Foundations of Business, Certificate

Plan Code: FDOBUS_UCT

Program Description

Introduction to core business concepts. Students develop a foundational understanding of economics, human resource management, management, marketing, and data analytics in the business context.

What is Foundations of Business?

The Foundations of Business Certificate is offered by the University College. Regardless of your field of study and career goals, you are very likely to utilize foundational business knowledge in your future career. If you are in a non-business major, this certificate will broaden your fundamental business knowledge and help you develop the basic skills that will be useful in your chosen career path.

You can complete this 13-credit certificate program within a year.  The certificate provides foundational knowledge in communication, ethics and social responsibility, and contemporary information technology as tools to accomplish professional tasks effectively.

You Might Like This Program If...

  • You desire to add business skills to your degree program.
  • You want to gain exposure to business concepts to enhance your employment opportunities.
  • You want to earn a business certificate as a stepping stone to enrolling in an associate or baccalaureate degree program.

Program Requirements

To earn an undergraduate certificate in Foundations of Business, a minimum of 15 credits is required.

Required Courses
BA 100SIntroduction to Business Keystone/General Education Course3
or BA 100 Introduction to Business Keystone/General Education Course
ECON 102Introductory Microeconomic Analysis and Policy Keystone/General Education Course3
or ECON 104 Introductory Macroeconomic Analysis and Policy Keystone/General Education Course
LHR 100Exploring Work and Employment Keystone/General Education Course3
MKTG 122NMarketing through the Ages Keystone/General Education Course3
or MKTG 301 Principles of Marketing
Select one from the following:3-4
Introduction to Data Analytics Keystone/General Education Course
Introduction to Management Information Systems Keystone/General Education Course
Introduction to Problem Solving with Spreadsheet Analysis and Information Systems Management
Introduction to Statistics for Business Keystone/General Education Course
Elementary Statistics Keystone/General Education Course

Certificate Learning Objectives

  • Communication: Graduates will develop basic written and oral communication skills
  • Ethics: Graduates will develop an understanding of ethical issues, social responsibilities and resolutions to conflicts in a business environment
  • Technology: Graduates will be able to use contemporary information technology as tools to accomplish professional tasks effectively

Academic Advising

The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.

Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.

READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY

Hazleton

Sherry Robinson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Business; Program Coordinator, Business
Schiavo Hall, 304
Hazleton, PA 18202
570-450-3559
skr12@psu.edu

Schuylkill

Angela Brown
Assistant Teaching Professor of Business
200 University Drive
Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania 17972
570-385-6080
amb536@psu.edu

York

Ali Kara
Professor of Business Administration
1031 Edgecomb Ave.
206 Grumbacher Building (GISTC)
York, PA 17403
717-771-4189
axk19@psu.edu

Contact

Hazleton

Schiavo Hall, 304
Hazleton, PA 18202
570-450-3559
skr12@psu.edu

Schuylkill

200 University Drive
Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania 17972
570-385-6080
amb536@psu.edu

York

1031 Edgecomb Ave.
206 Grumbacher Building (GISTC)
York, PA 17403
717-771-4189
axk19@psu.edu

https://www.york.psu.edu/professional-development/workplace-skills/business-certificates