Accounting and Business Law

The accounting program curriculum is tailored to address the demands confronted by today's professional accountant.

• Prior exposure to accountancy is not required for admission. Students are expected to develop proficiency in the general use of computer software programs dealing with database management, electronic spreadsheets and word processing.
• Students learn how to accumulate and summarize information, to analyze and interpret results and to present information that often becomes key to decision making.
• The program emphasizes the importance of communication skills, both written and oral. Successful accountants spend more time working with people than with numbers
• Student organizations include the Accounting Association, Phi Beta Lambda (business fraternity), Student Association for Fraud Examination and the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA).
• Starting salaries for graduates are in the $40,000 to $65,000 range and up.
• Many graduates become certified public accountants (CPAs), join corporations or enroll in graduate school, including the Master of Accounting program at Bloomsburg University.

Graduation Requirements

A minor in accounting provides students in disciplines outside of the Zeigler College of Business with a broad background in accounting and its functional areas. The minor is designed so students can have the background necessary to apply their major discipline in the business environment. The minor consists of 18 semester hours, 12 of which must be taken at Bloomsburg University.

» Minor in Accounting Requirement Sheet

The Minor in Fraud Examination is an interdisciplinary program designed to help students develop the tools necessary for a career in the fraud examination field. The Minor includes classes in Criminal Justice, Computer Forensics, Fraud Investigation, Fraud Examination, and Legal Aspects.

Our graduates work in public accounting, internal audit, industry, and government. A number of our graduates have completed the Certified Fraud Examiner exam.

» Minor in Fraud Examination Requirement Sheet

Legal Studies Minor

The minor in legal studies promotes the interdisciplinary study of law, enabling undergraduate students in any major to understand and make use of the diverse perspectives on law and the legal system in our complex and rapidly changing society. Legal studies enable graduates to become more effective citizens and participate in the shaping and application of law in the United States and around the world. It enhances the ability of graduates to integrate legal and other methodologies in gathering and evaluating data, making effective arguments, reaching consensus and solving the problems of the future.

The minor recognizes and capitalizes upon the contributions of faculty at Bloomsburg whose teaching and scholarship addresses topics in law and the humanities and social sciences and the impact of law on business, education and society. Faculty in English, philosophy, political science, geography and earth science and finance and business law serve on the interdisciplinary advisory board.

• Course Requirements
• Checklist

Law is fundamental to all aspects of contemporary society. The minor in legal studies provides an interdisciplinary framework for undergraduate students of all majors to investigate the cultural influences, ethical foundations, scientific advancements, and the governmental administration of law, along with the interplay between law and business. The courses in the minor enable students to understand the law and its myriad applications in the United States and around the world. It enhances the ability of graduates to think critically, resolve conflicts, understand the regulatory system, and participate in public policy decision-making.

Interdisciplinary Advisory Board:

John Hintz, Environmental, Geographical, and Geological Sciences
Steven Hales, Philosophy
Danny Robinson, English
Kelly Roth, Criminal Justice
Loren Selznick, Accounting - Business Law Program
Neil Strine, Political Science
Mark Usry, Accounting - Business Law Program

Bloomsburg's Master of Accountancy is designed for individuals who have already completed an undergraduate course of study in accounting and who need to complete graduate coursework to fulfill the AICPA 150 hour requirement for CPA certification.

The program consists of 10 courses (30 graduate credits: 21 Accounting, 3 Finance, and 6 Business Electives credits). Course descriptions are in the graduate catalog. Review for the CPA examination is incorporated into the course of study. Classes meet once or twice a week for 15 weeks in spring and fall semesters. Summer session courses are on-line or hybrid for 6 or 12 week sessions. Class meetings are on the Bloomsburg campus.

Those pursuing to be a licensed CPA in Pennsylvania must complete 150 hours of post-secondary education at an accredited school. Students who complete BU's undergraduate accounting program may fulfill all CPA educational requirements by staying for an additional year and completing either the Master of Accountancy (M.Acc.) or the Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) graduate program.

Professional licensure and certification laws and regulations vary from state to state and are subject to change without notice. If you're planning to pursue a professional credential in a state other than PA, it's highly recommended you contact the appropriate state licensing agency to seek guidance and verify requirements prior to starting a program. A Bloomsburg University program that leads to state licensure or certification in Pennsylvania may not meet requirements in another state. Visit bloomu.edu/state-authorization and nasba.org/stateboards for more information.