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Program Description
The associate degree program in Business Administration provides an introductory foundation to core aspects of the business environment that prepares graduates for future baccalaureate study in business or for direct entry into the work place. The primary objective of this major is to provide a business-oriented program with sufficient communicative and mathematical skills, socially relevant course work, and specific business specialties to develop a well-rounded and knowledgeable graduate.
Students should work closely with academic advisers to schedule coursework required to transition to baccalaureate business programs.
What is Business Administration?
To be successful in today's increasingly complex business world, you need to have a broad understanding of how business works. The Penn State Associate degree in Business Administration prepares students for a professional career in today's business environment. The degree offers students a managerially-oriented program emphasizing communication and mathematical skills, socially relevant course work, and advanced courses in business. While Penn State's Associate in Science in Business Administration is an excellent stand-alone credential, it can be used to seamlessly transition to a bachelor's degree such as the Bachelor of Science in Business or other business-related programs at the University.
You Might Like This Program If...
- You want to learn to use the latest technical business tools to perform your job duties effectively.
- You analyze and react to issues facing companies today.
- You collect and analyze data to make inferences and solve business problems.
- You need to execute effective communication strategies.
Entrance to Major
Students must have a minimum 2.0 GPA to change to this Associate degree after admission to the University.
Degree Requirements
For the Associate in Science degree in Business Administration, a minimum of 60 credits is required:
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| General Education | 21 |
| Requirements for the Major | 48-50 |
9 of the 21 credits for General Education are included in the Requirements for the Major. This includes: 3 credits of GQ General Education courses and 6 credits of GWS General Education courses.
Requirements for the Major
To graduate, a student enrolled in the major must earn a grade of C or better in each course designated by the major as a C-required course, as specified by Senate Policy 82-44.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| ACCTG 211 | Financial and Managerial Accounting for Decision Making | 4 |
| CAS 100 | Effective Speech | 3 |
| MIS 204 | Introduction to Management Information Systems  | 3 |
| Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| ENGL 202D | Effective Writing: Business Writing | 3 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| BA 241 & BA 242 | Legal Environment of Business and Social and Ethical Environment of Business | 4 |
| or BA 243 | Social, Legal, and Ethical Environment of Business | |
| ECON 102 | Introductory Microeconomic Analysis and Policy | 3 |
| or ECON 104 | Introductory Macroeconomic Analysis and Policy | |
| SCM 200 | Introduction to Statistics for Business | 4 |
| or STAT 200 | Elementary Statistics | |
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| College Algebra with Analytic Geometry with Applications I | ||
| College Algebra With Analytic Geometry and Applications II | ||
| Techniques of Calculus I | ||
| Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| ENGL 15 | Rhetoric and Composition | 3 |
| or ENGL 30H | Honors Rhetoric and Composition | |
| MGMT 301 | Basic Management Concepts | 3 |
| or MGMT 301W | Basic Management Concepts | |
| MKTG 301 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| or MKTG 301W | Principles of Marketing | |
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
| Select 12-13 credits of the following: | 12-13 | |
| Introduction to Business | ||
| Small Business Management | ||
| International Business and Society | ||
| Small Group Communication | ||
or CAS 252 | Business and Professional Communication | |
| Organizational Communication | ||
| International Business Operations | ||
| College Algebra With Analytic Geometry and Applications II | ||
| Techniques of Calculus I | ||
ACCTG 300 to ACCTG 399 | ||
ECON 100 to ECON 399 | ||
ENTR 100 to ENTR 399 | ||
FIN 100 to FIN 399 | ||
HPA 100 to HPA 399 | ||
LER 100 to LER 399 | ||
MGMT 100 to MGMT 399 | ||
MKTG 100 to MKTG 399 | ||
MIS 100 to MIS 399 | ||
RM 100 to RM 399 | ||
SCM 200 to SCM 399 | ||
General Education
Connecting career and curiosity, the General Education curriculum provides the opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills necessary to be successful in the future and to thrive while living in interconnected contexts. General Education aids students in developing intellectual curiosity, a strengthened ability to think, and a deeper sense of aesthetic appreciation. These are requirements for all associate degree students and are often partially incorporated into the requirements of a program. For additional information, see the General Education Requirements section of the Bulletin and consult your academic adviser.
The keystone symbol appears next to the title of any course that is designated as a General Education course. Program requirements may also satisfy General Education requirements and vary for each program.
Foundations (grade of C or better is required and Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)
- Quantification (GQ): 3 credits
- Writing and Speaking (GWS): 3 credits
Knowledge Domains
- Arts (GA): 3 credits
- Humanities (GH): 3 credits
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 3 credits
- Natural Sciences (GN): 3 credits
Note: Up to six credits of Inter-Domain courses may be used for any Knowledge Domain requirement, but when a course may be used to satisfy more than one requirement, the credits from the course can be counted only once.
Exploration
- Any General Education course (including GHW and Inter-Domain): 3 credits
University Degree Requirements
Cultures Requirement
3 credits of United States (US) or International (IL) cultures coursework are required and may satisfy other requirements
Writing Across the Curriculum
3 credits required from the college of graduation and likely prescribed as part of major requirements.
Total Minimum Credits
A minimum of 60 degree credits must be earned for a associates degree. The requirements for some programs may exceed 60 credits. Students should consult with their college or department adviser for information on specific credit requirements.
Quality of Work
Candidates must complete the degree requirements for their major and earn at least a 2.00 grade-point average for all courses completed within their degree program.
Limitations on Source and Time for Credit Acquisition
Credit used toward degree programs may need to be earned from a particular source or within time constraints (see Senate Policy 83-80). For more information, check the Suggested Academic Plan for your intended program.
Program Learning Objectives
- Demonstrate the necessary skills and abilities to effectively communicate.
- Apply contemporary tools of information technology to include business software applications.
- Apply leadership, team building, and project management skills.
- Compare, contrast and differentiate the business environment of both their local community and the globalized world economy.
- Demonstrate an awareness of ethical issues, social responsibilities and conflict resolution.
- Utilize and apply fundamental business concepts, principles and contemporary business practices.
- Recognize, analyze and solve business problems using quantitative and qualitative measures.
Academic Advising
The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.
Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.
READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY
Abington
Feng Zhang
Program Chair
1600 Woodland Road
Abington, PA 19001
215-881-7829
fzz34@psu.edu
Altoona
Deborah K. Hommer
Assistant Teaching Professor, Business Administration
Penn Building 223, 3000 Ivyside Park
Altoona, PA 16601
814-949-5265
dxh41@psu.edu
Berks
Sudip Ghosh
Program Coordinator, Associate Professor
Gaige 324
Reading, PA 19610
610-396-6346
BKBusiness@psu.edu
Brandywine
Christina Olear
Business Program Coordinator
Main, 207F
25 Yearsley Mill Road
Media, PA 19063
cmo16@psu.edu
DuBois
Diane Spradling
Lecturer in Business and Program Coordinator
1 College Place
DuBois, PA 15801
814-375-4803
dll150@psu.edu
Fayette
William Gardner
Assistant Teaching Professor
2201 University Drive
Lemont Furnace, PA 15456
724-430-4245
wsg3@psu.edu
Greater Allegheny
Advising Office
Academic Affairs
101 Frable Building
4000 University Drive
McKeesport, PA 15132
412-675-9140
GA-Academics@lists.psu.edu
Harrisburg
Jane Kochanov, M.B.A.
Program Coordinator
Olmsted Building, E355
Middletown, PA 17057
717-948-6139
jxs121@psu.edu
Hazleton
Sherry Robinson
Associate Professor of Business
304 Pasco L. Schiavo Hall
Hazleton, PA 18202
570-450-3559
skr12@psu.edu
Mont Alto
Michael Labalokie
Lecturer, Accounting and Finance
205 General Studies Building
Mont Alto, PA 17237
717-749-6229
mxl16@psu.edu
New Kensington
Steve Evanchec
Lecturer in Accounting
111 Administration Bldg.
3550 Seventh Street Rd.
New Kensington, PA 15068
724-334-6727
sxe5211@psu.edu
Schuylkill
Angela Brown
Program Coordinator
200 University Drive
Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972
570-385-6080
amb536@psu.edu
Scranton
James Wilkerson
Assistant Teaching Professor
117 Business Building
Dunmore, PA 18512
570-963-2264
jmw831@psu.edu
Shenango
Georgia Macris
Lecturer
147 Shenango Avenue
309C Sharon Hall
Sharon, PA 16146
724-983-2942
gxm32@psu.edu
Wilkes-Barre
Theresa Clemente
Program Coordinator, Business
44 University Drive
Dallas, PA 18612
570-675-9293
tmc12@psu.edu
World Campus
Undergraduate Academic Advising
100 Innovation Blvd
Suite 225
University Park, PA 16803
814-863-3283
advising@worldcampus.psu.edu
York
Megan Lorenz
Assistant Teaching Professor of Business
1031 Edgecomb Ave.
York, PA 17403
717-718-6785
mal489@psu.edu
Suggested Academic Plan
The suggested academic plan(s) listed on this page are the plan(s) that are in effect during the 2024-25 academic year. To access previous years' suggested academic plans, please visit the archive to view the appropriate Undergraduate Bulletin edition.
Business Administration, A.S. at Abington Campus
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENGL 15 or 30H*, † | 3 | CAS 100A or 100B† | 3 |
| MATH 21, 22, or 110† | 3-4 | BA 243 | 4 |
| ECON 102 or 104 | 3 | MIS 204 | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | BA 250, CAS 250, CAS 252, LER 100, LER 136, ECON 102, ECON 104, MATH 22, MATH 110, or MKTG 220 | 3-4 |
| General Education Course | 3 | ||
| 15-16 | 13-14 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ACCTG 211 | 4 | ENGL 202D* | 3 |
| MGMT 301 or MKTG 301* | 3 | MGMT 301 or MKTG 301* | 3 |
| BA 250, CAS 250, CAS 252, LER 100, LER 136, ECON 102, ECON 104, MATH 22, MATH 110, or MKTG 220 | 3-4 | SCM 200 or STAT 200 | 4 |
| General Education Course | 3 | BA 250, CAS 250, CAS 252, LER 100, LER 136, ECON 102, ECON 104, MATH 22, MATH 110, or MKTG 220 | 3-4 |
| General Education Course | 3 | BA 250, CAS 250, CAS 252, LER 100, LER 136, ECON 102, ECON 104, MATH 22, MATH 110, or MKTG 220 | 3-4 |
| 16-17 | 16-18 | ||
| Total Credits 60-65 | |||
- *
Course requires a grade of C or better for the major
- ‡
Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education
- #
Course is an Entrance to Major requirement
- †
Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ) and Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.
Career Paths
Business impacts our society in many ways. Every business, from small companies to large corporations provide employment options. The associate in business degree can help prepare you for a wide variety of entry-level careers in this sector or for continued study in business. You will have the opportunity to participate in an elective business internship as part of your curriculum. Internships provide valuable experience before graduation and an important first step toward starting your career.
Careers
Because the Associate in Science in Business Administration can give you a foundation of business concepts and best practices relevant to any industry, as a graduate of the program you can prepare for positions in accounting departments, management trainee opportunities, retail, insurance industry, industrial management opportunities, office manager, or business service manager. Some examples of jobs include:
- Accounting Specialist
- Accounts Examiner
- Appraisers and assessors of real estate
- Assistant Marketing Director
- Assistant Store Manager
- Billing Clerk
- Business services manager
- Computing business coordinator
- Compliance officers
- Insurance sales agent
- Industrial Salesperson
- Management Trainee
- Office Manager
- Payroll Assistant
- Sales Coordinator
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT POTENTIAL CAREER OPTIONS FOR GRADUATES OF THE BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM
Opportunities for Graduate Studies
Upon completion of the associate degree in business, you may also choose to proceed seamlessly to the bachelor of science in business or selected other business-related majors at Penn State.
Contact
Abington
DIVISION OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
1600 Woodland Road
Abington, PA 19001
215-881-7829
fzz34@psu.edu
https://www.abington.psu.edu/academics/associate-degree-programs/business-administration
Altoona
DIVISION OF BUSINESS, ENGINEERING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY
Penn Building 223, 3000 Ivyside Park
Altoona, PA 16601
814-949-5265
dxh41@psu.edu
https://altoona.psu.edu/academics/associate-degrees/business-administration
Berks
EBC DIVISION
Gaige Building
Reading, PA 19610
610-396-6346
BKBusiness@psu.edu
https://berks.psu.edu/academics/associate-business-administration
Brandywine
Main, 207F
25 Yearsley Mill Road
Media, PA 19063
cmo16@psu.edu
https://www.brandywine.psu.edu/academics/associate-degrees/business-administration
DuBois
1 College Place
DuBois, PA 15801
814-375-4803
dll150@psu.edu
https://dubois.psu.edu/directory/business-administration-program
Fayette
2201 University Drive
Lemont Furnace, PA 15456
724-430-4245
wsg3@psu.edu
https://fayette.psu.edu/academics/associate/business-administration
Greater Allegheny
101 Frable Building
4000 University Drive
McKeesport, PA 15132
412-675-9140
GA-Academics@lists.psu.edu
https://greaterallegheny.psu.edu/academics/business-administration-associate
Harrisburg
SCHOOL OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Olmsted Building, E355
Middletown, PA 17057
717-948-6139
cxs879@psu.edu
https://harrisburg.psu.edu/business-administration/business-administration-as
Hazleton
301A Schiavo Hall
Hazleton, PA 18202
570-450-3533
skr12@psu.edu
https://hazleton.psu.edu/associate-science-business-administration
Mont Alto
205 General Studies Building
Mont Alto, PA 17237
717-749-6229
mxl16@psu.edu
https://montalto.psu.edu/academics/associate/associate-business-degree
New Kensington
111 Administration Bldg.
3550 Seventh Street Rd.
New Kensington, PA 15068
724-334-6727
sxe5211@psu.edu
https://newkensington.psu.edu/academics/2-year-business
Schuylkill
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
200 University Drive
Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972
570-385-6080
amb536@psu.edu
https://schuylkill.psu.edu/academics/bacc-degrees/business
Scranton
117 Business Building
Dunmore, PA 18512
570-9632643
jmw831@psu.edu
https://scranton.psu.edu/academics/degrees/bachelors/business-degree
Shenango
147 Shenango Avenue
309C Sharon Hall
Sharon, PA 16146
724-983-2942
gxm32@psu.edu
https://shenango.psu.edu/academics/degrees/2-year-business-administration
Wilkes-Barre
44 University Drive
Dallas, PA 18612
570-675-9293
tmc12@psu.edu
https://wilkesbarre.psu.edu/academics/bachelors/business
World Campus
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
200 University Drive
Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972
570-385-6080
amb536@psu.edu
York
1031 Edgecomb Ave.
York, PA 17403
717-718-6785
mal489@psu.edu
https://www.york.psu.edu/academics/associate/business-administration