Accounting, BSB

The accounting curriculum meets both the short- and long-range needs of students who wish to enter the accounting profession. The program will prepare the student for entry into public accounting, corporate, or institutional sectors (e.g., government and not-for-profit). The main requirements for the Accounting BSB include an option for a specialization in Tax, Certified Management Accounting, and Forensic Accounting.  Specializations are NOT required to be selected by the student and the main Accounting BSB Requirements allow a candidate to meet all the requirements needed to sit for the CPA examination, independent of any specialization. The program is also designed to meet the needs of those who plan to extend their formal education at the graduate level and those who wish to pursue the 150-credit-hour requirement.

150-CREDIT HOUR REQUIREMENT IN PA

Students aspiring to be CPAs in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and most other states are required to have 150 credit hours of qualifying education.  The SBA and the Department of Accounting, Economics, and Finance have designed several options to meet this requirement.  Options include earning a master’s degree (5-year option) or meeting the requirement at the undergraduate level (4-year option).  Qualified students with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher are encouraged to complete one extra 3-credit course each semester starting in the second semester of their freshman year. There is no additional tuition cost for this extra course.  Public accounting firms require accounting students to indicate their 150-credit plan on there resumes. Internships for credit count toward meeting this requirement.  For questions concerning the 150-credit hour requirement and the options available, contact the department head of Accounting, Economics, and Finance.