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:

Accounting
Entrepreneurship
Financial Services
Health Services
Management and Marketing
Individualized

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 a higher math course or a satisfactory score on the mathematics placement examination	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
Negotiation Skills for Business Professionals*	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 422W	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

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
Advanced Business Writing	ENGL 419	Preparing and editing reports and presentations common to business, industry, and government. Prerequisite: ENGL 15 or ENGL 30	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

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

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
Advanced Business Writing	ENGL 419	Preparing and editing reports and presentations common to business, industry, and government. Prerequisite: ENGL 15 or ENGL 30	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

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), ENGL 419(3), MKTG 220(3) or one of the following, CAS 252(3), 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

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.

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.

Penn State World Campus Student and Family

Ready to Learn More?

Get the resources you need to make informed decisions about your education. Request information on this program and other programs of interest by completing this form.