Smeal College Entrance to Major

The Entrance to Major (ETM) process determines a student's eligibility to enroll in a specialized degree program within the Smeal College of Business. Requirements, including minimum GPA thresholds, specific prerequisite coursework, and credit window limits, are determined by the academic year you entered Penn State.

Select your entry year below to review the specific ETM requirements, application timelines, and suggested academic plans for your cohort.

General ETM Overview & Resources

Regardless of your entry year, all Smeal students should keep the following core criteria in mind when preparing to apply for a major via LionPATH:

• Penn State Credit Window: You must apply for ETM within the required cumulative credit window (typically between 36.0 and 59.0 credits earned at Penn State).

• Grade & GPA Requirements: Prerequisites require a grade of 'C' or higher, and your cumulative GPA must meet or exceed the posted minimum for your desired major at the time of application.

• Credit Types: Only credits earned at Penn State count toward your cumulative ETM GPA and unit window. Transfer and AP credits satisfy course requirements but do not count toward your Penn State credit window.