Bachelor's Degree in Accounting

Good morning!

One of our employees would like to go back to school to earn her degree in accounting. Since she is working full-time, she would like to assess distance learning opportunities in this field. In the future, she may choose to sit for the CPA exam, so the degree must be in accounting (not general business, etc.).

The South Carolina Board of Accountancy states that a CPA candidate must "have a bachelor's degree with a major in accounting from a four-year college or university accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, or one having equivalent standards."

This prospective student would like a course-based program (no portfolio assessments), and she is open to different instructional approaches or platforms (web-based, self-study, Blackboard, etc.).

So far, I have given her information on programs at SUNY - Empire State College, University of Maryland - University College, and City University. Can anyone provide suggestions for other alternatives for consideration?

Thank you very much.

 

Excelsior College in Albany offers a Bachelor of Science in General Accounting. The degree can be completed completely by distance through a combination of correspondence courses and self-study(taking such examinations like CLEP or DANTES).
http://www.excelsior.edu/bus_bd.htm

Dennis Siemens

 

Thank you for the information!

It appears Excelsior has both general accounting and CPA-track programs available, and this alternative has been passed on to the prospective student. With the firm willing to pay tuition, she seems excited about the prospect of continuing her education.

Your time on this matter is greatly appreciated.

 

There are other options available as well. Some are listed at http://www.distancelearn.about.com/cs/accounting1/ . I know that I've also come across a few others that aren't in this list. A thorough search of the major DL sites should turn up even more options. To be honest, I'd try to stick with one of the schools that actually offers all of the courses she'll need to complete the degree - it should save her some hassle.

 

You should check whether the State in question has the 150 hour requirement, and if not whether they will be adapting that rule. It would be a pity to do a degree that then entails further work to meet the CPA requirements, when a degree from another instituion would have been the correct one.

Just a thought ... and another is thati am glad i did mine in the 1960's and am not starting again today



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Peter French,
MEd MAcc (UNE - Australia) CMA
Melbourne, Australia
[email protected]

 

Good morning!

Thanks to Dennis, Gary, and Peter for the advice. The employee noted in my e-mail has completed her application to UMUC, and she hopes to enroll (if accepted) this spring.

Your time on this matter is greatly appreciated.