DEGREE AT A GLANCE:
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The Bachelor of Science in Accounting prepares students to succeed in various accounting careers in public accounting, governmental accounting, & not-for-profit accounting. Students gain the theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and research skills needed to address complex accounting issues.
Program ObjectivesIn addition to the institutional and general education level learning objectives, the Bachelor of Science in Accounting also seeks the following specific learning outcomes of its graduates. With reference to each of the respective areas of accounting, graduates in this degree program will be able to:
Admission RequirementsAmerican Public University is part of American Public University System, a regionally accredited university offering more than 100 degree and certificate programs at the associate, bachelor's, and master's levels. All courses are online, so students have the flexibility of taking classes any time or any place that fits their schedule. Our degree programs are designed to be challenging and relevant to working adults in both the public and private sectors and can help enhance their current career or prepare them for a career change. Students come to our university from across the globe with varying educational backgrounds and diverse educational and career goals. Choose the category below that best describes you:
Our 5-step admissions process will allow you to apply for admission, complete your new student orientation, request a transfer credit evaluation, apply for Federal Student Aid, and register for classes. Get started today! Have Questions? Core Requirements 42 Hours NAME DESCRIPTION CREDITS ACCT100 Accounting I 3 hours Introduction to the purposes of financial accounting statements and the recognition, measurement, and disclosure concepts and methods underlying financial statements. Focus is on using and interpreting financial statements and on understanding the impact of transactions and events on financial statements and financial ratios. Students must have access to Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel software, Pre Reqs: College Algebra(MATH110) ACCT101 Accounting II 3 hours A continuation of Accounting I, this course includes study of managerial concepts, analysis of financial statements, internal controls, and contemporary accounting standards, practices, and issues. Students must have access to Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel software. (Prerequisite: ACCT100). Pre Reqs: Accounting I(ACCT100) BUSN310 Business Theory 3 hours This course provides an understanding of the corporation, each of the business functions (to include accounting, finance, marketing, technology, management, and planning), and the relations between and among functions in the operation of the firm. BUSN311 Law and Ethics in the Business Environment 3 hours This course develops skills for inquiry into the business environment from a legal and ethical perspective. Students explore the relationships between modern business and the environment, in addition to the ethical issues that arise when diverse interests intersect. Relevant topics will include contracts, commercial law (sales, secured transactions and creditors remedies), forms of business entities (including limited liability companies and corporations), agency, employer-employee relationships, real property concepts, bankruptcy, and negligence and strict liability concepts. Students will examine corporate governance and business ethics, with emphasis on case studies. BUSN312 Operations Research 3 hours This course introduces Operations Research and includes the application of operations research and management science techniques to management decision problems. Operations research techniques and methods can be applied to problems in virtually all-functional areas of business including accounting, finance, marketing, production and human resources. Examples from each of these areas will be covered during the course. A feature of the course is that Microsoft Excel is used to implement some of the techniques covered. This means that you will become proficient in using Excel; the most widely used electronic spreadsheet in business today. (Prerequisite: MATH110, MATH225) Pre Reqs: College Algebra(MATH110),College Trigonometry(MATH111),Calculus(MATH225) BUSN313 Global and Competitive Strategy 3 hours This course is concerned with the formulation and analysis of business strategy. Business strategy is the set of objectives and policies that collectively determine how a business positions itself to increase its returns and create economic value for its owners and stakeholders. Students will be introduced to analytical techniques for diagnosing the competitive position of a business, evaluating business strategies, and identifying and analyzing specific business options. BUSN419 International Business Management 3 hours This course focuses on the organization, management strategies, and essential operations of international business and cross cultural management. It provides a managerial perspective and a framework of analysis for examining the similarities and differences in the philosophy and practices of management around the world. Topics include the methods and importance of effective strategic planning when organizing and administering international marketing, finance, and human resource management areas toward efficient business, government, and global market relationships. By focusing on the analysis of national and organizational cultures and the impact of individual behaviors, the course gives a strong basis for managers to successfully manage in different countries and different populations. ECON101 Microeconomics 3 hours Microeconomics is an overview course that covers how households (consumers), firms (producers), and governments interact in competitive and other markets to set prices, and determine what and how much is produced. Key concepts introduced include the role of scarcity and choice, incentives and competition, and the law of supply and demand. ECON102 Macroeconomics 3 hours Introduction to Macroeconomics is a survey course that builds on the topics covered and skills developed in ECON101 (Microeconomics) in order to present a complete picture of the economy. Macroeconomics shows how consumers and markets fit into the overall or aggregated economy and provides a framework to assess government policies. Key topics covered will include economic cycles (growth and recession), economic indicators and measures and interest rates and money supply. FINC400 Principles of Financial Management 3 hours This course is an overview study of the concepts and techniques in corporate finance. Topics include investments, financial environment, securities markets, financial markets, financial statements and analysis, working capital management, capital budgeting, cost of capital, dividend policy, asset valuation, and decision-making. Students must have access to Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel software. MATH302 Statistics 3 hours This is an interactive course designed to help students achieve a greater understanding of the statistical methods and models available to analyze and solve the wide variety of problems encountered in business, science, medicine, education, the social sciences, and other disciplines. Successful completion of this course will provide students with a working knowledge of the principles of both descriptive and inferential statistics, probability, averages and variations, normal probability distributions, sampling distributions, confidence intervals, statistical hypothesis tests, and correlation and regression analyses. The emphasis of the course will be on the proper use of statistical techniques and their application in real life -- not on mathematical proofs. This course will use Microsoft Excel for some of the work. Students should have a basic familiarity with Excel and have access to this software application. Prerequisite: MATH110 - College Algebra. Pre Reqs: College Algebra(MATH110) MGMT310 Principles and Theory of Management 3 hours This course is a study of the management process including planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling. Topics include the classical and contemporary management theories that provide a foundation for the manager in today's business environment. (Note to Students: The course materials, assignments, learning outcomes, and expectations in this upper level undergraduate course assume that the student has completed all lower level general education and career planning coursework necessary to develop research, writing, and critical thinking skills. Students who have not fulfilled all general education requirements through courses or awarded transfer credit should strongly consider completing these requirements prior to registering for this course. MGMT314 Management Ethics 3 hours This course is a study of the moral and ethical responsibilities of managers in the conduct of daily activity inside and outside of the business enterprise. The morality of profit-making, fair and equal treatment of employees, and the responsibility of the business firm to the society in which it exists are analyzed and discussed. Equally stressed will be the idea of the individual's responsibility within the organization. MKTG300 Principles and Theory of Marketing 3 hours This course is a comprehensive survey of marketing activities and the function of marketing in our economic system. Course topics include the analysis of markets, competition, consumer behavior, and the assessment of product, price, distribution, and promotion strategies. Major Requirements 27 Hours NAME DESCRIPTION CREDITS ACCT301 Intermediate Accounting I 3 hours This course examines the accounting process including the adoption of the International Accounting standards (IAS) and reporting of financial reporting (e.g., balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flows). Students must have access to Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel software. (Prerequisite: ACCT101) Pre Reqs: Accounting II(ACCT101) ACCT302 Intermediate Accounting II 3 hours Students will study accounting theory and practices associated with corporate accounting issues of pensions, leases, bonds, and investments and earnings per share. Students will also study the effects of time value of money and how it applies to business decisions. An in-depth analysis of liabilities, stockholder’s equity, and accounting changes and errors analysis are also reviewed in this course. Students must have access to Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel software. Prerequisite: ACCT301 Pre Reqs: Intermediate Accounting I(ACCT301) ACCT303 Intermediate Accounting III 3 hours A survey of the financial reporting process, a detailed study of financial statements, and an analysis of generally accepted accounting principles. Students must have access to Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel software. Prerequisite: ACCT302 Pre Reqs: Intermediate Accounting II(ACCT302) ACCT305 Accounting Information Systems 3 hours This course applies the practical application of accrual-basis accounting through the use of accounting software. Students will gain experience in integrated software designed to handle general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, financial statement analysis, fixed assets, sales order processing, inventory, and payroll. Students must have access to Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel software. Prerequisite: ACCT101 Pre Reqs: Accounting II(ACCT101) ACCT400 Auditing 3 hours This course examines the role of the auditor in a global business environment. The course covers the scope of auditing, the rules governing the professional ethics of the Certified Public Accountant, the auditing process, and the legal liabilities and responsibilities of an auditor. Students must have access to Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel software. Prerequisite: ACCT303. Pre Reqs: Intermediate Accounting III(ACCT303) ACCT405 Managerial Accounting 3 hours Students will analyze how internal accounting information can be used to support management in planning and controlling business activities. Topics covered range from (analysis of) financial statement analysis, job order cost systems, cost-volume-profit analysis, budgeting, performance evaluation using standard costs, differential analysis, and product pricing. Students must have access to Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel software. ACCT410 Governmental and Not-for-Profit Accounting 3 hours This course emphasizes the accounting principles and reporting requirements for government units and not-for-profit entities. Topics include the accounting cycle, budgeting and fund accounting, and accounting for state and local governments, colleges and universities, and for not-for-profit organizations. Students must have access to Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel software. Prerequisite ACCT301 Pre Reqs: Intermediate Accounting I(ACCT301) ACCT415 Law for Accountants 3 hours To develop a sound understanding of the nature of law and an appreciation of the role of law within which an Accountant operates. A study of an area of law of particular importance to business, including contracts, sales, negotiable instruments, secured transactions, agency, partnerships, and corporations. Students must have access to Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel software. ACCT420 Individual Federal Taxes 3 hours Students will be introduced to procedures for analyzing tax information on an individual federal tax basis. The following material will be covered in this course: analysis of gross income, income exclusions, adjusted gross income, deductions, exemptions, and credits. Students must have access to Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel software. (Prerequisite: ACCT100) Pre Reqs: Accounting I(ACCT100) Institutional Requirements 3 Hours NAME DESCRIPTION CREDITS COLL100 Foundations of Online Learning 3 hours This course is designed to provide a solid foundation for undergraduate study in the online environment. Students will be introduced to learning theory, the tools available in the online classroom and campus, and online research. Identification of personal learning style allows students to improve their study/learning techniques and prepares them to succeed in college level courses. Students will be introduced to formatting and citation styles. APUS policy and procedure is addressed. There is an emphasis on written communication to assist students in the transition to the online environment. General Education 38 Hours NAME DESCRIPTION CREDITS Final Program Requirement 3 Hours NAME DESCRIPTION CREDITS ACCT499 Senior Seminar in Accounting 3 hours The Capstone course is a senior level course designed to allow the student to review, analyze, and integrate the work the student has completed toward a degree in Accounting. The students will examine a number of real-world cases that relate to auditing and accounting issues, and students will prepare an approved academic project or paper that demonstrates mastery of their program of study in a meaningful culmination of their learning and to assess their level of mastery of the stated outcomes of their degree requirements. Students must complete ALL Core and Major courses prior to this course. Students must have access to Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel software. Students must have a SENIOR standing to register. General Electives 9 Hours Electives are typically courses available at your degree level that are not currently required as a part of your degree program/academic plan. Please visit the catalog to view a complete listing of courses. |
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The following program details are intended to help you make an informed decision about the university that's right for you.
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