I graduated college a few years ago. During college, I did not take any accounting courses, but I intend to pursue a career in accounting (in New Jersey). My question pertains to the education requirement for CPA under New Jersey law. The law provides: After July 1, 2000, an applicant to take the Certified Public Accountant Examination shall have completed at least 150 hours of education, including a baccalaureate or higher degree. An applicant shall be deemed to have satisfied the educational requirement if, as part of the 150 semester hours of education, the applicant has satisfied any one of the following four conditions: i. The applicant has earned a graduate degree with a concentration in accounting from an accounting program or department which has been granted level three accreditation by the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), or any other national accreditation agency with standards that are substantially similar to the standards utilized by the AACSB or the ACBSP; ii. The applicant has earned a graduate degree from a business school or college of business which has been granted level two accreditation by the AACSB, ACBSP or any other national accreditation agency with standards that are substantially similar to the standards utilized by the AACSB or the ACBSP, and completed either (b)2ii(l) or (2) below. An applicant may complete an equivalent combination of undergraduate and graduate level coursework based upon a 3:2 ratio such that three credit hours at the undergraduate level are equivalent to two credit hours at the graduate level. The applicant shall have completed either: (1) At least 24 semester hours in accounting at the undergraduate level; or (2) At least 15 semester hours in accounting at the graduate level which included coursework in financial accounting, auditing, taxation and management accounting; iii. The applicant has earned a baccalaureate degree from a business school or college of business which has been granted level two accreditation by AACSB, ACBSP or any other national accreditation agency with standards that are substantially similar to the standards utilized by the AACSB or the ACBSP, and completed the following: (1) At least 24 semester hours in accounting at the undergraduate level or the graduate level, which included coursework in financial accounting, auditing, taxation and management accounting; and (2) At least 24 semester hours in business courses (other than accounting courses) at the undergraduate level; iv. The applicant has earned a baccalaureate or higher degree from an educational institution which has been granted level one accreditation from the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Higher Education or any other regional accrediting agency with standards that are substantially similar to the standards utilized by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Higher Education. The applicant shall have completed the following: (1) At least 30 semester hours in accounting, which included coursework in financial accounting, auditing, taxation and management accounting; and (2) At least 24 semester hours in business courses (other than accounting courses) at the undergraduate or graduate level. I will be working while taking classes, so I am definitely interested in online distance courses. I have the following questions: 1) Will online courses satisfy the education requirements or do I need to take traditional (onsite) classes? 2) I am interested in the LSU online courses and Empire State College (SUNY) online courses. Are their any less expensive alternatives? I am sure I will have more questions, but if anyone has experience doing what I am trying to do, I would appreciate some advise. Thanks!
First off, best of luck to you... While this board is a source of great information, I would contact the NJ CPA Board directly and ask if online classes are acceptable. I don't see why not, but I wouldn't make the decision based on this discussion board. Shawn
