School of Business
Innovating for the Future. Anchored in the Region.
About the School
PennWest is a recognized regional leader in business education, entrepreneurship,
and workforce development. With outstanding academic programs, immersive learning
experiences, and strong ties to industry and community partners, the School of Business
equips students to lead, innovate, and drive economic growth throughout Western Pennsylvania
and beyond.
Academic Programs
The PennWest offers a full range of accessible, accredited business programs across its campuses and online:
Undergraduate
Graduate and Dual Degrees
Fully Accredited
All programs are fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
Customize Your Business Degree at PennWest
Want to make your business degree stand out? If you choose one of the following Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) majors, you’ll also need to add a minor, certificate, or second major:
You can pair your major with any minor or certificate offered at PennWest, but some
options are designed to fit especially well with business programs—saving you time
and effort.
Recommended Minors for Business Students:
(These are the most compatible and efficient options)
- Accounting*
- Arts Administration*
- Communication
- Digital Marketing*
- Economics*
- Entrepreneurship*
- Event Planning and Management*
- Finance*
- Forensic Accounting*
- Global Business*
- Human Resource Management*
- Management*
- Management Information Systems*
- Marketing*
- Parks and Recreation Management*
- Personal Financial Planning*
- Sales*
- Social Media (Clarion and Edinboro only)
- Supply Chain Management*
- Tourism and Hospitality Management*
Note: You can’t minor in the same subject as your major (e.g., Marketing majors cannot
minor inMarketing). But you can combine related areas—for example, major in Marketing
and minor in Digital Marketing.
Available Stand-Alone Certificates
You don’t even need to be in a degree program to earn these—great for boosting your résumé:
- Entrepreneurship Essentials*
- Entrepreneurship Leadership*
- Human Resource Management*
- Legal Studies (ABA-accredited)
Why choose a minor or certificate?
It’s your chance to focus on a secondary interest, build extra skills, and get a competitive
edge in the job market. Many students choose more than one! Pick something that fits
your passions, strengths, and career goals.
Talk to your advisor
Before you decide, chat with your academic advisor to plan the best path for your
future.
Ready to add, change, or drop a minor/certificate?
Fill out this digital form and email it as a PDF to Dr. Susan Ryan, Chair of the Business, Economics & Communication Department.
*All BSBA programs are ACBSP-accredited. These minors and certificates are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Workforce Development & Employer Engagement
PennWest’s Career Center actively connects students with regional employers through:
- Internship coordination and recruitment pipelines
- Industry partnerships across Western Pennsylvania
- McElhatten Foundation Internship Stipend Program – financial support for internships in Clarion and Venango counties
- Collaborations with chambers of commerce, economic development agencies, and nonprofits
Experiential Learning & Business Support
PEAK @ PennWest
Powering Entrepreneurs with Action and Knowledge
PEAK combines business support with student learning through partnerships with PennWest’s economic development initiatives:
- Small Business Development Center (SBDC) – Clarion
- Free consulting and training are available to entrepreneurs, with student interns gaining hands-on consulting experience.
- Center for Branding and Strategic Communication – Edinboro
- A hub of the NWPA Innovation Beehive Network, offering students real-world digital marketing and branding experience while supporting regional startups and nonprofits.
- GACO APEX Accelerator – California
- With offices in Pittsburgh and Cranberry Township, GACO helps businesses secure government contracts—over $4.8B to date. Students engage in real-world procurement consulting.
Innovation through AI & Emerging Technologies
Through the PennWest Center for Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, the School is developing:
- Micro-credentials and training for students, professionals, and companies
- Opportunities to reskill and upskill for success in a tech-driven business landscape
Entrepreneurship & Future-Focused Learning
Coming Fall 2025
PennWest is launching two flexible, skills-based entrepreneurship micro-credentials:
* Entrepreneurship Essentials
* Entrepreneurship Leadership
These 15-credit stackable certificates are ideal for:
* High school dual enrollment students
* Gig economy workers
* Career changers and upskillers
* Traditional and nontraditional students
They complement PennWest’s existing BSBA programs and help turn aspiring entrepreneurs into real-world business leaders.
Connected Alumni, Informed Programs
The School of Business maintains:
- Strong alumni networks across sectors
- Industry advisory boards shaping programs and offerings
- Continuous feedback to refine:
- Micro-credentials
- Executive Education
- Online and Professional Programs
Contact Us
PennWest School of Business
Juanice Vega
Associate Dean, College of Science, Technology and Business
Executive Director, School of Business
jvega@pennwest.edu
814-393-1892