Small Business Administration (APB)

This degree prepares students for the real-world challenges of starting and managing a business. With a focus on entrepreneurship, the three-year program in Small Business Administration targets students (including non-traditional students) who are goal-oriented and highly motivated to pursue ownership or a career in a small business.

The PSU School of Business is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), a global standard of excellence; and the 96-credit three-year option will meet the same exacting standards as our four-year 120-credit bachelor’s and MBA programs. Our business school debuts a $38 million total modernization in 2025. featuring an innovation hub, state-of-the-art finance lab, and sales institute.

The 96-credit, three-year Applied Bachelor’s degree in Small Business Administration targets students (including non-traditional students) who are goal-oriented and highly motivated to pursue ownership or professional engagement with a small business. Students who are already involved with a small business either as employees, owners or family members are likely to be ideal candidates for the program. The small business focus, reflected in courses that particularly address entrepreneurship and applied content on the functions of smaller enterprises makes the program distinct from our 4-year programs in business administration and management.  

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Directions should total 20 credits (unless the major has a waiver for a specific Direction).

Check all course descriptions for prerequisites before planning course schedule. Course sequence is suggested but not required.

1. Demonstrate knowledge of key business disciplines and concepts.
2. Understand the process of small business start-up and the role of innovation.
3. Build and manage a business using “lean start-up” techniques.
4. Apply fundamentals of business operations, small business accounting, or digital marketing to improve entrepreneurial outcomes.
5. Gain specialized knowledge for entrepreneurial growth in areas such as finance, human resources, legal activities, sales, or advanced entrepreneurship concepts.

Starting or expanding an entrepreneurial venture, managing a small business or family business proprietorship, joining a start-up, pursuing corporate or social entrepreneurship, or preparing for management or supervisory positions in business or the non-profit sector.