Pre-Major Planning

Students pursuing a Smeal College major enroll in foundation business courses, related courses, first-year seminar, foreign language, and general education courses during their first two years at Penn State. Course requirements and minimum grade standards are set according to the year and semester you begin at Penn State. These first two years are consider the pre-major years and students follow the standards and requirements in place at the time they first enter Penn State.

For Students Entering Penn State Summer 2009, Fall 2009, or Spring 2010

• Entrance-to-Major courses: ECON 002, [ENGL 015 or ENGL 030], [MATH 110 or MATH 140], ACCTG 211, [SCM 200 or STAT 200], MGMT 301, MKTG 301, and FIN 301.

• A grade of "C" or higher in [MATH 110 or MATH 140], ACCTG 211, [SCM 200 or STAT 200], MGMT 301, MKTG 301, and FIN 301.

• Attain the required cumulative GPA for enrolling in a major by the end of the Fall 2010 semester and maintain that average through to the end of the Spring 2011 semester.
• Special academic standards and course requirements are in place for the Actuarial Science (ACTSC) major. For detailed information, visit the ACTSC website.
• Any students admitted to the University Park campus but not admitted to the Smeal College of Business must earn a 3.20 cumulative GPA at the end of their first year (completion of the second semester) to be eligible for a Smeal major.  
• Any students admitted to a Penn State campus other than University Park but not admitted to the Smeal College of Business must earn a 3.0 cumulative GPA at the end of their first year (completion of the second semester) to be eligible for a Smeal major.
  

Recommended Academic Plan

For Students Entering Penn State Summer 2008, Fall 2008, or Spring 2009

Entrance to a Smeal College major is based on University policy, which outlines strict procedures for applying to and being offered enrollment in a Smeal College major. Offers are competitive and decisions are based on the following:

• Entrance-to-Major courses: ACCTG 211, [B A 241 & B A 242 (or B A 243)], ECON 002, ECON 004, [ENGL 015 or ENGL 030], MIS 204, [MATH 110 or MATH 140], and [SCM 200 or STAT 200].
• A grade of "C" or higher in ACCTG 211, [B A 241 & B A 242 (or B A 243)], MIS 204, [MATH 110 or MATH 140], and [SCM 200 or STAT 200].
• Attain the required cumulative GPA for enrolling in a major by the end of the Fall 2009 semester and maintain that average through to the end of the Spring 2010 semester.
• Special academic standards and course requirements are in place for the Actuarial Science (ACTSC) major. For detailed information, visit the ACTSC website.
• In addition to the above requirements, students not enrolled in the Smeal College of Business who are interested in a Smeal major must earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 at the end of their first year (completion of the second semester) to be eligible to apply for a Smeal major in their second year.

Recommended Academic Plan

For Students Entering Penn State Summer 2007, Fall 2007, or Spring 2008

New academic standards and requirements are in place for students recently accepted to Penn State. A streamlined pre-major business curriculum along with minimum grade standards are in place starting in Summer 2007. These standards and requirements include:

• Entrance-to-Major courses: ACCTG 211, [B A 241 & B A 242 (or B A 243)], ECON 002, ECON 004, [ENGL 015 or ENGL 030], MIS 204, [MATH 110 or MATH 140], and [SCM 200 or STAT 200].
• A grade of "C" or higher in ACCTG 211, [B A 241 & B A 242 (or B A 243)], MIS 204, [MATH 110 or MATH 140], and [SCM 200 or STAT 200].
• Attain the required cumulative GPA for enrolling in a major by the end of the Fall 2008 semester and maintain that average through to the end of the Spring 2009 semester.
• Special academic standards and course requirements are in place for the Actuarial Science (ACTSC) major. For detailed information, visit the ACTSC Web site.
• In addition to the above requirements, students not enrolled in the Smeal College of Business who are interested in a Smeal major must earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 at the end of their first year (completion of the second semester) to be eligible to apply for a Smeal major.

Recommended Academic Plan