Accounting Graduate Credit Certificate Program

This graduate certificate program supplements the body of knowledge and educational credit requirements necessary for licensure as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in most states.

With program approval, all four courses in the certificate may be applied to the online Master of Professional Accounting degree, subject to restrictions outlined in GCAC-309 Transfer Credit. Certificate program students who wish to have the certificate courses applied to the master's degree program must formally be admitted to the master's degree program. Admission into the master's degree program is a separate application process and is not guaranteed. Upon admittance to the master's degree program, certificate courses completed with a grade of B or better may be transferred into the program.

Effective Semester: Spring 2026
Expiration Semester: Spring 2031

Admission Requirements

Applicants apply for admission to the program via the Graduate School application for admission. Requirements listed here are in addition to Graduate Council policies listed under GCAC-300 Admissions Policies. International applicants may be required to satisfy an English proficiency requirement; see GCAC-305 Admission Requirements for International Students for more information.

Ordinarily, an entering student will have successfully completed a baccalaureate degree in accounting or comparable accounting coursework. If the undergraduate major was not accounting, an applicant should have completed the following minimum core of accounting course work (or equivalent):

• financial and managerial accounting principles
• intermediate financial accounting I and II
• cost accounting
• federal taxation
• auditing

Certificate Requirements

Requirements listed here are in addition to requirements listed in Graduate Council policy GCAC-212 Postbaccalaureate Credit Certificate Programs.

Courses

Graduate courses carry numbers from 500 to 699 and 800 to 899. Advanced undergraduate courses numbered between 400 and 499 may be used to meet some graduate degree requirements when taken by graduate students. Courses below the 400 level may not. A graduate student may register for or audit these courses in order to make up deficiencies or to fill in gaps in previous education but not to meet requirements for an advanced degree.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate advanced accounting knowledge and technical skills necessary to prepare for CPA licensure and professional practice.
2. Identify accounting issues and conduct relevant research to support informed financial and managerial decision-making.
3. Apply professional accounting standards and regulations in preparing, analyzing, and auditing financial information.
4. Analyze and interpret financial data to communicate results effectively to colleagues, management, and stakeholders.
5. Incorporate ethical and legal considerations into accounting judgements and business decisions.
6. Develop tax planning and financial record management strategies to enhance organizational performance and compliance.

Professional Licensure/Certification

Many U.S. states and territories require professional licensure/certification to be employed. If you plan to pursue employment in a licensed profession after completing this program, please visit the Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures by State interactive map.

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