Bachelor of Professional Accountancy (B.P.A.)

The objective of the Bachelor of Professional Accountancy (B.P.A.) curriculum sequence is to prepare the student for a career in professional accounting. This program would satisfy the 150-hour (five year) requirement to sit for the CPA examination. It would also provide in-depth preparation beyond the B.B.A. in accounting for other certification examinations–or for those who desire additional preparation in a specific area of accounting.

Candidates applying for CPA licensure must complete 3 hours of business communication and 3 hours of computer technology. The business communication requirement is fulfilled by completing ENGL 300 (Writing in the Professions) and COMM 105A (Fundamentals of Communication). Students who have completed the equivalent of either of these courses at another institution may find it necessary to petition for a substitution. At present, the Licensing Board may not have the course syllabus on file for a course that was taken at another college or university. If this is the case, the candidate must submit copies of the course syllabus for review by the Board. The computer technology requirement is met by taking 3 credits of computer technology courses consisting of any combination of ECON 151 (2 credits, Computer Applications in Business), a computer application course from the Computer Science Department, ACCT 419 (Accounting Software Applications) and ACCT 318 (E-Busines: Measurement, Audit and Security). This combination of courses must total at least 3 credit hours. Neither MGT 325 (Management Information Systems) nor ACCT 414 (Accounting Information Systems) will fulfill this requirement at the present time. A minor is not required.