Associate Degree in Business Administration — 60 credits

Gain job-ready business proficiencies. Add attention-getting credentials to your résumé. The associate degree program in business administration can help you acquire additional expertise in:

•  accounting and mathematical skills
•  marketing
•  communication

You can start the program by completing the basic and advanced business certificates then proceed through the associate program at your own pace as a full- or part-time student. And you’ll work with highly qualified faculty in business, law, management, marketing, and information systems.

You’ll also have the opportunity to participate in an elective business internship as part of your curriculum, providing you with excellent business experience while adding an important résumé element that is highly valued by prospective employers. Our student interns have worked in local corporations and retailers, manufacturing organizations, and nonprofit groups.

As you complete the requirements for your associate degree in business, you will also have the opportunity to earn the basic business certificate with just 18 credits. You can also acquire the advanced business certificate for an additional 15 credits. By adding one or more of these professional certificates to your résumé, you can demonstrate to your present or prospective employer that you are building a solid foundation in basic business knowledge and functions.

Additionally, the credits you earn in the associate degree program can then be applied toward  the online bachelor of science degree program in business (BSB) through Penn State’s World Campus. The program combines core business disciplines — notably management, marketing, finance, and logistics — with applied study in a practical setting. Talk to your adviser about how to apply the 60 credits from your associate degree to the bachelor of science degree program.

Choose from two options in the associate degree program to suit your career needs

General Business Option:
This option can provide you with an introductory foundation to core aspects of the business environment while also preparing you to transfer later into the BSB.

Professional Studies Option:
The Professional Studies Option provides a technically oriented program to help prepare you for direct entry into the workforce. Because some of the course work is not accepted in baccalaureate business programs, you should work closely with your faculty and adviser. If you plan to move into the BSB, you should meet with your adviser regarding entrance requirements.

Program Curriculum

General Business Option, Suggested Academic Plan
Professional Studies Suggested Academic Plan
Curriculum Check Sheet

General Education: 21 credits
(9 credits of these 21 credits are included in the Requirements for the Major)

Requirements for the Major: 48–49 credits
(This includes 3 credits of GQ General Education courses and 6 credits of GWS General Education courses.)

Common Requirements for the Major (both options): 30–31 credits

Prescribed Courses (16 credits)

• ENGL 015 GWS (3 credits), CAS 100 GWS (3 credits), ACCTG 211 (4 credits), ENGL 202D GWS (3 credits), MIS 204 (3 credits)

Additional Courses (14–15 credits)

• BA 243 (4 credits); or BA 241 (2 credits) and BA 242 (2 credits), ECON 002 GS (3 credits) or ECON 004 GS (3 credits)
• MATH 021 GQ (3 credits), MATH 22 GQ (3 credits) or MATH 110 GQ   
• SCM 200 GQ (4 credits) or STAT 200 GQ (4 credits)

Requirements for the Option: 18 credits

General Business (18–19 credits)
a. Select 3 credits from MGMT 301 (3 credits) or MGMT 301W (3 credits)
b. Select 3 credits from MKTG 301 (3 credits) or MKTG 301W (3 credits)
c. Select 12–13 credits from the following:

• BA 250 (3 credits)
• CAS 250 (3 credits) or CAS 252 (3 credits)
• LER 100 GS (3 credits) or LER 136 US (3 credits)
• ECON 002 (3 credits) or ECON 004 (3 credits)
• MATH 22 GQ (3 credits), MATH 110 GQ (4 credits)
• MKTG 220 (3 credits)

Professional Studies (18 credits)
Select 18 credits from the following:

• ACCTG 151 (3 credits), ACCTG 152 (3 credits), ACCTG 153 (3 credits), ACCTG 160 (3 credits), ACCTG 186 (3 credits)
• BA 100 (3 credits), BA 250 (3 credits)
• ECON 002 GS (3 credits) or ECON 004 GS (3 credits)
• FIN 100 (3 credits), FIN 108 (3 credits)
• HPA 101 (3 credits)
• IST 110 GS (3 credits), IST 250 (3 credits)
• LER 100 GS (3 credits), LER 136 US (3 credits)
• MGMT 100 (3 credits) or MGMT 100W (3 credits); MGMT 150 (3 credits)
• MIS 103 (3 credits), MIS 106 (1–6), MIS 110 (3 credits),  MIS 120 (3 credits), MIS 130 (3 credits) or IST 210 (3 credits), MIS 180 (3 credits) or IST 220 (3 credits), MIS 190 (3 credits)
• MKTG 150 (3 credits), MKTG 220 (3 credits), MKTG 221 (3 credits) or MKTG 221W (3 credits)
• R EST 100 (3 credits)