Accounting
Students may seek either an academic major or minor in accounting.
Major in Accounting
The accounting major combines theory and practice to prepare students for analysis of and reporting on the economic activities of organizations and communication of that information to decision makers. Students develop skills in managerial accounting, budgeting, accounting systems, internal controls, financial analysis, financial reporting, internal and external auditing, taxation, and international accounting. The major prepares students for a range of accounting careers in profit, not-for-profit, and government organizations.
Objectives
The student who graduates with a major in accounting will be able to
- Employ critical-thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills to resolve complex business and accounting issues.
- Use clear and concise communication to convey relevant financial and nonfinancial information.
- Use technology and analytical and research tools to facilitate and enhance accounting and financial reporting processes.
- Identify the appropriate managerial and business issues critical to analyzing accounting data and other information used for describing and assessing opportunities and risks.
- Apply relevant accounting principles and standards to specific business activities.
- Identify ethical and regulatory issues associated with accounting and business situations.
Degree Requirements
A degree with a major in accounting requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework including 54 credits for the major and mandatory minor in business administration (indicated by
); 41 credits in general education requirements (GERs); and 25 credits in electives and other requirements. At least 18 credits in the major and 9 credits in the minor must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above).
Requirements for the Accounting Major
Coursework for a major in accounting with a mandatory minor in business administration includes the following:
- Required courses (21 credits): ACCT 220, 221, 310, 311, 321, 323, and 422
- Supplemental major courses (12 credits): any upper-level ACCT courses
- Required capstone course (3 credits): ACCT 495
- Required minor courses (18 credits): BMGT 364, 380, and 496; FINC 330; MRKT 310; STAT 230 (or STAT 200)
- Required related courses (9 credits) which may be applied anywhere in the degree: ACCT 326 (or IFSM 300), and ECON 201 and 203
Recommended Sequence
The following course sequence will fulfill all of the requirements for the BS in accounting. Since some recommended courses fulfill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may make it necessary to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Students should consult an academic advisor whenever taking advantage of other options. Information on alternate courses (where allowable) to fulfill general education requirements (in communications, arts and humanities, behavioral and social sciences, biological and physical sciences, mathematics, and interdisciplinary issues) may be found in the General Education Requirements.
Accounting Major Courses
First Courses
(to be taken within the first 18 credits)
Note: Placement tests are required for math and writing courses.
LIBS 150 Information Literacy and Research Methods (1)
WRTG 101/101X Introduction to Writing (3)
MATH 103 College Mathematics (3)
or MATH 107 College Algebra
or a higher-level math course
BMGT 110 Introduction to Business and Management 3
(strongly recommended elective for students with no prior business experience)
ACCT 220
Principles of Accounting I (3)
Introductory Courses
(to be taken within the first 30 credits)
ACCT 221
Principles of Accounting II (3)
ECON 201 Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
(related requirement for the major; also fulfills the first general education requirement in behavioral and social sciences.)
NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3)
and NSCI 101 Physical Science Laboratory (1)
or other course(s) to fulfill the general education requirement in biological and physical sciences with related laboratory
WRTG 291 Expository and Research Writing (3)
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in communications/writing
IFSM 201 Introduction to Computer-Based Systems (3)
or CMST 303 Advanced Application Software
Foundation Courses
(to be taken within the first 60 credits)
PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues (3)
or other ARTH, ARTT, HIST, HUMN, MUSC, PHIL, THET, dance, literature,
or foreign language course to fulfill the first general education requirement in arts and humanities
STAT 230
Business Statistics (3)
or STAT 200 Introduction to Statistics
ECON 203 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
(related requirement for accounting major)
PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology (3)
or SOCY 100 Introduction to Sociology
or other course to fulfill the second general education requirement in behavioral and social sciences
(discipline must differ from first)
BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology (3)
or ASTR 100 Introduction to Astronomy
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in biological and physical sciences
ACCT 310
Intermediate Accounting I (3)
HIST 142 Western Civilization II (3)
or HIST 157 History of the United States Since 1865
or other ARTH
or HIST course to fulfill the general education requirement in arts and humanities for the historical perspective
(discipline must differ from other humanities course)
ACCT 321
Cost Accounting (3)
SPCH 100 Foundations of Speech Communication (3)
or SPCH 101 Introduction to Public Speaking
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in communications/writing
or speech
ACCT 326 Accounting Information Systems (3)
or IFSM 300 Information Systems in Organizations
(fulfills the interdisciplinary issues/computing requirement; students should note prerequisites)
Additional Required Courses
(to be taken after introductory and foundation courses)
BMGT 364
Management and Organization Theory (3)
ACCT 311
Intermediate Accounting II (3)
ACCT 323
Federal Income Tax I (3)
BMGT 496
Business Ethics (3)
ACCT 422
Auditing Theory and Practice (3)
WRTG 394/394X Advanced Business Writing (3)
or other course to fulfill the upper-level advanced writing requirement
ACCT 424
Advanced Accounting 3
or other course to fulfill the major requirement for upper-level coursework
(See Requirements for the Major)
ACCT 425
International Accounting (3)
or other course to fulfill the major requirement for upper-level coursework
(See Requirements for the Major)
FINC 330
Business Finance (3)
ACCT 436
Internal Auditing (3)
or other supplemental major course
(See Requirements for the Major)
BMGT 380
Business Law I (3)
ACCT 427
Advanced Auditing (3)
or other supplemental major course
(See Requirements for the Major)
MRKT 310
Marketing Principles (3)
Capstone Course for Major
(to be taken in last 15 credits)
ACCT 495
Contemporary Issues in Accounting Practice (3)
Additional Elective Courses
(to be taken in last 60 credits along with required major courses) 19
Total credits for BS in accounting 120
Minor in Accounting
The accounting minor complements the skills the student gains in his or her major discipline by providing a study of how the accounting environment measures and communicates the economic activities of organizations to enable stakeholders to make informed decisions regarding the allocation of limited resources.
Objectives
The student who graduates with a minor in accounting will be able to
- Employ critical-thinking, analytical, and problem solving skills to resolve business and accounting issues.
- Use clear and concise communication to convey relevant financial and nonfinancial information to the target audience so that decision makers can formulate informed decisions and take action.
- Utilize technology (such as computers, accounting software, information databases, and the World Wide Web) to facilitate and enhance accounting and financial reporting processes.
- Apply relevant accounting principles and standards to specific business activities and workplace situations.
- Identify ethical issues associated with accounting and business situations and apply appropriate principles of ethics and civic responsibility.
Requirements for the Minor
A minor in accounting requires the completion of 15 credits in accounting (any ACCT course). Courses may not duplicate those used to meet the requirements for the major. At least 9 credits must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above). Prerequisites apply for all courses.
For a listing of all the requirements for the bachelor’s degree, students should refer to their major and and the General Education Requirements.
UMUC Europe Undergraduate Catalog 2009-2010. (pdf 3.2MB)
Last updated: 10 August 2009
