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Undergraduate Minor in
Business

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Enhance your undergraduate degree by building core business skills that can be applied in a wide variety of business settings with this undergraduate business minor offered online through Penn State World Campus.

19 Credits $626/$671 per credit

Enhance Your Penn State Degree

Add a minor to get even more value out of your education.

Gain Specialized Knowledge

Earning a minor enables you to complement your major, pursue a personal interest, or explore a different field of study.

Adding a Minor in Business to your undergraduate degree is an effective way to expand your skill set while complementing your main course of study. No matter which degree you are pursuing, this minor will help you develop a broad range of useful skills that can be applied in most business settings. Having a Penn State business minor also earmarks your résumé for potential recruiters, signifying that you possess valuable business acumen from a highly respected program.

The 19-credit business minor can provide you with a critical foundation of knowledge about core business disciplines, including:

  • accounting
  • management
  • marketing
  • macroeconomics or microeconomics

Looking beyond the core curriculum, you can further expand your business knowledge by incorporating two additional 400-level courses in such areas as economics, business law, business administration, entrepreneurship, risk management, supply chain management, corporate communication, criminal justice, psychology, hospitality management, kinesiology, information sciences and technology, and more.

This minor is open to all interested undergraduate World Campus students who meet the prerequisites. Due to its wide applications, the business minor is expected to be in demand across many majors.
 

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Courses

As a student in this 19-credit minor, you will first study the fundamentals of business, including accounting, marketing, management, and economics. Penn State World Campus then allows you to customize your minor by incorporating higher-level course work most appropriate to your career aspirations.

A grade of "C" or better is required in all courses that you take to fulfill requirements for the minor.

Prescribed Courses (10 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 1.5 units of high school algebra

  • 3
    credits

    Study of fundamental principles and processes available to the understanding of management.

    • Prerequisite

      (ENGL 15 or ENGL 30) and (ECON 102 or ECON 104) and (MATH 021 or higher or satisfactory score on the mathematics placement examination)

  • 3
    credits

    Covers terminology and important concepts related to marketing in the business environment. Domestic and international environments that impact marketing are included, with particular emphasis on the marketing environment, segmentation, positioning, and targeting.

    • Prerequisite

      ENGL 015 or ENGL 030; ECON 102 or ECON 104; MATH 021 or higher or satisfactory score on the mathematics placement examination.

Additional Courses and Related Areas (3 credits)

    • 3
      credits

      Methods of economic analysis and their use; price determination; theory of the firm; distribution.

    • 3
      credits

      National income measurement; aggregate economic models; money and income; policy problems.

Supporting Courses (select 6 credits)

To earn the minor, you must take 6 credits of 400-level Supporting Courses.

  • You must take at least 3 credits from the following list of courses:
    ACCTG, BA, EBF, ECON, ENTR, FIN, HPA, IB, LHR, MIS, MGMT, MKTG, SCM, or STAT
  • For the remaining 3 credits, you may choose 3 credits from the original list of courses, or select 3 credits from the following list of courses:
  • 3
    credits

    Theories and strategies important for conceptualizing, developing, and managing conflict negotiation, mediation, and third-party intervention.

  • 3
    credits

    Principles of administration as they relate to a police organization and policy development.

  • 3
    credits

    Preparing and editing reports and presentations common to business, industry, and government.

    • Prerequisite

      ENGL 202A, ENGL 202B, ENGL 202C, ENGL 202D

  • 3
    credits

    Fundamentals of program development and administration of human service programs in community settings; emphasis given to program content, strategies, and the overall planning process.

    • Prerequisite

      HDFS 311

  • 3
    credits

    Introduction to emerging issues, technology forecasting and analysis; overview of emerging issues and leading technologies in IST and how they impact information systems, users, the IT labor force and society.

  • 3
    credits

    Introductory course on integration of information technology into different venues, including the planning, development, and implementation of the integration.

  • 3
    credits

    Legal environment of information technology, constitutional/political issues, intellectual property, management, e-commerce, privacy, access, computer contracting, cyberspace regulation.

    • Prerequisite

      IST 301 or SRA 231

  • 3
    credits

    Survey of theory and research with respect to attitudes, morale, and motivation of employees and management.

    • Prerequisite

      PSYCH 100; PSYCH 200 or STAT 200

  • 3
    credits

    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

    Work and occupational life in modern society; work in the past, present, and future.

  • 3
    credits

    The role of gender in shaping contemporary North American patterns of employment, occupational roles, and statuses.

  • 3
    credits

    Law and Society studies the social origins of law and legal systems, occupational careers, and decision-making of legal officials.

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.

Undergraduate Tuition

Undergraduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register and the number of total credits you have accrued at or transferred to Penn State.

Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.

2023–24 Academic Year Rates

Tuition rates for the fall 2023, spring 2024, and summer 2024 semesters.
How many credits do you plan to take per semester? If you have 59 or fewer credits If you have 60 or more credits
11 or fewer $626 per credit $671 per credit
12–19 $7,602 per semester $8,206 per semester

Undergraduate students taking more than 19 credits will be charged the flat tuition rate plus the regular per credit hour rate for each credit above 19. 

2024–25 Academic Year Rates

Tuition rates for the fall 2024, spring 2025, and summer 2025 semesters.
How many credits do you plan to take per semester? If you have 59 or fewer credits If you have 60 or more credits
11 or fewer $632 per credit $678 per credit
12–19 $7,678 per semester $8,288 per semester

Undergraduate students taking more than 19 credits will be charged the flat tuition rate plus the regular per credit hour rate for each credit above 19. 

Financial Aid and Military Benefits

Some students may qualify for financial aid. Take the time to research financial aid, scholarships, and payment options as you prepare to apply. Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities, as well.

How to Apply

Applying

Add the minor in LionPATH

Admissions Help

Please work with your adviser if you have questions about adding a minor. You can find your adviser's contact information in your student portal or by calling advising at 814-863-3283.

Admission Requirements 

To be eligible for admittance into the business minor, you must:

  • be a current Penn State undergraduate student in your fifth semester and be in a bachelor's degree major
  • maintain a grade of C or better in all courses for the minor
  • confirm that you do not have a matching minor code and major code

Adding a Minor

If you have achieved fifth-semester standing (60 credits completed), you can apply for admission to the minor. To begin, please follow these steps:

  1. Talk with your academic adviser about incorporating the minor into your major and to develop a semester-by-semester plan for meeting requirements.
  2. You can apply for the minor by adding it in LionPATH. You should do this as early as possible, but you can apply up to the late drop deadline of your graduating semester.
  3. You will receive a confirmation email once you declare the minor in LionPATH.

Technical Requirements 

Review the technical requirements for this program.

Contact Us

To learn more about the Minor in Business, offered in partnership with Penn State Abington, please contact:

World Campus Advisers
Phone: 800-252-3592 (toll free)
Email: [email protected]
 

Faculty

  • Lisa Bertin

    • Executive MBA, Kent State University
    • B.S., Business Administration, Information Systems Track, Youngstown State University
    • A.S., Computer Science, Brunswick Junior College

    Lisa Bertin began teaching both business and IT–related courses at Penn State Shenango in 2001. Professionally, her business experience includes serving as an office controller and account manager. She has received several teaching awards during her time at the University, including the 2015 George W. Atherton Award for Excellence in Teaching. Her research interests include online learning and management information systems. She currently serves on the board of directors for Mercer Area Library, Athena PowerLink, and Lawrence Mercer Athena International.

  • Veronica M. Godshalk

    • Ph.D., Business Administration, Drexel University
    • M.S., Organizational Dynamics, University of Pennsylvania

    Dr. Veronica (M. Godshalk is a professor of management and associate chief academic officer at Penn State Great Valley. She teaches courses in management, leadership, and strategy. She is the recipient of several teaching awards, including the Teaching and Learning with Technology Fellowship. Dr. Godshalk has published many books and articles; her research interests include career management and mentoring, as well as pedagogy. She recently published a fifth edition of Career Management for Life. Dr. Godshalk worked in the computer industry in sales prior to entering academia.

  • Ali Kara

    • Ph.D., Marketing, Florida International University
    • M.S., Management, Cukurova University
    • MBA, Marketing, University of Bridgeport
    • B.A., Business, Cukurova University

    Dr. Ali Kara is a professor of marketing and the discipline coordinator of the Business and Economics Division of University College. He has published in such academic journals as Journal of Marketing Research, Journal of Advertising, International Journal of Research in Marketing, European Journal of Operations Research, and Omega. Dr. Kara teaches a variety of marketing courses. His research focuses on statistical modeling, model comparisons, and identifying segments using data.

  • Michael Krajsa

    • Master of Regional Planning, Penn State Harrisburg
    • B.S., Biology, Catholic University

    Michael Krajsa, assistant teaching professor of business at Penn State Lehigh Valley and Penn State World Campus, has a diverse background in management, marketing, business strategy, nonprofit development, entrepreneurship, global NGOs, publishing, public affairs, and government. His background provides a rich foundation and network for him to serve as the founding faculty liaison of Lehigh Valley LaunchBox, an off-campus, community-facing business accelerator that funded 43 portfolio companies in two years.

  • Michael Ridenour

    • M.S., Accounting, Saint Vincent College
    • B.A., Accounting, Washington and Jefferson College

    Michael Ridenour teaches a number of accounting courses ranging from financial accounting to taxation. He has worked for the Internal Revenue Service and several certified public accountant firms. He also owns and operates a tax service business. 

  • Frank M. Sorokach

    • MBA, Wilkes University
    • B.S., Business, Misericordia University
    • A.S., Education, Luzerne County Community College

    Frank M. Sorokach teaches economics, project management, business strategy, risk management, and marketing courses. He is the lead instructor and course designer for MIS 204 at Penn State World Campus. He has more than 20 years of applied management and business ownership experience in varied disciplines and has taught for more than 15 years. His research interests include process management, technology integration, risk, and business disruption. He focuses on the application of new concepts, systems, and technologies to improve business, specifically in the integration of technology and management theory.

  • Yang Xu

    • Ph.D., Business, Virginia Tech
    • MBA, China Europe International Business School
    • B.S., Shanghai Jio Tong University

    Dr. Yang Xu has taught a variety of business administration courses and was involved in the development of two online courses for Penn State World Campus. She is the recipient of the 2009 Campus Award for Excellence in Teaching. Dr. Xu has published articles in various academic journals and presented refereed papers at large international conferences. In addition to her 21 research papers that have been published or accepted in academic journals and conference proceedings, Dr. Xu has reviewed more than 60 manuscripts for prestigious academic conferences and top-tier or reputable scholarly journals.

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