If you have a way with numbers, consider earning a Bachelor of Science in accounting at University of Maryland Global Campus. No matter their mission or type of work, all companies and agencies need accounting departments to keep their finances on track, so with an accounting degree, you’ll have a wide range of directions to choose from.

This major combines theory and practice to help prepare you to analyze and report on the economic activities of organizations. You'll develop skills in managerial accounting, budgeting, accounting systems, internal controls, financial analysis, financial reporting, internal and external auditing, taxation, and international accounting.

These requirements are for students who enroll in the 2020–2021 academic year. Read this year's program catalog to see our recommended course sequence for this program. For prior year academic requirements, visit our catalog archive.

This program is also available as a minor.

About the Accounting Bachelor's Degree

What You'll Learn

Through your coursework, you will learn how to

  • Communicate with financial and nonfinancial audiences in a clear and concise manner and make appropriate financial decisions
  • Research, prepare, analyze, and review financial and business data by applying accounting and business management principles to produce financial and business reports
  • Use current technology and analytical tools to work collaboratively and facilitate decision making
  • Employ analysis, critical thinking, and problem solving to identify, test, and validate processes, systems, and financial data
  • Define, develop, and demonstrate ethical business practices and accountability by identifying and addressing current and emerging issues
  • Conduct fraud detection and deterrence planning, analysis, and communications
  • Perform a range of functions, including auditing and financial reporting, to manage finances for federal agencies
  • Create reports and conduct disclosure analysis

Coursework Examples

In past projects, students have had the opportunity to

  • Relate accounting concepts to actual companies and agencies
  • Analyze the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Form 10-K, which companies use to disclose information
  • Review and analyze publicly traded companies and examine federal financial statements, operation reviews, RFPs, and reports related to fraud and ethics
  • Review and analyze corporate governance and ethical issues to ensure understanding of and compliance with license and government regulations

Industry Certification

This program can help prepare you for the following certification exam(s):

*Requirements for CPA certification vary from state to state. Learn more about professional licensure.

Accounting Bachelor's Degree Requirements

Our curriculum is designed with input from employers, industry experts, and scholars. You'll learn theories combined with real-world applications and practical skills you can apply on the job right away.

Courses in the Major

Total Credits Required: 120

* See Related Required Courses below for more details.

Required Major Courses

  • ACCT 220
  • ACCT 221
  • ACCT 310
  • ACCT 311
  • ACCT 321
  • ACCT 323
  • ACCT 326
  • ACCT 410 or any upper-level ACCT course
  • ACCT 422
  • ACCT 424
  • ACCT 436 or any upper-level ACCT course
  • ACCT 438 or any upper-level ACCT course

Related Required Courses

The following required courses may be applied to general education or elective requirements:

  • BMGT 364
  • BMGT 380
  • ECON 201
  • ECON 203
  • FINC 330
  • MRKT 310
  • STAT 200
  • ACCT 411 or BMGT 496
  • WRTG 293 or COMM 390 or WRTG 394

Vertical Pathway

Through a vertical pathway, students who complete this program may be eligible to reduce their total coursework for a master’s degree in Accounting and Financial Management, Accounting and Information Systems, or Management with an Accounting specialization.

General Education Requirements

UMGC outlines the options available to fulfill the 41 credits of general education coursework for bachelor's degrees on the General Education Requirements webpage.

In addition to the major, elective, and general education courses and requirements outlined on this page, please review the overall bachelor's degree requirements.

Career Preparation

This program is designed to help prepare you for accounting careers and certifications in a wide range of industries as well as at corporations and nonprofit and government organizations.

State-Specific Details

This program is designed to help prepare students to sit for the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Exam and/or obtain initial licensure as a Certified Public Accountant in Maryland. To sit for the CPA Exam in Maryland, a candidate is required to have successfully completed 120 credits toward an accounting degree. Many other states, however, require candidates to successfully complete 150 credits prior to sitting for the CPA Exam.

To obtain initial licensure as a CPA in Maryland and most other states, a candidate is required to have successfully completed 150 credits. Maryland has additional requirements to obtain initial licensure as a CPA, not all of which can be fulfilled through education. Learn more about Maryland's requirements for initial licensure. Students seeking licensure in another state are advised to contact the appropriate licensing board in their state.

Learn more about professional licensure and how to contact your state's licensing board.

Student Clubs and Organizations

  • Accounting and Finance Community Hub

    • Type: Student organization
    Available To: Undergraduate and Graduate

    The Accounting and Finance Forum provides information about the accounting and finance majors as well as topics of interest from course selection to career paths. It assists students with the exploration of resources on accounting and finance careers and the accounting and finance fields, including job postings and information about career opportunities.

Awards & Recognition



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