Summer 2020 or later

Students admitted to the Smeal College of Business are in pre-major status (BA PMAJ) while completing entrance requirements for one of the eight majors available. These entrance requirements are a combination of overall and specific grade point averages in courses at Penn State along with completion of business foundation and supporting courses.

Applying for a major, known around campus as the Entrance to Major process, occurs within a defined window of completed cumulative credits at Penn State. This occurs traditionally during the student’s second year of study.

Once a student has completed or has in progress the necessary entrance to major courses and has attained the specified overall cumulative grade point average, the student can apply for a Smeal College major. This process must be completed within the specified window of completed cumulative credits, so all students must plan accordingly. In order to receive final approval for a Smeal major, students must maintain the initial criteria and additionally, attain a specific cumulative GPA in the entrance to major courses.

Requirements

Students apply for their major of choice upon meeting the following:

  1. Must be enrolled at Penn State as a pre-major student in the Smeal College of Business (BA PMAJ) or in the Division of Undergraduate Studies (DUS PMAJ).
  2. Complete or be currently enrolled in all Entrance to Major courses, including obtaining grades of “C” or better in specified courses.
  3. Attain a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) for desired. This CGPA must also be met at the conclusion of the entrance to major process.
  4. Students may only apply for a Smeal College major upon earning a minimum of 40 cumulative credits but no more than 59 cumulative credits at Penn State and have all entrance to major courses are either completed or in progress.

Requirements for Final, Confirmed Approval into a Smeal major

Students receive a final approval for a Smeal major upon meeting the following:

  1. Must be enrolled at Penn State as a pre-major student in the Smeal College of Business (BA PMAJ) or in the Division of Undergraduate Studies (DUS PMAJ).
  2. Complete all Entrance to Major courses, including obtaining grades of “C” or better in specified courses.
  3. Attain the minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) established for the desired major. Refer to Grade Point Averages chart.
  4. Students may only apply for a Smeal College major upon earning a minimum of 40 cumulative credits but no more than 59 cumulative credits at Penn State and meeting the entrance to major criteria.*

* If the entrance to major criteria is not successfully completed, the student will be changed back to their prior academic status.