Major in Accounting
The undergraduate Accounting major is a 120-unit program. The program provides transition to our specialized M.S. in Accounting and Business Advisory Services, which is designed to complete the 150 units required for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensing in Maryland and many other states.
In order to assure that students have retained critical information from prior courses, students take a comprehensive examination on business content as part of the capstone course, MNGT 481. The results of this examination serve as 10 percent of the MNGT 481 grade. MNGT 481 requires senior standing and completion of FIN 331, MKTG 341, MNGT 361, EBTM 365 and BUSX 301. MNGT 481 is only taught during the fall and spring semesters.
This is a screened program. Please see the admission requirements for additional information.
Accounting Major
Accounting is a screened major. Admission to the Accounting major requires:
- An average GPA of 2.7 or higher in the six lower-level business courses (listed below).
- An average GPA of 2.7 or higher in the three upper-level accounting courses required for admission to the major (listed below)
- A cumulative GPA of 2.30 or higher in all course work.
A grade of C or higher is necessary for each course required for admission.
No more than nine (9) units in Accounting will be accepted toward admission to the Accounting major from another higher education institution that is regionally and/or AACSB accredited. The nine (9) units are courses that are equivalent to ACCT 201, ACCT 202, or ACCT 301. At least 50% of the required units in this major must be completed at Towson University. The department will also consider courses equivalent to ACCT 302, ACCT 341 and ACCT 361 for transfer from accredited Maryland community colleges and other institutions.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Lower-Level Business Courses Required for Admission to the Major | ||
| ACCT 201 | PRINCIPLES OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING | 3 |
| ACCT 202 | PRINCIPLES OF MANAGERIAL ACCOUNTING | 3 |
| ECON 201 | MICROECONOMIC PRINCIPLES | 3 |
| or ECON 203 | HONORS MICROECONOMIC PRINCIPLES | |
| ECON 202 | MACROECONOMIC PRINCIPLES | 3 |
| or ECON 204 | HONORS MACROECONOMIC PRINCIPLES | |
| LEGL 225 | LEGAL ENVIRONMENT OF BUSINESS | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| STATISTICS FOR BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS I | ||
| BASIC STATISTICS | ||
or MATH 233 | HONORS BASIC STATISTICS | |
| Upper-Level Accounting Courses Required for Admission to the Major | ||
| ACCT 301 | INTERMEDIATE ACCOUNTING I | 3 |
| ACCT 302 | INTERMEDIATE ACCOUNTING II 1 | 3 |
| ACCT 341 | MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING I 2 | 3 |
| or ACCT 361 | TAX ACCOUNTING I | |
| Additional Required Business Courses | ||
| BUSX 301 | BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS | 4 |
| BUSX 460 | PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE | 3 |
| EBTM 300 | PROBLEM SOLVING IN BUSINESS | 3 |
| EBTM 365 | PRINCIPLES OF OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT | 3 |
| FIN 331 | PRINCIPLES OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT | 3 |
| MKTG 341 | MARKETING AND CREATIVITY | 3 |
| MNGT 361 | LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT | 3 |
| MNGT 481 | STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT (must be taken at TU) | 3 |
| Select one of the following international courses: | 3 | |
| INTERNATIONAL ACCOUNTING | ||
| SURVEY OF INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS | ||
| INTERNATIONAL FINANCE | ||
| GLOBAL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT | ||
| GLOBAL MARKETING | ||
| INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS: THEORY AND PRACTICE | ||
| Other Required Courses | ||
| COMM 131 | PUBLIC SPEAKING | 3 |
| or COMM 215 | INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION | |
| or COMM 315 | BUSIN & PROF COMM | |
| LEGL 226 | BUSINESS LAW | 3 |
| MNGT 282 | BUSINESS ETHICS AND SUSTAINABILITY | 3 |
| or PHIL 371 | BUSINESS ETHICS | |
| Upper-Level Accounting Courses | ||
| ACCT 300 | ACCOUNTING INFORMATION SYSTEMS | 3 |
| ACCT 303 | INTERMEDIATE ACCOUNTING III | 3 |
| ACCT 361 | TAX ACCOUNTING I 4 | 3 |
| or ACCT 341 | MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING I | |
| ACCT 401 | AUDITING I | 3 |
| ACCT 421 | ADVANCED ACCOUNTING | 3 |
| Accounting Electives | ||
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| TAX ACCOUNTING II | ||
| AUDITING II | ||
| GOVERNMENTAL AND NOT-FOR PROFIT ACCOUNTING | ||
| INTERNATIONAL ACCOUNTING 5 | ||
| FINANCIAL STATEMENT ANALYTICS & VALUATION | ||
| MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING II | ||
| FORENSIC ACCOUNTING AND FRAUD EXAMINATION | ||
| SUSTAINABILITY ACCOUNTING | ||
| ACCOUNTING SYSTEMS & ANALYSIS | ||
| INDEPENDENT RESEARCH IN ACCOUNTING 7 | ||
| ACCOUNTING INTERNSHIP 6, 7 | ||
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| While this elective may be taken from any discipline, it is recommended that students take an additional Accounting elective from above or any of these recommended courses. | ||
| WRITING FOR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY | ||
| INVESTMENTS AND EQUITY SECURITY ANALYSIS | ||
| FINANCIAL MODELING IN CORPORATE FINANCE | ||
| FUNDAMENTALS OF FINANCIAL PLANNING | ||
| Total Units | 91 | |
- 1
Will accept the transfer equivalency of T02 as ACCT 302.
- 2
Will accept transfer equivalency of ACCT T41 and ACCT T61 as ACCT 341 and ACCT 361.
- 3
Will accept the transfer equivalency of COMM T15 as COMM 315.
- 4
Either ACCT 341 or ACCT 361 can be used for admission to Major; the remaining course is one of the additional required upper-level Accounting courses.
- 5
Not applicable if taken as international course requirement.
- 6
Accounting Internship is recommended but not required. ACCT 497 and BUSX 460 cannot be taken in the same term. ACCT 497 must be a different experience than BUSX 460.
- 7
If selected, ACCT 495 and ACCT 497 must be taken for 3 units.
Sample Four-Year Plan
The selected course sequence below is an example of the simplest path to degree completion. Based on course schedules, student needs, and student choice, individual plans may vary. Students should consult with their adviser to make the most appropriate elective choices and to ensure that they have completed the required number of units (120) to graduate.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| ACCT 201 | 3 | ACCT 202 | 3 |
| ECON 202 or 204 (Core 6) | 3 | ECON 201 or 203 | 3 |
| Core 1 (or Core 2) | 3 | ECON 205 or MATH 231 (Core 3) | 3 |
| Core 10 | 3 | Core 2 (or Core 1) | 3 |
| Core 12 | 3 | Core 7 | 4 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| ACCT 301 | 3 | ACCT 3021 | 3 |
| ACCT 361 or 3412, 4 | 3 | ACCT 341 or 3612, 4 | 3 |
| LEGL 225 (Core 11) | 3 | LEGL 226 | 3 |
| EBTM 300 | 3 | MNGT 361 | 3 |
| COMM 131, 215, or 315 (Core 5 (COMM 215 and 315 are not a Core 5))3 | 3 | Core 8 (Different discipline from Core 7) | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| ACCT 303 | 3 | ACCT 300 | 3 |
| BUSX 301 (Core 9) | 4 | FIN 331 | 3 |
| MKTG 341 | 3 | EBTM 365 | 3 |
| Core 4 (different discipline from Core 5) | 3 | ACCT elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Core 13 | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| ACCT 401 | 3 | ACCT 421 | 3 |
| ACCT Elective | 3 | BUSX 460 | 3 |
| International Elective | 3 | MNGT 481 | 3 |
| MNGT 282 or PHIL 371 (Core 14) | 3 | ACCT Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 1 |
| 15 | 13 | ||
| Total Units 120 | |||
- 1
Will accept the transfer equivalency of T02 as ACCT 302.
- 2
Will accept transfer equivalency of ACCT T41 and ACCT T61 as ACCT 341 or ACCT 361.
- 3
Will accept the transfer equivalency of COMM T15 as COMM 315.
- 4
Either ACCT 341 or ACCT 361 can be used for admission to Major; the remaining course is one of the additional required upper-level Accounting courses.
Goals and Learning Objectives (LO):
College of Business and Economics Goals
CBE Goal 1: Know and Apply Core Knowledge and Concepts
CBE LO1a: Our Graduates will possess core accounting knowledge and an understanding of the accounting cycle to develop, measure, analyze, validate, and communicate financial and non-financial information.
Accounting Goals
Goal 1: Research, Prepare, Analyze and Communicate Financial, Regulatory and Other Statements/Information
LO1a: Our graduates will be able to apply relevant accounting and regulatory standards in order to conduct the necessary research for and prepare financial, regulatory, and other important accounting documents.
LO1b: Our graduates will be able to communicate the findings of their analyses and interpretations of financial, regulatory, and other important accounting documents.
Goal 2: Use and Apply Technological Tools and Analytical Methods
LO2: Our graduates will be able to utilize accounting software to process transactions, analyze data, and produce a variety of financial reports.
Goal 3: Understand the importance of ethical behavior in the accounting profession
LO3: Our graduates will be able to understand and apply the precepts of accounting ethics to situations that they will encounter in their professional careers.