Accounting, Minor

Accounting is the language of business, and as such is a critical part of our society in the U.S. and globally. It is not only important to business organizations, but also to nonprofit, governmental and other entities not specifically oriented to the for-profit world.

The accounting profession offers numerous career opportunities, with many diverse paths to follow. The Accounting major serves as initial preparation for students wishing to pursue a career as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)* or many other professional accounting paths, including Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Financial Planner (CFP), and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE). One of the greatest benefits of studying accounting within a liberal arts environment is the unique combination of courses students take - not just in accounting, but also in the humanities and social sciences. Accounting majors have attended top-ranked graduate programs, as well as worked for Big Four accounting firms.

*In order to be eligible to sit for the CPA examination, 30 additional semester hours are required beyond the 120 semester hours needed for graduation. Students graduating with an accounting major will have at least 120 semester hours upon graduation, but may not have the 150 semester hours needed to become a CPA.

Accounting is also offered as a concentration for Business Administration majors; please see the Business Administration page of the course catalog for additional details.

Student Learning Objectives

Three student learning outcomes for the required courses in the Accounting major have been identified:

1. Demonstrate competency in breadth of knowledge of accounting principles.
2. Demonstrate competency in using various accounting tools.
3. Integrate knowledge previously gained and develop experience in application of knowledge, research, and critical thinking.

Three goals in liberal studies are met through selection of appropriate general education courses:

1. Understanding the historical and political context of business.
2. Developing an awareness of the dimensions of human behavior as individuals and in organizations.
3. Understanding the issues in philosophy and values which influence the business environment.