Bachelor of Science, Business

The Bachelor of Science in Business is a professionally oriented business degree program that combines the theoretical underpinnings of core business disciplines, management, marketing, finance, supply chain management, and applied study in practical settings. The degree allows students to become familiar with the unique business environments of their local communities, a design that sets the degree apart from other business degrees offered within the University and throughout the Commonwealth.

At the DuBois campus, we offer three options to specialize your business degree. In all of these options, students develop written and oral communication skills, acquire contemporary technology skills, and engage in active and collaborative learning.

Accounting option

  • The Accounting option within the Business degree program emphasizes the areas of financial and managerial accounting, systems and controls, auditing, and taxation. Students choosing this option will begin with an introductory accounting course in financial and managerial accounting, then take core accounting courses in intermediate financial accounting I and II, advanced managerial accounting, federal income taxation, accounting information systems, and auditing. 

Business Analytics option

  • The Business Analytics option prepares students to pursue careers in applying business analytics techniques to implement appropriate decision-making outcomes using data for companies.

Individualized Business option

  • This option provides the opportunity for students to pursue an approved business-focused interdisciplinary program of study. 

Management and Marketing option

  • The Management and Marketing option within the Business degree program emphasizes the skills and knowledge necessary to make strategic decisions for various types of profit and non-profit organizations. By choosing the Management and Marketing option, you will be prepared for a career in retail management, small business management, communications, marketing, advertising, and promotion. This option’s dual emphasis allows you to select courses in both disciplines as a foundation for leading small businesses or units of large organizations. Courses in the option include social media marketing, international management, retailing, global marketing, market research, communications, and ethics.

 

Associate of Science, Business

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. 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.

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.

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

 

Minor, Business

You might like this program if:

You want to add business skills to strengthen your career options. You are not a business major, but are interested in working in a business setting. You enjoy courses in economics, accounting or other business disciplines. You are a collaborator, analytical thinker and effective communicator.

About the Business minor:

The Business minor is a strong complement to virtually any major. Courses prescribed for the minor are taught by Penn State faculty providing courses to the B.S. in Business and the A.S. in Business Administration. It provides students with the opportunity to develop and apply skills appropriate to the business contexts of their chosen majors. Students pursuing the Business minor must complete 13 credits of prescribed coursework and six credits of additional coursework. A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor. The prescribed thirteen credits of coursework presents students with a critical foundation of core business disciplines: accounting, management, marketing, and either macro- or micro-economics. The six credits of additional coursework must be taken at the 400-level.

Smeal Conditional Early Acceptance Program

Are you interested in partnering with the Penn State Smeal College of Business to pursue a master's degree in Accounting or Taxation?

Smeal's Conditional Early Acceptance (CEA) program is a two-year pathway to earning an accounting-related graduate degree immediately following your post-baccalaureate studies. The program does not require a deposit and is open to Penn State undergraduates who are currently in their junior year and are majoring in accounting at University Park or another Penn State campus.
Learn More About The Conditional Early Acceptance Program