- Degree Level
- Undergraduate
- Degrees Offered
- Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Minor
- school/college
- School of Global Business
Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting
Accounting is a core aspect of any business, providing key knowledge for businesses, non-profits, and government organizations. The Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science in Accounting degrees provide background in core business areas as well as in liberal arts. You will gain valuable technical knowledge and skills to effectively lead organizations and people in any professional setting.
Studying Accounting, you will receive:
- Detailed insight into accounting principles, theory, and specialties such as tax, cost, and auditing.
- All credits you need to take to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination in Pennsylvania and in some other states, as well as the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) examination.
- An optional focus through a selected concentration: Economics, Finance, Management, and Marketing.
What’s the difference between a BA and a BS?
The Bachelor of Arts in Accounting focuses more on liberal arts courses. You will have more opportunities to explore related elective courses.
The Bachelor of Science in Accounting is a more quantitively oriented degree, with additional coursework in mathematics, business practices, and economics.
Bachelor of Arts in Accounting
- 10 Business Administration courses
- 6 Accounting courses
- 2 Economics courses
- 1 Upper-level Business or Economics elective, or concentration requirements
- 1 English course
- 2 Mathematics courses
Bachelor of Science in Accounting
- 10 Business Administration courses
- 6 Accounting courses
- 2 Economics courses
- 1 Upper-level Business or Economics elective, or concentration requirements
- 1 English course
- 4 Mathematics courses
4-Year Guide
First Year
Fall Semester (16 credits)
- BA201 Financial Accounting
- EN101 Thought & Expression I
- MA141 Elementary Statistics
- First-Year Seminar (AUC)
Spring Semester (16 credits)
- BA202 Managerial Accounting
- BA230 Legal Environment of Business
- MA143 Business Mathematics OR MA201 Calculus I
- Modern Language I or II (AUC)
Second Year
Fall Semester (20 credits)
- BA222 Intermediate Accounting I
- EC210 Principles of Macroeconomics OR EC211 Principles of Microeconomics
- Language II if needed (AUC) OR Elective
- Science with Lab (AUC)
- Integrated Learning (IL) (AUC)
Spring Semester (20 credits)
- BA223 Intermediate Accounting II
- BA260 Principles of Management
- EC210 Principles of Macroeconomics OR EC211 Principles of Microeconomics
- EN218 Business Writing
- Global Connections Experience & Reflection (AUC)
Third Year
Fall Semester (16 credits)
Study Abroad Option
- Required Accounting Elective Fall or Spring
- BA340 Principles of Marketing
- BA363 International Organizational Behavior
- (AUC) Requirement OR Elective
Spring Semester (16 credits)
Study Abroad Option and/or Internship
- BA326: Federal Tax Accounting
- BA380 Principles of Finance
- BA470 Internship in Business Administration OR Elective
- Required Accounting Elective fall or spring
Fourth Year
Fall Semester (16 credits)
Study Abroad Option and/or Internship
- BA327 Auditing
- BA367 Operations Management
- BA470 Internship in Business Administration OR Elective
- (AUC) Requirement OR Elective
Spring Semester (16 credits)
- BA328 Advanced Accounting
- BA495 Policy Formulation & Administration
- BA OR EC Elective Major Requirement
- (AUC) Requirement or Elective
Additional course work needed to meet the 150+ credit requirement to sit for the CPA Exam
Career Paths
You will be prepared for positions in business, government, and other organizations in any accounting field or business career (finance, marketing, sales, management, human resources).
In order to sit for the CPA examination in Pennsylvania, you must hold a bachelor’s degree with at least 24 credits in accounting-related courses. CPA candidates in Pennsylvania are permitted to sit for the CPA exam with less than 150 credit hours, but will be required to complete all 150 credit hours and satisfy the work experience requirement prior to CPA licensure. Our students regularly complete 150 credit hours in this undergraduate degree.
Featured Courses
Federal Tax Accounting
Required Course
From individuals to corporations and partnerships, you will learn federal income tax legislation, rules, and regulations. Take a deeper look into the relationships among tax theory, tax preparation, and tax planning.
Auditing
Required Course
Explore auditing theory, objectives, and practices. This course includes an overview of professional ethics, generally accepted auditing standards, and internal control procedures.
Advanced Accounting
Required Course
Examine the problems associated with business combinations and consolidations, inter-company profit transactions, and complex affiliation transactions. You'll analyze branch operations, foreign operations and transactions, and state and local government fund accounting.
Tax Planning for Those with Special Needs
Elective Course
The course will expand upon traditional individual taxation and estate planning coverage with a review of the potential income tax benefits available to families caring for those with special needs.
