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 California University of Pennsylvania 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.

Undergraduate accounting majors complete 27 credits in the accounting concentration. 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.

Cal U'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 encouraged 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.

Cal U business graduates are well prepared for many different types of career opportunities. In addition, recent Cal U 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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Explore all of Cal U's business programs

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. Cal U business students also build valuable skills in critical thinking, communication and teamwork.

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18:1

Student-to-faculty ratio at Cal U.

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 Cal U 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 Cal U 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 Cal U 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

Cal U'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 Cal U's Center for Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship. The Center is Cal U's one-stop shop for all things related to starting and maintaining a successful business.

Student Recognition

Student achievement in Cal U'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
Freshman Year
First Semester	16
ECO 201 Principles of Microeconomics	3
ENG 101 English Composition I	3
MAT 181 College Algebra	3
UNI 100 First-Year Seminar	1
General Education Courses/Electives	6

Second Semester	15
BUS 281 Management Science I	3
ECO 202 Principles of Macroeconomics	3
ENG 211 Business Writing I	3
PSY 100 General Psychology	3
General Education Course/Elective	3

Sophomore Year
Third Semester	15
ACC 200 Financial Accounting	3
BUS 242 Business Law I	3
CDC 101 Public Speaking	3
MAT 225 Business Statistics	3
General Education Course/Elective	3

Fourth Semester	15
ACC 321 Managerial Accounting	3
BUS 381 Management Science II	3
MGT 300 Principles of Management	3
MKT 300 Principles of Marketing	3
General Education Course/Elective	3

Junior Year
Fifth Semester	15
FIN 301 Financial Management	3
MIS 201 Management Info Sys	3
Concentration/Business Electives	6
General Education Course/Elective	3

Sixth Semester	15
Concentration/Business Electives	9
General Education Courses/Electives	6

Senior Year
Seventh Semester	15
BUS 499 Integrated Strat. Capstone	3
Concentration/Business Electives	9
General Education Course/Elective	3

Eighth Semester	15
Concentration/Business Electives	9
General Education Course/Elective	6
Total	120

Program Requirements

Required Major Courses (30 credits)

ACC 200 Financial Accounting
ACC 321 Managerial Accounting
BUS 242 Business Law I
BUS 381 Management Science II
BUS 499 Integrated Strategic Capstone
ECO 201 Principles of Microeconomics
ECO 202 Principles of Macroeconomics
FIN 301 Financial Management
MGT 300 Principles of Management
MKT 300 Principles of Marketing

Concentration Courses (24 credits)

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

Related Electives (3 credits)

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 or Required Major Courses above

Required Minor/Certificate (12 credits*)

Students select one of the following minors or certificates: Accounting, 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.

Note: All students must complete a special experience course, a laboratory course and two writing-intensive courses.

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

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

About the Accounting Degree