Big 3 degree and the CPA exam in TX?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by dlcurious, Apr 6, 2008.

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  1. dlcurious

    dlcurious Member

    I was just wondering if anybody has taken the CPA exam in TX while fulfilling the bachelor's degree requirement with a degree from one of the big 3. Their guidelines say correspondence and vocational schools aren't acceptable, but as the big 3 are regionally accredited I'd like some other input into how they're viewed. I've requested info from the TSCPA but with it being the weekend it'll likely be a couple days before I hear back from anybody.
     
  2. sentinel

    sentinel New Member

    If all the coursework and credit hours come from regionally accredited schools and the credit hours are transferred into a bachelor degree at Thomas Edison State College, then it would seem the criteria set forth by the TSCPA would be met. By vocational and correspondence I would interpret that as meaning a nationally accredited (DETC) school.
     
  3. dlcurious

    dlcurious Member

    That's what I'm hoping the case is. I've got 120+ semester hours from 6 RA schools wrapped up into a BSBA from TESC. Still have the upper level accounting credits to take but if they'll accept my degree that would be a major hurdle overcome. Thanks for your insight.
     
  4. excelsior has a business degree with a NY CPA track, I dont know if that means anything to someone in TX but they might have similar program requirements
     
  5. dlcurious

    dlcurious Member

    NY may be open to your credentials being obtained by distance learning whereas other states may not be. I've heard of some nurses running into this when trying to use EC / TESC degrees to take the RN exam, even though the schools are certified appropriately.
     
  6. FLA Expatriate

    FLA Expatriate New Member

    From TSBPA Board Rule 511.57, I believe the money quote is:

    "At least 15 of these hours must result from physical attendance at classes meeting regularly on the campus of the transcript-issuing institution."
     
  7. sentinel

    sentinel New Member

    I do not understand the requirement for classroom attendance given that the subject matter is well-suited to distance education delivery mode and from personal experience classroom-based lectures usually led to passive learning rather than the active learning necessary to successfully complete non-classroom-based courses.

    Depending where you reside attending a physical campus or classroom might not be practical. The CPA examination should be sufficient to weed out those with inferior academic preparation. By inferior academic preparation I am referring to the course content and/or retention by the student/learner.
     
  8. ewillmon

    ewillmon New Member

    Also from the TSBPA Website:

    150 Hours
    It is required that an applicant complete 150 semester hours or quarter hour equivalents of college credit.

    The total number of college credits is verified by submitting official transcripts with the Application of Intent.
    An Application of Intent may not be approved until 150 semester hours or quarter hour equivalents of college credit have been earned and are shown on official transcripts.



    The 150 semester hours or quarter hour equivalents of courses may be obtained in one of the following ways:

    Complete a master's degree or higher degree conferred by a university that is recognized by the Board.
    Complete the upper level accounting courses needed to take the CPA examination. The hours required for a baccalaureate degree plus the additional hours must equal or exceed 150 semester hours.
    Complete additional semester hours or quarter hour equivalents of upper level courses that enhance professional skills and competence, beyond the accounting hours required for a baccalaureate degree in accounting, from a university that is recognized by the Board. The hours required for a baccalaureate degree plus the additional hours must equal or exceed 150 semester hours. The coursework should be in established courses offered through colleges within the university, such as architecture, business administration, communications, engineering, fine arts, liberal arts, science, or another established discipline.


    So if I understand and interpret correctly, the BSBA from TESC would be accepted because it is RA. But in addition to that, one must also have 30 additional hours (undergrad or Masters level) and at least 15 of the required accounting courses must be done on-campus?
     
  9. st22345

    st22345 Member

    Texas

    Texas is a real stickler on the classroom portion. I took some MBA classes at Keller while looking at the CPA exam and they have had to modify the classes to accommodate Texas.
    The CPA students have to meet twice a week on campus, because the once a week for 8 weeks wasn't enough classroom time to satisfy the requirement. I was okay with doing that for one class, but doing it for 5 classes was difficult with my job.
    Good luck to you,
     

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