Accounting, leading to a B.A. degree

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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:

Required Courses:

ECN 101 - Principles of Macroeconomics Course unit(s): 1
ECN 102 - Principles of Microeconomics Course unit(s): 1
MTH 119 - Statistical Analysis Course unit(s): 1
ACT 101 - Financial Accounting Course unit(s): 1
ACT 201 - Accounting Information Systems Course unit(s): 1
ACT 224 - Cost/Managerial Accounting Course unit(s): 1
ACT 320, 321 - Intermediate Accounting I Course unit(s): 1
ACT 322, 323 - Intermediate Accounting II Course unit(s): 1
ACT 326 - Concepts of Federal Taxation Course unit(s): 1
ACT 490 - CUE: Auditing & Assurance Services Course unit(s): 1

Elective Courses (choose two):

ACT 330 - Advanced Accounting Course unit(s): 1
ACT 334 - Fraud Examination Course unit(s): 1
BUS 130 - Business Law I Course unit(s): 1
BUS 132 - Business Law II Course unit(s): 1
BUS 236 - Management Course unit(s): 1
BUS 239 - Marketing Course unit(s): 1
ECN 332, 333 - Public Finance Course unit(s): 1
FIN 237 - Corporation Finance Course unit(s): 1
FIN 330 - Money, Banking, & Financial Markets Course unit(s): 1
FIN 490 - CUE: Advanced Topics in Financial Management Course unit(s): 1

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.