2020-2021 Academic Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Accounting, A.B.


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Major Requirements


In order to declare and remain an accounting major in good standing, a student must achieve and maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 in courses applicable to the major.  Major requirements must be taken at Muhlenberg unless prior written permission is obtained from the department chair or accounting coordinator.  Students majoring in accounting cannot take accounting, business, economics, or finance courses on a pass/fail basis to complete any major requirement.

Because of the many special options and programs available to accounting majors, all students should carefully plan their programs in consultation with their faculty advisor to make sure that they meet graduation requirements and, if applicable, state CPA licensing or graduate program requirements.

A major in accounting must complete 12 courses as outlined below:

Note:


Although there are no prescribed combinations of electives, students should choose electives only after close consultation with their faculty advisor.  Electives can and should be enrolled with some specific objective in mind.  Certain graduate programs and career paths may require that the student take more than the 12 courses specified above to be adequately prepared to enter the program or profession.  Internship opportunities are also available to accounting majors although they do not count toward the major requirements.

150 Semester Hour Options


In order to provide flexibility to students who choose to meet the standards set by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and many state governments for entry into the accounting profession, the accounting major at Muhlenberg can be taken in conjunction with graduate programs offered by other institutions or can be expanded to include additional coursework.

Option 1: Accounting Major and Additional Coursework


Students graduate with approximately 38 units by completing the accounting major and the bachelor degree requirements AND choosing additional courses above and beyond graduation requirements for an A.B. in accounting.  Each state has its own specific course requirements for the CPA license, so students are encouraged to discuss their choice of additional courses with their advisors early in their accounting major.

Option 2: Accounting Major and Graduate Degree from Another Institution


Students enroll four years at Muhlenberg and one year at another institution.  They graduate with an A.B. in accounting from Muhlenberg and receive a graduate degree from the other institution.  We currently have an articulation agreement with Lehigh University which has a Master of Science in Accounting and Information Analysis program.  This allows students who carefully plan their coursework at Muhlenberg and who have strong academic records to be admitted into Lehigh’s program for a fifth year of education.  Many other universities have masters programs that are similar.

Option 3: Accounting Major


Students complete the accounting major and bachelor degree requirements.  At some later time, they enroll additional coursework to fulfill the 150 semester hour requirement.  Choosing this option, will most likely limit job placement opportunities.  Many professional services (CPA) firms require that students obtain 150 semester hours by the time they begin work.

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