Accounting Degree Pennsylvania

Develop skills and knowledge to impact the bottom line.

Prepare to excel in today's business climate. Earning a bachelor's degree in accounting at PennWest California ensures that you're equipped to respond effectively in a dynamic and challenging future. The accounting degree requires students to complete core business courses to build a strong foundation for specialized knowledge and skills.

Learn the practical applications of fundamental accounting concepts.

Specialized work in accounting begins with the Introduction to Accounting principals course, which presents the fundamental concepts, procedures and terminology of the field. Students also learn the practical application of accounting information to support decision-making throughout the business world, including in specialized areas such as sports/resort management.

PennWest California's accounting program puts significant emphasis on building quantitative, critical thinking and analytical skills. Students graduate not only with a demonstrated competence in their subject area, but also with the ability and tools to apply that knowledge.

Accounting degree students are also required to have a minor:

Some students choose a business discipline other than their primary field of study.
Other popular choices include psychology, communication studies, public relations, statistics, computer information systems, leadership, women's studies, Spanish and Arabic.
Students also choose to complete dual majors or dual degrees with international studies or math.

PennWest California business graduates are well prepared for many different types of career opportunities. In addition, recent PennWest California business graduates have been accepted into graduate business programs at such distinguished institutions as the University of Pittsburgh, West Virginia University and the College of William and Mary, and into graduate economics programs at Youngstown State and Florida State.

Learn about our accelerated bachelor's-to-master's degree program.

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PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS: ACCOUNTING

Solid foundation: The 120-credit-hour accounting degree prepares students for a variety of careers and professions. All students complete a business core to focus on the functional areas of business and business analytics. PennWest California business students also build valuable skills in critical thinking, communication and teamwork.

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18:1

Student-to-faculty ratio at PennWest California.

120

Credit hours for the bachelors in accounting, which can be completed in eight semesters or four years.

Degree Benefits

Students in the bachelor's degree in accounting learn relevant business knowledge with a strong base in the liberal arts, natural and behavioral sciences, and modern quantitative and information technology methods. Instruction in the program focuses on student engagement and active learning, keeping you involved and engaged with your instructors and classmates. All courses in the program consider the critical role of globalization and rapid technological advance in all aspects of the business environment. In addition to completing courses in the business core, your accounting concentration will prepare you for many professional career opportunities. You also will be ready to go on for graduate work or to seek to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

Graduate Outcomes

Employment of accountants and auditors is projected to grow 11% through 2024, faster than the average for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Career opportunities for PennWest California business graduates are diverse, including positions such as accountant, banker, city manager, general manager, government agency administrator, hospital administrator, industrial relations manager, insurance agent, office manager, production manager, purchasing agent, sales manager, securities analyst and stock broker. Employers who hire PennWest California business graduates include Aflac, Allegheny Steel, Bank of America, Clear Channel Media, Jackson Hewitt, T-Mobile, Tyco Electronics, U.S. Postal Service and Walmart.

Accounting Degree (B.S)

Expert Faculty

Our highly qualified business and accounting faculty members have significant industry experience, as well as advanced degrees in their fields. They are dedicated to teaching PennWest California students the skills necessary for success in business. Our professors have earned MBAs and doctorates from such top schools as American University, City University of New York, George Washington University, Northeastern University, University of Rhode Island and Wayne State University.

Research Focus

PennWest California's undergraduate business administration programs emphasize the value of doing research. Students can work one-on-one with individual faculty members, or as part of the discipline-specific research methods course. Students also have the opportunity to work with PennWest California's Center for Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship. The Center is PennWest California's one-stop shop for all things related to starting and maintaining a successful business.

Student Recognition

Student achievement in PennWest California's business administration programs is recognized in several ways. Qualified students can become members of Omicron Delta Epsilon, an honorary economics fraternity; Phi Beta Lambda - Future Business Leaders; Student Accounting Association; Economics Club; Finance Club; American Marketing Association; and the Society for the Advancement of Management. Outstanding graduating seniors are recognized with awards for excellence.

B.S., Accounting Courses

Curriculum

Course	Credits
General Education Courses	40 or 41
Building a Sense of Community UNI 100 First-Year Seminar	1
Composition ENG 101 English Composition I	3
Public Speaking CDC 101 Public Speaking	3
Mathematics and Quantitative Literacy MAT 181 College Algebra	3
Health and Wellness Any Health and Wellness Course	3
Technological Literacy MIS 201 Management Info Systems	3
Humanities Any Humanities Course	3
Fine Arts Any Fine Arts Course	3
Natural Sciences Any Natural Science	3
Social Sciences PSY 100 General Psychology	3
General Education Options Any Ethics and Multicultural Awareness Emphasis Course ENG 211 Business Writing OR ENG 102 Composition II MAT 225 Business Statistics BUS 281 Management Science I	12

Business Core Courses	30
ACC 200 Financial Accounting	3
ACC 331 Cost Accounting	3
BUS 242 Business Law I	3
BUS 381 Management Science II	3
BUS 499 Integrated Strategic Capstone	3
ECO 201 Principles of Microeconomics	3
ECO 202 Principles of Macroeconomics	3
FIN 301 Financial Management	3
MGT 300 Principles of Management	3
MKT 300 Principles of Marketing	3

Required Major Courses	24
ACC 202 Accounting II	3
ACC 218 Federal Income Tax I	3
ACC 301 Intermediate Acc. I	3
ACC 302 Intermediate Acc. II	3
ACC 318 Federal Income Tax II	3
ACC 341 Non-Profit Accounting	3
ACC 401 Advanced Financial Acc.	3
ACC 441 Auditing	3

Related Electives	3
Select three credits from the following: ACC 491 Accounting Internship BUS 345 Business Ethics ACC, BUS, ECO, FIN, HRM, MGT, MIS or MKT courses, 300-level or above not already included in the "Business Core Courses" or "Required Major Courses" above	3

Required Minor/Certificate*	12

Free Electives	10 to 11

Total	120

Additional requirements, not counted toward the General Education requirements, include:

Special Experience Course (1 course required): Any Special Experience Course
Writing-Intensive Component Courses (2 courses required): BUS 499 Integrated Strategic Capstone AND Any ECO, MKT or MGT Writing-Intensive Course
Laboratory Course (1 course required): BUS 381 Management Science II

* Required Minor/Certificate: Students select one of the following minors or certificates: Finance, Forensic Accounting, Human Resource Management, Management, Management Information Systems, or Marketing or the Certificate in Innovation & Entrepreneurship or Certificate in Spanish for Business. Students may select a different minor or certificate, with the approval of their adviser.

These minors are 21 credits; however, 9 of these credits are required in the “Business Core Courses” above. The Innovation & Entrepreneurship Certificate requires 15 credits; however, 3 credits are included in the major courses above."

Program Note: Students who complete dual degrees or dual majors do not have to complete a minor or certificate.

B.S., Business Administration Programs

Bachelor's

Minors

Accounting
Arts Administration
Business
Economics
Finance
Management
Management Information Systems
Marketing

Business Administration Faculty

Dr. Stephanie Adam

Associate Professor; MBA Program Coordinator

Accounting Degree Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (B.S.B.A.)

About the Accounting Degree