Mar 29, 2024  
2020-2021 University Catalog 
    
2020-2021 University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Accounting, BS


About the Program

Accountants help businesses and organizations solve problems and succeed in a rapidly changing, globally competitive environment. Accountants prepare and interpret financial information that is used in a variety of settings. Companies use accounting information in strategic planning and performance evaluation. Investors, lenders and venture capitalists use accounting information when deciding whether and where to invest their funds. Government regulators, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission and even the FBI, use accounting information to detect fraud.

With Krannert’s accounting degree, you can pursue a career in public, corporate, tax, non-profit or government accounting. Our graduates join a network of Purdue alumni who hold important positions in organizations around the world. For example, Beth Brooke-Marciniak, CPA and Global Vice Chair - Public Policy at EY, has been named to the Forbes List of 100 Most Powerful Women. Our graduates place nationally with Big 4 accounting firms, regional public accounting firms, Fortune 1000 companies, consulting firms, small corporations, not-for-profits and government agencies across the U.S. and internationally.  A sample of recent jobs that our students have accepted.

You can also prepare for the highly valued Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Management Accounting (CMA) professional certifications. The Accounting Area offers specialized courses in forensic and international accounting, two of the most important growth areas in accounting today.

In addition to your accounting classes, you will take courses in other management areas, such as operations management, finance, marketing and human resource management as you complete your accounting degree. As a result, you will leave Krannert with a solid understanding of both accounting and overall business operations.

Not majoring in Accounting? You can develop valuable accounting skills by concentrating or minoring in Accounting in conjunction with other majors by taking 12 credit hours of upper division accounting classes. For more information, please check with an undergraduate advisor.

Check out a story about how our accounting students helped Purdue to transition to its new procurement system: click here

While studying at Purdue, accounting students have ample opportunities for professional development and networking through student organizations sponsored by the Accounting Area. The Accounting Area is committed to Purdue’s mission of creating and disseminating knowledge. Over the last several years, our faculty members and recent Ph.D. graduates publish their research in top academic journals and present it conferences around the world. Check out our undergraduate accounting clubs (Beta Alpha Psi and the Purdue Accounting Association). There are lots of ways to get involved!

Two Outstanding Programs:

  • Our undergraduate accounting major is a 120 credit hour program that provides students with the foundation for successful careers in accounting and business or for graduate study.
  • Our Masters of Science (Accounting) degree is a two-semester, 30 credit hour program that features a flexible curriculum with field consulting opportunities with start-ups and non-profits. Students tailor their coursework to their career goals while becoming CPA-exam ready.

 

Accounting Major Change (CODO) Requirements  

Degree Requirements


120 Credits Required

Department/Program Major Courses (62 credits)


Other Departmental/Program Course Requirements (36-37 credits)


Electives (21-22 credits)


  • Electives - Credit Hours: 21.00-22.00

The number of general electives will vary for each student and can include AP credit, transfer credit, and/or Credit by Exam.

Management Admission Index (MAI) Core


Management Admissions Index(MAI) classes consist of:

  • ECON 25100 Microeconomics
  • ENGL 10600 First-year Composition or ENGL 10800 Accelerated First-year Composition or SCLA 10100 Transformative Texts, Critical Thinking and Communication I: Antiquity to Modernity or HONR 19903 Interdisciplinary Approaches to Writing
  • MA 16010 Applied Calculus I
  • MGMT 20000 Introductory Accounting
  • COM 11400 Fundamentals of Speech Communication or COM 21700 Science Writing & Presentation OR SCLA 10200 Transformative Texts, Critical Thinking and Communication II: Modern World OR EDPS 31500 Collaborative Leadership: Interpersonal Skills

Upper Division Requirements: A student must 1) complete all MAI courses with a 3.00 or above MAI GPA AND a 2.50 cumulative GPA 2) have a C- or higher in all MAI AND any School of Management courses(MEO) 3) Not be on academic probation.

  • University Policy states students may only attempt a course 3 times and grades of W or WF are included in this limit. Per the School of Management, no more than three different MAI courses, or their equivalents, may be taken two times for a grade.
  • Students are responsible for consulting their advisor about re-take options available to them.
  • Previous enrollments in MA 16100, 16200, 16500, 16600 do not count against the retake policy for the MAI.

University Core Requirements


For a complete listing of University Core Course Selectives, visit the Provost’s Website.
  • Human Cultures: Behavioral/Social Science (BSS)
  • Human Cultures: Humanities (HUM)
  • Information Literacy (IL)
  • Oral Communication (OC)
  • Quantitative Reasoning (QR)
  • Science #1 (SCI)
  • Science #2 (SCI)
  • Science, Technology, and Society (STS)
  • Written Communication (WC)

Prerequisite Information:


For current pre-requisites for courses, click here.


 

Program Requirements


16-17 Credits


Spring 1st Year


16 Credits


15 Credits


15 Credits


Fall 3rd Year


15 Credits


15 Credits


Fall 4th Year


15 Credits


Spring 4th Year


  • Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Elective - Credit Hours: 0.00-1.00

*Taking an internship in this semester is highly recommended - if you are interested in this option please discuss with your advisor. Financial Aid & Visa status may be impacted.

12-13 Credits


Notes


  • MGMT, OBHR and ECON courses numbered 30000 or higher can only be taken after being admitted to Upper Division, with the exception of OBHR 33300. Students may take this course during their Sophomore Year.
  • Courses taken on approved Krannert study abroad programs may be used to satisfy degree requirements. Students participating in a Purdue approved study abroad program are registered as full-time Purdue students during their semester abroad. Schedule an appointment with your advisor to discuss study abroad opportunities.
  • Information on summer courses is available at www.purdue.edu/thinksummer.
  • Graduation Index: 2.00 minimum - Major Index: 2.00 minimum
  • Transfer credit for upper level MGMT, OBHR and ECON (Purdue Transfer Credit Courses) will only be considered if taken at a 4 year AACSB accredited school.

World Language Courses


World Language proficiency requirements vary by program. The following list is inclusive of all world languages PWL offers for credit; for acceptable languages and proficiency levels, see your advisor.

ASL-American Sign Language

ARAB-Arabic CHNS-Chinese FR-French
GER-German GREK-Greek (ancient) HEBR-Hebrew (Biblical) HEBR-Hebrew (modern)
ITAL-Italian JPNS-Japanese KOR-Korean LATN-Latin
PTGS-Portuguese RUSS-Russian SPAN-Spanish  

Critical Course


The ♦ course is considered critical.

In alignment with the Degree Map Guidance for Indiana’s Public Colleges and Universities, published by the Commission for Higher Education (pursuant to HEA 1348-2013), a Critical Course is identified as “one that a student must be able to pass to persist and succeed in a particular major.  Students who want to be nurses, for example, should know that they are expected to be proficient in courses like biology in order to be successful.  These would be identified by the institutions for each degree program”. 

Disclaimer


The student is ultimately responsible for knowing and completing all degree requirements.

The myPurduePlan powered by DegreeWorks is the knowledge source for specific requirements and completion.