerequisites may apply. 6–9 credits

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Financial Services Option

Prescribed Courses – Financial Services Option (3 credits)
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
Additional Courses – Financial Services Option (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
Supporting Courses and Related Areas – Financial Services Option (12 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

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Health Services Option

Note: 6 of the 18 credits in the Health Services Option must be at the 400-level.

Prescribed Courses – Health Services Option (6 credits)
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: HPA 101, HPA 211		 3 credits
Additional Courses – Health Services Option (0–3 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

 

Supporting Courses and Related Areas – Health Services Option (9–12 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

 

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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.

Additional Courses – Management and Marketing Option (0–6 credits)
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

 

Supporting Courses and Related Areas – Management and Marketing Option (12–18 credits)
Description Credits

Students must meet the following requirements when choosing courses for the Supporting Courses and Related Areas section:

  • A minimum of 3 credits of supporting courses must be selected at the 400-level.
  • Select 3 credits from 300 or 400-level MGMT courses (Sem: 5–8)
  • Select 3 credits from 300 or 400-level MKTG courses (Sem: 5–8)
  • Select 6–12 additional credits in 300 or 400-level courses from MGMT or MKTG courses (Sem: 6–8)
 12-18 credits


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Individualized Option

The 18-credit plan must meet the following guidelines:

  • Maximum number of 100-level course work to be accepted in the option: None     
  • Maximum number of 200-level course work to be accepted in the option: 6 credits
  • Maximum number of transfer credits accepted into the option: No limit (transfer credit policies apply)
  • Maximum course work 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 course work: 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.

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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.