UMUC

School of Undergraduate Studies

Accounting

Students may seek either an academic major or minor in accounting.

Major in Accounting

The accounting major focuses on the processes for analyzing and reporting the economic activities of organizations and communicating that information to decision makers. The accounting curriculum includes studies in managerial accounting, budgeting, accounting systems, internal controls, financial analysis, financial reporting, internal and external auditing, taxation, international accounting, and accounting issues related to for-profit, not-forprofit, 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 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.
  • Identify the appropriate managerial and business issues critical to analyzing accounting data and other information used for identifying and assessing opportunities and risks, developing organizational plans, allocating resources, and accomplishing objectives.
  • Apply relevant accounting principles and standards to specific business activities and workplace situations.
  • Employ national, international, and historical perspectives to analyze accounting and business issues.
  • Identify ethical issues associated with accounting and business situations and apply appropriate principles of ethics and civic responsibility.
  • Use analytical and research tools to monitor evolving accounting standards and practices and to maintain professional skills in a changing business environment.
  • Apply the interpersonal and leadership skills expected of today’s accounting professional.

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, 41 credits in general education requirements, 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).

Accounting Major - Course Requirements

Coursework for a major in accounting, with a mandatory minor in business administration, includes the following:

Recommended Sequence

The following course sequence will fulfill all 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 advisor whenever taking advantage of other options.

Coursework for the major is indicated by ‡

First Courses (to be taken within the first 18 credits)

Note: Placement tests are required for math and writing courses.

  • EDCP 100 Principles and Strategies of Successful Learning (3) (strongly recommended as first course)
  • LIBS 150 Information Literacy and Research Methods (1)
  • WRTG 101/101X Introduction to Writing (3)
  • MATH 106 Finite Mathematics (3) or higher math course (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 behavioral and social sciences requirement)
  • NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3) and NSCI 101 Physical Science Laboratory (1) or other course(s) to fulfill the biological and physical sciences lecture and laboratory requirement
  • WRTG 291 Expository and Research Writing (3) or other course to fulfill the communications/writing requirement
  • IFSM 201 Introduction to Computer-Based Systems (3)
    or CMST 303 Advanced Application Software Foundation Courses (to be taken within the first 60 credits)

Foundation Courses (to be taken within the first 60 credits)

  • PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues (3) or a foreign language course or other ARTH, ARTT, HIST, HUMN, MUSC,  PHIL, THET, dance, or literature course to fulfill the arts and humanities requirement
  • ‡ STAT 230 Business Statistics (3) or STAT 200 Introduction to Statistics
  • ECON 203 Principles of Microeconomics (3) (related requirement for the major)
  • PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology (3) or SOCY 100 Introduction to Sociology or other course to fulfill the second behavioral and social sciences requirement (discipline must differ from first)
  • BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology (3) or ASTR 100 Introduction to Astronomy or other course to fulfill the biological and physical sciences lecture requirement
  • ‡ 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 arts and humanities requirement in historical perspective (discipline must differ from other humanities course)
  • ‡ ACCT 321 Cost Accounting (3)
  • SPCH 100 Foundations of Speech Communication (3) or WRTG 390 Writing for Managers or other course to fulfill the communications/ writing or speech requirement
  • 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 Taxation of Individuals (3)
  • ‡ BMGT 496 Business Ethics (3)
  • ‡ ACCT 422 Auditing Theory and Practice (3)
  • WRTG 394/394X Business Writing (3) or other course to fulfill the communications/ upper-level intensive writing requirement
  • ‡ ACCT 424 Advanced Accounting (3) or other upper-level ACCT course (supplemental major course)
  • ‡ ACCT 425 International Accounting (3) or other supplemental major course
  • ‡‡ FINC 330 Business Finance (3)
  • ‡ Any upper-level ACCT course (3) (supplemental major course)
  • ‡ BMGT 380 Business Law I (3)
  • ‡ A supplemental major course (3)
  • ‡ MRKT 310 Marketing Principles and Organization (3)

Capstone Course for Major (to be taken in the last 15 credits)

  • ‡ ACCT 495 Contemporary Issues in Accounting Practice (3)

Additional Elective Courses (to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses) (16)


Total credits for BS in accounting: 120