Accounting
Why Study Accounting
The undergraduate accounting program at Shippensburg University will provide you with the knowledge and skills to become a successful professional accountant. The breadth of our program prepares graduates for a number of different career opportunities. Accounting is a high-demand, high-salaried field. Hospitals, insurance companies, charitable organizations, schools and universities all require the services of accountants.
If you exhibit a strong scholastic aptitude, excel in your academic performance, and possess accounting-related work experience, you may wish to apply for the accelerated 5-Year BSBA/MBA Program in Accounting. Contact the department with specific questions about admission requirements.
Shippensburg University's undergraduate accounting program offers small class sizes and plenty of opportunities for one-on-one contact with faculty members. Classes are taught by professionals with both a strong theoretical understanding of business administration and a working knowledge of modern accounting practices. Our faculty has a diverse range of professional backgrounds, including government financial management, personal finance, portfolio analysis and more.
Ship has a well-established Business Internship Program that provides opportunities for on-the-job experience while gaining college credits. While participation is not mandatory for the completion of an entrepreneurship concentration, you can earn one full credit hour to every equivalent of a 40-hour workweek you finish. You can earn a maximum of nine credits. Internships often turn into job offers, according to post-graduate surveys of Ship business students.
The constant demand for skilled accountants in business, government and non-profit organizations means you will have many rewarding opportunities for beginning your career. Today's accountants fulfill a variety of roles, from big-picture budgeting to research and analysis. Many accountants end up in managerial roles where strong people skills are an asset. Others will apply their problem solving abilities to taxation and internal auditing.
Shippensburg's undergraduate accounting degree program focuses on equipping you for success in a 21st century workforce. Required courses cover everything from organizational behavior to marketing and business administration.
The average salary for accounting jobs in PA is $56,000.
To graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in Accounting, you need to complete 120 credits in the following areas:
- General Education Courses: All students are required to complete the university's general education program, which provides a balanced liberal arts foundation.
- Business Core Curriculum: All Business Administration majors take the same core curriculum. This core includes economics, finance, information systems, marketing, organization behavior, and business law as well as other business subjects. See the Business BSBA Core Requirements for complete course listings.
- Accounting Courses: The courses required of the major provide students with the academic background necessary to be successful in the accounting profession. The Accounting program page has a complete list of courses.
The College of Business offers a business minor. You are required to take a total of 18 credits, including the general education prerequisites for the program. The first prerequisite is ECN101 Principles of Macroeconomics OR ECN102 Principles of Microeconomics OR ECN113 Principles of Economics. The second prerequisite is the completion of MAT140 Finite Math, a higher-level mathematics course, or a Math SAT score of 550 or higher.
The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree programs at Shippensburg University are accredited by AACSB International. In order to maintain the high quality of our AACSB-accredited programs, students will be required to participate in student outcomes assessment efforts that are designed to continuously improve the quality of our programs and services.
There are a number of clubs you can participate in to learn more about your area of study outside the classroom in the John L. Grove College of Business. Student Professional Organizations will provide you with a variety of opportunities to develop professional contacts, enhance your course of study with hands-on application, and build lasting friendships within the business community. Join the Accounting Club and you can volunteer in community service, visit local businesses, and share your academic and internship experiences.