I am currently going to Northeastern University (first semester). While I like the school, work has got in the way and instead just want to test out. Im thinking about doing Straighterline, ALEKS, and will CLEP some upper level courses before finishing at TESC or Excelsior (Charter Oak has concentration but I need more upper level accounting classes). Im also looking into FEMA. What would be the fastest way to do this? I hope to finish in 1 year. Would I have trouble getting into Masters of Accounting through traditional B&M? Any help appreciated. Thanks!
As long as your degree was conferred by TESC, Excelsior or Charter Oak, you should have little trouble getting into most graduate programs. All three schools have regional accreditation status, which is the same as traditional universities. You might find some difficulty getting into the most exclusive programs, but who cares? There are plenty of great graduate programs that would honor your degree from one of those schools. About those other options, there are not many schools that honor Straighterline units, although the number of schools that do is increasing. Liberty University does, I have been told. It would probably be a good idea to CLEP out of as many classes as possible and the above schools are usually favorable to CLEP's. This would save time and money, most likely. __________________________________
You could probably finish a degree in a year, although I doubt you could finish an accounting program that quickly. You could probably complete any BA or BS and get into Liberty's accounting master's if you have the following courses completed: 1. Cost Accounting 2. Auditing 3. Taxation 4. Principles of Accounting I 5. Principles of Accounting II 6. Intermediate Accounting I 7. Intermediate Accounting II Master of Science in Accounting Degree Requirements | Liberty University Online
I would caution you to very carefully check the CPA licensing requirement for the State(s) in which you wish to be licensed. Some states (Texas perhaps) require actual B&M classes and/or prohibit testing out as a way to meet credit-hour requirements for the license. It may not be a problem but my understanding is that each of the 50 States set their own requirements and they are pretty inflexible. You may even want to call up the CPA Association for your State(s) and ask specific questions.
Checking with my state requirements, it just says that I need 120 hours with 24 hours of upper level accounting. School just has to be accredited by HLC. So it looks like I can go to TESC. Thanks mba, didn't know certain states had different requirements.
Technically, TESC is not accredited by HLC -- it is accredited by MSCHE. But your state board probably means "any regional accreditor", not just HLC. There are six regional accreditors, each covering different regions of the country. HLC-NCA covers 19 states, generally in the Midwest and Rocky Mountain regions (AR, AZ, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, NM, OH, OK, SD, WV, WI, and WY). Your state is presumably one of these. But TESC is located in New Jersey, which means that it is accredited by MSCHE, which covers the Mid-Atlantic area (NY, NJ, PA, MD, DE, and DC). Normally, the six regional agencies are accepted as equivalent, so accreditation from any one of the six should work.
Looked at it again. You are correct CalDog. As long as its regionally accredited then its ok. Just need to make sure I take all required upper level accounting courses.
In terms of accounting courses, another good option is the Certificate in Accounting through Louisiana State University, which is also AACSB accredited and has good name recognition: https://is.lsu.edu/ACCTCertificateProg.asp
I think you are unlikely to finish an accounting degree in one year. Accounting classes are (usually) very difficult. Finishing in two years is much more realistic. I recommend Peru State College. It's a small state college in Nebraska that offers an online accounting degree. The school is also a Servicemembers Opportunity College, accepting ACE reviewed training for college credit. The school will also let you test out of your first 60 credits through CLEP, DSST, etc. And finally, PSC is extremely affordable. Their tuition is only $210 per credit hour. www.peru.edu
Ha! I just realized this is an old thread that was resurrected. I must be getting a little slow in the new year.
