Union Graduate College - School of Management

MBA with Accounting Focus

Prepare for the CPA exam and a more promising business career

The Union Graduate College MBA program serves as excellent preparation for students who plan to take the CPA exam soon after graduation. The program is even more valuable for students who take a longer view�those who look beyond the exam to aspirations of making partner, serving on an executive team or even leading an organization.

For many students, the Union Graduate College MBA with Accounting Focus is a better alternative to an MS in Accounting. Both degrees provide the 30 additional hours of coursework required to become a CPA. But our degree program adds the management, marketing, operations and leadership skills that are essential for those who want to advance their careers.

A Highly Regarded, More Versatile Degree�in One Year

Students who have an undergraduate degree in accounting may be able to complete our MBA program in as little as one year�the same amount of time required in the more narrowly focused MS in Accounting degree �students can earn a degree that prepares them not just for the upcoming CPA exam but also to achieve longer-term career goals.

We recognize that undergraduate accounting majors may have completed relevant prior coursework. Therefore, depending on their transcripts, students may qualify to waive graduate courses. Students may waive up to eight core courses in subjects such as financial accounting, managerial accounting, corporate finance, business law, and economics. On average, accounting students waive about four courses based on undergraduate course work. This reduces the course load considerably.

A Sample One-Year Schedule
Following is a typical schedule for students who waive the maximum of eight core courses.

Summer trimester: Two courses

Fall trimester: Four courses

Winter trimester: Three courses

Spring trimester: Three courses

A 400-Hour Internship
All students gain firsthand accounting experience during a required 400-hour internship. The goal is to give students the opportunity to apply the lessons of the classroom while building their resumes. All courses are scheduled at night, so students can fulfill the internship requirement during the day. Since virtually all internships are paid positions, many students use the income earned during their internship to help cover education expenses.

Students work with a full-time internship coordinator and with Professor John DeJoy, Program Director, to secure an internship that reflects their interests and career goals.

Admission Procedure and Requirements
Union Graduate College accepts applications on a rolling admission basis. Qualified students may take up to three courses on a non-matriculated basis before completing the application process.

To apply:

Contact Professor John DeJoy, Program Director, via email or at 518-631-9885 to discuss the program or arrange to have your transcript reviewed for course waiver eligibility. (Note: Generally an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 is required to be considered for admission.)
Complete and submit the necessary application materials. These are available here and include:
- Application form
- Essay
- Three recommendations
- Resume
- Transcript
- GMAT (minimum score of 500). The GRE will be accepted in lieu of the GMAT.

Course Requirements for CPA Licensure

All states require that applicants for CPA licensure meet specific educational requirements to achieve licensure. Licensure rules stipulate that applicants complete a total of 150 semester hours of coursework including specific �Accounting Content� courses completed at the bachelor�s level.

For a listing of Accounting Content Area Courses that are typically completed at the undergraduate level: Accounting Content Area Pre-requisite Courses

The Union Graduate College MBA with Accounting Focus program along with a bachelor�s in Accounting will meet all course requirements. If you have not completed all of the pre-requisite �Accounting Content� courses, a UGC academic adviser will work with you on a plan to meet them.

For more information about the admissions process, please contact:
Rhonda Sheehan, Director of Admissions and Registrar
518-631-9835

Degree Programs

Masters of Business
Administration > - Description > - Curriculum > - Courses > - Admission Prerequisites >
MBA in Healthcare
Management > - Description > - Curriculum > - Courses > - Admission Prerequisites >
MBA - Accounting Focus >
Accelerated MBA with
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Union Graduate College 80 Nott Terrace, Schenectady, NY 12308 US Phone: (518) 631-9910 Fax: (518) 631-9901
Educating Graduate students from Albany, Schenectady, Upstate New York�s Capital Region, United States, and around the World.