Three students wearing masks in socially distanced pattern in classroom

New area of specialization in business

Penn State Shenango has announced that the campus’s business major will add a third area of specialization through a new accounting option. With a positive job growth outlook, students will be prepared for a fast-paced and ever-changing workplace upon graduation.

SHARON, Pa. — Penn State has approved the fifth new major option to launch at Penn State Shenango in 2021. The campus’s bachelor of science in business is adding a specialization in accounting to help student prepare for the financial sector of the field.

“This degree is created for students seeking a broad-based education that prepares them for the business world,” said Georgia Macris, business program coordinator. “The program combines core business fundamentals with applied study and internships in a practical setting.”

Students in the program will build on foundational courses like mathematics and economics before delving into upper-division business courses that center around logistics, information systems and taxation.

The major’s curriculum ensures graduates not only master their focus area of accounting, but also core business concepts like management and marketing.

“Throughout the past year, even during the pandemic, local businesses have reached out with an interest in working with accounting students,” said Taylor Cole, career services coordinator.  

Penn State’s business program is professionally oriented and prepares students for a fast-paced and ever-changing workplace. Students can expect to develop solutions to real-world problems as they learn to collect and analyze financial data, think critically and communicate effectively.

The program concludes with real-world experience through internships and work with local corporations, small businesses and nonprofit organizations.

“Because accountants are essential to an organization’s financial health, they continue to be in demand,” said Cole. “By offering the accounting option at Penn State Shenango, we will be meeting not only a national demand, but a local demand for students with an accounting background and knowledge.”

The accounting option of Penn State Shenango’s business degree is joined by the new four-year majors corporate communications, criminal justice, cybersecurity analytics and operations and health policy and administration to launch in 2021.

The business major currently offers additional areas of specialization through the marketing and management option and an individualized option.

Applications for fall 2021 are still being accepted and financial aid packages are still available. Visit shenango.psu.edu/admissions to set up an appointment or apply.