Skip to main content
Penn State Altoona
Hotline Give Visit Apply
  • Academics
    • Summer 2023 Courses
    • Majors
    • Academic Calendar
    • Research and Engagement
    • Eiche Library
    • Robert L. Smith Learning Resources Center
    • Registrar
    • Academic Advising
    • Honors Program
    • New Student Orientation
  • Admissions & Financial Aid
    • Visit Us
    • Admissions Overview
    • Information for First-Year Students
    • How to Apply
    • Accepted Students
    • Tuition and Financial Aid Resources
    • Financial Aid Basics
    • Tuition and Costs
  • Student Success
    • Student Affairs
    • Student and Civic Engagement
    • Health and Wellness
    • Diversity at Penn State Altoona
    • Student Diversity and Inclusion Programming
    • Housing
    • Athletics
    • Career Services
    • Safety and Security
  • Information For
    • Prospective Students
    • Transfer Students
    • Current Students
    • International Students
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Alumni
    • Parents & Families
Full site navigation menu

This dialog contains the full navigation menu for this site.

Penn State Altoona
Enter the terms you wish to search for.
Search type:
Hotline Give Visit Apply
  • This is Penn State Altoona
    • Welcome from the Chancellor
    • Penn State Altoona At a Glance
    • Mission, Vision, and Values
    • College Leadership
    • Our History
    • Campus Map
    • Current Weather Conditions
    • Livestream
  • Academics
    • Majors
    • Academic Calendar
    • Out-of-class Learning
    • Eiche Library
    • Robert L. Smith Learning Resources Center
    • Registrar
    • Academic Advising
    • Honors Program
    • Campus Closures
  • Admissions
    • Visit Us
    • Information for First-Year Students
    • How to Apply
    • Accepted Students
    • Experience Altoona
    • Virtual Tour
  • Tuition and Financial Aid
    • Scholarships and Awards
    • Grants
    • Loans
    • Work-study
    • Financial Aid Basics
    • Tuition and Costs
    • Financial Aid Information
  • Student Success
    • Center for Student and Civic Engagement
    • Health and Wellness Center
    • Student Diversity and Inclusion Programming
    • International Student Services
    • Housing
    • Parking
    • Diversity at Penn State Altoona
    • Police and Safety
    • Career Services
  • Research and Engagement
    • Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry
    • Faculty Research Resources
    • Community-Based Studies
    • Internships
    • Study Abroad/Study Away
    • Internal Grants and Awards
  • Athletics
    • Schedule
    • Facilities
    • Recreation and Club Sports
    • Staff and Coaches Directory
    • Athletic Training and Sports Physicals
    • Athletics News
    • Camps and Clinics
    • Hall of Fame

Find Information For:

  • Prospective Students
  • Transfer Students
  • Current Students
  • International Students
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Alumni
  • Parents & Families

Helpful Links

  • Campus Map
  • Academic Calendar
  • Campus Calendar
  • Faculty & Staff Directory
  • Offices and Divisions
  • Employment Opportunities

Connect With Us

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • youtube
  • flickr
  • linkedin
  1. Home
  2. Academics
  3. Bachelor's Degrees
  4. Business

Degree Information

The faculty of the Penn State Altoona Business degree have designed the undergraduate curriculum to accomplish four objectives:

  1. Provide a broad knowledge in the areas of accounting, finance, business logistics, economics, marketing, management, and business law.
  2. Prepare graduates to communicate effectively and work collaboratively in multi-disciplinary teams.
  3. Prepare technology graduates who can learn and adapt to changes in a professional work environment.
  4. Demonstrate a high standard of professional ethics and be cognizant of social concerns as they relate to the practice of business.

Students receive a bachelor of science in business. Students take a total of 120 credits for graduation.

Eighteen credits of the junior/senior-level course work will focus on a specific option selected by the student. Options include:

  • Accounting option: Preparation for positions in business with an emphasis on the areas of financial and managerial accounting, systems and controls, auditing, and taxation.
  • Business Analytics option: Preparation for students to pursue careers in applying business analytics techniques to implement appropriate decision-making outcomes using data for companies.
  • Entrepreneurship option: Preparation for various entrepreneurial careers, from starting a new business venture to working as an entrepreneur within a larger organization.
  • Management and Marketing option: An emphasis on the skills and knowledge necessary for the business professional to function in the community and regional centers of commerce.

For the B.S. degree in business, a minimum of 120 credits is required, fifteen of which must be at the 400 level.

Scheduling Recommendation by Semester Standing given like (Sem: 1-2)

General Education Requirements

GENERAL EDUCATION: 45 credits
(12 of these 45 credits are included in the REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR)
(See description of General Education in front of Bulletin.)

FIRST-YEAR SEMINAR:
(Included in ELECTIVES or GENERAL EDUCATION course selection)

UNITED STATES CULTURES AND INTERNATIONAL CULTURES:
(Included in ELECTIVES or GENERAL EDUCATION course selection)

WRITING ACROSS THE CURRICULUM:
(Included in REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR)

ELECTIVES: 5-16 credits

Requirements for the Major

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR: 73-84 credits
(This includes 12 credits of General Education courses: 6 credits of GQ courses; 6 credits of GS courses.)

COMMON REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR (ALL OPTIONS): 55-66 credits

PRESCRIBED COURSES (35-40 credits)
ECON 002 GS(3) (Sem: 1-2)
ACCTG 211(4), B A 243(4)[64], ECON 004 GS(3), MIS 204(2) (Sem: 3-4)
B A 321(1-3)[1], B A 322(1-3)[1], B A 420(1)[1], FIN 301(3)[1][64], MGMT 301(3), MKTG 301(3)[1][64], SCM 301(3)[1][64] (Sem: 5-6)
B A 421(1-2)[1], B A 422W(3)[1] (Sem: 7-8)

ADDITIONAL COURSES (20-26 credits)
MATH 021 GQ(3) and MATH 022 GQ(3)[73]; or MATH 110 GQ(4) or MATH 140 GQ(4)[48] (Sem: 1-4)
Select 3-4 credits of CMPSC 203 GQ(4) or MIS 103(3)[48] [73] (Sem: 1-4)
SCM 200(4) or STAT 200 GQ(4) (Sem: 1-4)
B A 323(3)[1] or I B 303(3)[1] (Sem: 5-8)
Select 6-9 credits from B A 495A(3-9)[1], B A 495B(3-9)[1], or B A 495C(3-90[1] (Sem: 7-8)

Requirements for the Options

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE OPTION: 18 credits [1]
(Not all options are available at every campus.)

Accounting Option (18 credits)

PRESCRIBED COURSES (15 credits)
ACCTG 404(3), ACCTG 432(3), ACCTG 471(3) ACCTG 472(3) (Sem: 5-6) ACCT 430(3) (Sem: 7-8)

ADDITIONAL COURSES (3 credits)
FINSV 411(3) or ACCTG 405 (Sem: 7-8)

Business Analytics Option (18 Credits)

Prescribed Courses (Require a grade of C or better)

  • MIS 301 Business Analytics (3 credits)
  • MIS 345 Introduction to Data Analytics (3 credits)
  • MIS 431 Business Data Management (3 credits)

Additional Courses (Require a grade of C or better)
Select 9 credits from the following:

  • COMM/IST 310 Digital Media Metrics
  • ECON 481 Business Forecasting Techniques
  • MIS 336 Database Management Systems
  • MIS 404 Introduction to ERP and Business Processes
  • MIS 415 Social Media Management and Analytics
  • MIS 441 Business Intelligence for Decision Making
  • MIS 445 Business Intelligence
  • MKTG 342 Marketing Research
  • MKTG 343 Introduction to Marketing Analytics
  • MKTG 473 Digital Marketing
  • MKTG 474 Marketing Analytics
  • MKTG 480 Intermediate Social Media Marketing
  • SCM 340 Introduction to Supply Chain Analytics

Entrepreneurship Option (18 credits)

PRESCRIBED COURSES (12 credits)
ENTR 300(3), ENTR 320(3) (Sem: 5-6), ENTR 400(3)

ADDITIONAL COURSES (0-3 credits)
ENGL 419(3) (Sem: 7-8) OR CAS 352

SUPPORTING COURSES (0-9 credits)
ENTR 410(3), ENTR 420(3), ENTR 430(3), or ENTR 440(3) (Sem: 5-8)

Management and Marketing Options (18 credits)

PRESCRIBED COURSES (3 credits)
ENGL 419(3) (Sem: 7-8)

ADDITIONAL COURSES (15 credits)
Select 12 credits from the following (at least 3 credits in MGMT and at least 3 credits in MKTG):
B A 250(3), MGMT 321(3), MGMT 341(3), MKTG 220(3), MKTG 310(3), MKTG 327(3), MKTG 330(3), MKTG 342(3), MKTG 422(3) (Sem: 5-8)
CAS 250(3), CAS 252(3), or CAS 352(3) (Sem: 5-8)

[1] A student enrolled in this major must receive a grade of C or better, as specified in Senate Policy 82-44.
[48] Abington College, Altoona College, and University College students are required to take MATH 110 GQ(4) or MATH 140 GQ(4) and CMPSC 203 GQ(4).
[64] B LAW 243(3), FIN 100(3), MGMT 100W(3), and MKTG 221(3) may be substituted for B A 243(4), FIN 301(3), MGMT 301(3), and MKTG 301(3), respectively, with the approval of the college.
[73] Berks-Lehigh Valley College students are required to take MATH 021 GQ(3) and MATH 022 GQ(3) and CMPSC 203 GQ(4) or MIS 103(3).

Business

  • Request Information about Business
  • Program Options
    • Accounting Option
    • Accounting Option with Information Systems Auditing Certificate
    • Business Analytics Option
    • Entrepreneurship Option
    • Management and Marketing Option
  • Degree Information
  • Suggested Academic Plan
  • A Guide for Students Interested in Business
  • Career Paths
  • Graduate Profiles
  • Alumni Testimonials
  • Objectives and Outcomes
  • Business Faculty and Staff
Apply to Penn State
Apply to Penn State
Visit Us In-person or Virtually
Schedule a Visit

Out-of-Class Learning

Explore out-of-classroom academic experiences that complement in-class learning, including study abroad/study away programs, internships, undergraduate research, and community-based studies.

Find Out More

See Also

  • Sheetz Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence
  • Downtown Campus
  • Associate Degree in Business Administration
  • Entrepreneurship Minor
  • Sheetz Fellows Program
  • Division of Business, Engineering, and Information Sciences & Technology
Pennsylvania map showing Penn State's campuses with Penn State Altoona highlighted

Penn State Altoona

A full-service, four-year, residential campus located less than 45 miles from the research campus at University Park. Offering 21 four-year degrees and the first two years of over 275 Penn State majors.
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • youtube
  • flickr
  • linkedin
Give Visit Apply
  • This is Penn State Altoona
    • Welcome from the Chancellor
    • Penn State Altoona At a Glance
    • Mission, Vision, and Values
    • College Leadership
    • Our History
    • Campus Map
    • Current Weather Conditions
    • Livestream
  • Academics
    • Majors
    • Academic Calendar
    • Out-of-Class Learning
    • Eiche Library
    • Robert L. Smith Learning Resources Center
    • Registrar
    • Academic Advising
    • Honors Program
    • Campus Closures
  • Admissions
    • Visit Us
    • Information for First-Year Students
    • How to Apply
    • Accepted Students
    • Experience Altoona
    • Virtual Tour
  • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Scholarships and Awards
    • Grants
    • Loans
    • Work-study
    • Financial Aid Basics
    • Tuition and Costs
    • Financial Aid Information
  • Student Success
    • Center for Student and Civic Engagement
    • Health and Wellness Center
    • Student Diversity and Inclusion Programming
    • International Student Services
    • Housing
    • Parking
    • Police and Safety
    • Career Services
    • Diversity at Penn State Altoona
  • Research & Engagement
    • Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry
    • Faculty Research Resources
    • Community-Based Studies
    • Internships
    • Study Abroad/Study Away
    • Internal Grants and Awards
  • Athletics
    • Schedule
    • Facilities
    • Recreation and Club Sports
    • Staff and Coaches Directory
    • Athletic Training and Sports Physicals
    • Athletics News
    • Camps and Clinics
    • Hall of Fame
  • Stay Connected
    • Faculty and Staff Directory
    • Offices and Divisions
    • Campus Calendar
    • PSUAlert Text Messaging Service
    • COVID-19 Information
    • Penn State Altoona Connect
    • Penn State Student Engagement Network
Penn State University
3000 Ivyside Park, Altoona, Pennsylvania 16601 814-949-5000

Footer Legal Menu

  • Privacy
  • Non-discrimination
  • Equal Opportunity
  • Accessibility
  • Copyright
  • Directory
  • The Pennsylvania State University © 2023
  • We Are Penn State