Program Contact: Donn Johnson 203-582-8205
The Accelerated Dual-Degree BS in Economics/MS in Accounting (3+1) program offers highly motivated students an opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in accounting from the School of Business in just 4 years. Both degrees are completed in full without compromise.
This program offers advantages to students who have a passion for economics and ambitions for a career that combines economics and accounting. The study of economics develops your critical thinking and analytical skills. Students who would like to have their resume stand out from the pack, while developing an exceptional skillset and earning a respected degree in business, might consider this 3+1 program as a differentiator.
Additionally, this program offers advantages to students who wish to pursue careers in professional services firms, business corporations, governmental agencies, and business consulting firms among others. The program uniquely qualifies these graduates as accounting professionals in public and private accounting, as well as in government. By pairing their passion for economics with the Master of Science in Accounting, economics students substantially increase their employability and earning power upon graduation without compromising the personal, interpersonal and intellectual growth that a liberal arts education offers.
Students in the accelerated dual-degree BS in Economics/MS in Accounting (3+1) must complete:
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | |
| FYS 101 | First-Year Seminar | 3 |
| EN 101 | Introduction to Academic Reading and Writing | 3 |
| EC 111 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| MA 170 | Probability and Data Analysis | 3 |
| Foreign Language 101 | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| EN 102 | Academic Writing and Research | 3 |
| EC 112 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| EC 272 | Advanced Applied Statistics | 3 |
| Foreign Language 102 | 3 | |
| Fine Arts Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| Humanities Elective | 3 | |
| Fine Arts (AR) or Science (SC) (no lab) | 3 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| AC 211 | Financial Accounting | 3 |
| EC 211 | Intermediate Microeconomics | 3 |
| Natural Science with Lab | 4 | |
| Humanities Elective | 3 | |
| EC Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 2 | |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| EC 212 | Intermediate Macroeconomics | 3 |
| EC 365 | Econometrics | 3 |
| AC 212 | Managerial Accounting | 3 |
| EC Elective | 3 | |
| Free Electives | 6 | |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Personal Inquiry Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| AC 305 | Intermediate Accounting I | 3 |
| AC 411 | Auditing Theory and Practice | 3 |
| EC 450 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| EC Elective | 3 | |
| Free Electives | 6 | |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| AC 335 | Accounting Systems | 3 |
| CAS 420 | CAS Integrative Capstone | 3 |
| AC Elective | 3 | |
| EC Elective | 3 | |
| Free Electives | 6 | |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| AC 635 | Advanced Topics in Financial Accounting and Reporting | 3 |
| AC 645 | Information Assurance | 3 |
| AC 650 | Advanced Accounting Information Systems | 3 |
| MSA Electives | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| AC 660 | Strategic Management Control Systems | 3 |
| AC 670 | Advanced Business Law, Regulation, Ethics and Reporting Environments | 3 |
| AC 680 | Advanced Federal Income Taxation and Tax Research | 3 |
| MSA Electives | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 150 | |
Upon completion of the undergraduate program, students will demonstrate the following competencies:
- Knowledge of Economics: Students demonstrate and can apply the core theories of economics.
- Quantitative Reasoning: Students develop the ability to represent mathematical information symbolically, visually, numerically and verbally, and to interpret mathematical models such as graphs, tables and schematics to draw inferences. They also develop an ability to use arithmetical, algebraic, geometric and statistical methods to solve social and business problems.
- Critical Thinking: Students develop the ability to recognize problems and to acquire, assess and synthesize information to analyze social and business problems.
Upon completion of the MS in Accounting program, students will demonstrate the following competencies:
Students who graduate with this degree will demonstrate:
- Professional Communication: an ability to communicate complex accounting reports and other financial information in both technical and common language; a proficiency in the use of information technology packages to process information and to effectively complete tasks in applicable areas.
- Business Analytics and Critical Thinking: proficiency in the use of statistical and analytical tools to analyze complex accounting problems and the ability to make practical and reliable decisions as appropriate to resolve problems.
- Business Environment: the capacity to recognize ethical issues encountered in public and private accounting environments and consider resolutions that are legal and ethical with appropriate consideration on the firms’ material stakeholders; knowledge of the issues involved in Multinational Corporation accounting including a strong understanding of the issues in international financial reporting standards.
- Accounting Integration: knowledge of the principles and standards applied to financial reporting for U.S. corporations (U.S. GAAP) and to financial reporting for specialized industries and organizations such as nonprofits and governments; an understanding of the relevant professional standards.
Admission Requirements: Accelerated Dual-Degree BS in Economics/MS in Accounting (3+1)
The Accelerated Dual-Degree BS in Economics/MS in Accounting (3+1) program does not have a separate application process. Students admitted to the College of Arts and Sciences who meet the program criteria will be invited to enter the program. To be considered for this accelerated program, students generally must be ranked in the top 20 percent of their high school class, and must have a total SAT score (critical reading and math) of 1200 or higher, or an ACT composite score of 27 or higher.
Admission to the university is competitive, and applicants are expected to present a strong college prep program in high school. Prospective first-year students are strongly encouraged to file an application as early in the senior year as possible, and arrange to have first quarter grades sent from their high school counselor as soon as they are available.
For detailed admission requirements, including required documents, please visit the Admissions page of this catalog.